Critique & Swap Guidelines - Read before Posting!

Welcome to the Novel Swaps and Critiques Forum

This is long, but please read it over before joining in the fray.

Think of this forum like a dating site for novels and readers. You've got a novel and you want some feedback, so this is the place to put up a personal ad to find someone who'd like give it a test drive. You may also want to read some other novels and give feedback. There is no obligation to share your novel if you're just here giving feedback. Please limit your posting of your work to 5 pages or 1,500 words, whichever is less.

Please note that explicit sexual material is not permitted anywhere on our forums as per our Terms and Conditions and will be removed.

How to Find a Reader

Pick the genre thread that best approximates your novel. Then create a "personal ad" for it, be sure to include these basic specs, which are basically the most commonly asked questions readers would have when selecting your novel:

Title

Length, Draft and Language

Brief Summary (not more than 300 words)

Sub Genre & Keywords - just in case someone's looking for a novel that deals with "genetic engineering", "parable" or "elections"

Known Issues - let the readers know the weaknesses you're aware of that they don't need to comment on. This is not an apology, and shouldn't be longer than the summary! (You can include more with the draft.)

Critique Requested - what do you want feedback on? Plot, a pass at the structure, tone, POV, grammar, character development, continuity?

Critique Tolerance - do you just want broad strokes and all the positive things or can you tolerate some of the more stark realities?

Experience & Goals - Is this your first novel? Are you looking to publish? Have you sent it out already and it just isn't clicking with publishers? What are your plans? (Be brief but help people understand what sort of critique would be helpful at this juncture.)

Method of Communication - do you want to email? Chat? Send snail mail versions of marked up manuscripts?

Anything else? Disclaimers (violence, strong language, graphic sex, etc.) Mention turnaround time for feedback if you have any deadlines.

How to Find a Novel

Browse the listings for the novels.

Pick one or more that interest you.

Send a NaNoMail note to the person and continue from there!

Don't promise more than you can deliver.

Posting Material for Critiques

The preferred method for seeking feedback is the above draft swapping. However, you may have smaller bits you're looking for more informal critiques on. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Clearly label your genre in your subject line as the first thing in brackets and ALL CAPS [FANTASY] or [ROMANCE], follow that with your title whatever your request is.

Please do not post full drafts in the forums. They will be removed.
Please limit your posting of your work to 5 pages or 1,500 words, whichever is less.
Be specific with what sort of feedback you want.
Be strong and don't take it personally. They're critiquing only what they've read on the screen.

Giving Critiques
Tell them what you see. Sometimes the strongest feedback a writer can get is knowing what you got out of it. Parrot what you think the themes or style is like.
Critique the writing, not the writer
Don't give critiques on material you know you would never like
Don't tell the writer how to write, just how to accomplish their goals

Some overall tips: reading and reviewing makes you better and editing your own work. So if you're stuck in your own process, take some time off and check in with other writers. You'd be amazed at how it can open you up to new possibilities in your own writing.

So, you've put yourself out there, you're waiting to hear from someone, and you're dying to know what they have to say.

What should you expect from your critiques? Honesty, criticism, and insight from someone not in your head. Beyond that, the more important question is what not to expect.

What NOT to expect from this forum:

1. Immediate, enthusiastic response - There is no way to force someone to read your work, and there will always be more people wanting critiques than those willing to give them. I know that during the NaNo season, it isn't unreasonable to expect fast turnarounds on anything, but this is the off season. Response will be slower, or nonexistent. Don't be disappointed if you get no nibbles.
2. Consistently positive feedback - when you do get feedback, be prepared for the fact that it may not be what you want to hear. It may be harsher than you expected, or a little too honest. This is double true if you haven't been clear about what sort of feedback you're looking for.
3. Professional input - Most people here are novices, and if you do get someone to critique your work, they may not be as skilled as others. That's okay, and don't be upset if this happens. This is a learning process for everyone involved, and the BEST way to learn about writing is to critique someone else's work. If your critique was lackluster, have no fear; maybe next time it will be better.

What can you do to improve your chances?

**Hook us! Think of this as a practice run for publishers... use this opportunity to hone your hook, bait your readers, and build interest. You've got a few seconds at best to snag someone's interest... use it wisely. If you can't be enthusiastic about your own work, how can you expect us to be?

**Be patient. Even if someone agrees to critique your work, it will take time to do so, and nagging won't help. And constantly bumping the topic and posting in multiple places won't help.

If you have any questions about this forum, or your topic, or whatever.. don't hesitate to ask the moderators. :) We're here to
help! If you have a thread or comment that you would like removed, please send a note to the forum moderator to have it removed, or you can also "flag" the post with the report button with a request to have it removed.
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Heather Dudley
Forums Moderator - Broke? You can still donate!
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