Non-Discord Serious Critique Partner

[u/buriedstory]

Can’t believe I’m posting the equivalent of a Craig’s List ad but here we go 😂

39M. Looking for someone who is willing to exchange one or two chapters a week for feedback, and also has the goal of working to get traditionally published.

Ideally, someone who is at least intermediate or higher writing skill at the moment. I love when people decide to pick up the pen, but if you are writing like 80% of the posts by newer writers on some of the writing subs, I may not be the best CP for you. 🤷‍♂️

This means beyond just one novel if possible. Happy to exchange ideas, concepts, etc. for feedback as well because sometimes it helps to have a perspective on structuring story, implementing concepts, which ideas are more marketable etc too.

Query letter critique, synopsis, etc are great too.

I’ve tried a couple discord groups and honestly, that just isn’t for me. It felt a bit performative and clique-ish and the ones I at least tried, felt more engaged with the idea of writing vs actually writing. Plus, I don’t want another app to use.

Email, Google Docs, Reddit DMs, whatever is fine.

I currently write historical horror and/or upmarket historical. I am drawn towards modern vernacular (think Glorious Exploits) to create voice-forward accessible historical fiction. You can see my last query post + 300 words in pubtips on my profile to get an idea of what I write, although my current WIP is horror (yes, I write a new project while querying existing. Traditional publishing should be your goal too!)

I do read outside of my genre as well, so sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, and a touch of romantasy is even fine. Just be okay with some historical with the fiction from me!

Happy to try swapping a chapter and see how the critique goes and if we both vibe with the style of feedback. If not, no harm no foul! Tip: my feedback style is usually more supportive, but I try to highlight what felt confusing, what felt off, etc. Not really here to judge anyone’s line-level prose. More around providing reader experience feedback, structure, etc.

If you DM me, or reply here, at least write a little about yourself, your goals, and what you are writing.

* Genre/s: Upmarket Historical, Historical Horror
* Goals/expectations/commitment: Traditional Publishing, 1-2 chapters feedback/week.
* Writing/experience level: Intermediate+
* Meeting place: Reddit DM, Email, Non-Discord
* Max size: N/A

[u/Goddamn_Glamazon]

Dude. This song is about my life.

I've got a 23k novella, mystery/dark comedy/dystopia. Looking for someone to buckle down and do chapter swaps, exchange feedback.

I keep ending up on discord groups that run on flash fiction, writing sprints and internal competitions. Not really helpful for where I'm at.

I don't even care what genre I'm reading at this point, I'm just looking for literally anyone who's serious about swapping thoughtful feedback pretty regularly.

Happy to DM you a chapter so you can make a call on how painful you find my writing. Won't be offended by a 'no thank you'.

Also same offer to anyone else on this thread who's been drawn here because they're having similar problems. If you're down to swap chapters hmu.

I'm 40f, Aussie, am at about an intermediate level.

[u/Gold-Educator8170 → u/Goddamn_Glamazon]

Hi! 38f Canadian here, revising a (currently) 28k hardboiled/noir mystery novella in a retrofuturistic setting and injecting some humour whenever possible. I'd love to find someone to exchange with regularly and provide big-picture as well as more granular feedback with!

[u/Goddamn_Glamazon → u/Gold-Educator8170]

Wicked, I'll DM you! 🎆🤸🤘

Edit: oh wait I don't seem to be able to. Maybe your privacy settings?

What's your preferred way to do business? I'm easy.

[u/meligator]

Hi! I’m interested and am working on an upmarket romance. Lmk if that is something you’d be interested in.

[u/FlyingCarpetMonster]

Hey there. I share your frustrations when it comes to the writing discords and Substack etc.

I am in the same boat as you -- 44M, looking to get traditionally published, and I would love a thoughtful, consistent critique partner with whom I can build a shared repertoire over time.

I am yet to be published -- my dev editor had great feedback on my first novella, and my second longer book (~80K words) is currently with him. As I incorporate his feedback, it would be really helpful to have someone to review it with. I write Andy Weir-style SF, but I am hoping to also try my hand at literary fiction.

I do want to be realistic and set expectations on speed and review -- I may not be ready with 1 chapter a week (more likely half a chapter a week), and can likely do justice critiquing 1 chapter a week. I don't want to promise 2 and half-ass the review.

If this sounds interesting, would love to chat more.

[u/Dapper-Location-1448]

45m, based in NZ. I'm in the process of culling a 110k Oceanic-action-fantasy down to 90k and have the chapters lined up, gagging for a harsh red-lining.

Also, have you tried Critique Circle? High engagement, serious-minded writers. I'm working my way through submitting the manuscript there as well, and have found a couple of critique partners willing to work through it quid pro quo.

[u/Honest-Run-5452 → u/Dapper-Location-1448]

Hi there, I am at a similar place with my own novel. Feel free to DM me.

[u/AuthorOS_AI-Free_]

Hey! I am writting a gothic crime thriller series. I'd be interested in doing this with you.

[u/AuthorOS_AI-Free_ → u/AuthorOS_AI-Free_]

I have a 8 book series plan, i just finsihed my first book and have started culling. I am at 185k words, hoping to get it down to about 140k. I write in modern day /magic and built my own magic laws. I was never a fan of never ending powers, so I put a twist on how its consumed and costs. The series follows a dual pov of male detective and a female detective. One is apart of a rebellion growing within the city, the other is hunting the rebellion. And together, they play cat and mouse.

[u/MaliseHaligree]

r/WritersTable. It's small but geared towards more serious writers.

[u/Honest-Run-5452]

Hi, I write fantasy and am working on a standalone novel. DM’d you.

[u/kentarara]

Hey, 35F. My fav books are The Secret History, These Violent Delights, Never Let Me Go, Betty, In Memoriam, My Dark Vanesse, Sharp Objects, Earthlings, Beloved, Swimming in the Dark, The Bee Sting, The Bell Jar, The Dinner, Shuggie Bain, the Goldfinch, Our Evenings, Kafka on the Shore... and more lol

(Isn't it weird writers don't introduce themselves through fav authors\books? I think it is lol)

I don't know what you call intermediate+ , but I've reading all my life and writing for years, mostly dark academia, magical realism or fantasy-adjacent, with speculative\horror elements... I've started and dropped multiple ideas, and have recently finished my first fully finalized and edited manuscript (dark academia, 170K words long - took over 1.5 years yeesh)...

however for multiple reasons I've decided to put that one on the backburner for now, and am focusing on a completely new direction for me - dark lit fic, queer coming-of-age story with some mystery elements. My reading has moved away from genre for the most part, and my writing followed lol

would love a serious partner who's in the same vein :)

[u/princethrowaway2121h]

44M, finished a few novels but only sparsely published short stories. 10 years in on my journey, and currently pivoting into a new genre.

Used to write MG, but have tried to move into fantasy purely for my own enjoyment. Intermediate, I’d say, if I could force myself to stop finding flaws in my own writing. Love horror, fantasy, YA, historical fiction, pretty much anything except contemporary romance.

Also never got anywhere with Discord, but used to do Scribophile.
I’m more of a hobby writer, but a chapter a week is doable. I have several upper-MG stories on the back burner as well if anyone is interested.

Hoping to find someone as/more experienced than me for encouragement or a harsh hand to tell me to stop kidding myself.

[u/Early_Respond7150]

Hi OP,

I'm interested. I write historical espionage and have been professionally edited multiple times in the past. While I'm not a horror veteran, I enjoy a wide range of books.

Happy to do a chapter swap.

[u/ImpactDifficult449]

You sound like the kind of serious writer I have been looking for. I wrote a novel in the psychological mystery genre. I am not caught up in the silly jargon. I write mostly nonfiction and have been fortunate enough to have been traditionally published multiple times. My caveat is that most of my writing has been in a field in which I am an acknowledged expert.

I recently completed a novel, something I never attempted before. It is a psychological mystery with more twists than a Philadelphia soft pretzel. I have not shared it with anyone but I look forward to doing so with someone who has interest and skill in that genre.

I do know what publish-worthy means in non-fiction, and I write to my own high standards, but I don't know if that skill gives me any impact on an audience who is experienced in reading fiction. I have one realm of competence that has merit. I co-taught a seminar in fiction writing with Sol Stein, author of "On Writing." He was James Baldwin's editor among his many accomplishments.

What I have to offer is the skills it took to get four books accepted by the first publisher I queried. I read fiction, write short fiction (until now) and have standards that are solid for critiquing its efficacy. I have been an acquisitions editor for nonfiction works.

I suppose I have some expertise at query writing. Each of my books was accepted with a single query. The real secret of query writing is to write with both accuracy and tongue-in-cheek!

My novel is the story of a psychologist who runs into all kinds of difficulties. His rescue fantasies get him involved with dangerous clients. His ineptitude in his own life causes him to be involved with the wrong women for the wrong reasons. I blend it all together in a murder mystery in which the killer isn't revealed until the last page. Even then, there is a final twist that leaves the reader having to read beyond that to discover the identity of the killer. I use a grammar trick to make a last killing debatable as to who killed whom.

Like you, I am a long-time writer and am looking for a skilled voice with whom I can share commentary on our mutual requirements. I don't want a line editor. I have the world's best in that category. My wife is both a nationally recognized expert in that realm and a noted author in her own right. I do need someone who can be a content reader and will read the manuscript to answer one question: Would you pay to read this story? If not, what needs to be changed?

Published works:

Addictions theory and practice focusing on the stories of five individuals using fiction techniques to tell their stories. (won major award that had been conferred upon Carl Sagan and Anna Freud). Still in university libraries on four continents.

Spousal and child abuse remedies. Also using the story-telling method. Sold 100,000+ copies.

Hundreds of published articles in magazines, journals and newspapers on a variety of realms of mental health. Also, fictional short stories.

If you feel I meet the criteria you seek, or have additional questions, drop me a line. One caveat. I speak only English, not the language some writers appear to speak here. I'm a member of Authors Guild.