Getting Feedback on Your Writing

Why feedback matters

Whether you hope to be published in a magazine, as a book or on screen, or you write mainly for pleasure, other readers can help you improve your work.

Rewriting on your own will fix a lot. But you know what you meant to say, so it is hard to spot where a reader might get lost, bored or confused. A fresh reader might notice an unexplained time jump, an unconvincing character decision or an ending that resolves too abruptly.

A clear comment about what works and what does not can also help you restart a piece that has stalled.

Before you share your work

Not everyone will like what you have written, just as no published book pleases every reader. A negative reaction does not mean you lack talent, and a positive one does not mean the piece is finished.

Decide what kind of feedback you are ready for, and tell readers whether you want early encouragement, broad impressions or detailed criticism. These are different from structural editing, line editing and proofreading, which serve other purposes.

Choose readers who know your genre, intended audience and format. Screenwriters may get more from a table read or a group that works on scripts.

Agree the scope first. Give the word count, a deadline and specific questions, such as whether the opening holds their attention or the ending makes sense. Ask whether the reader has time, and do not send a full manuscript without their agreement. If the work contains potentially distressing material, warn them and let them decline.

Agree on confidentiality too, including whether your work may be passed on or uploaded to an AI tool. Posting writing publicly may affect your eligibility for some competitions or publications, so check their rules.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Where to find readers

Friends and family can be encouraging, and some are experienced readers or writers. For detailed revision, though, look for readers who know your genre and feel comfortable being candid. Other options include:

• Writing groups: many libraries, bookshops and community centres host local groups, and some meet online. Your library is a good place to ask.
• Courses and workshops: the WEA and City Lit offer creative writing classes. Arvon runs residential writing courses and retreats, while the National Centre for Writing offers courses and other development opportunities. Check current programmes, as a course may not include individual feedback on your work.
• Professional services: manuscript assessment services, such as The Literary Consultancy, provide detailed reports for a fee. Before paying, check the assessor's relevant experience, sample reports, turnaround time, total cost and whether you can ask questions afterwards. A paid assessment does not guarantee representation or publication.
• Writers' organisations: the Society of Authors offers professional advice and resources, and some membership options are open to writers who are not yet published. Check current eligibility on its website. Membership does not automatically include feedback on a manuscript.
• Competitions: some offer feedback to entrants, sometimes for an extra charge, but many do not. Check whether feedback is guaranteed, how detailed it will be and whether it comes from the judges or a separate reader.

In conventional trade publishing, authors do not normally pay a publisher to accept their manuscript. Be wary of services that imply paying for feedback will secure a publishing deal. If a company offers to publish your work for a fee, check its business model, full costs, contract and rights terms carefully. The Society of Authors and the Writers' & Artists' Yearbook both publish current guidance on spotting poor practice.

Making good use of what you hear

Listen before defending your choices. Make notes, and ask questions to clarify the feedback, such as where exactly a reader became confused, rather than trying to persuade them that the passage works.

Give yourself time before you react. Criticism can sting at first, and it is easier to judge whether a point is fair after a day or two.

Feedback shows you how readers respond. It does not oblige you to adopt every proposed change. If several readers stumble at the same point, investigate why, even if you do not use their solutions. A single comment that goes against your intentions may simply reflect one reader's taste.

Finally, offer feedback to others when you can. Reading other people's drafts closely helps you notice the same problems in your own, and in most writing groups, careful comments are how you earn careful comments in return.