I don't know where to go from here

[BustyDeLaGhetto]

HELLO.

I have completed two novels since I lost my job a couple of years ago - both have been edited twice and I am now sending them off to agents. Getting a lot of rejections, obvs. It happens. I don't really know how to keep positive - I think I need readers, critiquers or just...something. I can't afford a manuscript consultation with TLC but wondered if there were any good writing forums or writers pools where I can find advice on approaching agents, synopsis, have someone look at my work, and be honest.

I know that I can write, but I can't get far enough away from my books to see them objectively IYSWIM? HELP!

Are you sure the books are no good? Traditional publishing is very flat at the moment. You could look at self publishing, especially if your books are in a known commercial genre like romance or crime. Take a look online at some SP forums. I know an author who couldn't get anyone to take her writing seriously so she published online and is making a good give-up-the-day-job living.

If you want feedback, there are online groups like Write Words or You Write On, but you may also find authors in your area if you set up a writing group. People might swap scripts. Also, you are writing for readers, ultimately, so you could find some beta readers: people you trust to give honest not flattering opinions (not family and best friends) and who would choose to read in that genre normally. A local book club reading group might be up for reading it and appraising it.

Absolutewrite.com

You can only post work on there for critique once you've made 50 posts but you can make friends on there exchange beta reading.

The other good place these days is Goodreads - find a writers ' chat group - but ime Goodreads is quite variable whereas the culture on Absolute Write is a good combination of supportive and straight talking.

I recommend WriteWords. I've been a member there for a couple of years. It's a bit quieter than it used to be, but might be a good starting point?

I was looking for a beta reader swap a while ago, but am now editing again, so I wouldn't have time for a few weeks, and would depend what sort of thing you're writing (I'm not sure I'd be the best person to critique sci-fi for example, and you may not like reading memoirs, which is what I'm currently writing).

PM me if you'd like to do a swap though, and I'll see how I'm fixed.

Do you know what I had no idea I'd had these responses, thank you - i have just signed up to Absolute Write and will check Write Words too.

I've only looked briefly at self publishing - it's the initial endless promotion which frightens me off I think, and it definitely needs some feedback before I'd place it on the market.

Ugh, rejection. I just need to toughen up.

You will toughen up.
What I found was that because I was so frantic to make the book good, I switched to a mode where I was desperate for my beta readers to find things wrong with it, and if one came back and said 'it was brilliant, I loved it!' I was actually disappointed, because I knew it wasn't

You can get a writing coach? I've just found out they exist. Look at the Writers Centre in Norfolk, for instance, they have a coach.