How to get feedback on the first few chapters?

[BringItOnxxx]

I've got a first draft of a novel, I'd say it would come under uplit/women's fiction with historical aspect. I'm so nervous to let my friends and family read any of it in case it's crap! Also, is there any point asking friends and family for feedback? Where else do people get feedback from? Is it worth paying?

I would only ask friends for feedback if they read a lot of fiction in the specific genre you’re working in, and are going to feel able to be honest, even brutal if necessary. A friend is always my first reader and I am hers, and we’ve had to have very difficult conversations —’ditch this entire subplot’, ‘the ending doesn’t work’, etc.

I’m sure other people will be along with other suggestions for sources of online feedback. Paying for feedback on an entire MS from somewhere reputable like The Literary Consultancy is pricey — I got a heavily discounted one as part of a prize years and years back, and the report was excellent, though.

I’ll read them 🙂

Try critiquecircle.com - you crit other people's work in return for credits, which you use to "pay" to upload your own work.

I am on https://www.scribophile.com/ where you can have your chapters critiqued by others. I find it really helpful and have made some lovely supportive friends on there. We have a not-very-active Mumsnet writers group on there.

I'd rather do it on-line than face to face-easier to go away and lick your wounds, but actually most people are very nice even when critiquing!

There are several other similar ones around if you google. I tried a couple before I settled on Scribe and that's the format I found most helpful. There is someone who often pops up here and says how dreadful Scribe is and recommends her one. Not sure why as they're doing similar things just in different ways, so what suits one person doesn't suit another.
So try a few and see which suits you best.

Thanks for the advice/links, going to give these a try!

Wow @Lurkingandlearning that would be amazing, if you're sure. I will DM you. Thanks so much.

Yes, DM me if you’d still like to

@Lurkingandlearning I will!

As an editor, I'd really emphasise not giving your book to just any friend to read, you need someone who reads in your chosen genre a lot as pp said.

Getting the 'wrong' feedback for your book can either make you believe it's stronger than it is, or worse send you off on completely the wrong track.

Other writers in the genre are a great shout, as usually those people are great readers.

My dad was in a creative writing group and he asked me to look at everyone's 'final piece', then he told me afterwards what was praised and what wasn't. The piece that was far and away the best, that in fact ended up with a publishing deal (I asked my dad to put me in touch with the author) was the piece the other course participants thought was the weakest!

Totally agree with @puffinstealer. I'm an author and editor - I don't think many of your friends will be able to give you good advice. Look at places like Jericho Writers to get good feedback. It's really worth investing in your writing career.