Whole Novel Help

By Kristen Crowley Held

You've finished your novel! Woohoo! Congratulations! Now what?

Maybe you’ve already taken advantage of opportunities at workshops and conferences to have an industry professional critique the first 5-25 pages of your manuscript. You’ve polished those first few pages until they shine, but you’re not sure the rest of your novel is up to snuff.

Is there such a thing as whole novel help?

Absolutely! Let’s take a look at some options.

MANUSCRIPT SWAPPING

Find another writer who's willing to do a manuscript swap. They critique your novel and you critique theirs. Finding a good match isn’t easy, and may take some trial and error. Get to know the other writers in your area by attending local conferences and author events. Your regional SCBWI chapter can also be a great resource. You just might discover the perfect crit partner in your own hometown, but if not, there are several websites where you can find writers who are willing to do a manuscript swap. Here are a few places to look for your perfect match (note that some of these sites require you to register in order to gain access to their boards, but registration is free):

Verla Kay’s Blue Board: Queries and Critique Requests 

Absolute Write Water Cooler: Beta Readers, Mentors, and Writing Buddies 

WriteOnCon: Critique Partner Match-up 

Nathan Bransford: Connect with a Critique Partner 

In addition, several writerly blogs have offered matchmaking services in the past and may do so again. A few to watch:

Maggie Stiefvater's Words on Words Critique Partner Love Connection 

Mary Kole's Kidlit.com Critique Connection

Deana Barnhart's Critique and Beta Connections
Miss Snark's First Victim Authoress's Critique Partner Dating Service 

AUCTIONS

Bid on a whole novel critique and help out a worthy cause! Some annual opportunities to check out:

Crits for Water (examples of critiques up for bid in the 2012 auction) 

Brenda Novak's Annual Auction for the Cure for Diabetes (scheduled to open on May 1, 2013)

Keep your ears open for other auction opportunities that may be one-time events, but just might offer that full manuscript critique you’ve been looking for.

WORKSHOPS

Want to spend a few months working on your novel with an industry professional and have the added bonus of meeting other writers who are doing the same? These programs can be amazing opportunities to improve your craft.

Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program 

(All the fabulous things you’ve heard about this program are TRUE!)

Pacific Coast Children's Writers Whole Novel Workshop

Highlights Foundation Whole Novel Workshops (Middle Grade  and Young Adult)

Many SCBWI regions also offer workshops on novel revision that include the opportunity for feedback on your entire manuscript. Check the SCBWI website under Regional Events to see if there’s an upcoming event that will work for you.

INDEPENDENT EDITORS

You can find oodles of information online about what to look for when choosing an independent editor to work with one-on-one. Here are a few our monkey tribe has had the pleasure of working with:

Emma D. Dryden 

Lorin Oberweger  

Harold Underdown 

Marcy Weydemuller 

Cathy Yardley 

Writers Ink  

Whatever route you choose, keep in mind that what you are seeking is feedback, not a “quick fix.” Be sure to communicate your aspirations and expectations and give yourself time to process the input you receive.  If you approach the experience of soliciting “whole novel help” as an opportunity to learn, you really can’t lose.

And if you've already benefitted from some "whole novel help" I'd love to hear about your experiences!