Welcome… I’m New Here! Hello from the home of Shakespeare~

Rosewell Case · May 23, 2026

Hello! New member here based in Stratford-upon-Avon. I've just finished my gothic fantasy duology and have just begun querying agents.
Looking forward to meeting like-minded writers and gaining some skills along the way.
I'm looking for honest and brutal feedback on my query and perhaps the MS too.

My biggest struggle at the moment is getting friends to read my work. Has anyone else experienced this?
I cannot count how many people have offered to read it, made me print it off etc and then never got round to it.
They all have busy lives, but part of me thinks it may be that they have read some of it and it has not grabbed them. Any advice would be truly welcome!

When I'm not batting my two cats away from my keyboard, I am usually travelling with work or writing for aviation magazines.
Looking forward to meeting you all and exploring Litopia!

RK Wallis · May 23, 2026

Hey @Rosewell Case,

Welcome aboard

What a gorgeous and special part of the world to hail from!

Never ask friends to read just because you won't get the constructive feedback that's the magic that makes your work stronger.

I have one friend who reads fast and loves my genre, and she has read almost every book I've written. The most I get is, "I enjoyed that," for the whole book. I'm always hopeful I'll get more, and believe me I ask for it, but her response is always useless. I don't want to hear it's good. I can't work with that

That feels like lip service and I don't trust the reaction.

People do have busy lives and finding readers is hard. I think it's hard because, although people want to help, when push comes to shove, if it's not for them, it's not for them. It isn't a reflection on your book, especially if it's been through critiques and beta reading (with hopefully more than 1 person).

Have you checked out Querytracker for agents?

xx Rachel

Claire G · May 23, 2026

Welcome! I pretty much agree with everything @RK Wallis said, though I do have one friend who reads my work and gives amazing feedback. Many Litopians are very generous with their time and give insightful, honest and constructive feedback. Do give more than you receive via the Lab though, and build relationships before asking for readers of a full manuscript as this is a big time commitment for people xx

Vagabond Heart · May 23, 2026

Hi and welcome to the group. It’s nice to have you with us.
When you’ve settled in, got to know us, and dived into The Lab and given some feedback, you’ll be able to ask for feedback in return.
Most people start with the opening chapter, or the first 3 chapters.
That way you get to know what people agree works or doesn’t work, and whose feedback resonates with you and which you find helpful.
And if any of the people giving feedback say “ I’d happily read on” then you can start your ‘invite to Beta read’ list.

Sedayne · May 23, 2026

Hi @Rosewell Case

Welcome to Litopia. It's very nice to meet you.

Finding readers for a full MS is a big ask, but not impossible. It's not just about finding readers, but finding the right readers for this stage. Because it's a finished draft, not a finished novel, and you need insight into what works and what doesn't, rather than a friend who will just say "I loved it" or a stranger who might pull it to bits.

But you can find the perfect beta reader here. As Bev says, once you get to know us, you'll find other writers who work in similar genres and you can help each other with critiques.
Start with a chapter or two and build up from there.

Looking forward to reading you in the Lab.

Rachel

Lakeland Waffler · Sunday at 4:14 PM

Hi @Rosewell Case

It’s lovely to meet you. Looking forward to seeing you around the Colony and reading your work.

Clare x

Rosewell Case · Tuesday at 8:08 PM

Thanks so much for a warm welcome

Definitely some sage words in there. I have made one buddy on a writing forum who has given me loads of helpful feedback, but my pals have always been too busy. And if they did read it, I very much felt like they were forcing themselves to. So I think Litopia is definitely the place for constructive feedback. Looking forward to getting stuck into the lab too!

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