"The Gentle Pen" - Feedback

📬 Sharing Your Manuscript: How to Ask for Feedback (Without Losing Your Nerve)

You’ve done the work.

You dreamed up a story, planned it, wrote it, edited it—probably more times than you care to count. And now? You’ve got something amazing in your hands: a complete manuscript.

Take a moment. That’s huge.

But before it makes its way to bookstores, agents, or even Amazon… it’s time for one of the most important (and bravest) steps in your author journey:

Sharing your manuscript.

Getting feedback can feel intimidating—maybe even a little terrifying. But it’s a powerful part of the process, and it can make the difference between a good book and a great one.

Let’s talk about how to do it with purpose, confidence, and kindness (especially to yourself).

🎯 Why Feedback Matters

No matter how experienced you are as a writer, you’re still close to your story. Too close, sometimes, to see what’s missing or unclear. That’s where readers come in.

The right feedback helps you:

• Catch plot holes, confusing scenes, or inconsistencies

• Understand how your target audience might react

• Tighten your pacing and improve clarity

• Gain confidence in the parts that are working beautifully

Feedback isn’t about judgment. It’s about growth.

👀 Who Should Read Your Manuscript?

This part is key. Not everyone is the right reader at every stage. Here are a few options:

🧡 Trusted Beta Readers

These are your first readers—often friends, family, or other writers. Choose people who:

• Know and respect your creative process

• Will be honest, but kind

• Understand your genre (especially important in children’s books)

Tip: Don’t give it to someone who “doesn’t really read.” You want readers who love stories—especially the kind you’re telling.

📚 Target Audience Testers

If you're writing for children, find parents, teachers, librarians—or actual kids (with parental consent!)—who can give feedback on tone, clarity, and engagement.

📝 Writing Groups or Critique Partners

If you're part of a writing group or have critique partners, this is their time to shine. These writers know how to give constructive, craft-focused notes.

💼 Professional Editors or Sensitivity Readers

Later in the process, you may hire a developmental editor or sensitivity reader. These pros offer expert insights on structure, representation, and readiness for publication.

✉️ How to Ask for Feedback (And Actually Use It)

Be clear about what you’re looking for. When you send your manuscript, include a note like this:

Hi! I’ve just finished the latest draft of my children’s book and I’d love your honest feedback. I’m especially curious to know: Were there any confusing parts or places where you lost interest? Did the message come through clearly? How did the pacing feel—too fast, too slow, just right? Any characters or scenes that really stood out to you (good or bad)?

This helps your reader focus and gives you useful, actionable responses.

And don’t forget to ask:

Please only give feedback when you’re ready—I want your honest thoughts, not rushed ones!

🌿 Receiving Feedback With Grace

Even when it’s kind and constructive, feedback can sting. That’s normal. You’ve poured your heart into this. But remember:

• Not all feedback is right—if it doesn’t sit well with you, trust your gut.

• Patterns matter—if multiple people point out the same issue, it’s worth revisiting.

• Your story is still yours—you get to choose what to change and what to keep.

Give yourself time to process. Step away if you need to. Then return with a clear head and a red pen.

🪞Final Thought: Sharing Is a Courageous Act

Letting others read your unfinished story is an act of vulnerability—but it’s also an act of trust. In your readers, yes—but more importantly, in yourself.

It means you believe in your story enough to make it stronger. And that? That’s the mark of a real writer.

So go ahead. Press send. Slide that printout across the table. Hand it to someone you trust and say,“I wrote this. Tell me what you see.”

You’re getting so close now. Keep going.

Gently Share,

Liv

💬 Who do you trust most to read your early drafts? Do you have a “dream reader” in mind? Share your experiences in the comments—let’s cheer each other on!

#ManuscriptMilestone#FeedbackIsFuel#BraveWriter