The READERS for WRITERS Mission
Readers for Writers is a nonprofit organization that provides aspiring writers with objective feedback to help them develop as artists. Readers for Writers offers the following services:
Recruiting Mainstream Readers for Specific Genres
Readers for Writers recruits readers nationwide and selects those with significant experience reading and purchasing works in the genres that interest participating writers. Even though they are not writers themselves, these readers love the art of writing and have embraced the philanthropic vision of Readers for Writers. They have a passion for developing new writing talent and understand how important it is for writers to have honest feedback from audience members in addition to that from other creators. Our emphasis on mutually enhancing social entrepreneurship draws readers from a wide range of ages and backgrounds.
Matching Writers with Knowledgeable and Interested Readers
If a writer develops a mystery novel, for example, the work will be read by a reader who prefers mysteries; this holds true for each literary genre.
Providing Comprehensive and Meaningful Feedback
Readers for Writers is not an editorial service. As artists, writers know how to benefit and work with constructive criticism. Writers need objective feedback from knowledgeable literary consumers. Readers provide short narrative feedback in several distinct areas:
Character • Plot • Setting • Writing quality • Overall response
Writers may have particular questions about how readers respond to certain scenes or characters, for example, or whether they find certain plot elements believable and compelling. This feedback can help writers understand what works and how to strengthen their art while developing ongoing skills..
Maintaining Privacy
Many writers are reluctant to share their art until they feel it is completely ready, for fear of alienating fellow writers or others in the publishing industry. As a result, they may fail to identify serious problems in character, plot development or style while they are developing a particular work. Writers can choose whether to share the praise or criticism that they receive through Readers for Writers regarding specific works. This reduces the perceived risk entailed with obtaining feedback. Readers for Writers allows writers to obtain valuable feedback from objective sources that can be considered during the period in which the work is being finished and polished for commercial publication.
