Writing is solitary work. Sometimes an idea sparks motivation and inspiration for a great new book project that we eagerly begin, only to see that spark fizzle partway through the writing process. 
This can be frustrating, especially when we know our book needs to be shared with the world. Accountability and feedback can be key in helping you get that manuscript from work-in-progress to completed book, and finding a fellow writer whom you trust can be an invaluable asset in helping you complete your first draft—and beyond!
How to Find a Critique Partner
We’ve all received feedback from family and friends who tell us in glowing tones, “It’s brilliant! I wouldn’t change a thing!” While it’s initially gratifying to receive warm praise from those around us, eventually we realize we need some more real-world feedback and critique from people who “get” the publishing business—often, that means other writers. Finding another writer who is at the same stage of the publishing process as you—whether that’s just starting your first draft or actively seeking an agent—can be enormously helpful as you chisel your manuscript. So where to find this trusted partner?
Writing Conferences
If you attend in-person writing conferences, look for opportunities to network with other nonfiction writers who seem reliable and knowledgeable about the publishing business. Then, exchange contact info!
Nonfiction Authors Association Facebook Group
You already know that the NFAA is a vibrant community of nonfiction authors just like you. Did you know the NFAA has an active Facebook group for Authority members? You can always put out a call in a post for another writer whom you’d like to exchange work with. Be sure to list the genre you write in, word count of the material you’d like feedbacked (if applicable), and what type of feedback experience you’d like.
Industry Groups
If you’re part of any industry networking groups or associations, look out for mentions from members who’ve written a book and reach out to them. They just might be writing book #2 and could use some motivation and feedback from a fellow author!
Does my partner need to write in my same genre?
It depends. While it’s certainly helpful to have a partner who understands the ins and outs of your particular genre or subject, it can often be just as helpful to have a partner who is a layperson in your field—he or she just may find things (too much jargon, or info that wouldn’t be of interest to a larger trade audience, for example) that someone close to your industry wouldn’t catch!
How to Give Feedback
You most likely have a life outside of writing. Just like anything else, schedule time for providing material to your partner and also for reading their work. Settle on a date—for example, the first Friday of the month—to exchange work, then another time—perhaps the third Friday—to return feedback. It also helps to be clear on how many pages you’ll be exchanging. It doesn’t always have to be equal number of pages or words (for example, maybe one of you wants feedback on an outline while the other has a whole chapter to share), but trying to keep the workload as even as possible will ensure that both of you are satisfied by the time and energy given and received.
What to Do as a Critique Partner
For a critique partnership to be a beneficial experience, both writers should commit to giving written feedback on a scheduled basis. After sending back your partner’s work with your commentary, you could even meet periodically via video call to go over things in more detail. In general, sending Word doc attachments and offering feedback as margin comments will work for most writers, but be sure you have compatible software and abilities, and agree on a mode of written feedback before proceeding.
As the feedback receiver: Be clear about what you want from your feedback—if you’re looking for feedback on whether your outline makes logical sense, ask for that feedback explicitly. If you’re wondering if you need to provide more examples, say so. It can also be helpful to tell your partner what you don’t need. If you know, for example, that your book will need a copy edit but you’re not in need of that yet, let your partner know so they’re not correcting commas when what you really need is focusing on content.
As the feedback giver: the more you can address what your partner is specifically looking for in your critique, the better. If you find something glaringly wrong in your partner’s writing (for example, a fact or statistic that is flat-out incorrect), you can note it, but keep this to a minimum, and stick to feedbacking what your partner has asked for. Also find opportunities to note things that work well—a particularly adept turn of phrase, or a point well made, for example. Don’t be disingenuous about it, but do look for and call out the good where you can.
What Not to Do
While providing constructive criticism is absolutely necessary to helping your partner improve their work, be sure to keep your feedback from straying too far into negative language. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to offer anything like, “You make no sense here” or “This is utterly ridiculous and has no basis in reality.” Just like with other forms of communication, using “I statements” can soften negative responses: “I feel unsure about what is being said here. Does this mean X or Y or something different?” can help a writer focus on what is a source of confusion or sloppy writing without feeling judged or defensive. The more you can focus specifically on the words and writing, the clearer your feedback will become.
Once you find your partner and hammer out the process for how you’ll provide feedback, give yourselves some time to develop your routine, get into a groove, and grow comfortable with one another. Of course, if over time you find the partnership simply isn’t working, you can be kind but honest with your partner that it isn’t and agree to go your separate ways. But chances are, once you settle into the partnership, you’ll most likely find you truly crave the consistency of the feedback and the accountability to help you complete your work and move toward the next step in your publishing goals.
