What is this list?
This is a list of online resources where you can seek critique for your work in progress or completed story. If you are looking for a list of sites where you can post your work to find readership more so than feedback, check out this list of serialized writing platforms. Please note, this is not a list of sites where you can get reviews for your published story.
FAQ
What is alpha and beta reading? For the sake of this list, I define alpha readers as readers who provide feedback for your work while you are still writing the first draft. Beta readers are readers that provide feedback for your work after at least the first draft is complete. I make this distinction only because different sites/platforms have preferences on whether or not you have a completed draft before posting.
Can I publish after posting my work on a critique site? Generally speaking, if you publish your entire work online will be unable to traditionally publish. To avoid this, consider posting only a couple of chapters of your WIP with a synopsis, or posting your work in a private community (such as a Discord community) that is not readily searchable. There are no limitations to self/indie publishing.
Will somebody steal my work/ideas? Unfortunately, even good ideas are worth a dime a dozen. The risk of having your story stolen while you are seeking feedback is negligible. Those that should be mindful of having their work stolen are those that are publishing completed, polished stories, such as to Amazon or serialized writing platforms. Additionally, AI has been known to learn from content put onto serialized writing platforms such as AO3 and Wattpad.
Should I use AI to get free feedback on my manuscript? Unfortunately, any content put into AI can and will be used to train it.
Should I pay for critique instead? There are writers who believe that paid critiquers can never be entirely honest given that they have to have satisfied customers. That said, paying for critique can be beneficial if it matches your editing goals and you are in a financial position to do so. I include sites where you can pay for critique at the bottom of this page. Be warned that there are scammers on Fiverr and other sites that will simply copy-paste your manuscript into AI and send you the feedback the AI spits out. Obviously, any content put into an AI can be used to train it and most writers would want to avoid this. I recommend thoroughly reviewing any beta/alpha readers or editors before hiring.
How up-to-date is this list? I will attempt to keep this list updated. Everything I write here is based on community opinion, so if you know more about a new/established resource please send that information to /u/Ouulette on Reddit. Thank you!
short works only, alpha/beta readers
Each weekend a fresh thread titled "Weekly Critique and Self-Promotion Thread" is pinned to the top of /r/Writing and writers are invited to post a chapter or scene from their works for general feedback. Many stories get lost in the deluge of submissions. However, you may have some luck if you post earlier (Friday, Saturday) and with a smaller piece.
short works only, alpha/beta readers
Subreddit dedicated to high effort critiques. Despite the name, the community is not necessarily 'brutal', but holds critiques to a high standard. Be warned, /r/DestructiveReaders is reciprocal so you must post high-effort critiques before submitting your own work as detailed in their sidebar. Thankfully, the investment is often worth your time as the critiques received are likewise high quality.
long works preferred, beta readers
/r/Betareaders is a subreddit dedicated to connecting writers with prospective beta readers.
A lot of threads go unanswered, so if you're seeking a beta reader consider offering exchange on unanswered threads with stories that seem interesting or related to your own WIP.
Additionally, peruse the pinned, monthly "Available for Beta Reading" thread, where potential beta readers will indicate the kinds of stories they would be interested in reading. Potential betas post throughout the month, so check the thread occasionally to see if someone new has posted.
Other General Writing Subreddits with Critique:
/r/KeepWriting - Best for flash fics
/r/WeeklyWritingGroup - Private subreddit where writers submit works on Sunday, read each other's works and submit critiques on Tuesdays, with discussion in the evening. To join, please message /u/abkaiser or /u/klingonfaqs.
/r/WritingHub - Can make your own post if you are seeking Critique Partners (see rule 4). Otherwise look for "Feedback Friday" posts. Some weeks are open to any variety of post, while other weeks are reserved for first chapters or shorter works.
/r/Writers - Can post asking for feedback on works as small as a haiku, or for beta readers on works as large as an epic.
/r/WritersGroup - Best for flash fics or opening chapters.
Genre-Subreddits with Critique:
/r/Fanfiction - Please post to the weekly fic showcase
/r/FantasyWriters - Please follow critique posting guidelines
/r/OCPoetry - Please follow critique posting guidelines
/r/ScifiWriting - Please follow critique posting guidelines
/r/Screenwriting - Please follow submission guidelines in sidebar
/r/WritersOfHorror - Do not utilize like /r/nosleep, “fiction” only
/r/YAWriters - Per rule 4: no links to WIP, however can request beta readers
Feedback for Other Writer-ly Concerns:
/r/BookCovers - can ask for feedback on a cover
/r/Proofreading - please follow submission guidelines in sidebar
/r/PubTips - good for critique of query letters +/- the first 300 words of your story. However, your post must be appropriately tagged and demonstrate a basic understanding of query formatting or it may be deleted.
There are innumerable writing communities on DISBOARD, so you can find a community of nearly any size. Please note, not all communities allow people to ask for feedback, so please closely read the rules of the community you join.
Writers Block - have to level up by participating in the server in order to request feedback.
Bookdun - have to level up by participating in the server in order to request feedback.
Write, Revise, Repeat - have to level up by participating in the server in order to request feedback.
Indie Authors Ascending - for those with indie publishing in mind.
If you are part of a Discord community that is recruiting members, please message /u/Ouulette so I can add a link to your community here.
short/long works, alpha/beta services
Scribophile is an online writing workshop dedicated to the exchange of critiques, with the added bonus of having a lively forum. Writers gain "karma", which serves as the site's currency for submitting, by submitting critiques for other works and receiving positive reactions to their critiques. The reddit opinion of Scribophile is generally positive, although many say that your ability to participate in the community is limited unless you subscribe to "Premium" (at USD$89 per year or USD$11/month) which allows unlimited submissions and messaging.
long works, beta services
Site where you can seek out and give critiques for which you earn feathers, which serve as the site's currency.
long works, beta readers
New website (that is vaguely reminiscent of a dating website), which seeks to connect writers with either their ideal critique partner for free exchange, or with their ideal editor for hire.
long works, beta services
Google forum/bulletin board for writers where you can submit a request for beta reader exchange.
long works, beta services
Critique.org is the oldest workshop/critique group on the web, and their website can be difficult to navigate. To get involved, please submit your work here.
long works, beta services
Absolute Write is a well-respected, positive writer forum that tackles many subjects from drafting to publishing. The "Water Cooler" is their forum to ask for critique and find beta readers for exchange.
Please note, due to the high volume of people requesting betas, they recently instituted a "50 post requirement" before you can start a thread seeking a Beta reader.
short/long works, alpha/beta services
Critique Circle is a well-respected, older forum where you can discuss writing topics, as well as exchange critiques by using “credits” which serve as the site’s currency for submitting.
long works, beta services
Goodreads has lesser-known forums where writers post requests for beta reading services, for which you can offer exchange.
Other Writing Forums:
Nathan Barnsford Forums - agent turned writer, who runs a forum
Litopia - older forum with a friendly community
SheWrites Group - community for writing women that functions as part-forum, part-groups
Writer's Cafe - forums that offer critique and offer data-driving graphs to see how your work is received.
Writing Forums - a small and welcoming forum, check out the "Writing Workshop" boards
Faith Writers - Christian writing critique forums.
Paid/Subscription Writing Workshop Resources:
Reedsy - (beta only) perhaps one of the more esteemed writing sites, you can literally hire editors that edited your favorite best sellers.
Fiverr - (beta/alpha) a great / affordable resource for finding paid feedback to fit your needs, whether that is beta reading, dev editing, line-editing, or anything else.
Inked Voices - paid subscription site that seeks to connect writers to groups geared around accountability and workshops.
The Next Big Writer - paid subscription forum that also has built in currency for critique exchange.
The Uber Group - a discord community that "offer[s] university-level coursework, support, and networking for all writing-related art formats" and operates on a pay-what-you-can basis.
Facebook Writer Groups:
10 Minute Novelists Group - every Tuesday the 10 Minute Novelists Group hosts a #BuddyDay where writers can submit for anything from beta readers to critique of specific questions.
Beta Readers and Critique Partners Group - speaks for itself.
Writers World - founded by sci-fi writer, Randall Andrews, who remains heavily involved.
Writing, Prompts, & Critiques - all it promises and more.
Historical Novel Society - geared around historical fiction.
Resources for Poets:
External Writing Sites for Other Writer-ly Concerns:
AgentQuery Connect - critique for query letters
Hatrack River Writers Workshop - post the first 13 lines of your book for review
Updated 1/01/2025
This list is far from complete.
If you have suggestions for any portion of this list, please contact
/u/Ouulette on Reddit.
This list does not benefit the compile-er in any way.