r/WritingHub May 03 '25

RULES CHANGE: No AI Posts

208 Upvotes

Following our poll, the community has voted that posts related to LLMs (current "AI" technology) should not be permitted on a ratio of 19:6, as such, these posts will now be banned and our rules will be changed to reflect this.

Posts on the sub that already exist and were posted prior to this announcement will not be affected, so please don't report them.


r/WritingHub 4d ago

Feedback Friday Feedback Friday

2 Upvotes

Welcome to Feedback Friday!

This is a thread for submitting and critiquing prose.

  • Your submission should be a top-level comment in the thread. Consider using the format [TITLE] — [GENRE] — [WORDCOUNT] in the heading of your submission.
  • We expect reciprocation. If you receive a critique, give a critique. Anyone who continually leeches will eventually be discluded.
  • Have fun and stay polite. Members who give outstanding crit will be acknowledged and rewarded on our Discord Server. You are free to submit any work for critique within the subreddit's rules, of any length.
  • Links to Google Documents are allowed for submissions. Consider creating a separate Google account/email if you’are concerned about anonymity.

New to Critiquing?

  • No worries! We encourage writers of all skill levels to try their hand at providing feedback.
  • Not sure how to start? A critique template, courtesy of r/DestructiveReaders, can be found here.

r/WritingHub 11h ago

Questions & Discussions Why does writing get harder the better you get at it and is there a point where it actually becomes easier again

30 Upvotes

Something I have been sitting with for a while and want to know if other people have experienced the same trajectory.

When I started writing seriously I was bad at it in ways I could not see and the invisibility of my own limitations made the work feel more possible than it probably was. Sat down, wrote things, felt okay about them, moved on. The feedback loop was slow enough that the gaps in my craft did not interrupt the process of making things.

Now I can see the problems before I have written them. Know a scene is going to be flat before I finish the paragraph. Feel the dialogue going wrong mid sentence. The craft awareness that took years to develop has made me a better reviser and a more interrupted drafter because I can no longer write in ignorance of what is not working.

The question I cannot answer is whether this is a stage that resolves into something better or whether it is just the permanent condition of knowing enough to see clearly. The writers I most admire seem to produce work with a fluency that suggests they are not fighting their own awareness the way I am. Either they have found a way through it or they started somewhere different than I did.

What I want to know is whether people here who have been writing seriously for a long time found that the self consciousness about craft eventually became less of an obstacle or whether you just learned to work alongside it rather than waiting for it to go away.


r/WritingHub 5h ago

Writing Resources & Advice How do you write a traumatic flashback?

5 Upvotes

I wanted to add like a flashback as the introduction to the story, but it feels so mundane and lacking of emotion. It doesn't make my skin crawl the way I want it to, you know? I wanted to keep it brief so that it kind of remains a mystery what is going on (and since it's a memory I kind of wanted it to be short to show that the character was so distraught they didn't really notice much), but it feels less traumatic and more detached that way. I've always had this issue, I feel like my writing is too objective and bland, so I struggle SO MUCH with scenes that have a clear emotional impact, especially if they're seen through the lenses of a character. Gosh, I just don't know what to do.


r/WritingHub 3h ago

Writing Resources & Advice Writing a book

3 Upvotes

I am writing my very first romance novel and wondered if any UK writers know of any free websites that are good for writing on? I’ve been using Reedsy but would like to know if anyone knows of any better sites


r/WritingHub 9h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Looking for a few people to build a small writing/social group with

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I'm trying to put together a small Discord group for young writers/readers — ideally around 17–22.

But I don't really want to make another server that's just writing prompts, critiques and writing sprints.

The idea is to have a small group of people who happen to like writing and intrested in making new friends.

We can share our poems, stories, essays, unfinished garbage, whatever we're working on, and give each other feedback when we want to. But just as importantly, we can also hang out. Also interested in self help and others Non fiction stuff.

Talk about books, movies, music, random ideas, life, philosophy, complain about our writing, send stupid memes, have late-night conversations, maybe eventually hop into voice calls — whatever naturally happens when people actually become comfortable with each other.

I'm specifically hoping to keep it small. I'd much rather have 5–10 people who actually talk to each other than 200 members and a dead chat.

You don't need to be published or particularly experienced. You can be someone who's been writing for years or someone who just started.

The only things I'd really like are:

- Around 17–22

- Interested in writing/reading/creative stuff

- Actually willing to talk and get to know people

- Respectful of other people's work and opinions

- No pressure to constantly produce or share anything

If that sounds like your kind of place, here's the Discord:

https://discord.gg/YdK2Y4cMq

And if you're joining, feel free to introduce yourself when you get there — tell us your age, what you like to write/read, and literally anything else you feel like sharing.

Hopefully we can turn a random Discord server into an actual little group of people. :)

* Genre/s: Writing and Fun * Goals/expectations/commitment: To make a small attentive friend group and to get to know new people. * Writing/experience level: Beginner or expert no matter * Meeting place: Discord * Max size: 10


r/WritingHub 9h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Comic Artist/Writer Looking for Partners!

3 Upvotes

Hey all!

I am a 23M self-taught comic artist who is looking for either a writing partner or group to help bounce my ideas off of. I've been working on one large story for over 8 years now, and I've been making a lot of progress of actually putting my ideas into an actual formatted story.

Genre/s: Fantasy, Comedy, Action, Dramas

Goals/expectations/commitment: My major goals are to improve my work and actually make a publication that I'm proud of! I am fully committed to finishing my project and working with others, while also giving any advice/criticism if I have any for their stories

Writing/experience level: I am *technically* a published writer, as a short story I submitted in a magazine was published. Otherwise, I have been writing/drawing since a very young age, and I have a lot of passion for it. Roughly a self-taught intermediate writer with some experience, but no professional experience.

Meeting place: Online, preferably

Max size: 2-20 people, I prefer smaller groups, but am willing to be a part of a larger group if necessary

My current story is a Shonen-inspired webtoon that takes place in a diesel-punk style baroque fantasy setting. Lots of action, comedy, and deeply philosophical themes are what I'm going for. If that sounds interesting, or you're just looking for a partner to bounce ideas with, let me know!


r/WritingHub 4h ago

Writing Resources & Advice Looking for a few ARC readers for a dark fantasy romance (18+, explicit content)

1 Upvotes

Hi all! I'm finished with Book 1 of a five-book Epic/political dark fantasy with a romantasy core, so think war, factions, high stakes, and slow burn. Its an 18+ series and looking for a small group of 3-5 early readers for feedback before I open up a launch date.

Content notes: explicit sexual content, dark themes (identity loss, psychological horror elements, power dynamics).


r/WritingHub 18h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Worldbuilders of the Lost Realm | Women's Fantasy Writing Discord

6 Upvotes

Hello!

I(26F) am looking to create a discord server of fellow women who are writing fantasy! I would love to create a diverse fantasy group of women, whether you write romantasy or dark fantasy or grim dark fantasy or cozy fantasy or historical fantasy, all is welcome! Even those of you who think your book is better classified as paranormal(because I believe it to be under fantasy).

I am in the middle of act two of my first fantasy book and realize the trenches of drafting might be easier if I had a few friends! I am hoping to create a group of women who are prepared to share their work with other writers and get feedback, no matter what part of the drafting process you are at. That being said, I hope we will be able to do weekly critiques for each other. I am also hopping for writers who love to do sprints since that is the only thing that seems to be driving me these days.

Anyone above 21 is welcome! And this is strictly for women writers only, and is not something that can be negotiated. I am hoping to keep the community fairly small with 15-20 people max. If you are interested, please reply or send me a DM! The server already ahs a basic set up to it and I am prepared to make some new friends!

  • Genre/s: Fantasy
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: regular check-ins and chatting in the server, weekly critiques and feedback
  • Writing/experience level: any! We are not snobby here
  • Meeting place: Discord
  • [Writing groups only] Max size: 20(non-negotiable, sorry)

EDIT: We are strictly against the use of AI in any form to help you write your book so if that's you.... this will not be the group for you.


r/WritingHub 19h ago

Questions & Discussions Can I make it believable that cops would not carry their pistols when off duty?

6 Upvotes

For a crime thriller of mine, at two parts in the story, I want to have it so two different cops are overpowered by the villains. I thought I would write it so it's department policy for the characters to leave their pistols at the station when off duty, but so far a couple of readers find this hard to swallow.

Would this be too unrealistic of an explanation as to why they were overpowered? Thank you for any input on this! I really appreciate it!


r/WritingHub 14h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Inviting writers to our bi-weekly writing sprint event!

2 Upvotes

Hey writers, our small Discord community will be hosting a bi-weekly writing sprint event: a low-pressure, asynchronous writing sprint where members have 24 hours to write whenever it fits their schedule/timezone.

  • Genre/s: all genres are welcome!
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: 200-300 words, 24hrs per 2 weeks
  • Writing/experience level: all experience welcome
  • Meeting place: Discord
  • [Writing groups only] Max size: 2-10

We'll be hosting this event regularly September onwards. The server is small, so we're expecting to have 2-10 participants, and we'll be reviewing each other's work at the end of the sprint.

We also have a weekly cowriting/coworking event (muted channel) where writers can body double and finish up their writing together in silent (perfect for introverts like me, hehehe).

Let me know if you're interested! thank you!


r/WritingHub 21h ago

Questions & Discussions Paranormal Romance/Romantasy Critique Groups

5 Upvotes

I'm looking for a craft-focused Paranormal Romance/Romantasy critique group of three or four intermediate-to-advanced writers. Are there any that are already established or individuals out there who are interested in creating one? Ideally, we'd meet once a month via Zoom and/or exchange critiques by email, with approximately 4,500–5,000 words submitted per person.

I'm specifically looking for critique grounded in fiction craft rather than primarily subjective reactions.


r/WritingHub 20h ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Looking for LGBTQ+ / Romantasy Writing Group or Critique Partners

3 Upvotes

Hi! I’m looking for a small, ongoing writing group or a few critique partners, ideally other writers working in romantasy, fantasy romance, queer SFF, or LGBTQ+ fiction.

Genre/s: Adult romantasy, fantasy romance, queer SFF, LGBTQ+ fiction. My current WIP is an adult M/M slow-burn romantasy.

Goals/expectations/commitment: I’m hoping for something more ongoing than a one-time manuscript swap. I’d love to find people who become familiar with each other’s characters and worlds over time, can talk through story and craft problems, share progress, and exchange honest constructive feedback.

For critique partners, I’d prefer exchanging a chapter or sample first to see whether our writing and feedback styles click before committing to anything larger.

Writing/experience level: I’m currently 52k words / 32 chapters into my first adult M/M romantasy, The Song Without a Choir, with a projected final length around 90–100k. I’m actively drafting and plan to pursue traditional publishing after finishing and revising the manuscript. I’m happy to work with writers at different stages as long as everyone is serious about improving their craft and contributing to the group.

Meeting place: Discord would be ideal for ongoing conversation and exchanging work. I’m also open to occasional voice/video meetups depending on scheduling, days of the week, and time zones, but asynchronous participation is important to me.
Max size: Ideally around 4–6 writers. I’d rather have a smaller group where everyone actually gets to know each other and their work than a large general writing server.

I’d especially love an LGBTQ+ focused group or a romantasy/fantasy-romance-focused group. An existing group with room for another writer would be great, but if several compatible people here are looking for the same thing, I’d also be happy to help put one together.

I’m 18+ and looking for other adult writers. I’m comfortable reading adult material, and my own manuscript will eventually include open-door sexual content.

If this sounds compatible, feel free to comment or DM me and tell me a little about what you’re writing!


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Looking for a writing buddy

3 Upvotes
  • Genre/s: I primarily write dark fantasy fanfiction, but I don’t mind reading almost any other genre.

  • Goals/expectations/commitment: My primary goal is to make a friend with similar interests to bounce ideas around with. Potentially looking for help with plot/structure/other but not my main focus. I can also help with (some) spelling/grammar stuff. I’m hopeful that if we hit it off it’ll help me write more consistently. I’m busy and get burnt out easily though, so it’s possible I won’t respond for a while sometimes. I’m trying to break that habit.

  • Writing/experience level: Any

  • Meeting place: Discord

Be warned that the majority of what I write about includes dark/dead dove content. Because of this, I’d prefer a buddy who is at least 21. I can provide more detail to anyone interested. I mean it when I say dark/dead dove.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions Reading while writing.

2 Upvotes

Do you read books while you are writing stories?

Do you worknon a draft and then read in between each of the drafts to get a better sense of where you would like your writing to be?

Or do you read a genre that's completely different from what you're writing?

I ask because I feel like whenever I do reading while I'm trying to write my story I try to blend in ideas that I got while reading and it seems to be hindering me from completing my draft.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Writing Resources & Advice Free November writing challenge

2 Upvotes

50k by Lanternlight registration is now open
I’ve created a free writing challenge called 50k by Lanternlight for anyone who wants to attempt 50,000 words during November.
It includes:
A personal progress dashboard

Daily word-count tracking

Pace and recovery tools

Milestones

A printable completion certificate

An optional Discord community for encouragement and accountability

The challenge runs from 1–30 November, but registration is open now so participants have time to plan their projects and meet the community.
It’s independent, free to enter and open to writers anywhere in the world. You can register here:

https://50kbylanternlight.com

I’m also happy to answer questions about the event.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Writing Resources & Advice اريد آرائكم في كتاباتي

0 Upvotes

نقي القلب و صادق اللسان  ومن إذا ذكر إسمه تذكر طيبته هؤلاء اللذين يحبون الخير للناس ويسعدون لسعادتهم ويفرحون لنجاحهم ،هؤلاء الذين تجدونهم أوقات الشدة يمدون لكم يد العون مصحوبة بإبتسامة أقل ما يقال عنها هي أنها صورة تجسد كلمة

  " كل شيئ سيكون بخير " بأحلي حلة لها ، مزينة بثوب أبيض لا تبتغي سوي السلام  ألا يستحقون السلام برأيكم؟

ولو أنني أوتيت كل البلاغة وأفنيت في النظم والنثر لما كنت بعد القول إلي مقصرا و معترفا بالعجز عن واجب الشكر لمثل هؤلاء.

ليلة هي واحدة منهم ستروي قصتها و تجربتها في هذه الحياة ، تجارب نمت مواهبها و محت معاييبها وزادت بصيرتها، فالناس متفاوتون في حكمتهم ليس بقياس تجاربهم ولكن بقياس  استيعابهم لهذه التجارب فلا علاقة للزمن بالنضج نحن نكبر من خلال التجارب و نتعلم و نؤمن بأننا مع القضاء و القدر حين نولد وحين نحب و حين نموت فعندما نكون في أنقى حالاتنا الذهنية وأصفاها، نكون مبدعين لأفضل أشكال حياتنا، عندما نُفكر بأفكار جيدة، نشعر بأحاسيس جيدة، وعندما نشعر بأحاسيس جيدة، نقوم بخيارات جيدة ونستجلب المزيد من التجارب الجيدة إلى حياتنا.

إسمي ليلة وأبلغ من العمر إثنان و عشرون عاما توقفت عن حضور الحصص الدراسية منذ فترة  لأسباب شخصية منها الأمور المتعلقة بشؤون البيت لراعية أشقائي ، توفي والدي عندما كنت رضيعة وعندما كان من الفترض أن تربيني والدتي وجدت نفسها غير قادرة علي ذالك فهي أيضا شعرت بحزن شديد علي فراق حبيبها ، لذا تربيت علي يد جدتي و تعلمت منها الكثير فكانت لي أم و أبا وجدة حين كنت في أمس الحاجة لها ، لاشئ يمكنه أن يعوض دفئ الوالدين وحبهم لكن جدتي عرفت كيف تعوض ذالك، لذالك لم أشعر يوما بأنني وحيدة لأنها لطالما كانت بجانبي.

عشت طفولتي كلها في باريس  مع جدتي وكنت دائما أتجول في شوارعها وأحضر عروض الأوبرا لأنها دائما تجشعني و تشعل فتيل الحماس والرغبة لدي لمعرفت أسرار السعادة و الجمال في كل دقيقة أعيشها كنت أحلم بذالك اليوم الذي سيأتي فيه  فارس أحلامي ونكمل الطريق سويا ، لكنني كنت ساذجة لأنني لم أكن أعرف بأن الفرسان بعضهم  يعتبر خطر جدا ، بدل أن يكون سببا لتكتمل الفرحة قد يكون سببا لكرهها من الأساس بحيث تنعدم تلك الرغبة و يختفي ذالك الحماس وذالك الشعور بأن العالم آمن ، فكان فارس أحلامي الأول عبارة عن مفتاح لصندوق يحتوي في طياته مجموعة من الدروس الأولية  لتعريف مبدئى لمعني الفراق، فيأتي أحد هؤلاء الفرسان فيكلمني بكلام حلو ويعلمني الكثير من الأشياء وعندما أتعلق به تظهر ثمار دروسه فيكتشف ذالك لينتقل إلي المرحلة التالية وهي المرحلة التي يشعر فيها بأنني أحببته وبأن ذالك لم يعد كافيا بالنسبة له فتبدأ شخصيته تتغير ، وأبدأ أشعر بذالك ، ليبدأ إحساس سيئ يتسلل فأحاول التمسك به ،  فيكتشف ذالك فتتغير ملامحه ، لأبدا في مرحلة الحزن وعدم التصديق بأن هذا قد يحدث ، وسرعان ما يكتشف جسدي ذالك فيهون ولأن عين المرأة مرآة لقلبها فتبدأ الدموع بالسيلان كالنهر الجارف يشق طريقه علي ليرسم معالم الحزن ،  لاكنني بريئة جدا لدرجة أنني سأسأله ماسبب كل هذا وهل فعلت  شيئ خاطئ ، ليجيبني" لا" لم تفعلي أي شيئ خاطئ فقط بعض الأمور تغيرت.

لم يدرك بأن الأمور تغيرت كلها و ما إن تجف تلك الدموع حتي يتحول كل شيئ للكراهية ،  وتكثر الأسألة مثل   " كيف صدقته؟ كيف لم أكتشف هذا من البداية؟ هل أنا غبية لهذه الدرجة؟"

لست غبية ولست مخطئة لأن هذا درس و قد تعلمت منه، الحياة تجارب و تلك كانت إحدي التجارب و قد تألمت و تعلمت من ذالك أو كما أظن.

بعد ذالك قررت أن أقوم بتجربة شيئ جديد من أجل ضخ دماء جديد و معنويات مرتفعة فقررت أن أكون فنانة مكياج لشغفي بذالك وأيضا لمساعدة الفتياة الأخريات و الحصول علي المال مقابل أن تجد الفتياة الفرسان للحصول علي دروس جديدة أو أن يكونو محظوظات.

كنت مستمتعة بذالك العمل لاكنني كنت أشعر بأنني فارغة من الداخل كنت بحاجة لملإ ذالك الفراغ مثل الفتياة الأخريات كنت بحاجة الي الحب لذالك تمنيت أن أجد ذالك.

كان أسبوعا مملا لكن في نهايته تمت دعوتي لحضور حفل زفاف ، فتحمست جدا لذالك فتزينة بالثوب الأسود وحمرت شفتاى وأبرزت رموشي  حينها أحسست بأنه لاشيئ يمكنه إيقافي ستغير مني الفتياة و سأدهش الرجال، لكن ما إن أنتهيت من التزين وهممت بالخروج و أوقفتني  صديقة والدتي وأخبرتني بأن ثوبي ليس من المفترض تلبسه فتاة في سنها وأنه يصلح فقط للعجائز وقالت لي أن أعطيه لها.

تفاجئت و غضبت و حزنت ولاكنني أعطيته لها و أخذت ثوبا ثم ذهبت بعد ذالك للحفلة.

كان جو الحفلة صاخبا وكان هناك الكثير من الفتياة وكذالك الفتيان، إلتقيت لصديقتي والتي بدورها عرفتي علي أشخاص هناك ، لاحظت أن شخصا ما هناك يراقبني عن كثب كان ينظر إلي مباشرة لم يزح نظره عني فأخذت المبادرة وسألته

" هل تعرفني؟"،

قال " لا، لكنني أتمني ذالك"،

فقلت له" لايتم تحقيق الأمنيات بالنظر فقط،"

قال لي " كنت أسبح في خيالي و لأن الخيال لاحدود له تخيلتكي حبيبتي".

قلت له " إبحث عن حدود لخيالك وحاول أن تعبر.

فمسك يداي ونظر في عيني وقال  أعطيني إذا تأشيرة

إذا  ' يقصد فرصة' ، كنت بالفعل أشعر بالخجل وقد جذبني أسلوبه في الكلام وكان أيضا شخصا محترما فقررت أن أعطيه فرصة  ثم أخذت إستمتع بالحفل وألتقيت بصديقاتي .

عندما إنتهت الحفلة شعرت بالحيوية والنشاط فذهبت إلي المنزل ، وجدت جدتي تعد العشاء ، فقبلت رأسها و أخذت شرابا ، كانت تنظر إلي فقلت لها " لمذا تبتسمين؟"

قالت لي "  تبدين رائعة جدا ، كم كبرتي ، ستجدين الرجل المناسب في الوقت المناسب".

قلت لها " كيف أعرف أنه الرجل المناسب إذا ألتقيت به".

قامت ووضعت يدها علي مكان قلبي وقالت:" قلبك وحده هو الذي سيعرف ذالك".

دخلت والدتي علينا في المطبخ لاكننا أغلقنا الموضوع ، قالت والدتي لي " لقد أخبرتني صديقتي أنك أهديتها ثوب جميل".

قلت لها " لقد قالت لي بأنه يناسب فقط العجائز"

لذالك أعطيته لها.

عندما عدت إلي غرفتي وجدت هاتفي يرن ، فرفعت السماعة وقلت "من معي؟".

قال لي المتصل :" لاأزلت أقف عند الحدود وأتمني أن تكون التأشيرة لازالت صالحة".

عرفت بأنه الشخص الذي إلتقيته في الحفلة

فقلت له " يبدو بأنك لم تفهمني جيدا ، تلك تأشيرة كانت فقط لإخبارك بأنك مؤهل لدخول الكثير من الدول، لاكنني لست دولة"

فهم الرسالة وقطع الخط، الحقيقة هي أنني تذكرت كلام جدتي والذي معناه هو " لاتركب القطار الخطأ، لمجرد أن قطارك تأخر".

في الفصل القادم ستحدث أمور كثيرة في قصة ليلة  حينما تقع في الحب من جديد ، كما أن أمور كثيرة وقعت في عائلتها وهناك فرص جديدة و صعوبات ستخوضها ، فتابعونا.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions My idea for hell

0 Upvotes

Long long ago god made heaven fir all the humans on earth but it was defective it didn't fit right it had something wrong with its design so he threw it away abd git to work om a new heaven for his angels abd fir him eventually life grew and devolved on its own in the first heaven God had made and that life became demons and thanks to the magic that he embedded into that first heaven it became a land shaped by the general populations belief on how it should be the veey space of that land changing to fit what they desired it to be so when God punished his rebellious and sent them down to this lesser heaven they expected a land of danger abd fire and so the old heaven changed into thier hell to match what they thought they deserved and thanks to religion on earth any human who goes to hell will still only see it as a place of danger and torture abd not the heaven it coukd be


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups [Complete][72503][Adult Character-Driven Epic Fantasy] To Walk Between Worlds

1 Upvotes
  • Genre/s: Adult fantasy; character-driven epic fantasy; academy fantasy
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: Looking for beta readers for a complete 72,503-word novel. Seeking reader-level feedback on pacing, character investment, worldbuilding clarity, romance progression, and overall engagement. Full manuscript or three-chapter sample available.
  • Writing/experience level: First completed novel; extensively revised and currently in beta-reading stage.
  • Meeting place: Reddit DMs initially; manuscript can be shared by email or Google Docs.

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for beta readers for my completed 72,503-word adult fantasy novel, To Walk Between Worlds, the first book in a planned series. I'm especially interested in readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy, magical academies, found family, mystery, and slow-burn romance.

I’m primarily looking for beta readers rather than a long-term critique partner, but I’m happy to exchange feedback if it’s a good fit.

Title: To Walk Between Worlds
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Word Count: 72,503
Status: Complete — Book One of a series

Blurb

Tarja Evadorn has spent her life believing the Arcanum protects the world.

After surviving an event that nearly tears reality apart, she is recruited to the Arcanum, an elite institution where arcanists are trained to control the dangerous forces threatening their world. For Tarja, it is a chance to understand the power she has only begun to wield—and to become part of something larger than the quiet life she left behind.

But life inside the Arcanum is not as certain as she expected. As Tarja forms friendships, struggles to master her volatile abilities, and finds herself increasingly drawn to the enigmatic veteran arcanist Viggo Ashbreaker, questions begin to surface about the institution she has been taught to trust.

Then a mission beyond the Arcanum’s walls leaves Tarja with evidence that something is deeply wrong.

The answers may lie in forces the Arcanum does not fully understand—and in truths someone would rather remain buried.

The novel features:

  • Academy fantasy with a military element
  • Character-driven storytelling
  • Found family
  • Mystery and gradually unfolding worldbuilding
  • Slow-burn romantic subplot
  • Magical training and combat
  • Epic fantasy elements

What I'm looking for

I'm primarily looking for reader-level feedback rather than line edits. I'm especially interested in:

  • Overall engagement and pacing
  • Character investment and relationships
  • Whether Tarja works as a compelling protagonist
  • Clarity of the worldbuilding and magic system
  • The progression of the slow-burn romance
  • Whether the mysteries create curiosity without becoming confusing
  • Any point where you felt particularly engaged, bored, confused, or tempted to stop reading

I'm also very interested in your overall reaction to the ending and whether you would want to continue into Book Two.

I can provide either the full manuscript or a three-chapter sample first if you'd prefer to see whether the story is a good fit before committing.

If you're interested, please leave a comment or send me a message. Thank you so much for considering it!

Content Notes: Fantasy violence, character death, grief, and emotionally intense scenes.


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Questions & Discussions Anyone else had to kill something that was good writing but wrong for the story?

1 Upvotes

Spent months on a confrontation scene between my leads. Genuinely some of my best writing. Two beta readers, independently, said it's where they lost momentum not bad, just a beautiful detour the plot didn't need.

I fought it, then outlined without it and realized the story lost nothing. Cut all 4,000 words. Reread it after pacing finally worked, and a shorter version of that same confrontation later landed way harder.

It wasn't weak writing. It was just the wrong good for that spot. Ever cut something well-written on its own, but wrong for the story it was in? How do you tell "I'm too attached to see clearly" from "my instinct is right and the feedback's wrong"? Do you keep cut scenes in a graveyard file, or let them go for good?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups I’m starting a writers group called Thursdays. Five writers meeting over three months to give each other feedback

1 Upvotes

I’ve been writing a lot lately, but how can I truly know if my writing is improving? The general advice for writers is to write 1,000 words per day, no matter how bad. But what if they always stay bad?

Of course I can read it back with a critical eye and make edits, but I will always have blind spots. I might undervalue the stronger sentences or not notice where my writing is slipping or losing its connection with the reader.

Having these LLMs that are so incredibly skilled at deceiving us into thinking they’re real voices makes it tempting to use them for feedback on the writing. A machine will take the words and compare what it sees against the thousands of pages it is trained on and try to produce an intelligible answer. A real human reader will read the text, play through their own memories and associations, feel how it’s landing in this particular moment of their life, get a sense of what the other person is trying to say, give them words of encouragement and useful critique.

The online and perhaps even printed media are now being invaded by AI-written sentences; one could argue we must be intentional about protecting our own human ability to think, to tell stories, to write. If we’re blind to the flaws in our own writing and the machine provides us only with a mechanical answer — then we need others to read our writing and to tell us what is off.

Historically, many writers met with other writers to help each other with their feedback. Both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were part of a literary group called the Inklings, who met every Thursday in Oxford to read their work aloud. Without that Thursday demand for the next chapter and Lewis’s encouragement for Tolkien, there would be no Lord of the Rings.

So I set out to find such a writers group, scanning more than ten pages of Google results, opening more than a hundred links. And somehow, none of them clicked. Maybe because I don’t know who is inside or I am simply not inspired by the description. So I decided to do what any sane individual would do when they can’t find something — create it.

The idea is simply to share our writing with each other every week and then to meet to give each other feedback. That’s it. I’m putting the group together but I am no teacher or mentor — I am just as much trying to grow as a writer and expose what I write to the critique of others. For instance, I feel comfortable writing from my personal first-person perspective, sharing my inner psychological experience through words and exploring various concepts and ideas across philosophy, anthropology or any other humanities domain. Yet when it comes to switching to third-person narration, dialogue, detailed description of settings and scenes, even telling my own stories — I feel I begin to stumble. Somewhere, my writing starts to feel flat, more like a report than a story. So this is one of many things I would hope to improve over the course of such a writers group.

If you’re interested in joining, you can read more practical details about the group in the link in the comment below to understand the conditions and then fill out the form, which will give me an idea of your current writing and whether this group would be a suitable fit. There will probably be more applicants than the final tight group of five; that said everyone will get access to the directory of answers to this form, so that you can find other writers to connect with and form your own groups, if you wish. You can opt out of your details being shared too, but more on this in the form itself.

The focus will be creative writing, i.e. any writing that isn’t trying to sell or promote anything — essays, short stories, poems but no copywriting or content engineered for virality. Using AI to generate prose or produce feedback for others is prohibited, but we still allow using it for research and holding context as long as you disclose.

I feel excited to put together a room of people passionate about high-quality thoughtful writing that at the same time might have divergent opinions giving way to a fruitful and stimulating conversation. Above all, I hope we will enjoy our time together and walk away as better and more confident writers.

The form will close on the 7th of September and I will make a decision by the 20th of September to have our first meeting on the 24th of September.

Here’s the link below in the comment again if you’d like to apply.

May your words find the minds that see them.

nikita huno

  • Genre/s: any creative writing (no copy or content writing)
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: Meeting weekly for 3 months to give each other feedback
  • Writing/experience level: you already tried to write some things but not a nobel prize laureate yet
  • Meeting place: online
  • [Writing groups only] Max size: 5-6

r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Looking to connect with other dark fantasy writers — publishing, magazine submissions, and craft

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone — I'm a 45F writer working on a dark fantasy novel with grimdark sensibilities and horror elements. Think portal fantasy meets deadly games meets institutional corruption.

I'm at the stage where I'm actively working toward publication and starting to think about magazine open calls for short fiction in the dark fantasy and horror adjacent space.

I'm looking to connect with other writers who are:

  • Writing dark fantasy, grimdark-adjacent, or horror fantasy
  • Interested in or actively pursuing traditional or indie publishing
  • Interested in crafting short fiction for magazine open calls
  • Generally want a writing community that's both socially warm and serious about craft

I tend to connect best with writers who are 30+ — not a hard rule, just where I tend to find the most common ground.

I'm currently in a couple of Discord servers but haven't found quite the right fit — one is very social but light on craft feedback, the other is critique-heavy but skews toward horror short fiction rather than dark fantasy novels. If you know of a Discord community that fits this description or want to connect directly, drop a comment or DM me.

Not looking to promote anything — just genuinely want to find my people.

  • Genre/s: Dark Fantasy
  • Goals/expectations/commitment: See above
  • Writing/experience level: Intermediate
  • Meeting place: Discord
  • [Writing groups only] Max size: 20

r/WritingHub 1d ago

Writing Resources & Advice I got some comments on my grammar and now i'm worried.

3 Upvotes

So i got a few comments today about how i speak and my grammar and things, and it made me worry about my stories and i want to improve. I have been in a writers slump lately and stuck and maybe the advice and comments would help me kinda get out of that mayperchance?


r/WritingHub 2d ago

Questions & Discussions Writing advice

3 Upvotes

I'm working on a diversity statement for my law school application. My draft feels boring. It sounds like every diversity statement I've ever read: I'm different, someone discriminates, I eventually become proud of my background. How do I write in such a way that I come off as an applicant with something unique to offer and am worth admitting compared to others telling their story the same way?


r/WritingHub 1d ago

Critique Partners & Writing Groups Small Women’s Writing Group

0 Upvotes

Hello! I’ve been seeing a lot of writing group posts here and thought I’d go for my own.

I’d like for it to be only women (for reference, I’m 28F). European time zone (I live in Spain), but if it’s a compatible time zone that is further away would also be okay (for example 6-7 hour difference). This is merely to make communication easier.

*Genre/s: upmarket, bookclub, literary, speculative. (Pretty flexible, just no fantasy, romantasy or high science fiction). Also, no overly spicy books or trauma loaded (repeated graphic violence, abuse, etc). 80k to 110k word counts.

* Goals/expectations/commitment: the goal is to critique each others wip, provide feedback, tips and support (including for the querying process).

* Writing/experience level: intermediate as a minimum (you know about story structure, flow, character arcs (you’ve read the craft books) and probably written a couple books and edited them or even queried them. You read frequently in your genre. Now you’re good and want to make your work publishable.

* Meeting place: WhatsApp group and then optional calls and feedback sessions (I’m looking at a collaborative group, where we can all set the rules and figure out what works for us!)

* Max size: 5-10 girls

And please, no AI generated text or writing.