Is your story Reader-Ready?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  What stage are you at with your manuscript?

  • A.
    I have a first draft done, but I haven't done any revisions or gotten any feedback.
  • B.
    My draft has been fully revised and critiqued - but writing queries gives me hives.
  • C.
    I have a final draft and query, but I'm really not sure if they're ready to pitch or not.
  • D.
    I have a great idea, but I'm having trouble getting started.
  • E.
    My pitch was rejected and I'm not sure why.
  • F.
    I've revised my manuscript and my pitch and I know I am READY to pitch!
• 2.
  Does your manuscript have a strong story goal, high stakes, and a plot and character arc that drive the main character toward that story goal?

  • A.
    Yes, and my pitch shows it too!
  • B.
    I'm not sure, maybe?
  • C.
    I know what those story elements are, but I don't know how to add them to my story.
  • D.
    Not gonna lie, I don't know what you're talking about.
  • E.
    Yes, but my pitch isn't getting that across.
• 3.
  Have you had a critique partner or beta reader read your full manuscript and query? 

  • A.
    I’m a veteran CP! I have a dedicated group who reads my work and offers feedback.
  • B.
    I’ve had some of my friends read it over.
  • C.
    A variety of folks offered feedback.
  • D.
    I pre-selected a group of readers for manuscript feedback.
  • E.
    Nope.
• 4.
  Beta readers or critique partners have this to say about your manuscript:

  • A.
    Great characters, plot, and pacing -- reads like a published novel!
  • B.
    Great writing, but some issues with plot or characters.
  • C.
    So imaginative, but there are some foundational issues still.
  • D.
    I haven't had anyone read my manuscript yet because it's not done...
  • E.
    No feedback yet - I've been DIY-ing my revisions!
• 5.
  My manuscript is:

  • A.
    My first novel, but it's not done yet!
  • B.
    First novel.
  • C.
    Not my first novel.
  • D.
    Still in draft form.
  • E.
    My first novel, but I've written short stories or narrative nonfiction in the past.
• 6.
  My goal for this manuscript is to:

  • A.
    Self-publish.
  • B.
    Small press publish.
  • C.
    Traditionally publish.
  • D.
    Traditionally publish (and I have an agent).
  • E.
    Get it done!

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  You're not quite ready for readers…yet!

  Image Source

  Check your email, you’re getting a free gift from me! 🎁 (Sometimes it takes a few minutes)But if you already know you need more, here’s what I suggest...12 Weeks to Your Next Draft: Twelve lessons delivered straight to your inbox full of tips, tricks, exercises, and inspiration aimed at helping you finish your draft in the next twelve weeks!
• 2.
  No, but you're ready to brave the revision cave.

  Image Source

  Check your email, you’re getting a free gift from me! 🎁 (Sometimes it takes a few minutes)But if you already know you need more, here’s what I suggest...Understanding Scene: In these five jam packed lessons, we’ll dig into scenes so that by the end you can: Define what a scene is and how it works in fiction, understand the six parts of a scene, use scene goals to create a cause-and-effect trajectory in your story, avoid common scene-level mistakes, and heighten emotion at the scene level. PS: You can preview the first two lessons free of charge!
• 3.
  You need an expert's gut-check.

  Image Source

  Check your email, you’re getting a free gift from me! 🎁 (Sometimes it takes a few minutes)But if you already know you need more, here’s what I suggest...Understanding Scene: In these five jam packed lessons, we’ll dig into scenes so that by the end you can: Define what a scene is and how it works in fiction, understand the six parts of a scene, use scene goals to create a cause-and-effect trajectory in your story, avoid common scene-level mistakes, and heighten emotion at the scene level. PS: You can preview the first two lessons free of charge!
• 4.
  Your story's ready, but you haven't achieved Pitch Perfection!

  Image Source

  Check your email, you’re getting a free gift from me! 🎁 (Sometimes it takes a few minutes)But if you already know you need more, here’s what I suggest...Pitch Strategy Workbook: Help your pitch-perfect query shine by sending it out into the world using these proven pitch strategy tips from yours truly! You'll learn how to polish your pitch package, create your pitch strategy, research agents, send queries, and more!
• 5.
  Yes, your story is reader-ready! 🎉(Confetti cannons activate!)

  Image Source

  Check your email, you’re getting a free gift from me! 🎁 (Sometimes it takes a few minutes)But if you already know you need more, here’s what I suggest...Pitch Strategy Workbook: Help your pitch-perfect query shine by sending it out into the world using these proven pitch strategy tips from yours truly! You'll learn how to polish your pitch package, create your pitch strategy, research agents, send queries, and more!