A note on free feedback and manuscript reads

Hey friends! I get a lot of lovely messages from folks I've met at events, workshops, and readings asking if I'd take a look at their writing, give feedback on a manuscript, or chat about their work-in-progress. First of all, thank you. It genuinely means a lot that you'd trust me with your words.

Unfortunately, I can’t offer these services for free. Here’s why:

Reading and responding to someone's writing is skilled labor. It's what I've trained for over many years, and it's a meaningful part of how I make my living as a working author and educator. When I give feedback casually, I'm essentially giving away the thing I do professionally, and I can't sustain a writing life that way.

This is bigger than just me. Every time a working artist offers their professional skills for free, it chips away at what all working artists can reasonably charge. If I don't value my labour, I'm making it harder for my colleagues, my students, and the next generation of writers to make a living doing this work. Holding the line on paid feedback is something I do for myself, and also for the wider community of writers I care about.

There are professional and legal reasons too. Looking at someone's unpublished work and offering editorial advice without a proper agreement in place isn't something I can do responsibly. A contract protects both of us, keeps expectations clear, and makes sure the work I'm doing is actually useful to you.

Also, fairness. If I say yes to one person, I have to say yes to everyone who asks, and there are a lot of you. The only way I can keep showing up for my community, my students, and my own writing is to hold a consistent line.

Here's what I can offer:

• Paid editorial consultations. You can book a session with me here.We can talk about your project, work through a specific problem, or do a focused read of pages you send ahead.

• Workshops and classes. I teach regularly, and workshop settings are a great place to get feedback in a structured way.

• Free resources. I share craft thoughts, reading recommendations, and behind-the-scenes stuff on my Substack, which is free to subscribe to.

If paid feedback isn't in the cards right now, I totally understand. I'd gently point you toward writing groups, community workshops, and mentorship programs, many of which are low-cost or free and offer really wonderful support.

-Jaclyn