#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript

#218. How to Find & Work With Beta Readers to Improve Your Manuscript

Author: Savannah Gilbo November 4, 2025 Duration: 25:50
Learn how to work with beta readers in a grounded, calm way so feedback feels useful, not overwhelming. You're nearing the finish line of your first draft, or maybe you've just crossed it. Either way, the question is the same… what happens next? Should you send it to friends? Hire an editor? Bury it in a drawer? Everyone keeps mentioning “beta readers,” but what does that actually mean? And how do you find the right ones without losing your mind or your confidence? In this episode, I’m breaki...

Ever find yourself staring at a blank page, wondering how to turn that great idea into a complete novel? You're not alone. Fiction Writing Made Easy exists for exactly that moment, offering a straightforward path through the often-murky process of crafting a story. Host Savannah Gilbo, a developmental editor and book coach, draws on her experience working directly with writers to demystify everything from plot structure and character development to the finer points of editing and preparing a manuscript for publication. Instead of abstract theory, this podcast delivers concrete, usable strategies you can apply to your work immediately. Think of each episode as a focused conversation with a knowledgeable guide who cuts through the overwhelm. You'll hear specific advice on tackling common stumbling blocks, along with deeper dives into the craft elements that transform a rough draft into a compelling book. Whether you're navigating your first draft or polishing your final one, the discussions here are designed to provide clarity and momentum. For anyone committed to finishing their novel, this podcast serves as a reliable, practical resource, breaking down the journey into manageable steps you can actually follow. Tune in to move your story forward, one episode at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips
Podcast Episodes
#188. 5 Mindset Hacks to Help You Finish Your First Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:54
Five book coaches reveal their most powerful mindset hacks to help you crush self-doubt, overcome perfectionism, and finally finish your first draft—even if you've been stuck for months. Picture this: You sit down with a…
#186. First Draft Roadmap: 10 Steps to Writing A Novel For Beginners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:16
Writing your first novel is a journey unlike any other—equal parts exhilarating, frustrating, magical, and challenging. But here's what you need to know right now: it's completely doable with the right approach. Somethin…
#184. 3 Must-Know Tips For Writing A Novel With Dual Timelines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:11
“I want to write a dual timeline novel, but I’m struggling to weave the storylines together. Help!” 👈 This is something I hear from writers all the time. And while it’s true that writing a story with dual timelines prese…