A new initiative called Fiction Works in Progress has been launched on the platform Daily Kos, providing a dedicated space for writers to share their microfiction, ongoing serialized stories, and larger works. This weekly diary encourages authors to showcase their progress, seek constructive feedback, and engage with a community of fellow writers.
Each week, writers are invited to post chapters and excerpts in the comments section of the diary. To facilitate easy navigation, contributors are encouraged to use a specific header format for their titles. This allows readers to locate their favorite works week after week. To express the desire for feedback, writers can highlight their request in bold text, ensuring their peers understand the importance of actionable and sincere responses.
Readers are urged to provide feedback that goes beyond simple praise. Constructive criticism should be actionable—for example, stating “I didn’t feel a connection to your protagonist” is more helpful than simply declaring “this protagonist is terrible.” This approach fosters an environment where writers can thrive and improve, while also ensuring that all feedback is respectful and focused on growth.
The series operates on a cooperative model, with writers taking turns to curate the diaries. Those interested in participating must follow a few straightforward steps. They start by copying the boilerplate text from the previous week’s diary and pasting it into their draft. Next, they must tag their submissions appropriately to ensure visibility within the community. Tags include categories like FictionWIP and Readers & Book Lovers, which help followers find the content easily.
On the scheduled date, contributors publish their drafts, transforming them into full-fledged diaries with unique URLs. They are then encouraged to share these links in the comments section of the current Write On! post, asking for reblogs to enhance their reach within the R&BL and FreeWriters groups.
While the initiative promotes sharing and collaboration, writers should be aware of potential copyright issues. Many publishers and agents are reluctant to accept manuscripts that have previously appeared online due to the risk of copyright infringement. Therefore, those hoping to pursue traditional publishing should consider the implications of publicly sharing their work. However, if writers intend to self-publish or do not plan to publish elsewhere, this risk may be minimal.
Participants in the Fiction Works in Progress series are encouraged to engage actively and support one another. By fostering a positive environment, the initiative aims to nurture creativity and allow writers to indulge in their passion for storytelling.
