I found a site online not long ago (webook.com) where you can put up your writing work and have it rated (on a scale of 1-5). The higher your overall score, the better your chance of making it to the next stage. It's almost like a writing contest. You put up the first page of your novel or short story and anonymous people read and rate it.
After a certain period of time (in my case it was a few months), your work is either elevated to the next stage (if it's total ratings are over 50% with scores of 4 and 5). Then, you are moved to stage 2 where you can showcase even more of your writing... 5 pages and a hefty sample for novels.
I submitted 3 of my novels. One is complete, the other two are works in progress. I just wanted to get feedback. After several months, 2 of my novels have been elevated to stage 2. At this moment, one of them is at 75% to stage 3 (meaning 75% of the people feel it deserves to get elevated higher).
Not only can this give you good anonymous critiques, but it can give you confidence as well. I received some fantastic comments, such as a reader who gave me a 5 and stated: "Perfection at its finest. I love the symbolism involving mirrors. Very original."
For my other novel (which is 59% elevated to stage 3), I received the following wonderful and inspiring staements: "Why hasn't this been published? This is the best writing I've read to date. Great job" and "One of the few writers here that can actually write."
Once you make it to stage 3, you are in the big time. Make it over 50% on stage 3 and your work will be showcased for literary agents.
If you have the gumption, you can read others' projects and rate them as well. I find that by reading through I can see good and bad writing, which is good for a writer in learning what works and what doesn't. If you read only good writing, you'll never learn what not to do!
Webook is an excellent way to get anonymous critiques. If your book doesn't do well, this will give you a chance to revise and re-submit.
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