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The Ten Person Test: How to Get Feedback on Your Book

By Jared Dees

The other day someone asked me how they could get published. That’s a big question! There are so many different ways to get published today.

Further into the conversation she asked, “So, should I get an agent?” That’s getting ahead of herself.

Before you get an agent or an editor, get feedback on your writing.

I shared with her a piece of advice that Seth Godin has shared frequently for authors.

Let’s call it Seth Godin’s Ten Person Test.

The idea is pretty simple.

Write your book, novel, or short story and give it to ten people you trust. Make sure these people would actually enjoy reading your work even if you were not the author.

Here is the test:

Do they share it with anyone?

Books are successful because people read them and tell others about them.

So, will your book pass The Ten Person Test?

Will ten people share it with someone else?

You want these people to say: “I loved it. I emailed it to so-and-so because I knew they would love it too.”

“I liked it” isn’t good.

“I haven’t gotten to it yet” is worse.

“It was really good” is nice, but unless they feel compelled to share it with other people. you have more work to do.

February 17, 2018 Filed Under: Author Tips, My Fiction Journey, On Writing, Playbook

About Jared Dees

Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children.

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Jared Dees is passionate about sharing practical resources to teach faith. He is best known for his website The Religion Teacher and is the author of many books including 31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator, To Heal, Proclaim, and Teach, Praying the Angelus, Christ in the Classroom, and Beatitales: 80 Fables about the Beatitudes for Children. See all of Jared's Books →

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