Giving and receiving constructive feedback

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Subject: Giving and receiving constructive feedback

Giving and receiving constructive feedback + persistence

** This email may show up long in your inbox, so you may need to click to expand and to read the full email. Or read online.

Friday, September 4, 2026

Hi Friend,

I missed last week’s newsletter. I was fighting a head cold and I was just in that blah zone where I couldn’t do anything except play games and watch endless YouTube videos.

I'm feeling better, baby, and I'm back in your inbox.

Catching us up!

Last week’s podcast:

219. Read, Write, Restart: Writing Tips for Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers

This week’s podcast:

220. Constructive Critique Basics - more below

My thoughts on persistence

The evergreen, most powerful skill we creative writers need (Substack article)

Jumping right into news:

Gala Russ — Write Your Novel 101

Write Your Novel 101 is a 12-session live small-group book coaching program for writers who have an idea or an unfinished first draft and want to understand their story, strengthen their craft, and keep writing it.

Starts Tuesday, Sept. 8th

Is writing your novel in the cards for you this fall?

I recommend Gala’s wonderful, rigorous, intensive, fun class.

Gala is my friend and colleague and multi-published author with a partner under the name, Willa Drew.

For all the details and how to register.

❤️

Write Your Novel 101 VIP is a 12-session 4-month 6-writer novel-coaching program where you’ll take the book idea in your head—or the unfinished novel you’ve already started—and turn it into a story you understand, pages you can build on, and a roadmap for continuing all the way to a finished manuscript.

Next Substack Live

❤️ Join our next Author Substack Live

Monday, September 7th, 10:15 a.m. Pacific

"How To Run A Street Team"

with Gala Russ and I

Gala and I have been partnering to share our wisdom with you.

No cost. You just need a Substack account.

Click here to be notified when we go live .

❤️

More Upcoming Events for Writers!

BANNER_your-brilliant-picture-book-in-a-day-workshop with Mira Reisberg

Check out Mira’s Picture Book in a Day on Saturday, Sept. 19th, 2026 3:00–6:00 PM Pacific time.

Mira is a friend of mine. I'm not an affiliate. And, I think her material is top notch.

She knows I don't work with children's book authors but reminded me that we all probably have a children's book inside of us.

"You can even adapt one of your published books," she reminded me.

I hadn't thought of that!

Maybe I could do the kid's version of a mystery on a space station to solve. That could be fun! (Adult version, if you're curious)

Maybe you have a picture book inside of you. :)

CRAFT YOUR BRILLIANT PICTURE BOOK IN A DAY

A Fun, Live, Interactive Three-Hour Workshop to Write a New Picture Book, or Revitalize a Story You Already Have!

Live Online (and Recorded with Indefinite Access), work with Dr. Mira Reisberg, Founder of the Children's Book Academy; Jen Newens, President of Martin-Newens Literary Management; and a professional editor.

For more information and how to register, check out all the details on Mira's Children's Book Academy site.

And tell your friends!

🎉

Book Club, Writer Events, and more!

At Ivan’s community events space: Goodness, near Piedmont Avenue in Oakland.

California Writers’ Club, Berkeley branch — Monthly Speaker Series, Sunday, September 20, 2026, 2pm - Doors open. The speaker will be literary agent, Laurie McLean. $5 for members. $10 for non-members. Get your ticket here.

Goodness Book Club with Nina Renata Aron. reading: Life of M by Rachel Cusk — Friday, September 25, 2026, 7:00 - 8:30pm. Free. More details on the Goodness site.

❤️

Constructive Critique Basics

How To Write The Future podcast, episode 220

“It is so, so important on how to give constructive feedback to other writers, and also how to receive that feedback from other writers, and how to create a safe space.” – Beth Barany

I'm sharing an episode from my premium "Edit Lab" channel where I'm letting you know how you can give and receive critique while remaining respectful.

From explaining the communication basics to managing your own expectations when it comes to receiving constructive critique on your writing.

This episode shares great insight into what is offered to you in the exclusive Edit Lab group.

***

Do you have a question about writing craft, world building, the creative process, or mindset?

Then get in touch, and your question could be shared in an upcoming podcast episode.

Constructive Critique Basics

How To Write the Future podcast, episode 220

Read | Listen | Watch

❤️

Check out this recent Substack Live where Gala explained the difference between alpha, beta, and ARC readers.

What questions do you have about beta readers or other writing or marketing topics?

We'll answer them in an upcoming Live or on the podcast.

On Critique Take what’s useful and throw away the rest. You’re the one who decides.

Do you have your revision checklist?

Grab your Edit Your Novel checklist and start at the 30,000-foot view here.

Edit Lab - Next call: October 7, 2026.

Topic: How to find or form your own critique group.
Join by Oct. 6th.
Only $10/month.

Join our Edit Lab!

Happy Writing!

Best,

Beth

PS. #AmWatching - I'm hooked on Pacific Criminal. (TV)

#AmListening - And loved this singer-songwriter out of LA, Steve Lacy (YouTube).

#Amreading - I just finished Janet Raye Steven's cute historical mystery, The Vanishing Volume (her site)

🌀 Substack Lives most Mondays -- for Fiction Writers!

Subscribe to get the notifications.

⭐️ Substack Lives -- for Creative/Author Entrepreneurs -- coming soon
Subscribe to get the notificatons to our Creative Entrepreneur Incubator

❤️

🌟

If you find my resources helpful, please forward them to a friend who may need them too.

Help me help more writers!

Thanks!

❤️

Beth Barany
Creativity Coach for Writers

Teacher, Speaker, Workshop Facilitator
bethbarany.com

I not only teach and coach novelists, I am one too!

*Magical Tales of Romance, Mystery, and Adventure* author.bethbarany.com

Including the award-winning, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer (Book 1), and Into The Black, about Janey McCallister space station investigator (Book 1)

__________________________

❤️

Here to empower you with core principles, mindset tools, and doable roadmaps to build your sustainable, thriving, creative career on your own terms.

🚀

🐲

Passionate about supporting science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction writers; and creative entrepreneurs serving writers.

🎬

Filmmaker with a BIG mission: to celebrate warrior women!

Writer's Fun zone blog by and for creative writers, published by Beth Barany

Subscribe to be notified when each blog post goes live. Or wait for the weekly round-up in this newsletter. *Write for us.

Latest WFZ posts

☕️

Support This Creative Entrepreneur

My mission is to support your adventure as a creative and step into your next best self.

If you want to support my mission, I invite you to:

📚 buy my books

☕️ buy me a coffee

🎬 support my Henrietta The Dragon Slayer short film

Or share my products or services with your friends. Thanks!

❤️

How To Write The Future podcast with Beth Barany

Beth Barany is an award-winning science fiction and fantasy novelist, and certified creativity coach for writers.

For the last 20+ years, she's been working with writers of all kinds.

She specializes in helping sci-fi and fantasy publishing-oriented novelists experience clarity, so they can write, revise, and proudly publish their books to the delight of their readers.

Here be the legalese: In connection with the operation of this newsletter and business, Creativity Sparks includes affiliate links to trusted partners. Barany Consulting earns a commission from the Affiliate Links which commission is based on the number of sales that are made as a result of users of the Newsletter clicking over to the Affiliate Link and purchasing from the Affiliate Link a product and/or service. Thus endth the legalese.

I live in the territory of Huichin, part of the stolen land of the Chochenyo Muwekma Ohlone, the successors of the historic and sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County, in Oakland, California, the San Francisco Bay Area. Northern Hemisphere. Earth.

The Solar System. → Carina–Sagittarius Arm in the Milky Way galaxy. Milky Way subgroup → Local Group → Local Sheet → Virgo Supercluster → Laniakea Supercluster → Local Hole → Observable universe → Universe.

I stand with people of Ukraine and all peoples 🎗️ in their fight for freedom from oppression and the right to self-determine. Yes, all peoples. Not just some.

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