I love what you're doing here, and I'll plug it on Best of Steemit (where you've appeared before). I've written nine (complete) novels, and about half of three more. I was a selectee in Nightmare on Query Street and a finalist in #PitMad a while back. No agents, four self-pubbed books (none of them novels). So this isn't my first rodeo.
I thought I knew how to write a story, when I started, about 1.4 million (fiction) words ago. I now understand that I have no earthly idea, but I have more clue than I did before I put 4000 hours into it. Every time I take one of these challenges, I learn something useful to the other writing I do. I get paid for nonfiction, but I'd really like to put some fiction on the market, and one of these days, I will. I think this forum and the others you've suggested above, can really help. There's no substitute for feedback from other serious craftspeople.
Thank you, and Godspeed.
You are absolutely right--feedback from other serious writers is the best medicine for all ills when it comes to this craft. I think Steemit will ultimately be a major player in the publishing industry, and I plan to be around to see the shakeup.
I participated in PitMad back in June and my manuscript did get picked by a small press scout. I did some research, and that publisher seems very innovative and forward thinking. So I submitted, but haven't heard back yet. Will be interesting to see what comes of that. :-)
My full request--just one so far--took seven months to come back, but the feedback was terrific, and really helped me move the manuscript forward. I have a wall full of rejections, but a heart full of hope.
Yeah, we use those rejections as wallpaper. No doubt. LOL