Post Stories.
Swap Feedback.
Get Discovered!
Ready Chapter 1 is the community-powered platform connecting book publishers with undiscovered writers. Prep your novel for publishing success in our pro writer community!
Get Writing Feedback, 24/7
Connect with fellow writers — from beginners to published pros — in RC1’s Peer Critique Forum. Exchange actionable insights to strengthen your story.
Polish Your Story to Perfection
Use personalized Story Scores™ and expert critique notes to identify what works and what doesn’t. Level up your writing at every stage from Concept to Query through on-demand master classes.
Pitch to Editors and Agents
Say goodbye to the slush pile! Enter mini challenges judged by top literary agents as well as multi-chapter challenges sponsored by publishers. The community decides which stories are READY and it could be yours!
Start swapping stories with fellow writers for FREE.
Top RC1 writers land agents and book deals. It's that simple.
We will never take credit for our members’ hard work and determination. But you can bet we’re going to celebrate their big wins!
Level up your writing–one chapter at a time.
Soon after you post your first chapter, you’ll start to see your Story Score™ emerge. Think of it as a snapshot of the community reaction to your pages—based on real, measurable feedback from other writers. From there, you can take simple, actionable steps to revise and repost or start posting new chapters with confidence. Most writers see noticeable improvement within just a few posts:
Built for writers. Trusted by publishers.
When your story's ready, so are we.
When your chapters consistently hit top scores, it’s a powerful signal—both to you and to us—that your story is on the cusp of being market-ready. That’s when doors start to open. We regularly run publisher challenges and agent contests, connecting top-rated stories to real industry opportunities. While we can’t promise a book deal, we can promise visibility, introductions, and a shot you won’t get anywhere else.
And just between us? We’re building toward something even bigger—a direct path to publishers for ALL top-scoring stories on RC1. It’s not here yet, but it’s coming. Because great stories deserve to go places. Yours included.
See what users are saying about Ready Chapter 1
Breaking in to publishing is frustrating. RC1 is building a better way.
Publishing is a journey. Don't go it alone.
Build Your Author Toolkit
With advice from experienced writers and master classes taught by industry veterans. The more you learn and the harder you work, the sooner your work will be ready.
Grow Your Writer Network
Through contests judged by acquiring editors and agents. Learn what they’re looking for in a manuscript and submit with confidence knowing you’ve made a personal connection.
Break the Rejection Cycle
Polish your story until it shines with the help of fellow writers on the same journey. Learn tricks of the trade for getting past the slush pile and into the eager hands of editors and agents.
