Tonight I read a story for comments from my writers’ group. One person stopped listening and rolled their eyes when the word Dragon was spoken. The dragons were a metaphor for government officials who regulated too much. The story came from a prompt on the Reedsy website. There is a link below if you want to see the story for yourself. It is short and enjoyable if I say so myself…

What if the most valuable critique you ever give is on a book you’d never buy?

Writers are often told to find critique partners who “get” their genre. But the reality of writing groups, workshops, and beta swaps is messier. Sometimes you’re handed a cozy mystery when you live for grim dark fantasy. Sometimes you’re reviewing a picture book manuscript, and you haven’t interacted with a five-year-old in years.

Does that make your feedback worthless? Not even close—if you know how to give it.

The trick isn’t pretending to be something you’re not. It’s learning to separate what’s broken from what simply isn’t built for you. Here’s how to offer meaningful, respectful critiques—even when the story was never written for someone like you.

Acknowledge Your Position First

The most important step is transparency. Before diving into your feedback, tell the writer:

“I want to be upfront—I’m not typically a reader of [genre/age category]. I’ll do my best to evaluate the craft, but please weigh my feedback with that in mind.”

This simple disclaimer does two things:

It helps the writer contextualize your opinions

It keeps you accountable to critique fairly rather than based on personal taste

Separate Craft from Preference

Even if you’re not the target reader, you can still evaluate fundamental craft elements that apply universally:

What you CAN critique objectively:

Clarity – Is the prose easy to follow?

Consistency – Do characters behave consistently? Are there plot holes?

Pacing – Does the story drag or rush in places?

Dialogue – Does it sound natural and distinct for each character?

Structure – Is the narrative arc clear?

Grammar and mechanics – Are there technical errors?

What you should be cautious about:

Tropes common to the genre (they may be expected, not flaws)

Tone or content that feels “too much” for you but fits the audience

Subjective style choices that serve the intended readers

Ask Questions Instead of Making Declarations

When you’re uncertain whether something is a flaw or simply “not for you,” frame your feedback as questions:

Instead of: “This romance subplot feels overdone.”

Try: “Is this level of romantic tension typical for your target readers? It felt heavy to me, but I recognize I may not be calibrated for the genre.”

This invites dialogue rather than shutting down the writer’s choices.

Research the Target Audience

If you’re committed to giving useful feedback, do a little homework:

Read a few popular titles in the genre or age category

Look at reader reviews to understand what fans love and hate

Ask the writer who their ideal reader is and what comparable titles they’re targeting

This context helps you distinguish between “this doesn’t work” and “this doesn’t work for me.”

Focus on the Reader Experience You Can Assess

Even as an outsider, you’re still a reader. You can report your experience without declaring it universal:

“As someone unfamiliar with this genre, I found the magic system confusing at first. Intended readers might follow it more easily, but you may want to check if the explanation is clear enough.”

“I wasn’t sure if the pacing in chapter three is intentionally slow for atmosphere or if it might lose some readers.”

This approach provides data to the writer without presuming authority over their audience.

Know When to Step Back

Sometimes the most helpful thing you can say is:

“I don’t think I’m the right person to evaluate this aspect of your story.”

If you actively dislike a genre or feel unable to assess its conventions fairly, it’s okay to limit your feedback to craft basics—or to recommend the writer seek a critique partner who better matches their audience.

Final Thoughts

Critiquing outside your comfort zone can actually make you a better reader and writer. It forces you to examine why certain choices work for certain audiences and sharpens your understanding of craft versus taste.

The golden rule: Critique the story the writer is trying to tell, not the story you wish they had written.

When you approach feedback with humility, curiosity, and respect for the intended audience, your critiques become genuinely useful—even when the book was never meant for you.

You can read the story in question here and tell me what you think?

As always, I hope this assists you with your writing journey.

What strategies do you use when critiquing outside your usual reading preferences? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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