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User Researcher

Writer feedback that leads to fixes

Start with existing PocketAuthor materials. Shape a small contribution with a reviewer, then build on what you learn.

Introduce yourself
PocketAuthor book character

Suggested project, not an assigned task or an open vacancy. Agree on scope, availability and a reviewer before starting. Scholarships, funding and partnerships described here are proposals, not active commitments.

Start here

Review the public writing journey and draft five neutral interview questions for first-time authors.

  1. Walk through the public guidance and your own test draft.
  2. Separate observations from assumptions and list friction points.
  3. Draft a consent script and anonymized findings template; arrange interviews only after coordinator approval.

What to hand in

A research plan, five questions and a feedback-to-issue template with no personal data.

Ready for review when

  • The deliverable answers this brief and distinguishes facts from assumptions.
  • Sources are linked, drafts are labeled, and private or identifying information is removed.
  • You list open questions and ask your assigned reviewer for feedback before publishing or contacting anyone.

Build on your first contribution

  1. Prepare and review

    Share your first deliverable with your assigned reviewer. Revise it together before moving on.

  2. Contribute to a project

    Conduct approved, consent-based writer interviews.

  3. Improve and hand over

    Group anonymized findings and track reviewed product recommendations.

These are suggested next tasks, not completion records. After a placement is agreed, your coordinator assigns tasks in the volunteer workspace. Use its task statuses and progress reports to record work and request review.

Open volunteer workspace

Keep the work safe and voluntary

Use public sources or material you own. No outreach, grant submission, production access, spending or publication is authorized by this guide. For work involving children or other vulnerable groups, stop and ask for an approved safeguarding plan. Participation is for adults, and you can pause or decline a task. Credit and rights are agreed separately.

PocketAuthor is a for-profit company. These unpaid examples are bounded public-benefit community projects, not paid-client work or replacement staffing.

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