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Finished rounds > Round 1 - Group 3

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message 51: by Mike (new)

Mike Duron (mike_duron) I'm going to piss everyone off and disagree. H, that's basically a synopsis of the story -- I hate it when reviewers do that! I want to know more of the sort of stuff you included in the last two paragraphs -- now that's where it actually started getting good!

When I read a review, I want to know where you think the author succeeded, and why -- where you think the author failed, and how. I've noticed about 85% of all the 'reviews' on any given book on Amazon are basically a synopsis of the novel, so I may be a dying breed here.

I don't consider a synopsis a review.

Please don't take this as some sort of suggestion that you should revise your review. I would never suggest that. Also, it's nothing personal -- it never is with me. It's just sort of like my saying, if this were a site dedicated to woodworking, "Well, I've noticed everyone calling these things coffee tables lately, but I don't consider them coffe tables, and here's why...." :)

Thanks!


message 52: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) I hope you're not including Hock's review in the 85%, Mike. There's only one paragraph that is purely synopsis. The others tell of Hock's reading experience as well as the story. Alexes made it clear in her comment the review was useful to her, and as a reader it would help me know what I was getting into if I bought it. Overall, therefore, I disagree with you.


message 53: by Sandra (new)

Sandra de Helen | 14 comments Hi, I'm posting to let everyone know I have Marie-Anne's book "Whorticulture" and started reading it last night. Will post the review after I've finished.


message 54: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Thanks, Sandra :)

I believe Laura was trying to contact you - have you managed to get in touch now?


message 55: by Hock (new)

Hock Tjoa (hockgtjoa) | 946 comments Alexes wrote: "Hock wrote: "Just finished reviewing Alexes Razevich's KHE
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

Thanks, Hock. It's always interesting to see how a reader perceives your work. I'm tuckin..."


We each have our baggage that influence how we see life or art. I look forward to reading your next work.


message 56: by Sandra (new)

Sandra de Helen | 14 comments Hi Jay, I don't think I've had any contact with anyone named Laura, and don't see anyone in this group named Laura. My email is sandra at sandradehelen dot com.


message 57: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Sandra wrote: "Hi Jay, I don't think I've had any contact with anyone named Laura, and don't see anyone in this group named Laura. My email is sandra at sandradehelen dot com."

Sorry, Sandra, getting my rounds and my Sandra's mixed up. It's OK - I've had some sleep now so normal service is being resumed!


message 58: by [deleted user] (new)

My review of The Hounding " http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... I don't know if the author would like me to post it to Amazon.


message 59: by [deleted user] (new)

Jay wrote: "Thanks, Kerry, well done :)"

Thanks Kerry. Would you please post your review on Amazon? But before that, could you delete the book summary (plot) as this would be a spoiler for future readers? Would appreciate a sentence or two on writing style. Any thoughts about the ending? This is not my first novel, Kerry. That's 'Circe' published by Mojocastle Press. http://www.amazon.com/The-Way-Noodle-...

Best
Anita


message 60: by [deleted user] (new)

Just want to add that my heroine does attain enlightenment in the end after overcoming her lust. Perhaps you haven't read till the end of the novella. Both Fabian and Antara become beings of light and rise above the chaos of 2012. It's certainly not a satire. It's a serious look at the ultimate spiritual challenge: overcoming desire.


message 61: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Anita - sorry but it is not acceptable to try and change or influence a review. You wouldn't expect it with a straight Amazon review and you shouldn't expect it here. I appreciate your concern about spoilers, and a request to add a line at the the start of the review that it may contain spoilers is OK, but this is Kerry's review, not yours.

If any of you would like further discussion and pointers to help improve your work that should be by PM between you, not here.


message 62: by Marie-Anne (new)

Marie-Anne Mancio (hotelalphabet) | 139 comments I have to second Jay's comment, Anita. I've had it happen to me before (outside here) where I've felt someone misunderstood an aspect of my novel. But that's bound to be the instant defensive response to critique and remember we are only authors. We can't stop readers from seeing something totally different in our work and that can be a good thing.


message 63: by Alexes (new)

Alexes | 40 comments When I was in collage, a professor of mine said, "The writer gets the credit and the blame for whatever the reader sees." So true.


message 64: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) And ain't it fun, taking the credit! I'm constantly amazed at the things my readers tell me I wrote... lol!


message 65: by Anne (new)

Anne Carlisle (acarlisle) | 328 comments Jay, thanks for getting Group 3's next round organized. My husband calls me The Planning Lady, but I think the crown belongs on your head.


message 66: by Sandra (new)

Sandra de Helen | 14 comments Anita, thank you for your review. Posting here on Goodreads is all that is necessary, thank you.


message 67: by Sandra (new)

Sandra de Helen | 14 comments Here is my review of Whorticulture by Marie-Anne Mancio: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 68: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Thank you, Sandra :)
Marie-Anne - you're headed for stardom if the reviews are anything to go by, and that includes mine. A very impressive work.


message 69: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Anne wrote: "Jay, thanks for getting Group 3's next round organized. My husband calls me The Planning Lady, but I think the crown belongs on your head."

Aren't crowns rather heavy, Anne? Or could I have the old money crowns? Nah, more like a crown of thorns with the way things are going in work lol! Check out the link on the jokes thread - it happened just up the coast from me yesterday. So funny!

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...


message 70: by [deleted user] (new)

I'm sorry I'll have to bow out of the group.

Best

Anita


message 71: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) OK, Anita. Perhaps you'll be able to join in sometime in the future.

Group members: for rounds 2, 3 and 4 Kathryn will be joining the group. Round 2 thread has been amended - it affects Steve and Marie-Anne.


message 72: by Marie-Anne (new)

Marie-Anne Mancio (hotelalphabet) | 139 comments My review of Elizabeth's "The Secret Life of Callie McGuire" is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 73: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Thanks, Marie-Anne :)

Just 2 more reviews due in for the round now, and still a week to go.


message 74: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Just a quick hello, folks :)

Elizabeth and Neel - are you on course for posting your reviews by next w/e? Any problems, let us know and we'll try and accommodate.

All group members - you don't have to wait for the start date of the next round to crack on. If you want to get ahead of the game, check out the round 2 thread for who you are due to review and PM them. Please leave a post on the round 2 thread when you receive your next file for review.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

thanks :)


message 75: by [deleted user] (new)

Just finished Anne's novel. I'll have my review ready in the next couple of days :)


message 76: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Thanks, Neel :)


message 77: by [deleted user] (new)

Here's my review of Anne's book. I'll also be posting it on amazon shortly.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 78: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Thanks, Neel, you've obviously put a lot of work into this - I need to read it just to find out who Lila is and whether I should be awaiting #2 in the trilogy!


message 79: by Anne (new)

Anne Carlisle (acarlisle) | 328 comments Neel wrote: "Here's my review of Anne's book. I'll also be posting it on amazon shortly.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."


You did a great job, Neel, and it's tremendously helpful to me. Much appreciated!


message 80: by [deleted user] (new)

Made slight alteration to review of Anne's book. I suddenly remembered that it wasn't Fay Weldon I'd thought about, but Erica Jong. I always get those two mixed up...?!!


message 81: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) It's a long time since I read Fay Weldon and haven't come across Erica Jong at all. I must add them both to my reading list, which seems to be growing at alarming rate. The promise of things to come :)


message 82: by Anne (new)

Anne Carlisle (acarlisle) | 328 comments Erica Jong made a big splash with "Fear of Flying," a novel which gave us the phrase "zipless fuck." It did influence me a lot.


message 83: by [deleted user] (new)

Yes! That's exactly the one!


message 84: by [deleted user] (new)

Hmm...? Wonder if my novella will get a review in this round?


message 85: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Yes, Neel, you have had to wait until last knockings of the round. I'll be sending out reminders tonight about end date of tomorrow/start date of tomorrow.


message 86: by [deleted user] (new)

No review for me :( Wow! That is really disappointing.


message 87: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) Neel wrote: "No review for me :( Wow! That is really disappointing."

We've had no word from Elizabeth for a while, Neel - I've been trying to contact her, as have Sandra and Anne for the next round. I don't know if she's got problems at home taking her time and attention, or on holiday, or what.

I'll send another message today, and if we don't hear in the next few days I'll find someone else for the remaining rounds and ask one of the registered readers to review your book for round 1.


message 88: by Jay (new)

Jay Howard (jay_howard) OMG - I've just seen the news about that enormous hurricane heading for eastern USA - that's where Elizabeth lives. I think I'd be either getting out of there or battening down the hatches. I certainly wouldn't be answering emails and GR messages.


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