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Marie wrote: "Hello authors!Me: Avid reader for many years. Unused, dusty minor in English Lit. Likes to provide constructive feedback, minor editing and overall reviews. I would like to receive any books for ..."
I have a complete mystery/ thriller about 100K Scars of the Past. It's about cyber terrorists and the FBI Cyber Terror unit trying to keep more Russians from getting killed and it's a very fast read. No graphic violence or sex.
I need general comments -- flow, characters consistent, scenes realistic. I know the end sucks and I'm trying to fix it -- suggestions? I also think it needs a different title, but I'm stuck.
I appreciate any help you can give.
Angie
Angela wrote: I have a complete mystery/ thriller about 100K Scars of the Past. It's about cyber terrorists and the FBI Cyber Terror unit trying to keep more Russians from getting killed and it's a very fast read. No graphic violence or sex.Is it really a standalone novel though? Because it's the second in the series and based on the Goodreads blurb it seems that I should be familiar with these characters and why they changed their names...
"Imagining Violet", historical fiction or YA - 86,000 words - It's 1891 and 16 year old Violet has travelled from Edinburgh to Germany to study music. Her letters home relate her anxieties,her adventures and the challenges of student life. A unique approach in 2017, this is a charming, intimate look at a young girl's life.
I'd like feedback on genre - and comments on where the story flags.
The language is deliberately 1890s - and seems stilted to us, but I wanted authenticity.
Happy to send 25 pages as a sample or see my blog at www.imaginingviolet.blogspotca
Marie wrote: "Hello authors!
Me: Avid reader for many years. Unused, dusty minor in English Lit. Likes to provide constructive feedback, minor editing and overall reviews. I would like to receive any books for ..."
Good evening Marie,I am looking for a beta reader for a mystery thriller titled In Defense of Innocence which is approximately 93K. This is the third draft and it has been vetted through authors on Scribophile.
The story takes place in modern day Canada. It is the story of a vigilante that hunts child abusers and the police officer who gives chase. Note there is no child sex/rape.
Looking for plot/story, character and pace issues. It will be sent to an editor afterwards.
If interested, please contact me wickendendave@gmail.com
Thanks for your time.
Dave
Just checking whether anyone has heard back from Marie? She was Beta’ing my MS, but I haven’t heard from her in quite a while. She’s not answering messages or emails.
Hoping she’s okay.
Anyone else in the same boat?
Me: Avid reader for many years. Unused, dusty minor in English Lit. Likes to provide constructive feedback, minor editing and overall reviews. I would like to receive any books for review in PDF or epub format please.
Preferred Genres: Romance (primarily historical, MM, bad boy, paranormal), Mystery (primarily cozy, historical, police procedural), YA (primarily contemporary/realistic, paranormal), Suspense/Thriller (if truly this genre and not with horror elements).
I Will Not Read: Horror, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Sci-Fi, most High Fantasy, a book in the middle of a series unless it's truly a standalone.
Note: Even if your book is not one of my preferred genres, I might still beta read it. I just feel that those genres are the ones I where I can provide the highest quality feedback.
What You Can Expect From Me:
World Building/Setting: Was I confused? Was it too much info at once? Did I think it added to the story? What I most liked/disliked.
Plot: Any plotholes? Did something seem too rushed or too slow? Did it seem realistic or farfetched? What grabbed me and what didn't work so well for me.
Characters: Did they seem consistent? Did I like or dislike them and why? What I felt their motivations, personalities and thought processes were to see if it's consistent with your vision.
Dialogue: Witty? Realistic? Moving? Stilted? Inconsistent with time period? Confusing? Flat?
General: How did I find the overall writing style and pacing? Do I think the manuscript needs heavy editing or was it fairly polished? Did I like your blurb, working title and cover? At the end of the book and at critical parts in it, how did I feel/what did I think? Would I buy or recommend it?
What I Will Not Do:
Your Research/Fact Checking: Example One: If it's a historical set in the 1800s and someone's on a cell phone, I'll tell you. If they are making candles, I'm not checking to see if the process is right. If they put the wax in a microwave, I'll tell you. Example Two: I don't know nor care who won the 1998 Superbowl, so I'll take your word for it. Unless you say it's the Hamilton Hootenannies or something, in which case, I'll suggest you verify that.
Advanced Editing: I am not remotely interested in line checking your work. That said, if I see you consistently make a grammar mistake, I'll mention you should watch out for it. Similarly, if I see that you have an occasional obvious added/omitted word or some such, I'll most likely record it for you. I'll also tell you about any sentences/paragraphs that I think are particularly awkward, but I'm not rewriting them for you.
Optional:
Sample Review: If you like, I'll write up a review of your book as it currently stands, just so you can see how I would review it if it came to me through some means other than beta reading. Let me know if you want this.
Specific Feedback: If there is a specific character, plot point etc. that you really want looked at, tell me! Please no spoilers though! Pay special attention to this character is fine. Pay special attention to Chapter 12 is fine. Be sure to tell me what you think after the main character commits mass murder in Chapter 12, not fine.
Other Stuff:
-I have a busy life and you want quality feedback. Therefore I most likely need 4-6 weeks to read your manuscript. I can provide updates for you if you like, just let me know.
-If I'm not interested based on your summary/blurb, I will tell you why (nicely).
-If we agree I'm to beta read your book, I will sit down within 48hrs or so of receiving it, when I am in a good mood with a clear head and read the first few chapters. At that point it will just be to see if it grabs me, not to beta read it. If it doesn't, I will tell you why and respectfully decline to continue. Don't take this personally, your book could very well be the greatest book in the world! I am the same person who can't stand either Twilight or Fifty Shades of Grey, so what do I know?
-Be responsive. Life happens and I am certainly not always at my computer either. But if I email you with questions about a part of your book, please try to answer within a few days. If for no other reason, I may well have put it on hold until you answer and you don't want that do you? ;)
-If I put "Closed for Now" on this thread, please respect that. I feel bad saying no, but I will.
So if you are interested, please respond in a PM or here with the details of your book including:
Title:
Genre:
Word or Page Count:
Blurb or Summary:
Anything Specific You Are Looking For:
And I will get back to you in PM or on this thread with a yes/no and contact details.
Thanks so much, have a wonderful day!