Search options (Page 12 of 32)

My first book was self-published, but it probably doesn't represent enough of a sample for your study. And the result wasn't great. But I'll participate if needed.

Jeez, Dill. Chill out a little, okay? This is a writing workshop site. It's for honing one's ability as a writer. The name of the site says it all. It's not supposed to be a platform for supporting gonzo literature, though writers in this vein have certainly found following. I'm sure there are places on the Internet where like-minded writers can get together, drink espresso, and rant against the establishment as they look fondly (and misguidedly) back at such meetings of iconoclastic literary minds as the Algonquin Club. But it shouldn't be here. Here is where writers come because they want to publish their stuff, and reviews are supposed to help them get their foot in the door - so it won't be closed by the conventional wisdom types who guard that door. Once past the gatekeepers, they can go for the style they really want. Sorry, but you gotta pass the core curriculum before you can take the electives.

But we're in agreement on one thing: a reviewer who, by intention, arrogance, or stupidity crushes the life out of an aspiring writer has no place on this site. That's for the know-it-all agents and Big-Five editors to do. When I give a review - almost always in-line - I point out grammatical and punctuation errors, some of which I didn't realize until having joined this site. I want reviewers to do that for me, because I want to publish the damn thing and have to get it past the first checkpoint in the submission process, so that is what I do for the reviewee. I also make suggestions for phrasing, word choices, etc. - not as some expert, but as a reader. And also based on what editors have told me along the way.

I've been here since 2008, and I'm happy to have found this place. I've workshopped all my books here and I've learned a lot in the process. As has been expressed here by others, if I find a work that I find terrible, I don't review it. But there have been many pieces I've weighed in on that were REPLETE with grammar, punctuation, and phrasing issues because I saw the potential and/or I liked the premise of the story. So my reviews have looked like a patchwork of blue at times. But once I've committed my time to a review for the above reasons, I'm obliged to give the writer encouragement in my closing statement, despite the number of nitpicks I had to land on his chapter. Because I saw potential in it and want the writer to know that. Saying "good job" without backing it up in any way is a worthless comment, in my view. Perhaps not patronizing, but certainly not helpful without annotation.

You've expressed your opinions, and I think I know where you're coming from. I actually don't really disagree with what you've said in this thread, though I thought you could have been more measured in the way you said it. Karen probably means well and so was shocked at your diatribe against her. But your message was certainly delivered.

Congrats, Cobber! Agree the cover looks great. I read a good part of the book when it was up on TNBW but somehow missed the rest. Good luck with sales!  Jack

At the beginning of this thread was the suggestion to reciprocate reviews in order to get more reviews. And as Ann said, we're all busy doing things with our books and have to use our time wisely. I may not be the only one who feels this way, but I'll speak for myself. I'll give a new book a shot (if it's not in a genre I don't usually read). If I like it, I'll review an additional chapter. But if I get no reciprocation from the author, I'll move on, even if the book appeals to me. I have commitments to authors who do reciprocate, and I can't spend the time reviewing authors who receive but don't give. Perhaps that is one reason you've found your reviews diminishing, though I've found a falling off to be a natural phenomenon. But one thing you can do is to keep track of who reviews you and make a point of returning the review. We're all in this together, and if it's going to be a one-way street, the model doesn't work.

The skies were clear, but the jerry-rigged viewer I had didn't work. Those with the special glasses had an awesome sight, so I've been told. Me? Just got a little darker for a while. (Big yawn)

No, you guys were just laughing at me.

JP - I did change the numbers of the chapters, so Chapter 27 comes before Chapter 26, but they're still out of order.

JP - I didn't want to drop a chapter and then add it again. When you post a chapter, the last chapter posted is given, and the arrow only goes one way. Unless I'm missing something, there doesn't appear to be a way to change chapter numbers to reflect an earlier chapter - like making Chapter 27 Chapter 26.

Yeah, but you had to go to Facebook, where they would be outed. That's why you then got the response you should have had at the beginning.

Good point, Dags. Nine minutes is just long enough to spot a miscue in the submission and send back the rejection. Not nearly enough to read the letter, blurb, etc. think about it and then reject.