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Apologies to everyone. I've been a bit remiss this month but it's been caused by multiple trips to Michigan State University's Veterinary Training Hospital (six-hour round trip) with several overnights for me, without my laptop. Our seven-year-old boxer, Tyson, has cancer. He had his first chemo treatment on Thursday, brought him back home on Friday. He'll be back again this Thursday for another treatment, but it's a day visit and this time, I'll make sure I take my laptop.

In addition to the problems with Tyson, we've been taking our FIV-positive cat, Shadow, back and forth to our local vet (an hour away). On Thursday, he was euthanized as his FIV crashed. 

Hope to catch back up with my reviews over the next week.

Completed inline review of Cobber's "State of Vengeance', chapters 79 and 80.

To the other item discussed about providing a plot outline or such upfront. Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle? Any member can just ask if someone is willing to review their plot summary for another pair of eyes to look it over? The member can then arrange to email it to those willing to help and take a look. This keeps the plot off this group forum so as not to spoil it for those who want to continue reviewing without spoilers in advance. What do you think?

I understand what you're saying. I guess I'm looking at it from the submission process where a synopsis is required when submitting to an agent or publishing house. Of course, they could be using those a bit differently than we do here.

That's why I liked the concept of this group- sticking with it until the end. Maybe it might be helpful if once we've posted our last chapter, we follow up with our "intent" and the rest of the group can speak to whether we reached that goal, or if not, what we can do "plot wise" to accomplish it? Just a thought.

Shouldn't the intent be covered in the synopsis, which should be made available before we begin reading?

Good points, Rhiannon. I'm working on my short stories, too.

Completed inline review of Cobber's "State of Vengeance', chapters 71 through 76.

Many thanks! Look forward to doing the same.:)

There's nothing in her portfolio in her profile either.

Submission guidelines vary. Some want a cover or query letter, a synopsis, and either the first three chapters, 10,000 words, or in some cases, the entire manuscript.  The manuscript needs to be as polished as possible before submission as you never know how much time you might have, although I understand if you're sending to agents, you'll have between weeks and months to continue to prep.

For my publisher, I had to submit a query letter and the first five pages of the manuscript. They said ninety percent of the submissions they receive don't make it past this point. After I sent in my submission, I kept polishing the rest of the manuscript. Good thing, too--five weeks later they requested the entire manuscript. Within a week of receipt, they offered me a contract and told me to stop working on the manuscript because the offer was based on what they had already read. Any changes would be worked with their editor.  That's why I immediately took it off TNBW as I wouldn't be able to use any further suggestions.  Hope this helps, but if you have further questions, please let me know.

When I first began posting on TNBW, I was making changes as I received feedback. I found I wasn't moving forward very fast. I spoke to several authors on TNBW and they said to complete the first draft before spending time on revisions. I will occasionally correct typos, but that's it.

Once I followed their advice I was able to complete the first draft and begin editing. A more efficient process, at least for me. Otherwise, I'd still be working on The Kurdish Connection instead of it being under contract. I've also found not everyone catches the same nits. Case in point.  I had a typo in a sentence regarding a plane (but I had plan). Only two readers out of seven caught it.

Why do revised chapters require another review? Because there are very few perfect people. Editors always re-read after sending a manuscript back to an author for changes.  The posting process on TNBW provides for different versions, which allows those re-reading to earn additional points.

If anyone thinks their time is wasted reading my work because someone else in the group has already reviewed a given chapter, feel free to skip to one that hasn't been reviewed.  Everything helps in the end.

Just go to page one in this section. Jube has it updated.