Beta Readers/Crit Requests

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
Sorry guys, I've been doing a TON of critiques off-forum lately and burned out a bit, but I'll try to show up here more often.
Totally understandable. I'm usually only good for about four a month, or once a week, myself. :D
 

defcon6000

Banned
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
5,196
Reaction score
696
Location
My shed
I use to think more folks were looking for betas. Perhaps this month is just slow or we're missing some of our regular W1S1ers.

I'd post on SYW, which has also been a bit slow lately, but the horror section gets so little traffic.
 

alexshvartsman

Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
2,049
Reaction score
156
Location
Brooklyn, NY
I;ve been beta'ing 3-4 a week. Strangely, it hasn't cut into my writing time much and instead, is a good way for me to "procrastinate" when I don't feel like writing. I can usually finish commenting on a story and segue right into my own writing.
 

SmallThing

Eek!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
230
Reaction score
35
Website
cosmicdriftwood.wordpress.com
I'm often willing to give something a read, but I don't always notice requests here. I'm pretty sure I'd be crap at critiquing humor. Anything else, feel free to pm me and see if I'm free.
 

alexshvartsman

Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
2,049
Reaction score
156
Location
Brooklyn, NY
I'm the opposite. Not a fan of horror/dark fantasy but will gladly look at humor (which is also what I've been writing a lot of lately).
 

defcon6000

Banned
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
5,196
Reaction score
696
Location
My shed
I'll read just about anything under the spec fic sun, both light and dark. Things I definitely won't read is splatter porn/gore. Not a fan of erotica or writing that's trying too hard to be literary, either.

btw, still looking for another pair of fresh eyeballs for my story. You can let me borrow your eyes for minute, can't you? :poke::D
 

Lillie

practical experience, FTW
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
1,585
Reaction score
178
Location
Wales
I'll read it.

Have you still got my email?
Just send it over and I'll get on to it.
 

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
4,092
Reaction score
951
Location
In The Darkside's Light
I am willing to read Horror,Science Fiction,Urban&Epic Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and anything gory.

I'm free on Sundays.

I am blunt but never cruel/nasty.
 

Undercover

I got it covered
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Mar 1, 2010
Messages
10,432
Reaction score
2,054
Location
Not here, but there
I'm beta hunting for my YA mystery/thriller still. I have a beta now and it's been working for the past month. She's a peach and it's working well. I would just like a second opinion though. I will read anything YA within 40 to 80K word count. Those longer fantasy novels seems to go too long for me. I LOVE dark and edgy reads. Just no sci-fi.

When I crit I try to give 110% of my time to a beta's ms. Although I suck at line-by-line spag but, I was told I give good suggestions and help shape your story more as far as ideas and plotlines go.
 

loldoc

Registered
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
44
Reaction score
1
I could use an alpha read of a very raw WIP - but it's really a conversation in Italian (which I speak badly) I need help with. Anyone here good with conversational Italian?
 

defcon6000

Banned
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
5,196
Reaction score
696
Location
My shed
Anyone interested in swapping stories? I have a ~2,800-word dark fantasy, tried to lure some readers on SYW, but it needs a few more eyes.
 

Lillie

practical experience, FTW
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
1,585
Reaction score
178
Location
Wales
Just send it over.

If I get my Bibliotheca Fantastica story finished before the deadline, you can read that in return.
 

Aggy B.

Not as sweet as you think
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
11,882
Reaction score
1,557
Location
Just north of the Deep South
Looking for opinions on a lit-fic minded 500-ish word flash. (An expanded/revised version of the 200 word Bourgeoisie I got help with last year.)

Will trade for something of roughly equal length if anyone is interested.
 

alexshvartsman

Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Aug 27, 2010
Messages
2,049
Reaction score
156
Location
Brooklyn, NY
Aggy: I critted the 200-word iteration for you way back then, but if you think you can benefit from my looking at the expanded version, please go ahead and e-mail it to me.
 

mhaynes

practical experience, FTW
Kind Benefactor
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Sep 1, 2011
Messages
657
Reaction score
36
Location
Ohio
Website
www.michaelhaynes.info
Looking for opinions on a lit-fic minded 500-ish word flash.

I'd be happy to look this over for you, if you'd like. Do you have my email address? If not, and if you're still looking for readers, just let me know and I'll get it to you.
 

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
Need a beta reader for a 4,100 word post-apocalyptic fantasy. This isn't about the coming or going of the apocalypse; it focuses more on the adventures of a man coping with the left-overs, mildly inspired by The Gunslinger. It's only a first draft, but I'd like some comments on how the story feels, if anyone is interested.
 

O'Dandelo

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
509
Reaction score
29
Location
The lost city of Atlanta
Marzioli, I'm down, if you can give me a few days to start. I'm finishing up the 28 flash stories for the Shock Totem contest, then I have two beta-buddy stories to critique.

I guess what I'm saying is...if you still need a reader around Wednesday, I'm your man. Plus I'm a big Dark Tower fan; my username comes from it. :)
 

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
I guess what I'm saying is...if you still need a reader around Wednesday, I'm your man. Plus I'm a big Dark Tower fan; my username comes from it. :)
Thank you, sir! That works fine for me. But don't get your hopes up with the Dark Tower reference. I'm no Stephen King, and my unnamed lead is no Rolland. :D Hopefully, there's something good there anyway. Of course, I'm up for a trade, if you have something you need Beta'ed.
 

O'Dandelo

Super Member
Registered
Joined
Oct 5, 2011
Messages
509
Reaction score
29
Location
The lost city of Atlanta
Need a beta reader for a 4,100 word post-apocalyptic fantasy. This isn't about the coming or going of the apocalypse; it focuses more on the adventures of a man coping with the left-overs, mildly inspired by The Gunslinger. It's only a first draft, but I'd like some comments on how the story feels, if anyone is interested.

And for some post-apocalyptic coping, try the short novel The Reapers Are the Angels. Good literary stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0805092439/?tag=absowrit-20
 

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
And for some post-apocalyptic coping, try the short novel The Reapers Are the Angels. Good literary stuff.
I'll have to check it out! Of course my current reading list is huge, and I promised myself I'd have to see what all the hubbub with Hunger Games is about (what with Stephen King's praise on the back cover, and the excellent movie adaptation). But I put it on my Amazon wish list. Thanks!
 

defcon6000

Banned
Joined
Apr 27, 2009
Messages
5,196
Reaction score
696
Location
My shed
Anyone mind taking a peek at my thread and tell me how the new scene works (or doesn't work). :D Folks thought the original ended on a flat note, so tried to spruce up the end.

Yes, it's mainly in 2nd-person; yes, it's conversational tone.
 

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
O'Dandelo, I sent you a PM with my email! Thanks again.
 

Marzioli

Could be worse!
Super Member
Registered
Joined
Apr 26, 2011
Messages
969
Reaction score
59
Location
Salem, OR
Needs some eyes on a 2,800-word genetically based sci-fi/horror (light on sci-fi and horror). Willing to trade it for a return-crit.