Looking for SF writers to beta test a new online genre fiction workshop!

Hi everyone!

MacAllister has given me kind permission to leave a message here to invite those of you who are writing genre fiction (science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, thriller, horror) to become part of the closed beta for a new (free) online genre fiction workshop community I've been working on.

Some of you may follow me on Twitter and and have seen me tweeting about #TheSekritProjekt. Well, we've started closed beta and are looking for more writers and readers to participate, and "kick the tires".

We're full up on fantasy and urban fantasy writers at the moment, but could really use some folks who are writing hard SF, social SF, steampunk and space opera. We don't care if you write short fiction or novels, are pubbed, unpubbed or just started writing. Just be willing to have some fun and be respectful of the other writers while you're doing it.

If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of and you have the time, please email me your name, contact info and the specific genres you write it to [email protected]. (Don't want my work email cluttered up!)

Requirements for closed beta: Must be a US citizen, over 18 years of age. (After we go into public beta, international writers are more than welcome!)

Thanks very much!

Colleen Lindsay
Penguin Group USA
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Colleen Lindsay
Business Development
Penguin Group (USA)
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
[email protected]

thothguard51 said:

I would like to know more about how the review thingy works. The fact you note it's free for now would indicate to me that you plan on charging members in the future.

No offense, I have seen this happen to other groups I have been associated with in the past and paying does not mean the level of critiques are going to rise in caliber.

If I pay for a critique, (even in the form of membership to a group), I would expect a certain level of experience and professionalism. I would also like to know what my critiquers experience level was compared to mine.

Looking forward to your reply

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Nope. No plans to charge for the community portion of the site, And WE aren't giving you feedback; your fellow writers are. It's peer review driven, and your work won't even appear live on the site until you have peer reviewed at least three other members' work.

sunandshadow said:

Are SF romance and SF erotica going to be included in the scope of things which are on topic for this community? Also, can synopses or outlines be posted for plot critique?

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Yes, you can post any kind of SF.

And there is a place in the discussions forum to post and workshop synopses and queries.

thothguard51 said:

This has become pretty standard with peer review sites. What I find troubling though is that there is no standard in most sites on what constitutes a review...

I have been on sites where reviewers rush through reviews, comment how much they like it, point out a single sentence and then move on. They get their reviews quickly so they can post, without giving the reviewed work any serious thought.

Will there be different levels such as beginner, intermediate and experienced? Or some such ranking of reviewers.

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No, because one of the purposes of the workshop is to teach people how to give better feedback.

The best way to answer your questions is for you to go play around on the beta site and see for yourself.