Sites to post stories for honest critique?

dennisreynolds

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Before I sell any erotic shorts on amazon, I want to write a few stories and get feedback. I think this forum has a section, but I don't have enough posts yet.

Otherwise, I've only heard things about Literotica.
Anywhere else should I post stories for honest critique?
Thanks!
 

c.m.n.

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Before I sell any erotic shorts on amazon, I want to write a few stories and get feedback. I think this forum has a section, but I don't have enough posts yet.

Otherwise, I've only heard things about Literotica.
Anywhere else should I post stories for honest critique?
Thanks!

You can try Critique Circle. They're a tit-for-tat type of critique site. You gain "points" when you critique for someone else, then you can post your own story (usually 3,000 words or a little over). They do have erotica, but very vanilla stuff.

You can also try Wattpad. Wattpad is normally used by teens, but they have a mature filter (which never gets used). After posting, you can visit their community groups and ask for critiques. Make sure you offer to critique yourself.

Otherwise, your best option is to ask for beta readers. Again, it's best to do tit-for-tat with other erotica or erotic fiction authors.
 

dennisreynolds

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Otherwise, your best option is to ask for beta readers. Again, it's best to do tit-for-tat with other erotica or erotic fiction authors.

What are beta readers? Is there a place I should do that? I thought I heard tumblr was a place but didn't they get rid of erotica or something?
 

c.m.n.

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What are beta readers? Is there a place I should do that? I thought I heard tumblr was a place but didn't they get rid of erotica or something?

Beta readers are people who read your work, checking for mistakes before you publish. This forum has a beta reader area: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?30-Beta-Readers-Mentors-and-Writing-Buddies

You can also ask for a mentor or writing buddy.

Tumblr is more a social network blog. I don't think they have problems with erotica writing, but you have to make sure to put it behind a mature filter. On tumblr, you have to tag your work and hope someone comes along. I don't suggest it if you're looking for critique.
 

Maryn

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Be aware that at least one mod (that would be me) has a pretty rigid sense of when a work is ready for a beta reader. Allow me to copy and paste what I've said elsewhere at AW:

The term "beta reader" comes from the computer industry's beta testers, who'd use a program or play a game its creators thought was ready to market, seeking anything which might still be wrong with it so it could be fixed before going public.

For writers, a beta reader is the very last reader before a work is submitted to agents or publishers or is self-published. The work a beta reader goes over is complete. It has been edited for content and grammar, copy edited, proofread, spell checked, and polished to a tasteful gleam, to the very best of the author's ability. It's totally ready to go.

Sometimes a writer who asks for a beta reader actually wants critique of a work which isn't yet polished and ready for submission. Maybe it's not even complete. This is fine, of course, and can be quite useful...


What I get bent about is writers who are here only to take advantage of the generosity of those who willingly beta read (and may end up critiquing line by line). Far too often they're people who don't yet have the required posts for Share Your Work. They haven't critiqued anyone else's work. And they present a work that is not at all beta-ready, sometimes knowingly, because they want to get what they need to improve their work without having to give anything to improve anyone else's.

Now, clearly you're not one of those. You've participated from the day you arrived, asking questions, becoming a part of the community. (Good. This part of the board could use more dudes.) I hope you will extend your range to include Share Your Work - Erotica and critique the work of some of your fellow writers as part of getting that post count up--especially since what you seem to need and want is critique, not a beta read. Edit: And not every post needs to be that much work. You're welcome to join in at Office Party's more fun threads, or share recipes, talk movies, etc. The more people know and like you, the more likely you are to get critique, too.

Maryn, not this inflexible about much
 
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BLMN

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Maryn,
For me the issue is the vulnerable position you put your work in when you post it for all to see. I've done a bit of critiquing on here (and have thoroughly enjoyed it) and I'm getting the sense that a few authors put their work out there before they've done their best work on it themselves. I'm not like that. What I have has been slaved over. I'm very reluctant to expose it to anonymous eyes.
 

Maryn

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That might be especially true here, where some of the people who critique often have little patience for certain kinds of goofs. I tend to just close a critique I'd already begun (rather than posting) as soon as I see the author doesn't know how to attribute, punctuate, and capitalize dialogue.

I do have to ask, though--not for you to answer or defend, just to think about--when you publish, anonymous eyes are going to be all over your work, without the goal of making it the best it can be. Not every reader will like it, no matter how hard you've worked. Are you going to be able to handle that?
 

BLMN

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Words of wisdom, Maryn. I must admit that I suffer from the delusion that I don't need help. Even I know that I'm foolish, but it's going to take the first round of rejections to get me off my high horse. I can see it coming. Yesterday I submitted to seven agents. Expect to see a chastened me emerge by Christmas. I've gone back and reread my query letter 14 times ( so far) today so the self doubt is creeping in already.
 

Maryn

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Only 14? What restraint!

We shall cross our fingers on your behalf, even though it doesn't do our keyboarding skills any good.
 

quicklime

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Before I sell any erotic shorts on amazon, I want to write a few stories and get feedback. I think this forum has a section, but I don't have enough posts yet.

Otherwise, I've only heard things about Literotica.
Anywhere else should I post stories for honest critique?
Thanks!


well, you need all of 50 posts, so let me ask you this: What are you expecting in terms of getting critique?

Because if you wanted to just post your stuff online, take suggestions, and run off, then maybe this isn't a site for you anyway. But if you believe in any sort of reciprocation at all, a good way to get that other 34 posts is to critique others work here, since you're asking for the same.


now, all the above is only one side of the coin: Yes, if you're looking for something it is generally considered polite and proper to offer something in return, instead of only taking. But since that bit of turnaround/decency/karma doesn't seem to interest everyone (not a jab at you, I don't know you personally, but it IS a common enough theme, and I don't know who else might ALSO read this thread), here's another reason to critique--it will in itself improve your writing. And not in the same ways just taking critique will. the 2 are very different, and their effects together are additive, if not multiplicative.

Get your posts, by critiquing. this is a very talented group, and to not work with them just because it felt like too much work, too long a wait, too whatever else to get to 50 posts, that would be your loss I believe.
 
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13ookI)ragon

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Alright... this place is a very hit and miss, and NOT FOR UNDER 18. I tend to use Xnxx stories. It is a porn site. Kay, so youre going to get the odd and groddy comments but somehow I come across some interesting people to actually critique stuff. I ONLY put the sex scenes of my works, though. Nothing else. If I get people who like it a lot, awesome, I'll take it to the next step and put it out there for the more serious critiques. If people are complaining about something or another, I'll figure something else out. I would use this only as a rough draft kinda thing though.
 

Maryn

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Personally, I'm not a fan of public posting of erotica which includes the potential for offensive commentary. I'd rather use either writing friends contacted privately, or this site's Share Your Work board, precisely because "groddy" comments would not be tolerated. (Odd, we tolerate.)

I also worry about posting my work in a site where it can be viewed without a password and membership. Legally, that counts as publication, and I don't give up first rights easily. Of course, that's just me.

Maryn, who is always just her