Here's what I'm looking for in a beta reader:
- Someone good with grammar. Why? Because I suck.
- Someone who can tell me where the story is unclear.
- Someone not on anti-depressants or who should be on anti-depressants. Why? Because the stories are all about DEATH and the last thing I need to do is change my C story to Death By... Clarissa's-Horrendously-Morbid-Stories.
Now, I will reciprocate the kindness by critiquing/reading your work. Here's what I'll read:
- Nothing about death, that's just too morbid. Just joking. I love death...hmm, that sounds bad. I love mystery and crime fiction. I'll even read a cosy (cozy).
- I stay away from fantasy/paranormal/MG/YA because I really know nothing about those genres and would not be of much help to you. However, a good sci-fi, I'm up for that.
- I also like non-fiction and literary fiction.
I'm sure you'll get a few volunteers! Your stories were great! I'd volunteer myself but unfortunately I'm a bit pushed at the minute...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll get a few volunteers! Your stories were great! I'd volunteer myself but unfortunately I'm a bit pushed at the minute...
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm MG, YA, and adult fantasy.
ReplyDelete'the stories are all about DEATH and the last thing I need to do is change my C story to Death By... Clarissa's-Horrendously-Morbid-Stories.'
ReplyDeleteThat was cute. :)
If I had more time, I would offer. Good luck finding someone!
ReplyDeleteAnd the "Death By...Clarissa's-Horrendously-Morbid-Stories" gave me a chuckle. Perhaps it could be a bonus mock-story. ;)
Clarissa - I'd be honoured to critique your work. And I'd really value your input on mine.
ReplyDeletemargotkinberg(at)gmail(dot)com
I'll work with you. I have a novel I plan on publishing this summer and would like to have a beta reader for it.
ReplyDelete"Nothing about death, that's just too morbid. Just joking. I love death...hmm, that sounds bad" made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get some incredibly awesome CPs. Best of luck!
richardphughes(at)bellsouth(dot)net
ReplyDeleteCool, you got a couple offers!
ReplyDeleteGrammar isn't my strong suit either.
Hope you find some great ones. I fall in your 'not' category. :)
ReplyDeleteI suck at grammar too! :-(
ReplyDeleteHope you find a brilliant CP/Beta!!! Take care
x
It looks like you've got plenty of offers.
ReplyDeleteBut should you need an extra set of eyes, I'll be glad to help you.
I'd love to beta read [g] Especially the copy editing bits, that's my favourite part!
ReplyDeleteI see you have plenty of help, but I would do it too. I'm not the greatest with grammar though.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to ask for help too as soon as I redo my grim tales. :)
T
I'd love to but I'm not 100% confident about my own grammar skills (I think I'm pretty good but I know I'm not perfect). Let me know though because I would be interested.
ReplyDeleteMy critique group just ramped up its submission/critiquing schedule so I think I'll be critiqued out for a while. However, this is a great idea, so I hope you get several takers.
ReplyDeleteHey Clarissa! I understand the 'loving death' thing - my critique group are anxiously awaiting the day I write something that doesn't involve death and terror =) I can definitely help critique if you need someone. sgardn(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGrammar is my strong point, but I don't think you need me. Lots of offers. Great idea to put together an e-book Clarissa. Your stories were so great. Same idea as I have. I'm collating a collection of my flash fiction for an e-book too.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Hi Clarissa. I met your short stories on death via the A-Z when Thelma listed your and my blogs on her top 26 blogs of the A-Z (I was doing a series on serial killers, forensics and other criminology aspects).
ReplyDeleteOn my writing blog I started an A-Z series of short fiction - a crime mystery made up of interlinked short stories. I write crime thrillers. I'm currently working on completing the series with the aim of putting into an ebook also. I'm soon to look for some betas or critique partners also, initially for the shorts collection.
Grammar is a good point of mine also (I hope) and we possibly may be a good fit, given our matching sense of the macrebre. If you are after a beta/critique or additions to this, please feel free to contact me on HunterEmkay at gmail com. I am at L,M and O in my own series so far, so can spend time on yours as you wish.
Hope you already found a partner/reader, Clarissa. You might want to join the Internet Writing Workshop--it's an international writers' group that interacts via email. I joined last year and my writing improved exponentially. They have different "lists" (groups)--Novels, Fiction, Practice (weekly exercises--cool stuff), Prose, Poetry, YA, Romance, you name it. Sounds like a round on the Fiction list would get your stories in tip-top shape for publication. If you're interested let me know (or just google them--make sure you get the dot-org address, because the other one is just their blog.
ReplyDeleteDef willing to help out, if needed. Have done this before for some novels,befroe they were published and enjoyed it. spreardon81(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI bought your book last night on my nook. I didn't get far my first night but the girl is calling out for the guy she's been misleading and just walked into the house. I'm definitely hooked. I'm surprised your publisher is in Salt Lake City. That's where I live!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this will be a cool project. Dropped you an email.
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my alley (as you know, death and flash fiction both fascinate me lol)--- and I have a crime/ literary WIP that would just love your beta read.
ReplyDeleteI know you're flooded by offers, but if you still need an eye, I'm here. :)
hope you find someone cooperative and gifted for this type of task
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing this one come out, it's a good idea for an ebook. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you've got so many offers. Love the idea of putting the shorts into an ebook. Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI've just started The Scholes Key and am loving it!
Clarissa since you already know I'm not a writer, advantage to you is not giving you anything to do in return. If you would like a beta reader who is pretty good with grammar and knows a good read when he reads it, I would be glad to be a beta reader for your deathly story. And I downloaded The Scholes Key to my Kindle to take on vacation...there's that.
ReplyDelete