Pipes Magazine » General Discussion

1. 

   politicalmonster
   

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   Hey guys,
   Some of you may have seen in a few other posts that I am working on a book. Well, the time is fast approaching when I am going to send it out to some beta readers, looking for some feedback.
   It can be as detailed as you want to get, or as simple as "chapter 5 moved too slow". I really want some honest feedback, good or bad, so that I can make this the best book possible.

   So if you or someone you know is really into reading Science Fiction, check out the excerpt here and shoot me an email at the address listed if you want to help me out.
   Thanks,
   -PM

   A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice.
   -Thomas Paine
   http://erinmcdowell.blogspot.com/

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   politicalmonster
   

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   Wanted to give this a bump, as I didn't get much response. I'm hoping I just posted at a bad time, because I know I've seen some of you guys talk about liking science fiction on here.
   If you sign up to be a beta reader, I will list your name in the acknowledgments page. So if I sell millions, your name will become famous! You could be the first reader of the next big Sci-Fi author!
   (Or you could just spend a few hours reading a book you (hopefully) like, and give me some valuable feedback...)
   Either way, thanks for looking!
   -PM

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   rmbittner
   

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   politicalmonster:

   I'd caution against having high expectations for "valuable feedback." In my experience as a full-time, publishing writer, non-writers simply don't know how to offer much beyond letting you know if they enjoyed it or not. While that can be nice to know -- one way or the other -- it won't prove very helpful when you go to revise your ms. I think you'll actually get more useful advice by circulating it to other fiction writers -- preferably those who have published at least one book with a traditional publisher.

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   shaintiques
   

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   I emailed you

   I know what I need, smoke, I can't recall the last time I tasted it....Gandalf in the mines of Moria.
   
   "we shall have to share pipes, as good friends must at a pinch'....'I keep a treasure or two near my skin, as precious as rings to me. Here's one: my old wooden pipe. And here's another an unused one...He held up a small pipe with a wide flattened bowl, and handed it to Gimli. 'Does that settle the score between us', said Merry. 'Most noble hobbit, it leaves me deep in your debt."

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   politicalmonster
   

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   @rmbittner - Thanks for the response. I am trying to tier my feedback approach. I have a few science fiction author contacts that have agreed to review it, plus I have an editor. But I also want to see what regular sci fi readers think of this edit before I go into the final edit stage. Even if I get 5% valuable feedback, it's 5% closer to being a better book, right?

   @shaintiques- Thanks!

   -PM

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   rmbittner
   

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   Even if I get 5% valuable feedback, it's 5% closer to being a better book, right?

   In theory. . .

   It might help increase your chances if you were to give readers a list of specific questions they could consider as they read. That way, they'll have a better handle on what you're looking for and can better tailor their responses. Things like, "Did you want to keep reading at the end of Chapter 1?" "Was there ever a point where something didn't make sense to you?" "Were there any times you skipped a paragraph or two to get on with the story?" "Did the conclusion feel satisfying?" Without questions like this, I think it's likely that your readers will simply read your work for the story. That is, they won't actually be thinking critically about the material, like a true editor would.

   Since science-fiction is so fragmented into sub-genres, I think it might also help if you were to ask what other similar books they have read and enjoyed. If you're writing military SF, and a reader is more of a hard-science SF fan (or even a fantasy fan), then you'll have a better idea of how to interpret their feedback.

   Of course, take all of this with as much salt as required! I've never written SF, although I used to be the SF columnist for PAGES magazine. (And I do know where you're coming from: I'm just finishing up my own first novel. After 25 years of earning part or all of my income as a nonfiction writer, I finally returned to my first love. Scary. But great fun.)

   Bob

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   rondyr
   

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   I'll give it a read. I've some experience as an editor and ghost writer, so I may be able to offer you some helpful and constructive feedback.

   I'm so awesome, I make myself jealous of myself.

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   redbeard
   

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   O wow, I want more!!! Lol, very well done!!

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. 

   quincy
   

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   I'll check it out! If you want just email me at quincaw@gamil.com or I can email you later...

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. 

    checotah
    

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    I've read Sci-Fi most of my life, so I thought I'd take a look. Lost me right away because I'm not into the zombie thing; in fact it, along with vampires & werewolves, turns me off. That being said, the style and tempo seemed OK to me. Don't let my preferences interfere. Go after your dream. Good luck in your endeavor.

    Posted 4 months ago #

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