What is the longest novel excerpt you'd be willing to read?

Like others, I no longer try to critique pieces in genres I don't like. I realised I was doing the authors a disservice. Occasionally I comment on a fantasy piece in the workshop but I restrict myself to technical comments (SPAG) and give a warning that I'm not a fantasy reader.

I've learned the same lesson from an author perspective - not to 'accept' beta reads from people who would never enjoy a romance novel (accept is the wrong word because it sounds like I'M doing them a favour, but I can't think of a better word). Like @BayView said with the elves thing, feedback from those readers boils down to, "Take out all the romance" and I have no interest in changing genres at the moment. On the other hand, I've had VERY useful feedback from people who don't read much genre romance, but don't hate it either.

Interestingly, avid romance readers tend to be the least critical of my work. I notice the same with myself when I read my go-to genre (horror). So I like a mix of betas: romance readers, so I know I'm pleasing my target audience; and readers who don't read much romance, because their criticisms make sure the MS is as good as I can get it rather than 'good enough' for die-hard romance fans.

 

That's a really sensible way for authors to approach this issue, in my opinion.

 

I am more attracted to reading something under 1000 words. It depends on what kind of feedback the writer wants.

Ideally I think around 500 words is plenty. Within this amount of words I can get a good enough impression of the style of writing, but if the writer wants comments on plot line and characters then 500 may not be enough.

Generally though, if the piece is around 2000-3000 words long and I don't like reading the first 200-300 words I will stop reading, and maybe comment on what little I have read if I feel I can offer something encouraging or useful.

If I love what I am reading then I will read the entire novel. I am the kind of person who will pick a book of a shelf and read the first paragraph or two and decide put it back on the shelf. If I get past the first paragraph I still might not read beyond the first page. I generally make very quick decisions about the style and content of the novel.

Also, on forums I will comment on long pieces if I notice the person is active and asking for help and comments. If someone is trying to engage and ask about writing a lot then I want to repay their efforts with my attempts at critiquing.

 

Yup, I phrased it poorly, but what she said. I wasn't trying to advocate critiquing stuff you absolutely hate ("But what's the mechanism that enables Superman to fly? Explain that or lose me forever!") but taking a look outside your comfort zone, or accepting criticism from the aforementioned wasteland of savages and imbeciles fellow fiction enthusiasts of a different tribe can be valuable.

 

For a plot line critique they should provide a treatment or synopsis not a chapter.