1. trevorD

    trevorD Senior Member

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    Alpha Reader?

    Discussion in 'Collaboration' started by trevorD, Aug 5, 2021.

    Kind of new to all this so I'm just going to ask.

    Pretty much finished writing my rough draft save for a few items here and there that I need to shine up. I'm NOT looking for someone to go line by line through the thing or spend much time at all trying to correct things. Really, what I want, is for someone to literally just sit down, blast through the thing, take zero notes, and give me big picture feedback.

    Comments (positive or negative) like:
    I actually read the whole thing, which is surprising for someone like me.
    I couldn't stand reading past the first 4 sentences.
    I found it to be a complete ripoff of other works.
    I was sad when it ended.
    I would redo your idiotic ending.
    Don't waste your time with this, it's garbage.
    I only made it through 5 chapters before I lost interest.
    You are not a talented writer.
    Your writing is entertaining but you need to work on this more.

    ^^That kind of stuff. It's a project that should take someone a weekend of what I hope would be enjoyable reading. Your failure to complete the project is a data point to me in its own right.

    What I don't want:
    Line by line editing
    Grammar fixes
    Huge investments of time on your part
    Micro changes
    You can offer feedback on big picture storylines, however, if you like (not required)

    My problem:
    The work is really long (160,000 words) for me being a first-time author. Nonetheless, I feel it's a quick read, is entertaining, and warrants the length. I'm willing to sit on this and write a whole other book and get THAT published first and then circle back on this after =OR= break this into multiple books =OR= gut the hell out of the thing to fit the needed parameters. The whole point of this is that I would like someone's opinion and guidance after reading the material.

    The book is young adult horror, action-oriented with lots of violence. Please enjoy that genre if you think you'd be interested.

    I'M ASSUMING THAT I'M REQUIRING AN ALPHA READER - PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

    Thanks!

    TrevorD
     
  2. Catriona Grace

    Catriona Grace Mind the thorns Contributor Contest Winner 2022

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    Congratulations on finishing a book! May it do well for you and bring you what you're looking for.

    I'm not entertained by horror or violence so couldn't give appropriate feedback, but you might consider cutting the length by a third. Young adult novels generally run about 80,000 words, with 120,000 being an exceptionally long book. Yeah, Harry Potter's last epic ran to almost 200,000 words, but JK Rowling had some chops and leeway that most writers don't.

    Good luck and happy writing.
     
  3. Friedrich Kugelschreiber

    Friedrich Kugelschreiber marshmallow Contributor

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    This would be better put in the collaboration subforum. I'm sure a mod would be happy to move it for you. Good luck!
     
  4. trevorD

    trevorD Senior Member

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    Oops sorry!!
     

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