Seeking alpha reader, or CP for mutual advice, on sci-fi/fantasy fiction story
Posted: November 16th, 2023, 11:42 am
I'm working on an incomplete draft (2/3 done) of a medium-hard sci-fi novel. Even if I participate in local critique groups, feedback on a longer work suffers because of the constraints of in-person meetings. Since critique is broken into short excerpts of 1500 to 2000 words per session, the lag between meetings hurts the perception of plot evolution and continuity.
My story
One Liner: genetically engineered human reproduction runs afoul of government rules when the religion of science meets a devil that is prettier than the god.
Setting: near-future, space oriented with constrained exploration.
Target Audience: New Adult or mature YA. The story also aims at captivating older readers.
Content rating: comparable to a PG13/borderline R movie: mild occasional profanity, violence, scary scenes, intimacy (kissing and hints, no explicit sex).
I'd like to find
What an alpha reader could provide:
Sincere, frank (I have a thick skin) impressions on the flow of the story: interest, boredom, readability, suspense, character appeal, what does not work, etc.
On a critique partnership (U.S. English)
I've been reading and enjoying sci-fi and fantasy (most subgenres) for many years. A CP partner would write for that genre. R-rated is OK, anything around NC-17 (perv POV, erotica, porn) is not.
What I offer, and I would expect, as a Critique Partner:
I envisage an exchange (technicalities TBD) of PDF files page and line numbered encompassing no less than a sequence (one or more scenes during which something major develops, e.g. a point-of-no-return is crossed), followed by an analytical critique as typewritten notes (again, PDF) say (common sense applies) 1/25th the length of the excerpt. E.g. for a sequence of 6000 words, a feedback length of 200 to 300 words would be appropriate.
Cheers!
My story
One Liner: genetically engineered human reproduction runs afoul of government rules when the religion of science meets a devil that is prettier than the god.
Setting: near-future, space oriented with constrained exploration.
Target Audience: New Adult or mature YA. The story also aims at captivating older readers.
Content rating: comparable to a PG13/borderline R movie: mild occasional profanity, violence, scary scenes, intimacy (kissing and hints, no explicit sex).
I'd like to find
- either an alpha reader to collect preliminary reader impressions,
- or a critique partner with whom to share longer excerpts for mutual analysis and feedback.
What an alpha reader could provide:
Sincere, frank (I have a thick skin) impressions on the flow of the story: interest, boredom, readability, suspense, character appeal, what does not work, etc.
On a critique partnership (U.S. English)
I've been reading and enjoying sci-fi and fantasy (most subgenres) for many years. A CP partner would write for that genre. R-rated is OK, anything around NC-17 (perv POV, erotica, porn) is not.
What I offer, and I would expect, as a Critique Partner:
- impression/analysis of scene/sequence/act transition, flow, poignancy
- impression/analysis on POV and characters
- overall impressions and reader's perspective: what works, what doesn't, and why
- fine and detailed line or copy edit (I can provide some, but amateurish), proofreading, fact checking.
I envisage an exchange (technicalities TBD) of PDF files page and line numbered encompassing no less than a sequence (one or more scenes during which something major develops, e.g. a point-of-no-return is crossed), followed by an analytical critique as typewritten notes (again, PDF) say (common sense applies) 1/25th the length of the excerpt. E.g. for a sequence of 6000 words, a feedback length of 200 to 300 words would be appropriate.
Cheers!