Reviews and Comments

With thanks to Jennifer over at Et in arcaedia, ego, you really should read this article.

If you plan on sending me a book to review - read the article.

If you want me to critique your work - read the article.

If you plan to be a writer and send work to anyone other than your family or friends - read the article!

I have one difference from Josh Olson, the writer of the article, I will be happy to read your work, but I make no bones about being honest in my response. I say this because I've had a few writers who have taken umbrage with my responses. If you know what to expect from me, then it won't come as a surprise.

I'm not here to rip things to shreds. I'm here to try and help and to be honest. If you are the type of person to switch channels when someone starts pointing out festering boils hiding beneath layers of make-up and pretty cloth - then don't ask me to read your work.

If I don't like something - I'll say so, and still consider you my friend. If you don't like what I say and come back at me with childlike responses, that's okay, just don't bother me with your work ever again. I'm still willing to consider you my friend ;c)

I say all this for a few reasons, but the main one being people I know, or have met through the wonder that is the cybersphere, have asked me to read their work or review their book(s). And that trend is now increasing.

The first personally known author's work I reviewed was Shane Jiraiya Cummings in Gratia Placenti and then again Shane's efforts in putting together Black Box. Gratia is a class anthology put together, by invitation only, by Gill Ainsworth. At the time, I didn't know Gill and still rate the antho as one of the best I've read to date. For fans of short short fiction such as 52 Stitches, I strongly recommend getting hold of a copy of Black Box, but you'll note in the review, I still made mention of what I didn't like.

And it continued when I reviewed fellow AHWA member Alan Baxter. His response to my review of his first book RealmShift was somewhat downplayed (perhaps Alan can shed some light on how he felt about it). On his site he posted this short comment:

Overall a pretty good review – very thorough, well thought out and largely positive. That’s pretty much the best we can hope for in a review.

Yep - I was largely positive, but I did point out a lot of things I didn't like. Not just a bit here and there - there's quite a bit of it - see for yourself.

Then I sunk my teeth into Alan's second offering, MageSign. He was noticeably happier in his comment this time round:

It’s a good review, very thorough and honest. The best thing is that the reviewer decided that MageSign was an improvement on RealmShift and gave it 4 out of 5, which is always satisfying. If I can improve my craft with every book I write, I’ll be very happy.

You can read it here. Maybe Alan was a little happier as there is much less I have a go at here, but there's still a few things, and I don't think I'm overly backwards in coming forward. I can't ever remember being labelled a shrinking violet, and I'm only soft on the inside to me and mine ;c)

I've reviewed other books which are, or contain, work by people I know such as, Triangulation, Atrum Tempestas, Tainted, and Grants Pass. I have more on my desk such as Shadows, Olive Lemon, Jack of all Trades plus numerous zines containing stories from people I know. I'd like to think I'm honest in my appraisals. I'd hope I'm not straying too close to the bone with my comments. I hope people want me to continue to read their work and provide reviews they are happy to display.

In closing let me just say this, I'm not here to rip your masterpiece to shreds. I've been in crit groups where the sole intention of the critiquer was to be brutally honest to the point it was almost personal - and sometimes beyond that. I know sometimes I have crossed that line myself. I try not to now, but I'm guessing I still run it pretty close.

The difference here is that I look for everything I like and make sure to mention them. I do note all the things which really don't work for me as well, so in the end, you have a balanced and honest opinion.

So why mention all this? Because sooner or later, I'm going to read something by someone I know and I'm not going to like it, and I want the way I go about things to be out there for everyone to know beforehand. This has not been prompted by anyone's work I currently possess or am about to read - relax. It's only due to the fact that I have a large number of books and other things to read, and I know the people within the covers, and the knowledge that eventually, something won't sit quite right with me - and I really don't want to upset people.

Does that make sense?

Reviews

I've finally gotten around to posting my reviews onto Amazon (after a timely reminder from Alan).

It (Amazon) tells me they may not appear for 48 hours, so be patient if you're waiting to see a review of something you've been published in or something you're considering buying (because I know you wouldn't do that until you've heard my opinion on it).

Work continues on my revision of a couple of stories and will do over the long weekend which stretches before me (Queen's Birthday here in SA - happy birthday Liz!). I'm also intending on finishing up the majority of my last assignments so they're ready to go out the door once I've got the last few pieces together. I've given a deadline of the 15th of June before the last is actually posted so no rush on those who've been so kind to pierce my sample chapter with the cold hard steel of truth.

I'm also moving along with my reading. I'm about halfway through Atrum Tempestas and will go close to finishing that tonight.

Not much happening on the new words front at the moment though. The muse has vacated the premises. I think I'll check out what anthologies are around the place over the weekend, but I'm not limiting it to just dark fiction. According to Duotrope, there are about 40 anthologies on the books at the moment. Maybe one of those will stir up an idea. I've also got to finish reading Issue 5 & 6 of the NT back catalogue and then Issue 1 of New Bedlam.

If that doesn't spark something, I've got nearly 40 books sitting on my to read shelf that should get me going - or make me go blind - no, they are not that kind of book.

So that's my weekend summed up. Of course there's the kids sport and time with the family, and research to fit in there as well, but this is a writing blog and I know none of you are interested in my other exploits.

Speak soon.

Good luck with your submissions.

BT

Semester Just About Done

The current assignment I'm working on has been a doozy. Create and smooth out a query letter for a novel I'm still writing. Create a synopsis for that same still-being-constructed novel and make sure the two combined don't equal more than 1500 words.

Easier said than done.

And finally add a sample chapter - well, that was easy enough. Which one of my 23 already written chapters would you like to see?

The query is kind of done. I'll gain more insight and loads of goodness when the Query Ninja has at it, but I think it's good enough for the assignment. I've also done the synopsis, which I think is poor - still. It doesn't flow as I would like , but not getting bogged down in detail and including all the relevant bits will take time. I think stepping away from it for a bit and then revising will be worthwhile, as will feedback from others. Unfortunately I don't have a lot of time, so it may have to go as is. The chapter, as already stated, is done.

So this assignment is just about ready to go out the door. I feel a huge amount of sympathy for the other students in this course. At the meet and greet at the beginning of last year, very few of them admitted to being up to their armpits in trying to write a novel. If they haven't gotten seriously stuck in before this semester began, I can see them ready to hit the self destruct button by now - I was almost there about a week ago and I already knew a lot about this industry.

Now the final assignment looms on the horizon--well the final two assignments. The script has been done and is waiting for the lecturer to open up electronic submissions, but the novel writing assignment requires I find some willing readers. Thank you one and all for jumping up and down and offering, but I've already got my three in mind and will be sending them emails shortly explaining what I need and asking if they'd be willing to help out. Spread the love, or don't ask too much of too few is the catch phrase here - otherwise known as don't wear out your welcome...

And all these assignments are coming to an end just in time.

Today my reading-for-review books arrived.

On my immediate to read pile over the next 8 weeks are (in no particular order):

Sheep and Wolves by Jeremy C. Shipp
Vacation by Jeremy C. Shipp
This is not a Game by Walter Jon Williams
Ravensoul by James Barclay
The Grave Thief by Tom Lloyd (No, I haven't read the first two)
Two Jeff Lindsay books concerning Dexter (One of the books contains three stories, the other arrived in a police evidence bag - cool!)
Grants Pass Anthology (already reviewed by 'my pick for the fan writer Ditmar', Chuck. The man is a machine when it comes to reading and churning out excellent reviews. I've started reading this one already so my pale imitation of a review should be available soon. Psst, so far I agree with Chuck, this is very good!)

So, the chaos that is my writing life continues.

Oh, and lastly: David Such has written a program to help us all produce wonderful pieces of fiction. Head on over to his blog and download the beta release of his exciting new product called FlashWRITER and give it a go. You'll be able to supply feedback and give input to create exactly the type of writing program you want. No more excuses about Microsoft or any of the other Office-type programs out there not being able to do what you want. If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Go and have a look and at the very least, say hello and congratulate him on a monumental effort in producing this very professional looking program.

To be honest, I'm not sure how many testers David is currently after, but it can't hurt to go over and ask if you're interested.

That's it from me for tonight. Email requests going out shortly and then I'm going to get some reading done.

Review: The Shumann Frequency

The review is now up over at HorrorScope.

Go have a squiz here.

This book was only released to the public on the first of this year, hence my being sent what I think is called a gallery copy as opposed to an ARC. Makes reading somewhat more difficult but this book is worth the effort. On the scale discussed below, The Schumann Frequency comes in at a solid 3.

I'm going to start a scale to determine what is good and what isn't. It'll go something like this:

0 - if anything ever scores a zero I'll be amazed but if it does, run for the hills and poke out your eyes so you may never have to endure it's torture. If I've given it a zero, I have probably already done serious damage to myself.

1 - Chances are this will go on the kindling pile for use next winter. Do not buy this.

2 - This book was okay. If you can get it from a library, a free copy from elsewhere or have received it as a gift, then reading it won't be too bad, but never ever fork out the hard earned for this - there are much better titles to spend your money on.

3 - This was a pleasant way to spend time. I was transported to another place and/or time and gained enough enjoyment from the journey that I don't feel cheated in parting from my cash in the purchase of this title.

4 - A good, well written book. I would happily recommend this to my friends. I would happily buy this as a present for someone I cherished. Recommended purchase to all and sundry.

5 - Outstanding. You must buy this book. If money is tight, then steal it.

6 - Genius. This is literary perfection. This is modern-day Shakespeare. This is written by as close to the hand of God as I've ever encountered.

Examples of how I judge books so far:

I have no examples of the first two thankfully.

2 - One Foot Wrong by Sophie Laguna

3 - Infected by Scott Sigler or The Schumann Frequency

4 - Gratia Placenti by Apex Publications

5 - Books of Blood by Clive Barker

6 - Until now I haven't found anything even close to approaching this.

Most books seem to rest comfortably in the 3 or 4 range. Occasionally I find a 5 and even more rarely I find a 2.

Lastly, remember this is only my opinion. Your tastes may be a long way north or south of mine (or should that be left or right??). If you disagree with my review, I'm happy to discuss things. I'm also happy to hear about similar conclusions you've reached.

If you're an author with books you want reviewed, particularly prior to Australian release, (but I'm happy to read and review for any book in any English market) then feel free to contact me - or leave me a comment in any blog post with a contact email and I'll see what I can do for you. Arrangements for reviews can also be made through contacting Shane at HorrorScope: Australia's Dark Fiction Weblog.

A Storms A Brewing

No - I mean literally a huge electrical storm is heading our way tonight so this is a quick post and then I'm shutting down the computer for the evening.

I've finished reading my required books for review for Black magazine and am now ready to send them out. Unfortunately one of the reviews I wrote up during a quiet time at work and forgot to forward home, so the sending will have to wait till tomorrow - no real drama as they're not due until next week.

Still haven't gotten around to sorting out my application for second year of my diploma. An electrical storm tonight seems like as good a time as any to sit down with a pen and fill it out.

That's it for now.

Speak soon

BT

Updates

I've done a little house work since the semester has officially come to a close.

You may notice (especially as I'm now pointing it out), I've updated the links to my Bibliography, my Diploma Progress, and my Work In Progress pages. I've also added a new flash fiction piece to my Work Examples page.

I'm currently trying to write one piece of flash fiction a week at Cafe Doom. I imagine the first few (maybe all of them) will be a little rough so rather than subject my stumbling efforts on editors around the globe, I though I'd throw them up on My Examples page for you, and prosperity, to view at your leisure. Comments welcome. The first offering is "Spring BBQ" and again touched on my love for writing dark fiction involving children. If you have a weak stomach or don't like to think about situations not so nice involving kids - then look away now. No sex or actual violence in this one. The one I posted to Cafe Doom today however, is completely different. No kids, a little bit of nudity, implied sexual scenario, and a zombie. Makes the mind boggle doesn't it? I'll post that one to the examples page next week.

You may also notice - although these things are way down on the sidebar - a new book has been added to my current reading for review list. It is "Envy the Night" by Michael Koryta (a very young and intense looking fellow). I'm reading this for Black magazine. The review will be out in January, with a full review to be posted on HorrorScope in February.

With Newland - I'm still working with the structure and will be for a little while yet. Storyboarding points out all sorts of downfalls and thin sections within your planned book. It makes a lot more work prior to the actual writing, but writing should then be so much easier when I get to it.

Lots of people are putting up reports of the previous month so I figured I'd join in on the fun.
So, what happened in November? (ala (also labelled as) Status Report)

I didn't participate in NaNoWriMo. :(
I wrote around 2000 words in Newland. :(
Began storyboarding Newland.
I revised Idolatry and submitted it to a new market.
Submitted Wamphyri to market for the first time.
I wrote "Spring BBQ" for Cafe Doom.
Wrote a new flash piece titled "Murky Depths" and submitted to market for first time.
I read "Promise Not To Tell" by Jennifer McMahon
I wrote three reviews of "Promise Not To Tell" by Jennifer McMahon
I completed and submitted 3 assignments, passing them all and completing my first year of study successfully.
Slushed 8 stories. (still haven't found a gem)
Critiqued 1 manuscript, 1 Query letter, and 1 synopsis. Excellent premise I expect to see grow.
Queried two submissions and received notice they were still under consideration.
Received 1 somewhat positive rejection.
Received 0 acceptances
9 pieces currently out to market.

I still feel like I didn't do enough though, and I think that's primarily due to not doing a lot on Newland.

That's enough for the updates.

Go read Spring BBQ and let me know what you think...

Speak soon

BT