I've gone through my manuscript three times now. I hate it. I think it's garbage! But I have many friends that tell me that I'm just being overly critical. That they love it, and think I should start looking for publication. I don't want to embarrass myself. I need to find someone who will not tell me it's good for fear of hurting my feelings! I want an HONEST opinion. Is there a place to go to get a stranger to read through it and give me advice? Where!?
2007-10-09 04:15:13 · 8 answers · asked by Kelli 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
If you think it's garbage, it probably is. Trust your gut instincts. That said, talk to your local college. You might be able to get an English grad to look it over or even a high school English teacher.
Another source is ask at your senior center or an assisted living facility. There may be an elder with good editing skills who would love to help you and would give you an honest opinion on whether you should bother submitting this particular book.
If you want to go with a professional opinion, look for someone who will edit the first ten pages in the $50 range. DO NOT pay for a full book edit as they tend to be ripoffs. If your synopsis and first ten pages are really good, they might ask to see the rest of the book for a quick evaluation. You can negotiate a price for that.
By the way, most publishers glance at the first three pages and do the first reject decision on those. They have to be strong. Most of your weaknesses in writing will also show up there which is why a detailed edit of the first ten pages by a professional writer is more beneficial than paying $$$ for a full book edit.
2007-10-09 05:35:30 · answer #1 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This sounds familiar. I've got a similar problem.
I can't get my friends to read it at all because it's sci-fi.
The on-line group I belong to won't read it for the same reason.
To be fair, though, it is a lot to ask someone to read a full manuscript (mine is 190,000 words), but I've only found one person who would read the first 50 pages in a timely manner and give me useful feedback.
I haven't yet solved this for myself, but here's what I'm planning to do. I'll make a deal with another writer to read his/hers while mine is being read.
Another thing I've found, but haven't tried yet, is a book reading group in my town. They specialize in sci-fi and meet once a month at a local book store.
I'll be at their next meeting, and maybe find someone I can connect with.
I don't want to turn over my work to a total stranger, but I don't want to pay someone to read it either.
I got a rejection from one publisher on this manuscript with no explanation, so I'm kind of getting doubts about my talent. When I read it, I think its great, but what if I'm fooling myself?
Good luck,
You're not alone, but it sure feels like you are.
Oh...by the way...when you say 'proofread', I think of that as looking for typos and misspelled words.
I think what you mean is critique.
2007-10-09 17:38:44 · answer #2 · answered by james p 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any local community college, English department, can either supply you with a reader or recommend one. It may not be free but it is available. Lots of literary magazines have personal ads offering the same service but it is may gt costly.
Again, any university can do the same and may even assign a grad student to critically read your manuscript.
Use at least 12 font and double spaced, wide margins and well bound. Otherwise they may pan your manuscript just because it was a pain in the *** to handle and read.
2007-10-09 11:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by dougger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also make sure that you have your manuscript protected as to the copyrights.
You may do this by mailing one copy of it to your own address and the seal of the post will show the date when it was mailed. It goes without saying that you shouldn't open the sealed envelope.
2007-10-09 11:40:29 · answer #4 · answered by ruth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll read it :) No, seriously, there are tons of websites that offer proofreading, editing, and writing help services for people just like you. Seek and ye shall find (a million of) them.
I'm currently freelancing for www.jawasoffice.com
Or, if you don't want to go through them, I'd be happy to do it for you, personally. Depending on what kind of editing you'd like me to do, I can probably do it for you for less than you'd pay Jawa. Let me know if you're interested.
2007-10-09 11:24:10 · answer #5 · answered by Abbie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting an English grad student to do it for you may be cheaper than hiring a book doctor.
2007-10-09 11:31:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.writerscafe.org
You create an account and can post your writing. Others will then review you and offer suggestions: it's great!
2007-10-09 15:44:14 · answer #7 · answered by TheBestAnonymous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't you mean "whom"?
2007-10-09 11:50:32 · answer #8 · answered by The Duke of W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋