http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ Web Fiction Guide Forums » Tag: reviews - Recent Topics en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:05:22 +0000 http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/fascinating-reviews-for-rosary#post-7122 Sat, 13 Aug 2011 20:45:39 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 7122@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I wanted to thank everyone who's been reviewing Rosary--yes, Gavin, you and Robert too--for such thoughtful responses. It's such a pleasure to see such well-thought out reviews, whether they like or dislike the art in question. :) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-challenge#post-7175 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:44:29 +0000 Gavin Williams 7175@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>So I took a few months off from reviewing because I was pretty busy with family stuff and my own projects and sometimes you just need a break from reading. Well, as much as sometimes I need a break, I also go on binges because I love books.</p> <p>Mid-way through my binge of reading lately I realized that we have unrated listings going back several pages, and it looks like there are over 90. Some of them are dated 2009, which is just crazy that they've sat there that long with no one reviewing them, while some stories like TOMU have thirty, forty or fifty reviews. Granted, some stories are popular -- but these others don't even have one.</p> <p>I'm going through the first few chapters of as many as I can, just so every writer who has had the courage to share their stories with us has some sort of opinion on their work. I can tell pretty quickly if something is fairly solid or if it needs more work, so I'm going to move fast and highlight the ones that seem most promising. Hopefully I'll find gems like "The Third Person" that I want to read from beginning to end, but we'll see.</p> <p>My challenge to the community is this: I'm going to keep going, until all the unrated stories have at least one rating. Whether I do all 90plus on my own or other people help me is up to you. I think every writer deserves a review, that's the whole point of the site -- but by no means do I think mine should be the dominant opinion on the WFG's listings.</p> <p>However, when only one of the editors has had a review in the last 42 days (because they have busy lives and responsibilities too!) it's up to us as the community to give every writer a fair chance. Just read one chapter of a story a day, if that's all you have time for, and let's get the unrated listings up to date. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/nasty-reviews#post-5190 Fri, 07 May 2010 00:46:47 +0000 Robert Rodgers 5190@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I just wanted to take a moment and ask if I'm stepping over the line--or to ask that, if and when I do step over the line, that I be told I've done so (not to imply that anyone would be hesitant to make that clear to me!). Specifically, after writing this review: </p> <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-westwich-writers-club/review-by-devorn/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/the-westwich-writers-club/review-by-devorn/</a></p> <p>I'm worried that I've been a little too nasty.</p> <p>(By the way, if the author happens to see this, let me offer some apologies in advance--like the vast majority of the internet's misanthropic denizens, I tend to be opinionated, and have a certain talent for gathering those opinions up and firing them out of a cannon)</p> <p>I'm trying to cut a balance between being harshly realistic about what I see and believe, while simultaneously trying not to become downright insulting. I'm also concerned about the effects of what I say--not to imply that people here are thin-skinned, but I'm worried people might assume I actually know what I'm talking about instead of realizing I'm just a very loud, outspoken hobbyist with no editorial or publishing experience whatsoever.</p> <p>Anyway, what I also want to know is this: How far is too far? How do you balance your desire for brutal honesty (if you have one!) with a desire to avoid insult and injury to your fellow writers--hobbyists and professionals alike? I understand it's a pretty old, ongoing question, and one with no clear answers--but I'd like to hear some other people's opinions on the subject, if only to get the perspective of someone who *isn't* naturally antagonistic (like myself).</p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/quasi-review-request-black-blossom#post-6926 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 16:18:01 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 6926@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Less a review request than a "hop on board while the serial's still young!" sort of thing. My latest, Black Blossom, now has a webfiction guide stub:</p> <p><a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/black-blossom/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/black-blossom/</a></p> <p>We're only ten episodes in!</p> <p>You can also read on Livejournal (and take part in the discussions) by using the tag:<br /> <a href="http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/tag/black%20blossom" rel="nofollow">http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/tag/black%20blossom</a></p> <p>And here's an RSS feed:<br /> <a href="http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/data/rss?tag=black%blossom" rel="nofollow">http://haikujaguar.livejournal.com/data/rss?tag=black%blossom</a></p> <p>This is a fantasy of manners set in an alien culture without human characters. So if you're into deep-immersion fantasy, come by and see what's going on! :) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/new-sites-overdue-intro#post-6857 Sat, 18 Jun 2011 01:15:18 +0000 AeliusBlythe 6857@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>This week a new writer came to my site asking about tips on learning the ropes of web fiction and I sent them here. Then I remembered that I'd never actually come in here myself to let everyone know I existed.</p> <p>So hi! I'm AeliusBlythe. I've been mining this site for good reads for a while. But I've never posted before because, though I write a bit myself, right now I'm more about exploring online reading than publishing any of my own work.</p> <p>A couple of months ago I started <a href="http://www.CheapAssFiction.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.CheapAssFiction.com</a> It is both a public record of my own exploration of the web fic community and a place for discussion on issues, arguments, and trends I've found therein. </p> <p>It has been great to discover so many voices speaking up to discuss, debate and rant about what I've come to believe is a distinct and fascinating literary movement. And the more the merrier! So I thought I'd (finally!) stop in here to let you all know what's going on over there. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/get-on-board-with-spots#post-6535 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:19:45 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 6535@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Now's a good time to start reading Spots the Space Marine if you haven't already: we're crashing through to our exciting, explosive conclusion! If you like military SF, alien first contact stories, and terse, graphic-novel like storytelling, come read before it's all over!</p> <p>The Web Fiction Guide listing is here: <a href="http://webfictionguide.com/listings/spots-the-space-marine/" rel="nofollow">http://webfictionguide.com/listings/spots-the-space-marine/</a></p> <p>And the serial's here: <a href="http://stardancer.org/spots/" rel="nofollow">http://stardancer.org/spots/</a> </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-the-surprising-life-and-death-of-diggory-franklin#post-6154 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:57:34 +0000 Gavin Williams 6154@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>"The Surprising Life and Death of Diggory Franklin" has been on the WFG since 2008, so it might seem funny that I'm requesting a review. However, timing is everything -- there were editor reviews in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and they helped me to put the story in perspective and see how well it was working. Now, I've just finished Book 9 (The Shocking Trial!) and it's an excellent point for a retrospective look, as it brought back almost every character from all 9 books and it's building towards the inevitable September that Calla Wiley predicted would see the demise of Diggory.</p> <p>Book 10 leads up to those events, and then the story is going to be drastically different -- I don't want to give anything away other than my writing is exciting me lately, so I've been updating daily out of sheer enthusiasm. So I feel this is the best time to ask for people to take a serious look at the entire series to date and share their thoughts, even if it's just to update an old review. I'd love to see new viewpoints on the story as it takes a new direction as well.</p> <p>In addition, we're running a bonus story incentive that for every 5 reviews on WFG I'll explore side stories through the other characters, deepening the story mythology, so you'll be helping my readers get more of what they enjoy! </p> <p>Thanks in advance,</p> <p>Gavin </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/in-which-our-dashing-not-so-young-author-trolls-for-reviews#post-6070 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:56:48 +0000 Al Bruno III 6070@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello one and all.</p> <p>I was wondering if I might request some reviews for my material. I have weird tales of all kinds with with TALES FROM THE ODDSIDE, THE LOCAL HEROES, THE NIGHT OF TIME and IN THIS TWILIGHT. I have my life story as on ongoing serial story with PRICE BREAKS AND HEARTACHES. I also have two complete serial novels (IN THE MIDNIGHT OF HIS HEART and LOVE AND TREASON ON THE VERGE) as well as a serial novel in progress called IN THE SHADOW OF HIS NEMESIS.</p> <p>Thank you for your time. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/reviewers-not-on-wfg#post-5079 Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:19:16 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 5079@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Anyone know of/have any luck with reviewers off WFG? I've never had much luck getting genre reviewers to have a look at my work (in some cases, places that have bought my stories in the past won't review work I'm giving away for free o_O). I'm hoping some of you know some folks who do their own independent reviewing, or who write reviews for blogs, e-zines or print magazines who are open to web fiction. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-request-cold-ghost-1#post-5874 Tue, 28 Sep 2010 07:18:47 +0000 intergal 5874@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Hello all.</p> <p>I'm re-requesting reviews of 'Cold Ghost', as we're now much deeper into the story (14 chapters and 1 side story so far) and I've also been doing some tweeking around the site. I wasn't sure if should create a new thread for this, especialy since I think I changed links since my first review, but I'll close down this thread and re-open the old one if need be.</p> <p>I've been debating whether or not to add on a 'Recommended Viewing/Reading' as well, but I don't know what people would think of this. (Not related to linking to other web serials) I'm mainly looking for web novel feedback, but comments on the site are fine as well. Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to your feedback.</p> <p>Link to main site is here: <a href="http://evashandor.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">http://evashandor.wordpress.com</a> </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/if-you-though-the-aphorisms-comments-were-fun-s-d-youngren#post-5728 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:19:38 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 5728@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>...wait until you see the comments on The Admonishments. Easily twice as dense and some amazing, fascinating people talking about philosophy, politics and culture. Great stuff. :) </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/your-assistance-required#post-5227 Tue, 11 May 2010 11:26:02 +0000 Gavin Williams 5227@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>My first story, No Man an Island, is a complete novel with good ratings on WFG. I'm not too worried about it (though you can read it if you want to). </p> <p>My second story, The Surprising Life and Death of Diggory Franklin, is an ongoing serial, and I'm not worried about completing it (having too much fun) and it's also been well-received. You can read that if you want to also.</p> <p>My problem is my third story, The Samaritan Project. I have NOT submitted it to WFG because it's not in any shape for a review. In fact, I'm at the point that I don't know if I want to keep writing it. I need some objective people to drop by and take a look. Here's my blog where I worry about it: <a href="http://gavinwilliams.digitalnovelists.com/node/682" rel="nofollow">http://gavinwilliams.digitalnovelists.com/node/682</a> and there are links to find my stories there.</p> <p>I need some perspective on whether the story as it has been conceived is worth continuing, or if I need to start over somehow. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-requests-spots-the-space-marine-and-kherishdar-collection#post-4828 Fri, 02 Apr 2010 07:27:45 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 4828@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I'm slowly beginning to read some of the work listed on WFG and reviewing it, so I thought I'd toss my offerings onto the pile and request a read-throughs. I've got three things up:</p> <p>For science fiction readers, Spots the Space Marine is a military SF serial (currently being posted twice a week) about a retired Marine leaving her family to head out into space and help kill the crabs. The pacing is quick; it's written like a script and has occasional illustrations. The story is told mostly in dialogue.</p> <p>You can jump straight to the episode list here: <a href="http://www.stardancer.org/spots/episodes/" rel="nofollow">http://www.stardancer.org/spots/episodes/</a></p> <p>For quasi-fantasy readers, I have two completed collections, The Aphorisms of Kherishdar and the Admonishments of Kherishdar. These are both composed of 25 pieces of 2-page flash fiction, linked, about the alien culture of the Ai-Naidar. The Aphorisms collect wisdom tales told from the viewpoint of a Public Servant, the Calligrapher, and each short illustrates a single word in the alien language and ends with an alien aphorism. The Admonishments is the companion volume and tells how crime and punishment is handled by the same aliens; each short discusses a crime or sin from the viewpoint of the criminal, and the central figure weaving all these stories together is the priest who serves Shame.</p> <p>For the Aphorisms, and a meditative feel: <a href="http://www.stardancer.org/kherishdar" rel="nofollow">http://www.stardancer.org/kherishdar</a></p> <p>For the Admonishments, darker and with some trigger material: <a href="http://www.stardancer.org/kherishdar2" rel="nofollow">http://www.stardancer.org/kherishdar2</a></p> <p>Anyway, if SF/F of this kind is your speed, I'd appreciate the chance to entertain you. :)</p> <p>--M. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/looking-for-things-to-read#post-4990 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:28:35 +0000 M.C.A. Hogarth 4990@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>Here's a backwards approach at this topic: I'm looking for things to read! In particular, I'm not interested in stories primarily about teenagers or coming-of-age. I really like stories where there's a broad range of ages, from kids to the elderly, or at least a story where the protagonist didn't spring from the head of Zeus fully-formed, without family or attachments. The 'young adult adventurer with no ties' thing is kind of old for me right now. It might get new again some day, but not now.</p> <p>Recommend something! I like sf, fantasy, historicals, modern stuff (my bar is higher for things set in present-day, but I do like them when done well)... basically anything as long as it's good.</p> <p>--M. </p> http://forums.webfictionguide.com/topic/review-exchange#post-1318 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:09:11 +0000 Ryan Span 1318@http://forums.webfictionguide.com/ <p>I've noticed that there seems to be a bit of a review imbalance on the WFG, where some entries are drowning in reviews but others are struggling to attract any, and thereby aren't getting the attention they deserve.</p> <p>So, I had the idea of setting up a review exchange where people can trade reviews between themselves on a 1 for 1 basis. If you want an exchange, just post here with your willingness to do one, along with your reading standards (RS) on a scale of 1-5 -- where 1 means you'll read anything regardless of problems (either with the story or the website) and 5 means something needs to be seriously impressive before you'll give it a good review.</p> <p>If someone you want is available for review, ask them, and if they accept then your reviewing pact is forged. All reviews posted through the exchange are of course subject to WFG's normal review rules.</p> <p>I'll hereby post myself up first, taking reviews at an RS of 4.5.</p> <p>Regards,<br /> Ryan </p>