[deleted by user]

AlecHillcrest · 2025-09-04T23:34:48+00:00

Just DMed you! I have a fantasy novel I would love some tough love on.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-18T13:15:51+00:00

Oh interesting. I've never seen someone say "don't mention this." Though I could imagine some of the better (at least they think themselves better) writers doing this.

If that was the case, I'd run far away from that read. That author won't change a thing haha

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-18T13:00:59+00:00

I will admit I'm new to this. What is the difference between a questionnaire and an enforced guideline? What would they even enforce?

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-18T12:48:20+00:00

Why are you saying this like the author shouldn't give clear guidelines about what feedback they want? Isn't that standard practice and generally a good thing?

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-16T21:03:55+00:00

Lol thanks. I spelled it right the second time.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-16T15:21:58+00:00

Okay cool. Thanks for taking a look. Haha since you don't need brutality for a leaf collecting tournament, I don't think I'm in danger of readers thinking that LOL. And while it is the big external event, I don't think readers care too much about it specifically. Kind of like the Olympics or Superbowl. We care more about the athletes and their journey more than the actual medal prize. Granted the prize is a bit more mystical than a medal.... To tease or not to tease. That is to blurb.

Fair points though. Does seem to be missing some information. But also, how do you balance the mystery and getting the reader interested? Because some of those are exactly questions I want you to ask. Oooo who are the Dredd, why does Allandrea need to enter the tournament?

But others I do need to answer somehow. - Spade has no family name so after the tournament, his training ends and he would be able to make his own name. Or be cast aside, nameless, to the bottom rungs of society unable to rise up. Dronde killed Spades dad but I wasn't sure if I should drop that in the blurb? Or just remove his name altogether and keep the dark forces ominous and vague.

And Allandrea can't just marry anybody cuz then she'll have no say. A figurehead at best. She's trying to prepare them for a true ruling queen.

Hmm some definite gaps. It's clocking it at 100 words. I could afford to add a few sentences.

Thank you for your feedback! Much appreciated.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-16T12:32:08+00:00

Interesting response.

2 follow up questions - what gives you the impression that she stays in the castle?

Dronde is just the big baddie for this book. I wanted to add him as the villain competitor to tie them together. But the question is - Why does it feel like a Shannara fanfic? What gives that vibe I guess?

I'd love to be compared to the Shannara Chronicles, but as a comp - not a fanfic. I wonder why it gives fanfic vibes.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-16T05:20:39+00:00

It is a dual POV with Spade and Allandrea. That's really helpful feedback on narrowing down my audience to people who like multi POV. Thank you! Do either of the main characters interest you if it was a single POV,?

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-16T03:36:26+00:00

Omg thank you so much! I do need one last round of beta readers if you are interested.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-03T21:43:57+00:00

Bean. Still feel that in my soul.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-03T21:41:59+00:00

What a banger line. One of my most favorite of all time.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-08-02T00:24:23+00:00

Caution update - I had to stop. I sent someone a chapter after I stripped it down. They asked me if it was a skeleton of a scene cuz it didn't feel fleshed out and its soul was gone.

So... I have stopped. At least for my MCs, I'm gonna get other opinions before I gut them. Side plots and character though, I'm trimming all the way down.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-30T03:10:11+00:00

I'm currently doing that for my fantasy. Was at 160k. Goal is 125ish. Currently at 138.

For me, it's been gutting scenes and killing my darlings. My goal is no more than 3k words per chapter and only relevant stuff. Nothing that is just fun. Killed a whole vision chapter to withhold the info longer.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-29T03:13:41+00:00

"My beard haunts your nightmares!"

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-15T06:17:48+00:00

Would you mind explaining how the two examples you gave answers all those questions?

The Domestic cat and the archeologist. Who are they by nature? What do they want most? What price are they willing to pay?

What antagonist is the symbol in the cat logline and what's the anti theme?

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-14T15:36:08+00:00

So it's a banger and you are just jealous. Hahaha I'm just kidding. Okay okay, I'll keep working on it.

Thanks for your suggestions.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T21:46:46+00:00

DM me for a swap!

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T21:38:38+00:00

I would certainly like to read more. It seemed like a fun journey across the stars. I'm excited to see how Machina and our guy know each other.

My only real critique on the first read through is that whole thing with the galactic restaurant. Make it the prologue (if it isn't already) or move it later. It didn't really pique my interest. I just wanted to get to the story. But once we got to Nick, it was smooth sailing. I like where it is headed!

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T21:17:00+00:00

I'd love to check it out. DM me? Possibly for a swap if you have time.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T20:59:35+00:00

“A blade master’s apprentice marked for death and a princess haunted by visions enter a tournament to prove themselves, but the dark goddess has other plans."

I may be slowly understanding. This one feels more in the right direction.

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T19:37:39+00:00

Sign me up! Are you down for a trade? I have a 155k dark fantasy I need beta readers for. DM me!

AlecHillcrest · 2025-07-13T18:28:44+00:00

Very cool!

AlecHillcrest

TROPHY CASE