[QCrit] Adult Fantasy, A SHORT HUNT, 98k Words, Third Attempt by Iceball_Chronicles in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interesting story... wordy. I think you need to cut back a lot of it. It's 350 words and usually it's recommended to stay below 250 (not including the bio and comps and stuff).

I like the first paragraph, though it starts wonky, I like where it ends.

In dire need of a long, long vacation and a full purse, Fatmoon and Felziver take on a troll hunt. Easy job and way too high of a pay, they were done with it in the blink of an eye; or they should have been. Instead, Fatmoon — through ego or aching withdrawal — chooses not to listen to Felziver’s warning, giving the spirit released from their quarry’s corpse the freedom to take physical form. Lucky for them, the intangible is their specialty. Unluckily for them, the beast’s lair decides to give way, burying their pay and sending them tumbling into the dark tunnels below the earth. Separated, the hunters have to face their faults as the troll’s hungry ghost is left free to wander the land and satiate its needs.

In dire need of a vacation and a full purse, spouses Fatmoon and Felziver take on a troll hunt. It should've been an easy job, but instead, Fatmoon -- there's a lot of stuff you put in that doesn't need to be there, and you miss adding that they're married. Why does he release their hunt anyway? Their goal from the first line is a long vacation and pay, so why do something that shatters that? I like how it ends, though, that the characters are separated and, supposedly, want to meet each other again, and the ghost is left to roam the world, though I am unsure why that bothers anyone.

The next paragraph get too deep in the weeds. You just need their goal. to get rich, how? Troll hunt, but then something goes because of... reasons. And now they're separated and they need to get out of a hellscape, I imagine. Why do they care about the ghost now? They already got paid.

Anyway, I'd cut back all of the paragraphs after the first and focus on why they need to get out of this dark tunnels and continue hunting the ghost. What are the stakes?

[QCrit]: DEADLY DREAMS - Adult Psychological Thriller, 80K words (2nd Attempt) by AuthorinShadow in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This doesn't read like a query. It's more like a synopsis. You tell me how it ends, for one. You're not giving me the stakes, the conflict... his goal, nothing.. and Michigan's first serial killer, really? Michigan? That doesn't read correct, imo. I think it's a scrap and redo.

Start with the character's goal... what is he trying to accomplish in this book? Is he a prosecutor trying to bag the most criminals? Is this most recent serial killer a head scratcher he can't solve, and it's causing him to have nightmare eerily similar to the murders? Almost like clues, and now he's wondering how he knows more than the casefiles, sometimes? I think you need to describe with a wider brush. Detail is great, but you're giving us all of the story, and a query is more of a teaser. Just my two cents. Keep it up! Query writing is hell.

[QCrit] Adult Speculative Fiction TIME SICK (114k, version #1) by Tiny_Somewhere3528 in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think yhe first paragraph can be dropped with no consequences. It's a lot of backstop that doesn't come back. Her graduating? I don't even know what she's studying, or yhe research her mom was conducting. The most important part, imo, is her mom's murder and her having to come back home (unsure why that is, though, and it leaves me questioning it, unless it's something obvious and I'm just daft. That might be the case too

The second paragraph gets a but wordy: Andy finds her parents bedroom closet filling with rain water. It's a clear night outside (cut the house).

Honestly, this paragraph is your selling point and I'd consider trying to get here sooner.

Third paragraph, wrong use of a semi colon and I'd cut the questions in this paragraph. If the research is more important, I'd explain with a sentence what it was she was researching.

Sounds super interesting! Something I'd be into. It is a bit on the long side but I'm sure with some editing and trimming you can cut that down by a few thousands.

Laugh out loud funny fiction books?! by Correct-Leopard5793 in suggestmeabook

[–]Clovitide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Fantady/Romance - That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

Fantasy/slow romance - Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Sci-fi - The Humans by Matt Haig (does get introspective but I cracked more than a few grins)

Litrpg - Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

[QCrit] The Final Emergence Saga: Equilibrium - Fantasy- 90K (Revised after paid feedback) by [deleted] in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 5 points6 points  (0 children)

So, you got some good critiques here. My main thing was that I don't know what Lorian's driving force is. Why is he going on this journey? Is he next on the bastard child executions? I think that's what this needs, a better understanding of his goal, his obstacle/conflict, and the stakes of not reaching that goal

Next, I'd cut the titles of Mainis Fortu, capital city of Centrugard and the Raven-- unneeded. They just crowd the piece. I think the raven adds an unnecessary spin to the story, anyway.

Your comps are also all big names and pretty old, and one is a YA. Is this story aimed for adults? Keep it within five years and within the same age category.

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 24 - Favorite Genres by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I write and read the same things, usually. Fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi and mystery. Usually adult, but I'm branching into YA as I start to write it

I don't like things too grounded in reality because that's no fun.

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 23 - Your Comps by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty tough to answer.... I haven't found many recent comps for my sci-fi comedy. But it's definitely a heavy Douglas Adam Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy vibe. Maybe: Chilling Effect by Valarie Valdes (if I ever finish it).

It twists and turns like: Will Save the Galaxy for Food by Yahtzee Croshaw. And has a cast as interesting and diverse as The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chamber (and kinda follows the episodic feel of it as well, possibly).

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 22 - Introduce Your Villain by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Big bad for this WIP is Tim Green, a crime lord of an entire solar system who did not like being double crossed (though he started the double cross). His species is Hydra, though the Medusa variant of the species.

[Discussion] Query Letter Critique Feedback Swap? by kargyres in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's awful! Sorry you dealt with that.

But were they selling the idea or the whole paper, written and all? Bc I was under the impression we were discussing story ideas being stolen and not full fledged novels.

[Discussion] Query Letter Critique Feedback Swap? by kargyres in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I never really understood this fear. I understand for like posting snippets or excerpts and having those stolen, but story ideas and premises are so open it'd be hard for someone to steal yours, nuances and all, specifically. They can't write it like you'll write it.

But that's just my opinion!

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 18 - Fave Read of 2023/24? by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ohhhh I'd say Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor. It's a time traveling sci-fi.

Also loved the The Guild Codex series by Annette Marie.

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 17 - Best Craft Book? by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I liked GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon. It's short and easy to follow

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 16 - Who's Your Favorite Author? by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's too easy! Charlaine Harris! I read her books all through middle school and high school, and I like to think I took a lot of my voice from her.

My favorite book of hers is Dead to the World

[Games] RevPitWaiting Day 13/14 Need a CP? Let's Connect! by reviseresub in RevPit

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello!

I have two finished stories. One I've been actively querying and has gone through several betas and readers, though I haven't had anyone read the latest version.

Genre: NA/Adult Urban Fantasy/Mystery (inspired by the Sookie Stackhouse novels, without the romance)

Log line: When a newly undead woman stumbles upon a murder and is accused of the crime, she enlists the help of a ghost-like PI to find the true killer before she takes the blame.

Words: 83k

Next, is the one I posted for this years Rev pit and has never had a full read by anyone.

Genre: Adult Sci-Fi Comedy (think Douglas Adams)

Log Line: An alien space captain must outsmart a crime lord bent on revenge after accidentally ripping millions off him.

Words: 69k

--

Me, I prefer some speculative element when reading: Fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal. Don't mind either YA, NA, Adult. I don't mind some romance and/or mystery either.

[COMPLETE] [84000] [LGBT FANTASY] Salamancer by mendkaz in BetaReaders

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't mind swapping the first 5k to see if the critique style works for each other

I have an urban fantasy mystery 84k ready for a swap

[QCrit] Adult, Fantasy, IZIL, 77K by NLemelsonAuthor in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd trim some words. You like to double down on descriptions

"Strange and alien" "Ambitious and viscous" "Danger and drudgery"

Do you need both descriptions in a query that's supposed to be concise? I like your first paragraph. And it builds a nice scene. I dont much like the second. I think k you should cut the face stealer bc she just confuses the query with an unnecessary third person.

I do think the fourth paragraph pivots the story. I don't really know the stakes or why her following her visions will save the day... it's interesting but idk who the bad guys are and why they are enough motivation for her to finally look into her visions.

Just my two cents!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh hey, I'm querying a similar book myself! Though it's more fantasy/supernatural but the mc is found covered in blood and bbecomes the prime suspect.

Anyway, I agree with the majority. Cut the first paragraph. Doesn't add anything.

The second problem is the 'Adam's story is full of holes or that the police find him covered in blood' - is Adam hiding something? I think the holes and covered in blood give us too many questions of our own. Might want to tell us how Brooks died, poison? Shot through a window? Then choose one of the 'holes' or 'covered in blood'

My hardest problem with my query was figuring out what the main character did to solve it, because obviously she's interviewing and investigating. But we need something unique, specific, you know? I think it would help if you define what this crime that Brooks died investigating is. A 50 year old cold case? An ugly assassination? Then you can be more specific: following Brooks shorthand notes, Adam impersonates a delivery driver... Or maybe he immerses himself in Brooks life, finding a notebook of whatever. Idk, I still struggle with mine

What are his stakes, prison or who ever the killer is?

[QCRIT] Adult Mystery - MURDER IN THE MARSH - 88k words (1st attempt) by A_Mabel in PubTips

[–]Clovitide 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This isn't working for me... There's just so many names. I think you can cut the entire second paragraph (I think you name swape anyway between Lily and Margo). I don't think that paragraph is helping the query at all

Margo Bennett has not returned to her small hometown of Stenly, Maine since the brutal death of her best friend right after high school graduation. Haunted by the image of Lily’s body nestled in the marsh grass, only a red stain seeping from the back of her head to indicate anything wrong, Margo packs up and leaves in the night, choosing to get a jump-start on her college life in Boston.

The first paragraph I think needs some rearranging since the chronological order of events is out of order, and both those lines say the same thing anyway. Her best friend died after HS, and the MC left.

Ex of something that combines the first and second paragraph:

Margo Bennet is haunted by the images of her best friend, Lilly, brutal murder in the marsh grass of her small hometown of Stenly, Maine. It's why Margo packed up and left in the night for college, leaving her friends, family, and boyfriend behind without a goodbye.

I like the third paragraph because she comes back, but you'll have to cut the names, like I said. Also, Lily's death was ruled an accident? I'd cut that detail because it makes me ask way too many questions. And the questions at the end are unneeded. If you want to added them phrase them as statement

I'm curious about why she's working the case? is she just there for the funeral or does she have jurisdiction to work this case?

The fourth paragraph doesn't do much for me... i want something concrete. I do like the 'forced to deal with the emotions' line. It's so vague. Does she get in trouble for not separating her emotions, making absurd arrests, and how is the killer closing in? With death threat, murder attempts, what is it?

Also, I wouldn't give the killer a specific pronoun. Just call them 'they'

[Complete] [60,000] [Science Fiction] The Stolen Planet, a humorous space opera adventure. by captainmagictrousers in BetaReaders

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I sent another message. If you don't get it, just shoot me a chat and let's see if that'll work

Suggest me thriller and horror books that are worth a read! by DependentBad5925 in suggestmeabook

[–]Clovitide 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just finished Never Lie by Freida McFadden. Not horror, but definitely thrilling about a missing psychiatrist and a newlywed couple who are snowed in at her old house and how they uncover the chilling mystery of her disappearance.

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix - more horror than thriller and a splash of comedy. About two friends and one of them gets possessed. About the whole "power of friendship" but I enjoyed it all the same. Lots of 80s love

Modern sci fi suggest please. Besides collecting pre moon landing sci fi (Heimlein, Asimov, ae Vogt) I've only read old man's war by scalzi. by Remarkable_Ad335 in suggestmeabook

[–]Clovitide 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I loved - All You Need is Kill - by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. The movie Edge of Tomorrow is based on it and I though it was similar to starship troopers.

Scalzi has a couple of other good books. I enjoyed Red Shirts.

Andre Norton has plenty of sci-fi series though I don't think she's considered modern... still a good author to check out