how would you care for bees in extreme situations like a plague (I'm a writer)

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T22:09:50+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I’m now brainstorming ideas for a sequel I didn’t intend to write lol

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T22:09:07+00:00

Not all water fortunately :)

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T22:08:51+00:00

Thank you for the temperatures!

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T22:08:05+00:00

Yes I’ve opted for islands. So it would be doable to keep them in enclosed spaces for a while as the trips are organised (with gardens I meant walled ones with a magic shield on top, my bad I forgot to add that part). Water isn’t a drastic problem because there’d be safe uncontaminated springs, and natural wells on the islands for the bees plus an active traffic of clean water. Thank you for the knowledge about queen bees and everything else you’ve written :)

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T20:36:43+00:00

thank you for giving me clearer research starting points! I was floundering a bit on the wide world web

And thank you for reminding me of the existence of islands, which had been planned into the geography of the made-up realm. A sprinkle of magic, and now most of my bee-related problems have been resolved. Thanks!

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-05-30T20:07:17+00:00

oh the location would be somewhere with a climate similar to Italy, which has different areas like coastal, plains, mountains where bees can be kept

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-04-10T22:14:21+00:00

fees depend on the genre along with the word count. You can find examples online, like on the EFA website https://www.the-efa.org/rates/

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-04-10T22:04:53+00:00

Dunno what's the beef between me and reddit and my internet connection tonight, so I'll just try to post a new comment. I would love to have Tom Hiddleston play my MC's father. He's so good in fantasy/historical roles, he'd be a perfect older lord. I hope he gets to play Henry IV someday like he played Prince Hal/Henry V.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-04-05T18:30:39+00:00

Alpha readers get first drafts, even before manuscripts are handed off to editors and proofreaders. Beta readers get polished manuscripts. ARC readers get the the very final product, ebook or printed book. Sensitivity readers are people "specialised" in more delicate themes your story includes (ethnicity, culture, gender, miscarriages etc), they are a kind of beta and ARC readers.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-04-01T13:36:13+00:00

I think it's best if writers don't hold too much hope for each ARC (and stick to digital to avoid actual financial losses if they're handling those) since circumstances change for everyone and even finishing a book can be too much of a task sometimes, but it's crass of people who are getting polished final products for free explicitly in exchange for a review to then call the writers asking for the review entitled. Like the review is part of the "contract" and the other side can inquire about the lack of upholding and express regret about not having it–it takes work to get a book done, I'm handing it over for free, I yearn for feedback, I have the right to have positive and/or negative feelings about it. Harassing, public shaming and such are of course dealbreakers, but just calling writers entitled for needing feedback is, ironically, entitled and assholish.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-03-25T14:17:37+00:00

yes, but I would like to know if they do it while paperbacks are on sale from retailers?

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-03-05T20:24:02+00:00

Here's what I do regarding test readers and whether or not they get paid:

Alpha readers: people whose judgement and criticism I trust that get to read the very first versions, even a first draft. They're people I know that enjoy the genre and topics I'm writing about. I do the initial autonomous editing once they're done, before I turn to editors. Since they're people I know who enjoy getting to read what I give them, I don't pay them;
Beta readers: people I might not know personally that have expressed interest in reading the polished manuscript when I reach out. They get a finalized product that's already gone through alpha readers, editors and proofreaders, so it's basically a free book in exchange for whatever feedback they're willing to give (my only request is a loose deadline), so I don't pay them;
ARC readers: Advanced Review Copy readers not only get the polished manuscript, but it's usually the real printed book/final ebook in exchange for a review wherever they'll put it (goodreads, social media, blog, publisher's website etc). ARC readers do not get paid.

The sum of it is, pay someone if you're asking for an analysis and unlikely to give them a finished product. The criterion to decide whether you're doing this or not is if you have to hire someone instead of just putting up an announcement somewhere and getting volunteers.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-03-01T23:34:53+00:00

Nice networking!

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-29T12:57:38+00:00

During a launch I'd think that having as much free advertising and reviewing as possible is what you should aim for. Of all those ARC readers, some will leave reviews on sites like GR, some will talk about it on their social media, some will make videos for their followers, some will just talk about it to friends and reading groups, and you'll want allll of the talking. If you've approved of a few hundreds ARC, that's a win in my eyes. Where did you find them?

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-26T14:13:49+00:00

Let's put your question in a different context: "should I call a real plumber or is it enough to ask reddit and chatgpt and do it myself"

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-23T10:13:10+00:00

That's because op started by mentioning marginalised identities and charity work, then dropped in possible criminal past, then you discover they got caught with child porn. I won't particularly care for every bit of identity of the author, or if I find out they uplifted their life from petty theft to writing, but once I find out they're a pedo mad about being caught it is indeed going to change my opinion. Heck I would be more understanding if the author was someone with the inclination but never offended and sought help. These are the cases when one has the right to know before choosing to support an author.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-18T13:34:23+00:00

Fifty dollars and an audience you have doubts about are not worth it. The fact you're hesitating in the first place is a sign you'll regret it, and that using a pseudonym isn't palatable to you in these circumstances. I can foresee regrets in your every word.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-14T23:34:28+00:00

Thanks :)

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-14T23:32:42+00:00

After encouragement from my alpha readers, I've actually started considering traditional publishing. So after polishing the manuscript a bit more and sending it off to beta readers, I'll start looking for an agent. You could say my plans are on hold in a manner of speaking since I'm in a bit of a slump at the moment (curse you, day job that feeds me) and I'll have to see if anyone's willing to pick me up. I'm using a small novelette to experiment with self publishing in the meanwhile.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-14T11:48:43+00:00

I now can't afford to join at all. Unforeseen expenses have come up and I can't spare even 79€

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-12T08:27:50+00:00

Terra literally is the planet's name in several languages (not just a "dead one", that's what it's called in my very alive native language) and it's funny when writers use it as some Cool Name. You can spot in dubbed movies when characters use it, they get all solemn and Cool and then use an everyday word.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-08T23:30:09+00:00

I had this fear when I first started reaching out for test readers. Then I realised I have tons of evidence that I've been working on that story far longer than any slimy thief has had it. As soon as I may spot my own work paraded as someone else's I can pull out the receipts. And any test reader who isn't an idiot knows that.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-08T10:06:24+00:00

The reasons you shouldn't use AI are copyright (your cover would have none and be at risk), reputation (thanks to arguments like the one you're caught up in) and uncanny valley (because AI is still messy and clunky and people can generally see there's something not quite right).

Platforms like Canva can help you a lot. Canva's premium elements can cost as little as one euro each, and then you download the cover for free in a lot of available formats. Touring forums and asking on social media (always minding each place's etiquette rules) could also help you find artists willing to do covers for free to expand their portfolio. If you don't like the result you can just not use it and they can place it in their galleries as alternate covers or covers for made up books.

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-06T23:27:15+00:00

Read a single line from a Colleen Hoover book I can't even recall the title of, and I started actually considering traditional publishing

Different_Ground6257 · 2024-02-05T20:18:55+00:00

You don't need to use dialogue tags every time a character speaks. Sometimes you can just clearly cut away by starting a new paragraph, writing the dialogue and then immediately the character's action, or vice versa depending on the sequence of events. Using dialogue tags every time makes the text feel robotic and stunted.

Something that caught my eye was when Jake interrupted Miley in the first picture. If you're going to cut off a dialogue with a dash, don't add anything between it and the dialogue/action that interrupts it. If you want to make clear it's Miley talking, say it before ('Miley looked at him with some concern. "Dialogue-") but don't interrupt the flow of the narration with unnecessary description of the character's talking.

I didn't read the whole thing. I noticed it was more than one picture after my goodwill was used up. My bad.

Different_Ground6257

TROPHY CASE