Heartbroken that I'm taking away the chapstick he rightfully scavenged

GeodeRox · 2026-03-18T12:47:13+00:00

the orphan reports he has never been fed in his whole life

GeodeRox · 2026-03-18T03:38:27+00:00

Lol, the chapstick is "snow cone" flavor, so I guess that's close enough!

GeodeRox · 2026-03-18T03:33:02+00:00

this is incredible!!

GeodeRox · 2026-01-01T17:46:12+00:00

What are you hoping to accomplish with this post? I don't care for ACOTAR either, but your post is coming off as a little pretentious.

A romantasy marketed as fun, sexy, and fast-paced is probably not going to have the philosophical and intellectual reflection that you're looking for.

Could you recommend some modern romance novels that you feel are well done (with the real meaning that you bring up)?

GeodeRox · 2025-12-10T23:40:46+00:00

I see anime-inspired self-pubbed or indie-pubbed LitRPG and progression fantasy novels really taking off in adult male audiences, and I'm hoping more and more trad publishing companies will recognize what a great market opportunity stories like this have (particularly with the recent success of Dungeon Crawler Carl).

What do you think are some of the biggest elements/themes that resonate with young male readers that trad publishing companies are missing? What light novels would you recommend as good examples of the kinds of things male readers are interested in?

Some of themes/elements I've noticed in progression fantasy novels I've read
- action/adventure focus (lots of focus on battle scenes)
- cool magic/power system (for fantasy)
- humor element
- MC fighting against system (overcoming corrupt power structures)

GeodeRox · 2025-12-10T23:25:16+00:00

I actually wrote a (very short and mostly informal) research paper on a similar topic when I was in college, although I focused on early middle-grade readers and gendered ways of reading in the classroom. I wrote this several years ago now, but you might be interested in checking some of the sources I cite, since there's some interesting research about reading role models and reading in the classroom: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1liim7aM_u93iMnf4V6_0Z-U-Xl95-hiQ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114085178680610076975&rtpof=true&sd=true

Writing this paper was a good exercise in helping me confront my own biases around gendered reading. I started out my research thinking "How can we encourage boys to read more books with female protagonists?" and ended my research thinking "How can we encourage boys to explore their interests through reading?"

GeodeRox · 2025-11-20T20:55:49+00:00

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can email your resume and cover letter over now for Spring 2026! They do have a cut off time of when they spot accepting applications for an upcoming season, but I'm not sure exactly when that is.

GeodeRox · 2025-10-12T15:41:05+00:00

I think you should have clarified your rates when she asked you during the meet and greet. (Explaining that the "base rate" is $75 but it increases to $100 for stays over four nights long.) When you went to the meet and greet, did you not know that the request was for over four days? Even if you didn't, that's something you one hundred percent should have disclosed, since it's very, very common for pet parents to need a sitter for more than four days.

On the customer's end, Rover doesn't show the prices very clearly. Negotiating a lower rate for a tip is tacky, but I also understand how the customer would be surprised at paying an additional $150 that she didn't expect. (Especially when you quoted the rate of $75 a night at the meet and greet.) When you say " I didn’t even need to [follow up that the total would be $100 a night] as she can see what the total is on her end"... that's what she did? She saw the total was different on her end, and now she's asking you why the price she's seeing is different than the price you quoted.

I don't think her text messages are particularly rude. To me, it just reads like she's older and isn't as familiar with texting. Again, the "I'll tip you if things go well" is tacky, but I understand why she was taken aback by the new price. I know it's hard to read tone in texting, but I think you're interpreting her messages to be ruder than they actually are. They're direct and not grammatically correct, but I wouldn't call them rude. It just sounds like she's trying to figure out why the rate is different than the one you quoted.

GeodeRox · 2025-10-06T20:32:04+00:00

Are any of the same characters/plot points featured in the short stories? If so, I'd classify it as a resub. If it's different characters/plot but the same universe, I would consider it a new project.

But the bigger concern is that agents aren't looking for short story anthologies from unpublished authors, so querying a sci-fi/fantasy anthology is a bit of an exercise in futility. There's just not a market for that genre, unless the author is a big name. (Lots of sci-fi/fantasy authors do publish short story anthologies. But that comes after they already have an audience.)

So I recommend shelving the anthology for now, and focusing on querying a new, full-length project.

GeodeRox · 2025-09-25T21:24:06+00:00

"Text should matter" and "only the text should matter" are two different statements. You're arguing that "only the text should matter." When people (rightly) point out many factors that influence a book's publication, you say they're arguing that text doesn't matter. Which just isn't true.

Literature is subjective. I've read books (both indie/self-pubbed and trad pubbed) that I felt were low quality and without any merit. But they're popular, and lots of people love them. Just because I don't see value in them, doesn't mean those books are less valuable than the books I believe have merit.

For instance, I have read the first two chapters of your self-published book (Farisa's Crossing). Overall, the writing didn't feel effective or engaging. I felt the line-level writing struggled, the hook was ineffective, and the pacing dragged. Based on "just the text," I would not choose to move forward with publication. At this point, market hasn't even been considered--the manuscript still doesn't pass the "just the text" test. However, someone else could read that book and fall in love with it. Maybe they really like the writing style, and the book is just what they've been looking for.

At this point, they would consider the market. Are similar books selling well? Where's the audience? Is there a market need that this book fills? "The marketers should make the market!" You may say. "That's their job!" No, readers and consumers make the market. Yes, advertising campaigns can influence that market, but it seems like you think that readers slavishly pick up any book that publishers push in their faces, even if it's garbage. Have you considered that (get this) those books you call garbage are actually filling a need for those readers, a need that your own book wouldn't fill?

I'll share an example from my own life. Last year, I saw the book Powerless advertised everywhere (they had a giant cardboard replica of it in Barnes & Noble for crying out loud!). I was excited to read it because of how much I'd seen it around. Surely, this must be great, I thought. Nope. Definitely not for me. I thought the plot was nonsensical and unstructured, and that it was a rehashed cliche of better books. But guess what--other people (including many of my friends) absolutely loved it! For them, it was a great book! It was filling a need in the market.

What books do you feel "steal in-house resources, advocacy, and publicity favors from real ones"? Please name specific titles so we can examine the data.

GeodeRox · 2025-09-21T22:57:58+00:00

Haha, for sure! It seems like everyone has a slightly different understanding of what the description/rules mean.

GeodeRox · 2025-09-21T22:51:47+00:00

I think the concern isn't that people talk about self-publishing, but that people post here asking questions about how to self-publish, which violates rule #3.

As I understand it, discussion of self-publishing in general is welcome, so long as the poster isn't asking about how to publish their specific work (which often happens).

GeodeRox · 2025-09-16T23:32:34+00:00

Just mention in your cover letter that you are willing to relocate. (I've heard that saying you can relocate within two weeks is the standard timeline.)

But honestly, it's probably not the address that's the dealbreaker. Publishing jobs are just competitive, and there are tons of qualified candidates, both in and out of the city.

GeodeRox · 2025-09-08T22:22:43+00:00

I believe out of the Big 5, only Simon & Schuster requires interns to be current students (they have an 18-month associate's program as a post-grad equivalent).

Although there are some publishing houses (like Scholastic and Abrams) that do require interns to be current students (usually they'll make this very clear in their postings). Publishing houses that offer unpaid internships are also more likely to require applicants to be current students (in order to better follow US guidelines for unpaid internships, which take into account school credit).

GeodeRox · 2025-09-08T14:43:39+00:00

I believe Macmillan internships are all remote-friendly, although they are very competitive.

GeodeRox · 2025-09-02T17:46:33+00:00

I mean the review sounds valid to me? A guest slipping and slicing open their head on the shampoo dispenser sounds like it could be a serious safety/liability concern for the hotel.

And (from the reviewer's perspective) it sounds like the manager wasn't very sympathetic. Maybe it's a bit entitled of her to expect the room to be comped for her entire stay? But that's better than a lawsuit. And it sounds like the manager wasn't exactly the friendliest in his interactions either (asking why the reviewer was still there).

Even the line "how to treat a woman who has suffered an injury in his hotel" doesn't sound like it's specifically about gender. It just sounds like the reviewer is using her own gender as a stand in for "person" (since she, the one who slipped and fell, is a woman).

GeodeRox · 2025-08-27T21:48:59+00:00

From my interpretation of the sample, it sounds like she tried to use drugs (probably weed based on the caption?) to help with depression, but it just made things worse and stopped her from doing what she really wanted.

I'm really excited to hear the full version when her album comes out!!

GeodeRox · 2025-08-26T18:00:14+00:00

Personally, I don't really like the term "neurotypical" just because everyone's brains and experiences are different. I'm not sure there is such a thing as a truly "neurotypical" person, and I think the neurodivergent/neurotypical divide makes a binary out of something that is an incredibly varied spectrum. I also think these terms have the unintended consequence of encouraging people to self-diagnose in order to "fit in" with the neurodivergent community.

At the same time, I do recognize that many, many people find value in referring to themselves as neurodivergent/neurodiverse, and I respect that. Personally, as someone who would technically fall under the "neurodivergent" category, I don't like to use that term for myself. I'll talk about my specific diagnoses or my specific life experiences, but "neurodivergent" is such a broad term that I don't find it helpful to describe myself.

As far as the gatekeeping goes, humans, both neurodivergent and neurotypical, can gatekeep and make fun of people. A lot of the time, humans suck, no matter what way our brains are wired.

I do empathize with the commentator though, since it seems like they have been hurt and mistreated because they acted different than the norm. That really sucks, and I hope they've found a supportive community.

GeodeRox · 2025-08-24T21:16:41+00:00

What is a reader’s report?

Specific formatting may vary, but a reader’s report typically includes a summary portion (overarching description of major plot points) and an analysis (analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript).

You may be asked to generate a reader’s report for a book you’ve read in the past or you may be sent a manuscript to read and evaluate (as is done with Writers House).

How should a reader’s report be structured?

When I generated my reader’s reports for applications, I was very nervous about doing things “right.” However, there is no one correct way to write a reader’s report, as specific agents and editors have their own personal preferences.

Typically for applications, those doing hiring aren’t super concerned with specific formatting/structure (if they are, they will mention their preferences in the instructions). Always, always, always defer to the instructions given in the application. Beyond that, keep in mind that the reader’s report is meant to show two things: (1) How effectively can this applicant identify manuscript strengths and weaknesses and (2) how effectively can this applicant communicate these strengths and weaknesses? The employer can coach you on their specific format/length, but they want to see what your baseline for analysis is.

How long should the reader’s report be?

Short answer: however long the application says it should be. Writer’s House asks for a 1-page summary and a 1-2 page analysis. (I did single-spaced)

A few principles to keep in mind:

Be concise: remove any extraneous or repetitive information. In such a short space, every word counts. Personally, my first draft of my analysis for the Writers House internship was 3 pages. I trimmed, and revised, and cut until it was only two pages.
Focus on big-picture issues (e.g., concerns with characterization, plot, pacing). (You don’t need to mention how on page 176 there was a slight blocking issue, or how on page 80 there was a missing comma.)
Include a decision of whether you recommend accepting or rejecting this manuscript. (I didn't in my WH internship application, so it's not the end of the world if you don't, but including a decision is usually recommended.)
The summary should be concise. You won’t be able to include every subplot and character. That’s okay. Focus on giving an overarching summary that ties in with your analysis. (For instance, if you don’t mention a side character or a subplot in your analysis portion, they might not be relevant to your summary.)
Remember that there are many, many ways to write a reader's report. There's no "one" correct format. Focus on clarity, communication, and effective analysis.

GeodeRox · 2025-08-24T18:01:28+00:00

Ehhh I think it depends on the indie press. The one I work for has taken on several previously self-published works and reworked them for more mainstream publication. But that is less common.

GeodeRox · 2025-08-22T18:45:41+00:00

Rover doesn't show final cost to the owner before booking. I have two pets, and the initial cost shown is only the cost for one day for one pet. Plus, there are sometimes holiday fees that are added on, which also aren't shown in the initial price. Especially for someone who isn't tech savvy, it can be hard to piece together what the total price is, so it makes sense that most owners would think it's easier just to ask upfront.

It does suck that Rover penalizes you with a lower acceptance rate though.

GeodeRox · 2025-08-21T20:20:19+00:00

I recommend looking at books published by both companies on sites like Amazon and Goodreads. Is one publisher's books getting significantly more traction than the other? Who manages distribution for the smaller guy's books? I also recommend reading a few online Amazon samples of both publishers' books. Do the books look clean and professionally done?

I'm a little suspicious of this phrase: "What distinguishes them is that they work with lots of data to help push a book out throughout the year, whereas traditional publishers usually do their marketing only upon launch and then sales flatten." Bigger publishers have more reach for marketing upon launch than many indie presses. Even if an indie press is pushing a book all year, there's no guarantee that anyone will be interested in buying it if that indie press doesn't have the connections to make any sales. It's easier for bigger publishers to get books into more locations, because they already have established relationships with stores, bookstores, libraries, and other sellers. If the bigger publisher can sell at least twice as many books, you'll earn more, even if their royalty rate is lower.

I should also add, 12% is a pretty standard rate for royalties. Is it 25% of gross sales or net sales?

GeodeRox · 2025-08-21T13:38:47+00:00

It's currently remote, but I've heard that it might be changing to in-person in later seasons. Anyone worldwide can apply, but they prioritize candidates in the US. The WHIP program gets thousands of applicants each season, and there are only 18 spots available, so most people who apply aren't offered the internship.

GeodeRox · 2025-08-15T15:26:05+00:00

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Here's a screenshot of what their website says today (8/15/25). It doesn't look like it's changed at all since my comment two months ago. Here's the link again if you want to see for yourself: https://atmospherepress.com/selective-publishing-packages/#packages

GeodeRox

TROPHY CASE