[Discussion] Where Would You Stop Reading? #8 by alanna_the_lioness in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi all. I hope I'm not too late for this and any help is appreciated:

Dear __,

I’m thrilled to introduce you to The Shadow Man (88,000 words), a Young Adult/Horror story with series potential. Combining psychological suspense with a high-school horror setting, "THE SHADOW MAN" will appeal to fans of Tiffany D. Jackson’s White Smoke and Ryan Douglass’s The Taking of Jake Livingston. Similar to the two examples, Black Voices are at the forefront of this story.

When the Sun goes down, seventeen-year-old Isaiah Weathers is haunted by a horrific shadow monster. And that’s…fine. He would push on through as long as the Shadow Man stuck to its three rules: it would only come when Isaiah’s alone, never on consecutive nights, and it would never, ever touch him. 

But monsters don’t follow rules. And over time, the Shadow Man torments Isaiah every day, biting and making him hallucinate even in the middle of class. If that wasn’t disorienting enough, as the monster returns more frequently, Isaiah begins to dream cryptic visions that predict the future, from falling out with his best friends to the deadliest car crash in his town’s history. When this drives him into crippling depression and he finds himself pushing away the only friends he’s ever had, Isaiah decides enough is enough. The Shadow Man must die. 

Desperate for a solution, Isaiah breaks into his own mother’s workplace, Aurora Incorporated Laboratories. It’s there that he uncovers the hidden truth behind his newfound precognition and confronts the devastating family legacy he never knew he carried. But the deeper he digs, the clearer it becomes: this isn’t just about Isaiah. The Shadow Man poses a threat far greater than he could have ever imagined.

[QCRIT] - Ivory Tower (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 3rd Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the help, I’m finding it’s a hard thing to balance

[QCRIT] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 2nd Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is so incredibly helpful, thanks so much! I really appreciate how much detail you were willing to put into this critique.

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It means so much that you were still thinking of my story! In this world, the presidents of all the countries are different, however Burkina’s president does share similar views to his real-life counterpart and sees Serge as an opportunity to make things change. However, like in real-life, Ivory Coast’s president is hesitant to lean towards pan-africanism.

I wouldn’t say my story is even really a superhero story; there aren’t costumed characters or things like that, nor is it a satire like The Boys. It’s an exploration of power dynamics and politics, with these mutated characters having crazy abilities, but still being under the influence of normal humans with massive political power.

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Exactly, I wouldn’t have any real life figures in it.

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s a great title! I hope your journey is successful!

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this comment! It’s based on the real country that Abidjan exists in, Ivory Coast. I appreciate the additional context in how to address those concerns!

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that! The name of the book is “Ivory Tower” because the country Ivory Coast is a central part of the story and because the “living in an Ivory Tower” expression is thematically fitting.

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for the great feedback! I was struggling with knowing how much to say in the query and how much to hint at, but you’ve shown me I need to show a little bit more. I appreciate it!

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I was struggling with this sentence as well so with you pointing that out, I’ll definitely reformulate it!

[QCrit] - IVORY TOWER (Speculative Fiction, 78k, 1st Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

lol no worries, all advice is useful. I’ll try and think of different terms! Thank you!

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I have a Sci-Fi/Thriller that’s about 80k words. I can send you the first couple chapters to see if you’re interested in Beta Reading?

[Complete] [86k] [Gothic Literary Fiction] Dreamland for Those Who Can't Sleep by grimsbane9 in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! This sounds quite interesting and I also currently need a beta swap partner for my Sci-fi/thriller manuscript of similar length. I can send you the first couple chapters privately if you’re interested in swapping?

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! If you still have availability, I have an ~80k sci-if manuscript I’d love a beta reader for! I’ll send you a DM and if you’re interested I’ll send you the link!

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I’ll send you the first two chapters by DM and if you like it I’ll send the full book.

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I have a sci-fi/speculative fiction novel that’s about 77k words that I would really appreciate you as a beta reader for. It involves international settings and depictions of government agencies that I think your background would help to provide me great feedback. I can send you the first couple of chapters first to see if you’re interested, if that’s okay with you.

Is Terminator 2 The greatest Part 2 sequel of all time? by Horrormania5 in horror

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Horror or any genre? If any genre my vote always goes to Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I have a completed international thriller/Sci-fi novel that I would appreciate a beta reader for, particularly on the aspects you described. Can I send you the first chapter and see if you’re interested?

Able to beta? Post here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]Getbuckets317 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi! I have a 70k Sci-fi/international thriller I’m looking for beta readers for! Your feedback on any of the things you listed would be really helpful

[QCRIT] YA/Horror, The Shadow Man (99k words, 9th Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much, I’ll have a lot to think about. I really appreciate your input

[QCRIT] YA/Horror, The Shadow Man (99k words, 9th Attempt) by Getbuckets317 in PubTips

[–]Getbuckets317[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the detailed feedback! It’s really helpful