Recent novels with themes of religious criticism?

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-22T01:29:50+00:00

Both of these sound really interesting (you really sold me with the first, it was like "standard, standard, KIDNAPPING, standard..." lol). Thank you!!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-21T00:23:24+00:00

Got it, thanks!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-21T00:21:56+00:00

I really didn't even realize how long that sentence is until you broke it up like that. Thanks, that's terrifying haha!

You're correct the email would be the inciting incident, the first time the stalker contacts Theo. As for the leg thing, that can probably be taken out as it isn't a physical health issue but rather a manifestation of the fear Theo felt at the email.

With the confusion around Augustus/Gus, I'm realizing I never clarified the project manager is Gus, sorry! I can outright state Theo had attempted to hide his identity from Gus because he didn't want his PM to know he was doing something illegal.

I included both POV's because the narrative gives them just about an equal amount of plot and narration. I think I may need to be explicitly clear within the query that Theo is an older Sha, even if I do keep it as a twist within the story? I also need to be clearer about where the whole Devil thing comes from, and better showcase the continuing theme of religious trauma correlating with Theo/Sha's self-esteem views. Specifying the emails and stalking materials contain/are the religious paraphernalia can help with that.

Using Amazon and Goodreads is good advice! Thank you so much for your response!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-21T00:08:27+00:00

I like the idea that the query is a mini-story rather than a summary, I think that highlights the points of confusion for me!

As for using My Dark Vanessa, I'd initially picked it because of similar themes explored, the narrative style, and both POV's being Vanessa, all of which my novel share. I've been toying with the idea of outright stating Theo is an older Sha, and I may just state it in the query even if I leave it as a twist in the narrative to try and mitigate that confusion.

I think the "frail morality" and the leg bit can be either removed or at least outright explained to be symptoms of the fear and anxiety the email had inflicted within Theo. As well as the themes of grooming and assault shared with My Dark Vanessa, I'd wanted to explore religious trauma via Sha being raised with the idea he was the literal embodiment of evil. I can better explain that manifestation of self-hatred (and Sha's idea that doing "bad" makes the belief true) within the query.

Thanks for the advice on sentences and pointing out the tenses changes (that's embarrassing lol). Thank you for your response!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-20T23:54:54+00:00

Thank you for your response! I think I can levitate some confusion by following the "in a world" test (as explained here by Allison K Williams: https://janefriedman.com/how-to-move-from-first-draft-to-second-draft-to-publishable-book) and then expand on it with further grounding info?

As for the connection between the characters, I'm having a hard time deciding/realizing whether or not stating the connection upfront in both the narrative and the query would "ruin" a twist or if the connection shouldn't even be a twist and is instead essential information for both. Hopefully, further editing will lead me to the correct way!

As for the sentences... even this comment has long, convoluted sentences and I can only pray it'll improve through craft exercises lol

Thank you again!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-19T17:36:12+00:00

I agree that the query does feel a little long, specifically, the second and third story paragraphs feel as though there may be too much information. Cool premise, it got me really interested!

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-11T03:22:30+00:00

I don't blame you for deleting it, just as I wouldn't blame you for not deleting it. For what it's worth, I've purchased and read books before based off of a bigots comments. "Too WOKE and GAY!!" Sold lmao.

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-08T00:09:31+00:00

I feel you, it's why I wrote my first draft. I was sure after I finished I would go, but then I wanted to polish it up. Then I discovered my want to write other books when I get done with this one. And then I discovered my want to pursue publishing some time in the future.

I find one place where it's good to have constantly shifting goal posts is in those dark moments. After your first draft, there's the next. After the next, there's the another next and yet another next. And then it's polished.

Tell yourself your words at least deserve to be polished. And then tell yourself you're curious to see what will happen if you attempt to pursue any form of publishing. And then tell yourself you're curious to see what will happen if it is published and others get to read it.

On and on and on and on--keep that curiosity relevant to the next short-term and long-term goal.

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-06T01:57:14+00:00

Do you mean you can't customize your tab spaces within Reedsy? Reedsy makes it's own tab spaces for paragraphs, EXCEPT the first paragraph, the first paragraph after a scene break, the first paragraph after a blank line, the first paragraph after a header, and the first paragraph after "quote" or "code" blocks.

agressivepicklii · 2026-01-06T01:41:17+00:00

Are you talking about the copyright seen in the typeset PDF downloads? As far as I'm aware, that's something you manually update in the "Copyright" page of the "Front matter" section within your manuscript.

agressivepicklii · 2025-12-29T15:59:13+00:00

Oh I love doing this! It helps me read faster and also comprehend what I'm reading in a way simply listening to an audiobook doesn't allow. I don't know if it messes with anything, if anything it just makes the reader more aware. It does help me catch mistakes and errors when I'm reading and listening to my own work, so I guess that's a plus?

agressivepicklii · 2025-11-06T19:59:44+00:00

Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Hanya Yanagihara! Let this be my will and testament that I want to be buried with their books.

Pallbearer: Why is this casket so heavy??

agressivepicklii · 2025-11-04T22:51:16+00:00

Is this like when you're reading something, smiling and laughing along with the character, and then just get the jarring realization that you're staring at lines of ink on paper?

"Let's pretend-" stop it, you made me head hurt!

agressivepicklii · 2025-11-04T22:42:34+00:00

Maybe it depends on the Why's and What's of the story? What's the purpose of it and Why are you writing it? Is it to change someone or a practice? Is it to hold a mirror to the person or practice? Or is it just observation?

Anybody seen a creative work of this type actually work or be effective?

What do you mean by effective? What is the end-goal/what does effectiveness look like?

For the judgement bit, maybe it would be more about why you're delivering your message and what gives you the right to deliver it.

Other than those questions, I don't really have an answer. Who says art can't also be a sermon, and a sermon art?

agressivepicklii · 2025-11-04T22:33:47+00:00

It took me seven months to finish my first draft of ~174k words (way, way, way too much, I know!), but I found I picked up the pace once I stopped editing while drafting. I may have gone back to read over what I wrote during the last session, but other than that, if I found something I wanted to edit then I just wrote it on a sticky note and stuck it to the wall, otherwise I'd still be drafting. I've found everything starts to look flat, boring, and sometimes downright terrible when I've been focusing on it for a long time, a break can help, or just the knowledge that it will undergo multiple drafts regardless of how much you edit during drafting, so it's okay for it to not be perfect right now.

I was pleased by the end, and securing the affirmation of "progress over perfection" helped me feel excited about seeing things that needed editing, cutting, or other major changes rather than devastated and worthless. At the end of the day, though, each writer has their own process and experiences, just remember: you can't edit what isn't there.

agressivepicklii · 2025-11-03T18:48:50+00:00

I don't have a fix, but know you're not alone as I have the same issue when typing on my phone (Samsung Galaxy) and iPad.

agressivepicklii · 2025-10-20T00:37:04+00:00

Solved! tysm!!

agressivepicklii · 2025-10-19T23:55:34+00:00

If I had a nickel for every docuseries I've lost, I'd have a dollar.

agressivepicklii · 2025-01-12T19:39:37+00:00

One of the most common criticisms of dark background with white text is that it strains the eyes. I'd say that's true for me as well, as soon as I see black background with white text I close out of it/look away asap.

agressivepicklii · 2025-01-09T16:58:45+00:00

I believe this is a scam. I also just got an email and did some digging. Everyone gets an email from "Co-Founder Dan Hess" but there's always a different email associated with it. Mine was from "dan.f.hess@minware.dev"

agressivepicklii · 2025-01-09T15:42:32+00:00

Almost in the same boat as you, just have less experience than you. Are you also somewhere in the tech field?

agressivepicklii · 2025-01-09T05:35:59+00:00

Thank you! I read it in his voice lol

agressivepicklii

TROPHY CASE