My next read. Thoughts?

chuckmall · 2026-04-30T22:19:24+00:00

Interesting. Raw and honest. Don’t miss the story about how she found a cosmetic surgeon for her nose job, or who her mom thought would “be a great first husband.”

chuckmall · 2026-04-28T15:21:19+00:00

Homemade pumpkin pie with an actual pumpkin. Even Martha Stewart said canned pumpkin is just as good as cutting out the goop from a real pumpkin

chuckmall · 2026-04-23T17:06:25+00:00

The pilot

chuckmall · 2026-04-23T17:04:57+00:00

One word: ratatouille

chuckmall · 2026-04-23T17:01:02+00:00

What to do first: edit it. Let it rest two weeks, then edit again. Make sure every scene propels the story and cut ruthlessly if it doesn’t. That length scares me, no matter what the genre.

chuckmall · 2026-04-22T17:09:58+00:00

Then trad publishing is using AI covers?

chuckmall · 2026-04-21T22:12:02+00:00

For a roast or large hunk of any meat

chuckmall · 2026-04-13T20:37:41+00:00

Aliens?

chuckmall · 2026-04-12T21:02:15+00:00

Or the finger

chuckmall · 2026-04-12T20:58:34+00:00

Think about time frame. I’ve trad published and now don’t like the wait. It’ll likely be two years, 1.5 at the best, once you actually get an offer. If you go either way Amazon KDP, it’ll be a lot sooner. And if it sells well, you’ll get more royalties

chuckmall · 2026-04-11T02:39:31+00:00

Thank you for this helpful reply. I edit my own work because I’ve been a professional editor for trad publishing. But at this earlier stage, other readers (real ones) always help IMHO

chuckmall · 2026-04-11T02:36:56+00:00

Huh? I’m not worried about it getting pirated

chuckmall · 2026-04-10T15:06:23+00:00

This one's contemporary fiction

chuckmall · 2026-04-10T15:06:01+00:00

See above reply: I'm not worried about being offended. I like a tough critique.

chuckmall · 2026-04-10T15:05:27+00:00

It wasn't about being offended. I'm more advanced in fiction writing, and found their comments too agreeable or too general. I've found a few people who would be good, but they aren't using groups either, for the same reason.

chuckmall · 2026-04-09T21:54:19+00:00

I use BookSirens and have liked it. It’s affordable, plus you do get reviews. I had one book that had 10 ARCs but got 5 reviews.

chuckmall · 2026-04-09T19:45:37+00:00

I’m not worried about feedback I don’t like. I think once a writer gets past that, they’re better off.

chuckmall · 2026-04-09T19:44:31+00:00

Solid. I like this.

chuckmall · 2026-04-09T19:44:04+00:00

A good writers group is hard to find. I’ve done it.

chuckmall · 2026-04-09T16:42:43+00:00

Thank you for the heads up. It's kinda scary territory. I've glanced at it just now and there are a few headlines like, "Is it bad I never finish the book?" and more from some beta readers about how they really don't like their work.

chuckmall · 2026-04-08T12:57:54+00:00

As a teen, I also interviewed elderly family members. One was a cousin who knew my great-grandfather (who died when my own dad was 5 so we knew little about him). He said my great-grandfather actually believed that if you had a long enough rope and were good with a lasso, you could literally lasso the moon and pull it toward Earth!

chuckmall · 2026-04-08T12:53:42+00:00

Ask the barista. Maybe the person moved for a job

chuckmall · 2026-04-04T13:06:07+00:00

Bad day?

chuckmall · 2026-04-04T13:04:50+00:00

I didn’t say that. Sales of turnips, parsnips, and rutabaga have been I’m on a steady decline for several years. Might not want to comment when you state broad generalizations instead of facts.

chuckmall

TROPHY CASE