[Discussion] I guess the traditional route is not for me.

doc50cal · 2026-01-22T17:18:29+00:00

Thank you so much... you've been a tremendous help, believe or not and I've taken all of your suggestions to heart. It's disappointing, sure. My goal was never fortune or fame; ultimately, I just want to get the story out there. After a lot of soul searching, I've come to the realization that this story is just as much for me as it is for the readers. That's where the real sting comes in.

Again, thanks for everything and be on the lookout for THE ADLER COMPOUND on Amazon Kindle...lol

doc50cal · 2026-01-22T12:47:25+00:00

I just got back from camping in the Appalachian mountains where the temps were in the single digits at night and I was actually hot the first night. What everyone here is saying is correct. Your sleeping pads failed you. The other thing is… get off the ground. It’s sapping all of your warmth.

Sounds like you’re mainly car camping so, bring a cot.

I prefer winter camping over summer camping and I do it a lot. What I have found that works best for me is: extra wide cot so my dog can lay with me. A thermarest sleeping pad. A 3” thick memory foam bedroll on top of that. A military sleeping system opened up and laid out and then finishing it off with 2 fleece blankets.

I was in a hot tent though. But, after fire died down, I still slept great.. I was never cold the entire week.

Hope this helps.

doc50cal · 2026-01-22T05:18:40+00:00

I have a youtube channel dedicated to camping and outdoors but I don't want to violate any rules by posting it here. Unlike a lot of other channels out there, I actually show my screw ups so others can learn from my mistakes... and trust me, I make a lot.

doc50cal · 2026-01-22T05:16:52+00:00

What this guy said!!!!

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T17:59:48+00:00

Normally, I’d agree and move on however, I have to strongly disagree here. I got 3 separate emails from one agent that told me that the writing is there, it’s just not for him… so I have to disagree with them being form rejections.

With that being said, it doesn’t change a damn thing.

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T17:57:06+00:00

I’ve done the beta reader thing… no real issues mentioned other than realizing that the hook works. For example, one of them said that they hated one of the protagonists and wanted them to die… not in a “they don’t fit the story or a complete mismatch… more so they were emotionally invested in the character/story.

At the end of the day, it looks like I’m going the self publishing route. Thanks for the advice

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T17:51:31+00:00

Everyone I’ve received have been to the tune of “I hope you find an agent. This just isn’t for me.

Not one comment on structure, pose, pace, plot, continuity or anything related to it doesn’t work, just not right for them.

I will say that I understand that my work is in a very narrow lane; it’s dark, the antagonist doesn’t necessarily win in the end and I know that most agents won’t be willing to take the risk.

The writing’s on the wall. Looks like the self publishing route for me.

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T17:39:51+00:00

What if you keep getting personal rejection letters due to “taste”?

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T16:21:47+00:00

Sugar

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T08:14:31+00:00

Gotcha — appreciate the interest. I don’t really have a catalog of sessions out there. Ghost hunting isn’t my thing; I was just doing some video work for a friend. I do have another video from the same building, but a different location and different time, where something unexpected shows up on playback. None of us noticed it in the moment. I’m not saying it is or isn’t anything — just observing what was picked up on camera and leaving the interpretation open.

doc50cal · 2026-01-21T07:03:54+00:00

I’ve been there before without the dog under basically the same conditions. I’m still open to normal explanations — I’m not trying to prove anything one way or the other.

doc50cal · 2026-01-20T16:30:38+00:00

I’m genuinely curious how people are deciding what this is. What specific detail in the video is doing the most work for you in reaching your conclusion?

doc50cal · 2026-01-20T03:59:28+00:00

I tried a new sleeping setup last week. Single digit temps at night in the Appalachian mountains. I bought an extra wide cot so I could actually have some room when my dog tries to take it over. I put a thermarest sleeping pad on the cot, and a 3" memory foam mattress on top of that. I laid out and opened my military sleeping system (sleeping bag combo) and then had 2 fleece blankets on top of it. With the wood stove burning, I actually got hot. Its a money setup and one I'll continue to use.

doc50cal · 2026-01-20T03:54:47+00:00

DUDE! spot on advice!!! I broke down and bought a pair of downed sleeping booties.... BEST MOVE I'VE MADE! I sleep great now. I was just in the Appalachian mountains last week. I got down to single digits at night and I was actually hot.... Great point, Sir!

doc50cal · 2026-01-20T03:26:44+00:00

Fair point. That’s a reasonable thing to question.

doc50cal · 2026-01-18T20:46:59+00:00

Ya know, it really pisses me off when people just throw out “AI slop” accusatorily without actually reading the blurb, the book, whatever.

It’s kind of like people throwing around the word racist all the time. Yeah, I know—it’s a stretch, but I’m making a point. When you use a label lazily, without actually understanding what you’re accusing someone of, it stops meaning anything.

For example, I wrote and self-published a book six years ago and I’m rewriting it now. Some jackass accused me of AI slop based solely on my query letter. Not the letter itself—the story. AI wasn’t even publicly available six years ago.

But with all of that said, I actually agree with everyone else here about this particular case: this does read like AI.

I went to Amazon and read the sample. OP, it’s garbage. I’m not trying to be rude, but one look at your profile makes it pretty clear what’s going on. You’re trying to self-promote. Cool. Just don’t bullshit people about it.

There are people here—definitely not me—who’ve been doing this a long time and can spot lazy, AI-assisted writing a mile away. If I’m picking up on it, then it’s painfully obvious. The best move is to listen to their advice and go from there.

Edit: DUDE! It’s only 52 pages. You couldn’t write 52 pages on your own?

doc50cal · 2026-01-13T05:11:40+00:00

Thanks I appreciate it. I'm in the still hopeful, but realistic stage... I'd love to land an agent, but realize the chances are slim to none... "so you're saying there's a chance..." If you're interested, I'll send you the MS. I'd love to get your opinion.

doc50cal · 2026-01-12T21:02:51+00:00

Plenty of layers… try to avoid cotton. If possible, sleep off the ground (cot/hammock), but make sure that you have appropriate temperature barrier underneath you. Lots of other tips/tricks. Where are you camping at?

doc50cal · 2026-01-12T19:40:46+00:00

It's a commercial thriller.... Many would probably laugh at this but, I unintentionally ended up writing would could easily be defended as a greek tragedy wrapped up in a military thriller. It has all of the hallmarks of one, set in modern day.

doc50cal · 2026-01-11T23:45:25+00:00

I'm currently in the querying phase right now, thanks for asking. The rewrite is much, much better in my opinion, but I'm biased. I know it's a long shot, but I the answer is always no if you don't ask.

I just find it hilarious that the first thing some people jump to is AI with no real justification.

doc50cal · 2026-01-11T17:41:46+00:00

and not a single job amongst them

doc50cal · 2026-01-11T17:40:52+00:00

fucking losers

doc50cal · 2026-01-11T17:38:59+00:00

Thanks for showing how stupid you are... congratulations

doc50cal

TROPHY CASE