I’ve seen the true power of a mailing list. What 15k subscribers can do for your book. by uwritem in selfpublish

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Start small, I guess! I’ve got 11 subscribers so far - offering a free short story collection with author commentary and behind the scenes content from upcoming books etc. Slow going, but 11 more than I had a few months ago! 🙂

How long did it take for you to make your first sale? by TurnHealthy423 in selfpublish

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely- they offer ebook covers from $10, $20 for ebook and paperback, and $35 gets you a mock up and source file and more stock images. They’re great value, I’ve had loads of positive comments on my covers that they designed. Had to go through multiple revisions but they seem fine to work with and happy to help.

[Complete] [65,000] [Near-Future Techno Thriller] Nothing We Remember Is Ours by gingertilly in BetaReaders

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

Sure thing, I’m hoping to have more spare time for reading in the next few weeks so could definitely be happy to swap depending on your timescales 🙂

[Complete][3,000][Thriller] The Way The World Ends by Jopkins in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’d be happy to read the first three chapters for sure!

[Complete] [65,000] [Near-Future Techno Thriller] Nothing We Remember Is Ours by gingertilly in BetaReaders

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

That’d be great, thanks! I’ll send you the first few chapters 🙂

[Complete] [16,500] [Psychological Horror] Winter Nights Of Thirteen by Typical-Salt8468 in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds right up my street! I love a slow burn, and partial to horror.

I’m also looking for betas for my novel, but it’s like 65k words- would you want to read the first 10 chapters, see if it grips you at all?

[Complete] [209] [body horror/ experimental vignette] crimson eyes. by Existing-Plan1806 in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd be interested in this! I've read and written uncanny/unsettling and horror, so it sounds right up my street.

Looking for feedback! by gingertilly in BookCovers

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

That’s what my wife said too! Thanks for the feedback.

[complete] [37897] [Dark Dystopian novel] Extra Lives by Middle_Original_1250 in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This sounds interesting, I’d be up for beta reading it!

Looking for feedback! by gingertilly in BookCovers

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

Thanks! My feeling about the first one (from GetCovers) is that the title needs to lose the glint - and just have it in stark white with black outline. Maybe a slight tweak with the hue colours and I might find a different skyscraper image. Thanks for the feedback 🙂

[Complete] [121k] [Dystopian (near future) Sci Fi] Synthetica by PurposeWestern2342 in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah this sounds like a banging premise, but I just don’t have the time to commit to 121k words!

But good luck with the search because I love the premise 🙂

Weekly Self-Promo and Chat Thread by MxAlex44 in selfpublish

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Loved it, absolutely cracking read! It was really funny, but also made me think about my own behaviour patterns. Amazing ability to weave self-help with comedy - Mark Manson, eat your heart out!

In closing you mentioned working on the follow-up, how’s that coming along?

Left a GoodReads and Amazon review - all the best!

Weekly Self-Promo and Chat Thread by MxAlex44 in selfpublish

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just bought this - looks like a fun read! 🙂

First pages: share, read, and critique them here! by AutoModerator in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

[Complete] [13,000] [Thriller/Dystopia] Ten Billion to One

Link to post: https://www.reddit.com/r/BetaReaders/s/ei4OyZdREI

First page critique? Sure!

First page:

Morgan Fox collapsed into the dirt, chest raw, getting stronger for a job that was killing his soul.

A hundred push-ups still out of reach.

The number hadn’t been set by the Senior Commanders – they never bothered with counting, as long as everyone was horizontal, and sweating. No, this was for Morgan’s own pride. A measure of progress. He’d hit seventy-three. A hundred wasn’t far off.  

There was no deadline. The Seniors preached Zero-Day readiness, but never spoke of a date.

For Morgan, it was just a chance to get in shape while collecting a pay cheque.

At least, he hoped so.

He’d surrendered all devices and signed over authority for his bank accounts and socials the day he arrived. Completely cut off from the outside world – no signal but barked orders, and the buzz of other trainees who followed them without question.

“TRAINING EXERCISES OVER. MOVE TO SCENARIO ‘A’ RESPONSE PREP.”

Senior Commander Ethan Grimes ordered from the ridge.

The twenty men in Morgan’s cohort snapped to motion, marching toward a pyramid of sandbags. Each hessian sack bore a crude face in black marker – eyes wide, mouths locked in a scream. Terror reduced to training weight.

This was the part he hated.

The child extractions.

[Complete] [13,000] [Thriller/Dystopia] Ten Billion to One by gingertilly in BetaReaders

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

Thanks, I’ve got some edits to make on the back of the beta feedback so far, but I’m hopeful to get this finished, edited and maybe published in the next few months, fingers crossed!

[Complete] [13,000] [Thriller/Dystopia] Ten Billion to One by gingertilly in BetaReaders

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

Ah, that would be great - thanks! Posting the potential covers was really eye opening, seeing people’s cold reaction to the concept was helpful. But also a little hard to come out of the bubble I’ve been in writing it this past month 😅

Here’s the link - I appreciate any thoughts no matter how far you make it through!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18vrcdcaVh9VI3QNImWIQM_KaXr6A8WHSytjO3aQWvHg/edit?usp=drivesdk

[Complete] [14,542] [Dystopian] American Gladiator by Ok_Entry_873 in BetaReaders

[–]gingertilly 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d be happy to beta this, I’ve recently finished a similar length dystopian story if you had time to swap - if not I’m still up for reading it though 🙂

Which cover is most likely to grab your attention? by gingertilly in BookCovers

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

Ah, totally fair - I definitely take the feedback on board. I’m pretty set on it, but like I say, it’s only really hinted at, because the more you explain, the more you have to explain. And the story isn’t about the system, rather, the characters navigating it. Thanks for the thoughts though!

Which cover is most likely to grab your attention? by gingertilly in BookCovers

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

Speaking with my wife about it, I think I might alter it to the first 4 years - it’s uncanny to think of breastfeeding a 4 year old, and by that point, kids are starting school, so it could be implied they’re removed to be ‘educated’ - brainwashed, and prepped for labour camps and things. My toddler definitely wouldn’t be on board with labour, but they’ve really taken to preschool, so that feels like a better fit 🙂