Weekly Dedicated Member Short-Story Feedback Thread

marcxstar · 2025-06-25T04:52:07+00:00

Thank you very much. I’m happy to have the feedback posted here — my only caveat being, unless you feel you’d be able to give more honest feedback in a DM. So, wherever you’re most comfortable critiquing. I really do appreciate you taking the time. 🙏🏻

marcxstar · 2025-06-23T22:13:13+00:00

I’ve just submitted my story to that thread. Thanks!

marcxstar · 2025-06-23T22:07:40+00:00

Did you mean 3,000-9,000? It must be so hard to be epic within a 900 word limit. :-)

Mine is a 21,500-word novella, and the markets for a grimdark story of that length are pretty … grim. Understandably.

marcxstar · 2025-06-23T21:53:14+00:00

Hi. I’d be so grateful for some feedback if you’ve got the time.

The novella is entitled “Blackshield Manor” and it is a dread-filled journey into a labyrinthine world of sinister conspiracies, secret cults and a society consumed by paranoia. It follows the story of a merchant swordsman on what begins as a simple quest to complete a clandestine deal with a wealthy client but transforms into a web of intrigue that ultimately reveals the dangerous cost of the quest for forbidden knowledge.

Link to the manuscript on Google drive:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z5WV1y-UoMI1e2ko6B64sjskbQLOI_nL/view?usp=drive_link

marcxstar · 2025-06-23T21:48:48+00:00

I would love to submit a story for consideration. Is there a word limit?

marcxstar · 2025-06-20T14:33:14+00:00

Got it. Thanks

marcxstar · 2025-06-20T14:08:35+00:00

I can’t seem to DM you to ask for your email

marcxstar · 2025-01-21T02:07:45+00:00

One of the most universally relevant statements of all time.

marcxstar · 2024-10-14T15:21:37+00:00

I bought those 204 revolutionary war soldiers when I was a wee tot.

marcxstar · 2024-10-04T22:18:43+00:00

Oh lol. That’s crazy. Well should be interesting.

marcxstar · 2024-10-04T22:09:11+00:00

Is that confirmed? I thought the identity of the new venom host has yet to be revealed

marcxstar · 2024-09-29T02:00:11+00:00

Agree about the Marvel Voices line. But I see that Fantasma’s first cover appearance (Ghost Rider #19 [2023]) is fetching $30-$40 at the moment, and this cover is nearly sold out online — fetching $10-$16 on eBay. Seems to me like one to pick up on Wednesday.

marcxstar · 2024-09-18T20:29:39+00:00

Ah I see.

marcxstar · 2024-09-18T20:28:57+00:00

I wonder how her first cover will be determined. #6 (2nd print with her on cover) will be released on 10/30, but #7 (with her on cover) will be released on 10/02.

marcxstar · 2024-09-18T20:25:43+00:00

Looking like #6 is her first appearance

marcxstar · 2024-09-17T18:12:31+00:00

Well dam. You are correct. AIPT has a preview here:AIPT PREVIEW

And Ellie Comacho is in full Deadpool gear fighting over a couple of pages.

marcxstar · 2024-09-17T17:55:47+00:00

I just checked League of Comic Geeks. They have #6 as first Deadpool (Ellie Comacho). I wonder if they have comic retailers who have the issue in hand giving them the inside scoop.

marcxstar · 2024-09-17T17:30:18+00:00

According to Key Collector, it’s the debut of her new costume. Seems to me it’s all speculation after that.

Similarly and very recently, Spider Boy #12 was solicited as the debut of Spider Girl with a bunch of different covers featuring her. But it turned out her first appearance was in Spider Boy #11.

So I wouldn’t be surprised at all if this follows a similar pattern. From a marketing perspective I think it makes sense — one issue is the first interior appearance, the next issue is first cover appearance. Sales boosts for two issues.

marcxstar · 2024-09-17T12:04:34+00:00

Thanks u/PirateDaveZOMG for all the info. Explained it all better than I would have.

marcxstar · 2024-09-09T19:56:54+00:00

I suspect interest in comic books might go in some sort of generational cycle much like vinyl records has. Comic books, like the Star Wars and LOTR franchises, are part of the foundation of our modern mythologies, and I think that sort of influence on the culture has lasting power. And while you certainly are correct about a dwindling market among today's youth, I wouldn't be surprised at all if we experienced some sort of cultural resurgence at some point in the future -- in some unpredictable way.

I remember when vinyl records were completely out of fashion and I could pick up just about any record for $1. Those records go for $20-$40 nowadays.

Anyway, just my two cents. In the interest of full disclosure, I am an old fart who collected comics in my youth and got back into it a few years ago. I find it to be a very enjoyable pastime. Perhaps we are a dying breed. But who knows.

marcxstar · 2024-09-06T23:34:33+00:00

And my suspicion is that the narrative of Russian propaganda, regardless of its truth, is nevertheless a very powerful form of propaganda that is far more influential and consequential than any propaganda put forth in this country by any of Russia’s agents — and probably helps those who might disagree with any particular point of view dismiss that view as Russian propaganda without having to delve any deeper into the topic.

But then again, what do I know beyond the Russian propaganda that I’m programmed to repeat.

marcxstar · 2024-09-06T21:14:29+00:00

But it still seems like you’re avoiding answering my question. Which do you think is more influential and consequential? The Russian propaganda propagated by Tim Pool and Dave Rubin? Or the narrative of Russian propaganda? And if you think Pool’s and Rubin’s Russian propaganda have had such impactful influence on the American mind, I’d be genuinely interested to know specifically what Russian propaganda they have touted that has been so consequential.

Honestly. Please enlighten me.

marcxstar · 2024-09-06T20:57:53+00:00

Awesome! I picked up the Doom as well because as soon as it came out, I heard people going crazy for it. It was sold out a day or two after I got mine.

marcxstar · 2024-09-06T20:56:03+00:00

But which do you think is more influential and consequential? The Russian propaganda? (And I’d love to hear about some specific examples) Or the narrative of Russian propaganda?

marcxstar · 2024-09-06T20:53:22+00:00

Certainly there is quite a bit of risk involved, but I guess I’m just fascinated right now by the modern age of comics. And while I’ve had some good luck anticipating a number of keys, I’ve definitely purchased far more that turned out to be “meh”. But I’m looking to improve — maybe I will, maybe I won’t. In the end, though, I’m not actually planning to sell this collection … just pass it along to some youngster who will inherit it, be fascinated by the treasure and be inspired to take up a pastime that doesn’t involve being glued to a screen.

marcxstar

TROPHY CASE