Want a Critique? Let's Talk

We're gonna start something new here on Author's Echo. And it pretty much involves only good things for you.

FIRST, you can get a critique. I will accept:
  • Query Letters
  • Back-Cover Copy
  • First Pages
  • 1-page Synopses
  • Basically anything under 300 words that is used to answer the question, "Do I want to read this book?"
These are your first impressions. Agents look at query letters, readers look at back-cover copy, and everybody will read that first page. You want to make an impact right from the start, and I want to help you do that.

Send your first impact material to firstimpactAE@gmail.com. Tell me WHAT IT IS (query letter, back-cover, etc.), the TITLE, the AUTHOR (that's you), the GENRE, and then no more than about 300 words.

Every Wednesday, I will post one of these to the blog along with my thoughts. Then I'll open it up for critiques from Author's Echo readers (who, by the way, are really smart and talented individuals themselves).

But wait, there's more!

The SECOND good thing is for those of you who will be critiquing. Not only do you get to experience all the goodness of giving a critique, but every month I will randomly select one critter to win EITHER:
  • $10 at Amazon or B&N
  • A 20-page critique from me

Seriously, I can't see a downside for anybody here. First Impact posts start going up next week. If you have any questions, read the fine print or ask away in the comments.

FINE PRINT
  • I will try to critique everything sent to me, but I make no guarantees. What if you guys send me like a thousand query letters? What if I go blind from awesome? What if the Mayans were right? YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!
  • I will accept any genre, though keep in mind sci-fi/fantasy is my thing.
  • Critters will receive one entry for each week they offer a critique. Most months, this means you can earn up to 4 entries for the drawing.
  • Only actual critiques will be entered for the monthly prize. They don't have to be long, just useful. "This rocks!" or "This sucks!" won't cut it.
  • You may comment multiple times on a single post, but you'll still get only one entry for the drawing.

21 comments:

Angela Brown said...

I know I just work up but are you sure I'm not still dreaming? This just reads almost too good to be true. But I have a feeling this is real. This is real, right?

Matthew MacNish said...

Just checking - you know that fine print was the same size as the rest of the print, right?

Just kidding.

I think it's so awesome that you're doing this. Blog comments are not the best format to chime in on critiques, but you know I'll be here, helping in whatever way I can.

Matthew MacNish said...

It's real. It's awesome. Get ready.

Suzie F. said...

This is a great service for readers who are in need of constructive feedback. Thanks for being so generous with your time. I'm looking forward to your first critique!

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Sounds like this is made of win! But my first thought was Matt's (stop reading my mind, Matt!!) - that it's hard to critique in blog comments. Although that may just me and my tendency to write more words in critique than there are in the original. But I will manage. :) (also: linking to this in my Critique Wednesday post!)

Utsav said...

Yes! What an opportunity. I am so entering this. Thanks.

Angela Brown said...

I'm still waking up. And laughing at myself. If the two of you combined and did a MacNish Echo query critique-palooza, then it would be too crazy for my mind.

VikLit said...

Followed here from Susan Kaye Quinn's post, will have to work up something to enter ... if I am brave enough ;) Certainly think there is a lot to be learned by reading commentary on others too, so am following this blog.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Ummm, i'm totally in for this. I will be here every week, to critique. And i may offer up stuff at a later date. Fun times ahead!

Laura Hughes, MittensMorgul said...

Fun! I can't wait to read the first submissions! :)

Jack said...

Sounds like fun! I'm going to send mine in, me thinks.

vic caswell said...

awesome idea good sir!

Steve MC said...

This rocks! :-)

Stephsco said...

Count me in as a lurker (and new follower to your blog). I'm a little to chicken just now to send forth my own pages. Maybe that will change.

Victoria Dixon said...

You're utterly amazing. And you rock. LOL Thanks for doing this.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Can I vote for the palooza? Really, it could be any kind of palooza: geek-out, Korra-fest, game-a-rama.

J Kaitlin Adams said...

WAHOO!!! Thanks so much for doing this!

linda said...

Oh neat! Thanks for doing this. :)

Nancy Thompson said...

UGH! I could have used this 6 months ago! Well, definitely with my next book/query/synopsis. Between you and Matthew, we'll all be whipped into good shape!

Myrna Foster said...

I'm just chiming in to say that Adam's first reactions help me get closer to where I'd intended to go. You want his critique.

Deniz Bevan said...

Great idea Adam!