Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I ain't too proud to beg

Famous desperate words...

For this month's IWSG I am WSCPB (Writer seeking Crit Partner/Beta)
Is it just me or are most of my bloggy friends YA? Yes, some of you are sci fi, romance, fantasy...but YA seems to be a really BIG group! I feel like me and my thriller aren't a desired match for betas/cps. I have also noticed that many of you already have your comfortable match ups. I have had a couple of great experiences, but they were more like one night stands - not sure if I'm supposed to call the next day (ha ha). I know for my book to succeed I need more eyes on it and I am willing to trade services. How do I go about getting and keeping a CP/Beta?!

Falling for Fiction is awesome for beta/cp mixers - but again, mostly YA (and I tried, but was rejected...boo hoo)

Rach Writes also did a cp match up - no matches for me...

And perfect timing, Miss Snark offered her services to help match up cps on Monday and will display the info on Wednesday! I put my name in for some of that action. We'll see if I get any takers.

And if any of y'all are looking, here is my current sitch:
  • ready to query my thriller POP TRAVEL, would like final crit of ms and query
  • starting a new fantasy MG with the August Camp Nano so that wouldn't be ready for crits until the fall
  • I read/write sci fi, fantasy, thriller, not so much romance, no horror
  • I work well with deadlines and am willing to trade MS, chapters, query letters at any pace and at any depth of crit level
How did you like my ad in the crit partner personals? ha ha! But seriously, if you are in a similar situation, looking for a solid crit partner, you can leave your email in the comments, or email me direct ->
taratylertalks /at\ gee male /dot\ c o m 

Thanks!

29 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

There are a lot of young adult writers out there.
Tara, if I were further along with my third book and not pouring every spare hour into the first draft, I'd take you up on that since we write the same genre.

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I write both YA and Adult, but my genres are more horror or mainstream/contemporary/women's fiction, so I don't think I'd be much help.

Good luck! :)

Brinda said...

I'm primarily YA although my current MS is New Adult paranormal. If you are not set on a partner with a thriller MS, we could talk.

JoLynne Lyon said...

Good luck! I'm emailing you now.

Jennie Bennett said...

If I wasn't bogged down right now I would totally help. Maybe try ladies who critique?

Nick Wilford said...

Tara, I know what you mean about the YA. Although I do believe that we can learn things from reading and critting outside our own genre. That said, I've got a thriller I need looked at myself, and I could use someone in that field to advise on whether it is, indeed, "thrilling" enough. If you're interested, mcwilfo(at)gmail(dot)com. :)

VikLit said...

I wish you luck with this. I am writing a YA Thriller set in the near future, so not sure I'm am ideal match for you, and I am starting a new YA idea in August. I would be happy to beta an MS and give notes, even if we can't swap back now - may always be able to in future, or work something out. Email viklitblog@gmail.com if interested.

Deana said...

I think your ad is great! I have done the beta switch with adult authors and I write YA so I am not opposed to it. I, however am not to the point yet to do the switch off since I am just now starting the new book. I'm sorry Tara. What would you think about doing the fall trade for your nano book?

Tara said...

I just wrote a blog post about crit partners recently so I know how you feel. I also understand about YA. I tried my hand at that, but I much prefer Urban Fantasy, paranormal mystery, fantasy type books. I have a finished MS that I'm currently going over right now and there are some changes I need to make before I send out to any crit partners/beta readers. However, I'd be more than happy to help you out as a beta reader/comment giver until I'm finished editing TH. I can be reached at morethanfiction1(at)gmail(dot)com

Nicki Elson said...

Hey, looks like your ad worked with a few people. :) Do you ever visit Matthew MacNish's Questionable Query Experiment? http://theqqqe.blogspot.com/

He does marvelous critiques of queries and I've learned a ton from his advice to others.

Best of luck finding a great Crit Partner and have a fun 4th of July!

Sherri Lackey said...

It seems you have some takers for your ad. I advertised for one here a while back and got nada too. Since then I've asked my daughter's best friend to be my beta reader. She already loves my previous novels and she has a voracious reading appetite. I figure she's perfect for the job and she jumped at the opportunity to read my next novel as a beta.

Morgan said...

I'd be happy to read for you! I've got a project I'm almost done with, as soon as I'm finished, I'm available. (Couple weeks or so if you are still looking) ;)

Tonja said...

Sounds like your post worked. :)

Good luck.

Christine Rains said...

Great ad! I wish you luck. I have a couple of great CPs already. Yet if you want a fresh pair of eyes before you submit something just for a beta read, I'll happily do it for you. :)

Suze said...

Best of luck in finding the right match, Tara. Not easy but possible!

Tara Tyler said...

Alex, how sweet to offer! i understand and I am looking forward to the final book!

Madeline, thanks for the thought!

Brinda, I am going to do a NA paranormal soon. Maybe in a few months we can trade.

JoLynne, yay! thanks!

JA, no worries, I'm having good luck now!

Nick, I read outside my genre, but don't feel really qualified to crit it...I'd like to hear about your thriller

Vik, my MS is also near future - if you're up for beta I'd love to get your opinion and I could repay you later.

Deana, fall for trading sounds great!

Tara, sounds good! I'd like to know more about it!

Nicki, I do and get good ideas from him! You have a great 4th too!

Sherri, that's awesome! perfect for you!

Morgan, terrific! I'll email you =)

Tonja, yeah! better than I expected! thanks!

Christine, you're great! thanks!

Tara Tyler said...

Suze, thank you! and I feel lucky with everyone's support!

dolorah said...

Sometimes I feel left out because I don't write YA too. Don't read it much either.

I've conducted several beta/crits as a one night stand, and collected favors later. I've been writing mostly short stories, and I'm a sporadic writer. Send an e-mail if you want, and let me know what type of feedback you're looking for. I can be too in-depth sometimes.

.....dhole

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Best of luck with your CP search. You know I'm a big fan of Pop Travel from what you've posted about it already.

VikLit said...

Drop me a line to viklitblog at gmail.com and we can talk further :)

Annalisa Crawford said...

I am not YA either (and I agree there do seem to be an inordinate number in the blogging world), but I don't feel as though I know enough to offer to help. I'm too scared/nervous. Sorry. I know I'll have to get better at this, especially as one day I might need help myself!

Tara Tyler said...

donna, thank you! i feel like i'm not deep enough!

sheena, you are awesome at ya and thanks for being a supporter!!

viklit, composing!

annalisa, been there. you can reach out when you're ready!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Wonderful! You got some great offers in these comments.
I can't wait to read your story but I'm not really qualified to critique. I would be able to tell you things in general. If you need me, just let me know but I'm hoping one of these wonderful people will be able to work with you.
Best of luck.
Heather

Hope Roberson said...

I'm sorry I'm a slacker :( I think my summer is about to balance out and get normal for a bit. Hopefully you'll still want to swap chapters with me :) I know I'm YA, but my book shelves are lined with grown up stuff :)

Cherie Colyer said...

Stopping by from ISWG. Looks like you have some great offers :) Wishing you the best in finding a perfect match!

Cherie Reich said...

It can be hard to find CPs/Beta readers. You don't necessarily have to have one in your genre, though, although it can be helpful. Good luck! :)

Unknown said...

Hey, Tara! Sorry, I missed this post. I'm still sifting my way through the IWSG blogs. There are soooo many now, it's difficult to read them all. I've been trying to go to the newbies first.

Listen, if you still need a beta, I'd be willing. Thriller is good for me. Although, I'm not sure you'd want to trade with me. I've written several picture books, which obviously are going nowhere, and I am currently trying my hands at a romantic mystery, no smut, think Stephanie Plum kinda fun.

Just let me know if you don't get any takers or if nothing matches up. I'm there for you. :)))

Unknown said...

Guess if I would've ran through your comments before commenting myself, I would've seen you've had a few takers. :)

Tara Tyler said...

Thanks some more!
And Candilynn, I'd love a beta or even to exchange - I love Evanovich!

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