Middle grade dystopian adventure. Comps would be The Giver, by Lowry and The Unwanteds by McMann. Any possible critique partners gratefully received! Thank you.
Also late to the a party, only just discovered this group through Emma Simpson.
I'm writing a 'learnoir' - part Self-help, part memoir, about reclaiming feminine wisdom and power, to guide midlife women from external success to inner sovereignty and purposeful impact. I'm using the metaphor of Sleeping Beauty as a guide for the journey of awakening.
So it's a blend I'm afraid (I know publishers don't like it), of personal stories and experience, and psychological insights, inviting the reader to reflect along the way.
Books and authors that have inspired me for this:
Sharon Blackie "If women rose rooted"
Maureen Murdock "The heroine's journey"
Glennon Doyle "Untamed"
Clarissa Pinkola Estes "Women who run with the wolves
I'm rewriting it Chapter by chapter at the moment. So I'm hoping the final draft will be ready by the end of April. I've already had feedback on structure and focus (hence the re-writing), so I'd be looking for feedback on the content, voice, style - as I'm hovering between two styles it feels schizophrenic at times!
I'm a bit late to the party, but genre wise I'd say upmarket/ bookclub. As for authors, Liz Nugent, Laura Lippman. I read widely so there's probably plenty more but I don’t quite have the knack of comps yet. The book is set in Ireland (Galway &Dublin) dual timeline and the 2 narrators are husband and wife. It deals with invisible disability, secrets, lies, hidden histories and coercive control. A dog also plays a central role.
I'm sorry to come to this late. I write in several genres, but the MS that is closest to completion is a contemporary romance, it has a cosy vibe and is also an urban fantasy. Is that too much of a mish-mash?
Closest comps. I've read : A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon - Sarah Hawley, Accidental Alchemist Mysteries - Gigi Pandian
Thanks for the mention! Janine and I connected via DM, and she's currently working through my manuscript, going above and beyond with her feedback and edits. I'm grateful for her time and for your post, which gave us the opportunity to connect! Feedback is hard to take at first - our WIP is our baby after all - but if it comes from a good place, it can only improve the quality of your writing. Janine and other beta readers like her are improving my manuscript and setting me up for success in writing the follow-up.
I just posted on last week's since I am catching up! I write queer epic fantasy and the comps for the one I am querying now are Gideon the Ninth and Will of the Many; authors I admire include Tamsyn Muir, C.L. Clark, Tasha Suri, Samantha Shannon, and Chinese webnovelists MXTX, Please Don't Laugh, and Priest. And of course LeGuin though I don't think she is often used for comps! I am open to feedback and love working with it; while I take some feedback from individuals more deeply than others, it's also good to get multiple eyes on something to see if there are patterns, so I will have multiple rounds if I can find enough willing readers.
There's no exact parallel here for your queer epic fantasy... but I'm thinking some other genre like speculative fantasy or mystery could overlap in certain aspects? In which case these writers offer most appropriate matches for you:
1. @ronanod (upmarket fiction with focus on tech and personal trauma) Ronan may be able to offer you feedback in terms of world-building and complex narrative structures?
2. @diarmaidcondonauthor (mystery/thriller with dark humour) may overlap with you in terms of plot pacing and character development particularly in mystery/fantasy intersection?
Maybe you want to pursue these potential reader connections. Maybe you believe the connection not to be close enough. I'll leave the rest to you.
Thank you for this Substack. It is very useful. Really enjoying reading it.
My genre is mystery/thriller, bordering on noir. Some dark humour. Cosy crime adjacent (not a huge body count or masses of gore) but too sweary to be considered full blown CC
Novels in a similar vein:
* Any of Steig Larsson's Milennium Trilogy (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc.)
* A number of the novels in John Connolly's Charlie Parker series, but without the woodee, doodee element.
* Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller novels, in writing style, rather than content (my writing does not contain a lot of police procedural or legal argument.)
* A number of Linwood Barclay's novels - similar writing style and subject matter.
* Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club and the rest - mine's a bit pacier, not quite as laid back, the clientele are much younger, and it contains a lot more swear words.
I'm open to feedback. There's not a lot on my Substack yet, I tend to keep everything to myself until I think it's fully ready for the outside world. My current novel should be fit for select public consumption by March or April 2025.
Thanks for the referral to Jenny, Tilly. We got on like a house on fire. Gave each other some well worthwhile feedback. Didn’t have as much luck with Marcus. I contacted him, but got no response.
Jenny says she’ll buy you a drink next time she meets you. There’s some hope you’ll meet her, but none that you’ll meet me.
Thanks for your help with this, it is much appreciated.
There are some potential matches here for your memoir on self-actualisation through parenting and grief. None of these writers specify "literary" so that's a disjunction. However, Andi's comps generally fall into literary category so she seems like most relevant reader for you. Otherwise these writers may be able to provide you with feedback regarding emotional depth and authenticity in memoir-style writing. What you share with all of them are thematic concerns.
1. @DEATHWITHSTEPH is also dealing with grief and personal growth.
2. @MARGUERITEROSENFERN is also focusing on personal growth and self-discovery (albeit via different means: nature and music).
3. @ANDIPENNER 's memoir is focusing on self-actualisation or self-belief in the wake of leaving organised faith behind. You both explore themes of personal identity and growth in response to external factors. Considering your overlap in literary influences, you may be able to help each other on structure.
I'll leave the rest to you should you like to pursue these potential reader connections further.
Hi Marguerite, it would be wonderful to team up and see how we can help each other - sorry for the delay in replying. What is the best way for us to take things forward?
Wow! So many excellent ideas and comps here! I hope I'm not too late to the party.
I would say my genre is upmarket fiction with a touch of literary. A Line of Code is the story of the life of a software developer who's arc goes from the early tech euphoria in Chicago of the 80s and 90s (lots of retro nostalgia) on to Ireland's Celtic Tiger madness and crash. Finally, it ends at a sinister surveillance software company in present day Canada. Along the way there's humour, survival of childhood trauma, autism and old video games!
Books in my head that informed the whole thing:
* Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
* Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
There may be some writers here to collaborate with in terms of feedback on your novel.
Quick personal reccy in response to "humour" and "autism" and "video games"... check out THE BROKEN WORLD by Tim Etchells. It's written as a video game walkthrough on a forum in early 2000s. It's fucking hilarious and poignant.
Back to writerly matches here in the comments section:
1. @DAVIDSPARLING1 is also writing about human behaviour with psychological depth and emotional complexity... though his references are less upmarket and more literary; and his emotional pull is more suspense than humour... he may still be able to provide helpful feedback in terms of character arcs and/or layered storytelling.
2. @DIARMAIDCONDONAUTHOR is also touching upon personal trauma in his thriller... though you don't use that word, the mention of "sinister surveillance software company" sounds like it has the potential to be thrilling? Perhaps you could benefit from feedback on narrative structure and/or character development here.
The rest is up to you should you like to pursue these potential reader connections further.
I've just ordered THE BROKEN WORLD. It sounds right up my alley. I love novels that play with different formats but are still grounded in being readable (why I loved XX by Rian Hughes).
I'll reach out to David and Diarmaid. Both sound really cool.
BROKEN WORLD was one of the first literary novels I had sold after I had changed my career completely to become a literary agent. I had focused on non-fiction in my first years because I could pursue non-fiction authors, contacting journalists, academics and other experts and suggesting they write a book. But literary fiction? I had to just wait on writers to send me book submissions. Then someone put me in touch with Tim Etchells - a founder of the radically original theatre group FORCED ENTERTAINMENT. I saw a production of theirs - unsettling, weird, both bleak and hilarious. Fucken loved it. Then I waited on his novel in great hope. He delivered BROKEN WORLD and it was a joy. How rarely a story is so well written - voice, tone flow, the jokes, that I don't care that there is little plot development. We're deep within the narrator's mind and I loved him and wanted what he wanted and was sad when he was sad. Long time ago but I remember a very touching moment in the story so clearly even now writing this. My heart sank alongside his.
Next I'm trying to get literary editors to read it. Those that do say nice things but don't offer to buy it. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. The rejection emails slide into my inbox - little pokes in my ribs. I try not to dislike them. I attempt to remember that personal taste is always allowed. But I know it's not the real issue. BROKEN WORLD is hard to pitch. The plot is a young guy decides to write a user guide for a computer game that obsesses him. That's the story - almost all of it. Really. Just read it. And bless Jason at Random House, who loved it as I did and bought it and published it.
My next lesson was the hard one I rage about still. There are too many books. It takes huge luck or winning a literary book prize to get a book like that noticed. That didn't happen for BROKEN WORLD. It sold a little and slid under water.
Years later Tilly joined our agency, doing administration work. I suggested she read it. Lovely Tilly loved it - an early demonstration of her great taste. I hope you agree with her and me. I'll try to understand if you don't. And I'll fail.
BROKEN WORLD arrived in the post yesterday. I'm gobbling it up!😁 The narrator's obsession with the game reminds me a lot of Moss in A Line Of Code's retreat to writing code to avoid his problems in the real world. Thanks so much for the great recommendation!
It really sounds brilliant and I can't wait to read it. I had a similar idea in terms of format where the novel is a disgruntled software developer writing their story in JIRA support tickets. But then I realized that this is a hard one to sell.
I work at Wattpad (senior engineer and manager) and people put really cool ideas into novels there all the time. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them lie there without being looked at. Case in point: https://www.wattpad.com/story/370415934-twenty-sixty-four is my "re-imagining" of 1984 into the terrible future becoming more and more a reality. I originally wanted to have the changes to Orwell's text overlaid in Orange highlight to show what was being rewritten but even Wattpad can't handle that.
All this is to say I am not envious of your task of finding the needle in the haystack that is a literary work that is really original and striking but also that you can sell to publishers. It's a tough world now in publishing. I wonder how many of the authors I grew up in the 80s loving and dreaming of emulating would make it today? I'm looking forward to BROKEN WORLD and even if it's not available in airports, at least you were part of getting it out there.
Thanks so much for what you are doing on this substack. Your agency sounds really cool.
Don't fear the feedback is the idea here. Crushing as it may be sometimes. I am writing a novel, a philosophical love story set in India. Nearly finished the first draft. Shades of Gregory David Robert's Shantaram! With a dash of Hemmingway and a nod to Paul Auster. I guess it's trying to be upmarket fiction.
Here's a writer/reader in the comments who could be a good touchstone for your philosophical love story set in India:
1. @gavinwwright
Gavin has more comps which are "literary" but I can well imagine you're both exploring complex themes using intellectual/philosophical/psychological enquiry and emotional storytelling?
Up to you whether you'd like to pursue this potential reader connection further.
Commercial women's fiction here, romance but also a focus on female independence. Some comps in the genre that I enjoy would be Sophie White, the Aisling series by Emer and Sarah, and (Queen) Marian Keyes. I have one complete first draft of a novel, am 2/3 of the way through book 2 and have a million notes on book 3..I'd love to build a writing feedback circle.
Both "romance" and "commercial" here sets you apart from other women's fiction writers in this thread but there are some potential matches:
1. @BUTLERDUB is also writing women's fiction with focus on relationships, personal growth and emotional development in contemporary settings... however her genre is leaning more towards literary than commercial.
2. @TAMARAPENELOPE (saw she offered already) is also writing women's fiction but admittedly the tone of her comps is quite different. O'Farrell and Backman being generally less light-hearted than White or Keyes...
Up to you to decide whether these writer/reader connections are worth pursuing further.
I understand you're talking about a personal spiritual journey. Could be great and many agents may be interested. Not one for us though. I'm not saying we're heathens here.. .but it's not our thing. We're also very hesitant about taking on US based writers, unless there's a special link to us. An Irish connection or element to a book, for instance might lure me or Sallyanne. Edwina - based on Seoul - is the leading agent in the UK and US for Korean books in translation. She's hunting for writers in English with Korean background - indeed East Asian background generally.
Okay the genre....commercial fiction. Upmarket, book club or literary? I don't really care as long as it sells. Preferably in armloads before becoming a film or six part netflix special.
The influence...Harlan Coben.
My novel is a slow burn second chance romance wrapped up in the mystery which ignited it.
A lost boy no-one knew was missing. Until.....read to the end and find out.
First person narrative. Imagine Holden Caulfield all grown up. Then fucked up a little bit more.
Sounds like you're writing a commercial romantic mystery/thriller... (exciting.)
The romance angle sets you apart but you do share mystery threads with these two writers:
1. @MARCUSBREWSTER is also writing in mystery genre and might be able to help you with feedback on character development, pacing and emotional stakes in your romantic mystery scenario.
2. @JENNYHOWARD841704 is writing a domestic noir. Jenny may be able to share feedback on your narrative pacing and the success of this twofold character-driven plot of yours?
Thank you for this. I have wriiten to Jenny today on the topic of two character plot development and I hope we can be of value to each other. I will also follow up with Marcus.
On a separate point Ivan mentioned to me a couple of weeks back that he would have a look at my submission for THE SQUIRREL HUNTER. So far I have not heard from him.
If it is not too cheeky to ask you would there be any chance you could mention this to him?
It would be great to have some feedback and than you again for these two contacts.
My WIP is Suspense/ Domestic Noir but these three books show the emotional intelligence and wit that I aspire to. I can’t write a whole novel without being funny, it would feel as strange as going out with no knickers on.
I have had fantastic feedback on my two previous novels (the first of which is currently on sub through my agent). I found that volunteer beta readers from my local book club were a particularly good source, but I would now love a critique partner.
The sound of your domestic noir is fairly unique but in terms of mystery and humour there are some solid matches here:
1. @DIARMAIDCONDONAUTHOR is also writing with dark humour and character-driven suspense. He may be able to share feedback on pacing and covert displays of emotional intelligence.
2. @MARCUSBREWSTER is writing dark funny whodunnit which sounds like it could have some similarities with your WIP in tone and atmosphere.
Up to you now should you want to pursue these readerly/writerly connections further.
I imagine it will be fun balancing the suspense and the humour. Makes me think of Inside No.9 by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. You know it? That does that perfectly...
"I found that volunteer beta readers from my local book club were a particularly good source, but I would now love a critique partner." this is good to know. Out of logistical curiosity, how did you find out about your local book club?
Thanks Tilly I’ll check that out. I joined my local book club (although I don’t go often because of M.E.) and I asked on our Facebook page for four volunteer readers, offering a £25 Amazon voucher as a token of appreciation. The feedback was really useful and I asked two of them to critique my second book.
Middle grade dystopian adventure. Comps would be The Giver, by Lowry and The Unwanteds by McMann. Any possible critique partners gratefully received! Thank you.
https://substack.com/@dukelott/note/c-109597000?r=5h1xth&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Is this thread past or present? I've only just subscribed. Can i still ask for feedback?
Also late to the a party, only just discovered this group through Emma Simpson.
I'm writing a 'learnoir' - part Self-help, part memoir, about reclaiming feminine wisdom and power, to guide midlife women from external success to inner sovereignty and purposeful impact. I'm using the metaphor of Sleeping Beauty as a guide for the journey of awakening.
So it's a blend I'm afraid (I know publishers don't like it), of personal stories and experience, and psychological insights, inviting the reader to reflect along the way.
Books and authors that have inspired me for this:
Sharon Blackie "If women rose rooted"
Maureen Murdock "The heroine's journey"
Glennon Doyle "Untamed"
Clarissa Pinkola Estes "Women who run with the wolves
I'm rewriting it Chapter by chapter at the moment. So I'm hoping the final draft will be ready by the end of April. I've already had feedback on structure and focus (hence the re-writing), so I'd be looking for feedback on the content, voice, style - as I'm hovering between two styles it feels schizophrenic at times!
I'm a bit late to the party, but genre wise I'd say upmarket/ bookclub. As for authors, Liz Nugent, Laura Lippman. I read widely so there's probably plenty more but I don’t quite have the knack of comps yet. The book is set in Ireland (Galway &Dublin) dual timeline and the 2 narrators are husband and wife. It deals with invisible disability, secrets, lies, hidden histories and coercive control. A dog also plays a central role.
Wonderful idea for finding feedback
I'm sorry to come to this late. I write in several genres, but the MS that is closest to completion is a contemporary romance, it has a cosy vibe and is also an urban fantasy. Is that too much of a mish-mash?
Closest comps. I've read : A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon - Sarah Hawley, Accidental Alchemist Mysteries - Gigi Pandian
I enjoy / admire : Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, Amanda Foody, Vanessa Len, Libba Bray, Molly Harper, Ben Aaronovitch, Adalyn Grace
I'm at the stage where I have sought edit advice to expand it from novella to full length, hopefully strengthening the plot in the process.
I am very keen to beta read for others and get reciprocal feedback from writers who enjoy the same genres as I do.
Thanks for the mention! Janine and I connected via DM, and she's currently working through my manuscript, going above and beyond with her feedback and edits. I'm grateful for her time and for your post, which gave us the opportunity to connect! Feedback is hard to take at first - our WIP is our baby after all - but if it comes from a good place, it can only improve the quality of your writing. Janine and other beta readers like her are improving my manuscript and setting me up for success in writing the follow-up.
I just posted on last week's since I am catching up! I write queer epic fantasy and the comps for the one I am querying now are Gideon the Ninth and Will of the Many; authors I admire include Tamsyn Muir, C.L. Clark, Tasha Suri, Samantha Shannon, and Chinese webnovelists MXTX, Please Don't Laugh, and Priest. And of course LeGuin though I don't think she is often used for comps! I am open to feedback and love working with it; while I take some feedback from individuals more deeply than others, it's also good to get multiple eyes on something to see if there are patterns, so I will have multiple rounds if I can find enough willing readers.
Good morning J.C. Snow.
There's no exact parallel here for your queer epic fantasy... but I'm thinking some other genre like speculative fantasy or mystery could overlap in certain aspects? In which case these writers offer most appropriate matches for you:
1. @ronanod (upmarket fiction with focus on tech and personal trauma) Ronan may be able to offer you feedback in terms of world-building and complex narrative structures?
2. @diarmaidcondonauthor (mystery/thriller with dark humour) may overlap with you in terms of plot pacing and character development particularly in mystery/fantasy intersection?
Maybe you want to pursue these potential reader connections. Maybe you believe the connection not to be close enough. I'll leave the rest to you.
Tilly
Thank you for the suggestions, Tilly! Will check all these folks out.
Good luck.
Thank you for this Substack. It is very useful. Really enjoying reading it.
My genre is mystery/thriller, bordering on noir. Some dark humour. Cosy crime adjacent (not a huge body count or masses of gore) but too sweary to be considered full blown CC
Novels in a similar vein:
* Any of Steig Larsson's Milennium Trilogy (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, etc.)
* A number of the novels in John Connolly's Charlie Parker series, but without the woodee, doodee element.
* Michael Connelly's Harry Bosch and Mickey Haller novels, in writing style, rather than content (my writing does not contain a lot of police procedural or legal argument.)
* A number of Linwood Barclay's novels - similar writing style and subject matter.
* Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club and the rest - mine's a bit pacier, not quite as laid back, the clientele are much younger, and it contains a lot more swear words.
I'm open to feedback. There's not a lot on my Substack yet, I tend to keep everything to myself until I think it's fully ready for the outside world. My current novel should be fit for select public consumption by March or April 2025.
Good morning Diarmaid,
There are ostensibly some good feedback matches here for your mystery/thriller when it's ready:
1. @MARCUSBREWSTER is also writing a mystery/thriller with dark humour and intriguing characters...
2. @JENNYHOWARD841704 is writing a suspense/domestic noir so you may find you two have a shared sense of wit or emotional intelligence...
I'll leave the rest to you to pursue these potential reader connections further.
Tilly
Thanks for the referral to Jenny, Tilly. We got on like a house on fire. Gave each other some well worthwhile feedback. Didn’t have as much luck with Marcus. I contacted him, but got no response.
Jenny says she’ll buy you a drink next time she meets you. There’s some hope you’ll meet her, but none that you’ll meet me.
Thanks for your help with this, it is much appreciated.
Thank you Tilly, that is very much appreciated.
Keep on going Diarmaid, best of luck.
I write literary memoir - parenting, grief and self-actualisation through both. I love and am inspired by:
* When Breath Becomes Air - Paul Kalanithi
* My Wild and Sleepless Nights - Clover Stroud
* The Anti-Romantic Child - Priscilla Gilman
* Anything by Glennon Doyle
All feedback gratefully received. I have a manuscript ready but some posts on my Substack give you a taste of my style.
Thanks to Ivan and team for setting this up!
Good morning Anjali,
There are some potential matches here for your memoir on self-actualisation through parenting and grief. None of these writers specify "literary" so that's a disjunction. However, Andi's comps generally fall into literary category so she seems like most relevant reader for you. Otherwise these writers may be able to provide you with feedback regarding emotional depth and authenticity in memoir-style writing. What you share with all of them are thematic concerns.
1. @DEATHWITHSTEPH is also dealing with grief and personal growth.
2. @MARGUERITEROSENFERN is also focusing on personal growth and self-discovery (albeit via different means: nature and music).
3. @ANDIPENNER 's memoir is focusing on self-actualisation or self-belief in the wake of leaving organised faith behind. You both explore themes of personal identity and growth in response to external factors. Considering your overlap in literary influences, you may be able to help each other on structure.
I'll leave the rest to you should you like to pursue these potential reader connections further.
Tilly
Thank you Tilly! This is much appreciated!
Best luck Anjali.
Hi Marguerite, it would be wonderful to team up and see how we can help each other - sorry for the delay in replying. What is the best way for us to take things forward?
Wow! So many excellent ideas and comps here! I hope I'm not too late to the party.
I would say my genre is upmarket fiction with a touch of literary. A Line of Code is the story of the life of a software developer who's arc goes from the early tech euphoria in Chicago of the 80s and 90s (lots of retro nostalgia) on to Ireland's Celtic Tiger madness and crash. Finally, it ends at a sinister surveillance software company in present day Canada. Along the way there's humour, survival of childhood trauma, autism and old video games!
Books in my head that informed the whole thing:
* Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
* Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow - Gabrielle Zevin
* Thinking in Pictures - Temple Grandin
* XX - Rian Hughes
* Utopia Avenue - David Mitchell
* Paddy Clark, Ha Ha Ha - Roddy Doyle
* Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
* Red City Blues - Cory Doctorow
* The Heart’s Invisible Furies - John Boyne
* The Commodore 64 Instruction Manual - :P
Good morning Ronan,
There may be some writers here to collaborate with in terms of feedback on your novel.
Quick personal reccy in response to "humour" and "autism" and "video games"... check out THE BROKEN WORLD by Tim Etchells. It's written as a video game walkthrough on a forum in early 2000s. It's fucking hilarious and poignant.
Back to writerly matches here in the comments section:
1. @DAVIDSPARLING1 is also writing about human behaviour with psychological depth and emotional complexity... though his references are less upmarket and more literary; and his emotional pull is more suspense than humour... he may still be able to provide helpful feedback in terms of character arcs and/or layered storytelling.
2. @DIARMAIDCONDONAUTHOR is also touching upon personal trauma in his thriller... though you don't use that word, the mention of "sinister surveillance software company" sounds like it has the potential to be thrilling? Perhaps you could benefit from feedback on narrative structure and/or character development here.
The rest is up to you should you like to pursue these potential reader connections further.
Tilly
Thanks so much, Tilly.
I've just ordered THE BROKEN WORLD. It sounds right up my alley. I love novels that play with different formats but are still grounded in being readable (why I loved XX by Rian Hughes).
I'll reach out to David and Diarmaid. Both sound really cool.
Incredible. Glad to hear this Ronan.
Top notch cover design as well 😀
BROKEN WORLD was one of the first literary novels I had sold after I had changed my career completely to become a literary agent. I had focused on non-fiction in my first years because I could pursue non-fiction authors, contacting journalists, academics and other experts and suggesting they write a book. But literary fiction? I had to just wait on writers to send me book submissions. Then someone put me in touch with Tim Etchells - a founder of the radically original theatre group FORCED ENTERTAINMENT. I saw a production of theirs - unsettling, weird, both bleak and hilarious. Fucken loved it. Then I waited on his novel in great hope. He delivered BROKEN WORLD and it was a joy. How rarely a story is so well written - voice, tone flow, the jokes, that I don't care that there is little plot development. We're deep within the narrator's mind and I loved him and wanted what he wanted and was sad when he was sad. Long time ago but I remember a very touching moment in the story so clearly even now writing this. My heart sank alongside his.
Next I'm trying to get literary editors to read it. Those that do say nice things but don't offer to buy it. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. The rejection emails slide into my inbox - little pokes in my ribs. I try not to dislike them. I attempt to remember that personal taste is always allowed. But I know it's not the real issue. BROKEN WORLD is hard to pitch. The plot is a young guy decides to write a user guide for a computer game that obsesses him. That's the story - almost all of it. Really. Just read it. And bless Jason at Random House, who loved it as I did and bought it and published it.
My next lesson was the hard one I rage about still. There are too many books. It takes huge luck or winning a literary book prize to get a book like that noticed. That didn't happen for BROKEN WORLD. It sold a little and slid under water.
Years later Tilly joined our agency, doing administration work. I suggested she read it. Lovely Tilly loved it - an early demonstration of her great taste. I hope you agree with her and me. I'll try to understand if you don't. And I'll fail.
Hi Ivan and Tilly,
BROKEN WORLD arrived in the post yesterday. I'm gobbling it up!😁 The narrator's obsession with the game reminds me a lot of Moss in A Line Of Code's retreat to writing code to avoid his problems in the real world. Thanks so much for the great recommendation!
It really sounds brilliant and I can't wait to read it. I had a similar idea in terms of format where the novel is a disgruntled software developer writing their story in JIRA support tickets. But then I realized that this is a hard one to sell.
I work at Wattpad (senior engineer and manager) and people put really cool ideas into novels there all the time. Unfortunately, the vast majority of them lie there without being looked at. Case in point: https://www.wattpad.com/story/370415934-twenty-sixty-four is my "re-imagining" of 1984 into the terrible future becoming more and more a reality. I originally wanted to have the changes to Orwell's text overlaid in Orange highlight to show what was being rewritten but even Wattpad can't handle that.
All this is to say I am not envious of your task of finding the needle in the haystack that is a literary work that is really original and striking but also that you can sell to publishers. It's a tough world now in publishing. I wonder how many of the authors I grew up in the 80s loving and dreaming of emulating would make it today? I'm looking forward to BROKEN WORLD and even if it's not available in airports, at least you were part of getting it out there.
Thanks so much for what you are doing on this substack. Your agency sounds really cool.
Best of luck Ronan.
Don't fear the feedback is the idea here. Crushing as it may be sometimes. I am writing a novel, a philosophical love story set in India. Nearly finished the first draft. Shades of Gregory David Robert's Shantaram! With a dash of Hemmingway and a nod to Paul Auster. I guess it's trying to be upmarket fiction.
Good morning Steve,
Here's a writer/reader in the comments who could be a good touchstone for your philosophical love story set in India:
1. @gavinwwright
Gavin has more comps which are "literary" but I can well imagine you're both exploring complex themes using intellectual/philosophical/psychological enquiry and emotional storytelling?
Up to you whether you'd like to pursue this potential reader connection further.
Tilly
Thanks a lot for the steer!
Commercial women's fiction here, romance but also a focus on female independence. Some comps in the genre that I enjoy would be Sophie White, the Aisling series by Emer and Sarah, and (Queen) Marian Keyes. I have one complete first draft of a novel, am 2/3 of the way through book 2 and have a million notes on book 3..I'd love to build a writing feedback circle.
Good morning Sinead,
Both "romance" and "commercial" here sets you apart from other women's fiction writers in this thread but there are some potential matches:
1. @BUTLERDUB is also writing women's fiction with focus on relationships, personal growth and emotional development in contemporary settings... however her genre is leaning more towards literary than commercial.
2. @TAMARAPENELOPE (saw she offered already) is also writing women's fiction but admittedly the tone of her comps is quite different. O'Farrell and Backman being generally less light-hearted than White or Keyes...
Up to you to decide whether these writer/reader connections are worth pursuing further.
Tilly
Thank you so much Tilly,you are amazing!
I understand you're talking about a personal spiritual journey. Could be great and many agents may be interested. Not one for us though. I'm not saying we're heathens here.. .but it's not our thing. We're also very hesitant about taking on US based writers, unless there's a special link to us. An Irish connection or element to a book, for instance might lure me or Sallyanne. Edwina - based on Seoul - is the leading agent in the UK and US for Korean books in translation. She's hunting for writers in English with Korean background - indeed East Asian background generally.
Hi Marguerite. I’m a junior member of My Secret Agent and will pass on your query to the rest of the team.
Grace
Okay the genre....commercial fiction. Upmarket, book club or literary? I don't really care as long as it sells. Preferably in armloads before becoming a film or six part netflix special.
The influence...Harlan Coben.
My novel is a slow burn second chance romance wrapped up in the mystery which ignited it.
A lost boy no-one knew was missing. Until.....read to the end and find out.
First person narrative. Imagine Holden Caulfield all grown up. Then fucked up a little bit more.
I would love feedback.
Good morning Colin,
Sounds like you're writing a commercial romantic mystery/thriller... (exciting.)
The romance angle sets you apart but you do share mystery threads with these two writers:
1. @MARCUSBREWSTER is also writing in mystery genre and might be able to help you with feedback on character development, pacing and emotional stakes in your romantic mystery scenario.
2. @JENNYHOWARD841704 is writing a domestic noir. Jenny may be able to share feedback on your narrative pacing and the success of this twofold character-driven plot of yours?
Up to you to pursue these connections further.
Tilly
Hi Tilly,
Thank you for this. I have wriiten to Jenny today on the topic of two character plot development and I hope we can be of value to each other. I will also follow up with Marcus.
On a separate point Ivan mentioned to me a couple of weeks back that he would have a look at my submission for THE SQUIRREL HUNTER. So far I have not heard from him.
If it is not too cheeky to ask you would there be any chance you could mention this to him?
It would be great to have some feedback and than you again for these two contacts.
Cheers,
Colin.
We all want impossible things - Catherine Newman
Demon Copperhead - Barbara Kingsolver
Big Sky - Kate Atkinson
My WIP is Suspense/ Domestic Noir but these three books show the emotional intelligence and wit that I aspire to. I can’t write a whole novel without being funny, it would feel as strange as going out with no knickers on.
I have had fantastic feedback on my two previous novels (the first of which is currently on sub through my agent). I found that volunteer beta readers from my local book club were a particularly good source, but I would now love a critique partner.
Thanks Ivan and Tilly
Good morning Jenny,
The sound of your domestic noir is fairly unique but in terms of mystery and humour there are some solid matches here:
1. @DIARMAIDCONDONAUTHOR is also writing with dark humour and character-driven suspense. He may be able to share feedback on pacing and covert displays of emotional intelligence.
2. @MARCUSBREWSTER is writing dark funny whodunnit which sounds like it could have some similarities with your WIP in tone and atmosphere.
Up to you now should you want to pursue these readerly/writerly connections further.
Tilly
Many thanks Tilly, I will get in touch with them.
Two things..
I imagine it will be fun balancing the suspense and the humour. Makes me think of Inside No.9 by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith. You know it? That does that perfectly...
"I found that volunteer beta readers from my local book club were a particularly good source, but I would now love a critique partner." this is good to know. Out of logistical curiosity, how did you find out about your local book club?
Thanks Tilly I’ll check that out. I joined my local book club (although I don’t go often because of M.E.) and I asked on our Facebook page for four volunteer readers, offering a £25 Amazon voucher as a token of appreciation. The feedback was really useful and I asked two of them to critique my second book.
Good to hear about these logistical details. Thank you Jenny.