Is the editors forum dead?

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I've never asked for an editor before so I have no idea what to expect from wait times or even responses.

Am I doing something wrong?

 

[KeithD]

You weren't really asking for an editor. You were asking for a cowriter. Editors usually aren't engaged until the story is drafted (and wordage is provided), and they don't bail the author out on creative content. You were asking for someone to invest themselves in your story without giving them any idea what was involved--either in story content, in the technical needs, or in the size of the project. If you get response on the basis of what you asked for and the information you gave, you're most likely to be latching onto someone without a clue on what to do with what you have so far.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

You weren't really asking for an editor. You were asking for a cowriter. Editors usually aren't engaged until the story is drafted (and wordage is provided), and they don't bail the author out on creative content.

I have a manuscript. I'm just looking for someone to read over it. I have zero interest in cowriters. I even said in the title, looking for a beta reader.

 

[KeithD]

I have a manuscript. I'm just looking for someone to read over it. I have zero interest in cowriters. I even said in the title, looking for a beta reader.

An editor isn't a beta reader. You didn't say you had a completed manuscript. You indicated it isn't finished and you are just seven thousand words into it. You asked why you hadn't gotten a response on the editorial board. Neither editing nor what you asked for are big business here on Literotica. You still might get response. There's a slight chance it will be helpful.

 

[TheRedChamber]

The editors forum isn't dead exactly but it might take a little time and there are things you can do to maximize your chances. I got two beta readers within a week and another two offers within a month using the following strategies. (I know you did some of these, list is for completeness)

1) I stressed a reciprocal arrangement. I would read anything they wrote in return for them reading mine. I'm not sure why more people don't approach it this way.

2) Link to your stories and say which stories are most similar to what you are currently writing. Say the length of the story.

3) Give high quality feedback in the feedback section of the forum to a couple of stories in the categories you write. Mention you've done this in your post (I think I've seen you do this) and maybe even link to it.


4) Contribute to the forum in a friendly and positive manner for a period of time (obviously you do)

It might take you a while longer if you are writing in the gay category just because you maybe have a smaller pool of potential volunteers.

 

[TheRedChamber]

You weren't really asking for an editor. You were asking for a cowriter. Editors usually aren't engaged until the story is drafted (and wordage is provided), and they don't bail the author out on creative content. You were asking for someone to invest themselves in your story without giving them any idea what was involved--either in story content, in the technical needs, or in the size of the project. If you get response on the basis of what you asked for and the information you gave, you're most likely to be latching onto someone without a clue on what to do with what you have so far.

I disagree. Whoopsies post was clear enough about the nature of the story - slow gay romance with a first time/discovery theme. A back cover style blurb might help more, but it's enough to know if your interested.

Regardless of what we call it, Whoopsies intentions were clear - someone to read through the story and give first impressions of what has already been done. The reader will presumably end up saying things like 'Why did Bob do that? It doesn't seen in character' etc.

I've just had one of my beta readers look at the first half of a novel length story and comment on 36k words. It's been a very useful process and it would have been a mistake to wait until I'd finished. There are several professional authors who I know do this kind of beta reading.


Whoopsie's clearly not asking for a cowriter. At no point are the readers expected to say much more than 'I was confused because...' 'I was bored because...'

 

[KeithD]

I disagree. Whoopsies post was clear enough about the nature of the story - slow gay romance with a first time/discovery theme. A back cover style blurb might help more, but it's enough to know if your interested.

The post was changed after my post on not enough content information given. Enough of this, though. The question was asked and I responded with my first thought of "this probably won't get a result" from the first time I read the originally worded post. I won't comment further.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

some to read through the story and give first impressions of what has already been done. The reader will presumably end up saying things like 'Why did Bob do that? It doesn't seen in character' etc.

Yeah that's exactly what I'm looking for. A lot of the things I'm worried about could warrant a total rewrite if it's not working. The longer I go without a second set of eyes the more work I potentially have to redo from scratch.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

Anyway, not your request, but a quick scanning of that one imaginary story made me wonder if I would be the right reader for you. I wasn't sure.

I'm gonna assume you meant the scifi/fantasy one. My first two stories on here are weird and kinda cringe because I wrote them both long before I even joined Literotica.

Picking a similar work to compare it to requires me to have published a similar work. This is my first stab at fiction without any fantastical elements. Like the closest you're going to get to realist fiction in my current story list is a Spider-Man fanfiction and, well, it's Spider-Man.

 

[OldFloridaGuy]

I checked out the post, and didn't get what you were asking for. Then, I checked your story list and read part of your ... (I thought you had a story in the Gay Male category?)

Anyway, not your request, but a quick scanning of that one imaginary story made me wonder if I would be the right reader for you. I wasn't sure.

I find it useful when people asking for editors / beta-readers provide information about the story, about the content, about possible issues, etc. etc. For example, it would be silly for me to comment on the content of an incest-stroker, as it so much doesn't appeal to me; I'm not the audience, and I don't have the experience to deal with it. Don't ask me to check on spelling and grammar, or on verbality or sentence construction. Being a non-native English speaker with possibly some other issues, that's not my strength.

About gay male; I wouldn't be the right person to ask about technical details or about the appeal of hardcore male-to-male-sex scenes. But, if the writer wants feedback on storyline and consistency, I might be of help. I don't mind getting out of my comfort zone, but I do have my limits.

With the right info provided, it's easier to check if a story appeals to an editor/beta-reader, and if he/she/... is willing to invest time in it. To be honest, your request, and in particular the title, was okayish; good enough to catch my eye.

Feel free to send me a pm if you still haven't gotten any offers. I may be far from the best editor / beta-reader on this site, but I'm confident enough that it's better than nothing. 7k words shouldn't be a problem.



ps. I would recommend to add a link to your storylist in the actual request post, to give editors / beta-readers an easier option to check out your other work. When reading on my mobile phone, I can't see the signature line that normally holds such a link.

RubenR wrote pretty much exactly what I had been thinking about this thread.

I have done a couple beta reads and proofreads for glaring typos, and will also offer to read if you don't locate volunteers with more beta/proof experience, or who are more in tune with the genre.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

Have you gotten any positive replies yet?

Not on the post itself but TheRedChamber gave the draft a read and gave me notes on pretty much everything I was concerned about in one go.

I'm still definitely this thread to use as a guide for when I get to another checkpoint.

 

[Edey]

I would love to edit "slow gay romance with a first time/discovery theme" because it's the type of story I almost exclusively write, and I can be "be the right person to ask about technical details or about the appeal of hardcore male-to-male-sex scenes." - because I am gay, but the problem is - I could only proofread as I'm not a native speaker so I can't help with English grammar.
So feel free to PM me if you need help with proofreading.

PS
I do also have gigantic problems with finding editors for myself because some people don't want to work with non-native speakers, it's too much of a workload.

 

[lovecraft68]

Over the years the editors forum has dwindled.

The biggest reason-one of two, but the second tied to the first- is on full display in this thread

At this point one would be better asking for a beta reader or editing help here in the AH, you'll get more responses.

 

[KeithD]

The editorial board is as strong as it ever was--and far less of a battleground than it was a decade ago. It's always been a little unsatisfying because the site's volunteer editor program has always been weak. The editor board portion of the discussion board has no responsibility for the volunteer editor program, though. The usefulness of the editor's board was enhanced a few years back when the board moderator, the current one, Lynn, doing a very good job over the previous one, who tried to run it as her personal fiefdom, added the "available to edit" feature. It's far easier now to get editorial and beta reader help from postings to that board. The main issue is providing enough information to entice interest in helping. The reality is that any help is time consuming and not recompensed, so there's no reason to think that editorial help here--and from the editor board--should be robust to begin with.

 

[AWhoopsieDaisy]

I do also have gigantic problems with finding editors for myself because some people don't want to work with non-native speakers, it's too much of a workload.

Hey man that's perfect, I'm really good with English, Im totally down to swap stories for edits.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Whoopsie - I read your post on the EF. But when I saw you'd written only 7k words of a long story, and your ask, I interpreted it as one of the many asks for someone to co-write, or one of the many,  many asks for someone to share essentially their fantasy with so they can wank over it.

If you actually only want a steer as to whether your premise and characters are plausible, I'd be happy to have a quick look, bearing in mind that will vary hugely by time and place. PM me.