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Looking for a CP Listings, 5/18/2012
Here is the list of members looking for a CP this week. Now what are you waiting for? Go get critiquing!
- Laura
@anapin – YOUNG ADULT
“I want to find a long term cp , that want to share stories as we write them and critique in all the terms of it (grammar,plot,arcs,flow,etc.)
I’m willing to do the same in exchange every time this cp needs to.
Something about my story:
Muriel Blythe, 18, has a supernatural gift that is also a curse—she can feel everything someone else feels, or make them feel what she’s feeling. When Muriel is unable to control her gift, her sister almost dies. To protect her adoptive family from herself and learn alone how to control her gift, Muriel moves to Madrid, Spain.
In Madrid, Muriel finds only a bigger curse. Shadowy creatures called Malekia want to kill her by absorbing her soul—and she doesn’t know why. Some creatures of light called Luxben appear to help her, only saying that rescuing people is what they do—anything more. While living with the Luxben Muriel starts feeling things for their leader, Dalkiel. She begins to love him even when she isn’t sure who or what he really is, but she’s certain that he isn’t totally a light like the other Luxben. He has something dark in him; his light isn’t bright and clear. It’s like a glowing shadow.
Muriel learns that rather than a curse, her gift is her only weapon to protect the ones she loves. She fights a deadly battle to discover what the Malekia and Luxben really are, and why the Malekia want her dead. But she will also find out that her profound and passionate love for Dalkiel is star-crossed, that she’s not as human as she thought, and that she will have to convince him that their love is worth everything- even the blend of good and evil.
I’m a spanish-mexican woman. I’m 30 years old , married and with two children. I’m bilingual in english and spanish since I was a kid.”
bolide031 – CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
“Hi! I’m seeking a writing buddy who can critique a children’s picture book.
It is important that I find someone who can give me honest criticism. As my goal is to publish this book in 6 months, I’m looking for someone who can work under a deadline with a quick turn around. I’m also willing to make a trade if you have a manuscript in need of critiquing.
If you’re interested, I would enjoy hearing from you!”
jennadanielle – YOUNG ADULT
“Ello!
I’m Jenna, a 24 writer from Canada! I’m trying my hand at YA (contemporary romance) and don’t have a clue what I’m doing! I usually write adult paranormal / horror (new adult would be a better fit, but that’s too popular) so I’m open genre wise!
Shoot me an e-mail , jennadanielle87@gmail.com if you’re interested! Or you can tweet me @raddestgirlever!”
leahwrites – YOUNG ADULT
“Hello, I’m Leah. I’m searching for a (some) crit partner (s) for my WIP which is a YA fantasy about a girl named Emma who was cursed 100 years ago by an Enchantress. One hundred years later the curse is broken but soon Emma will find out that her freedom comes at a high price. If you are interested please email here: swoonworthybooks@yahoo.com
I would like someone trustworthy and willing to work with me long term. I’m new at the whole critiquing thing but will be more than happy to give some feedback on your work if you are interested in swapping. Hope to hear from someone soon.”
mojo09226 – EROTICA
“I would love a partner to work with and maybe we can exchange chapters for each other.”
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May 18, 2012 Category: Friday Round Up, Looking for a CP Listings, main No Comments 
GIVEAWAY & 7 Quick Fire Questions, 3 Expert Tips with Kathleen Shoop, Author of ‘After the Fog’
UPDATE 5/17: Winner has been chosen. Congrats, Melissa!
I’m delighted to introduce award-winning author Kathleen Shoop to the Ladies Who Critique blog!
Kathleen is the author of THE LAST LETTER, which sat on the Kindle bestseller list last summer selling more than 50,000 copies and winning 8 awards. Her latest historical fiction novel, AFTER THE FOG is set in the steel mill town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous 1948 “killing smog.” It’s out now to purchase, or you could win a copy simply by leaving a comment below!* If you are chosen as the winner, I’ll send the book right out to you and you can curl up with it next weekend.
*This comp is open to US residents only. Sorry folks outside of the US! I try not to make a habit of doing US only contests but shipping costs sometimes dictate that.
About AFTER THE FOG:
Rose Pavlesic is a straight-talking, gifted nurse who is also controlling and demanding. She has to be to ensure her life is mistake-free and to create a life for her children that reflects everything she missed as an orphaned child. Rose has managed to keep her painful secrets buried in her past, away from her loving husband—who she discovers has secrets of his own—their dutiful children and their large extended, complicated family.
But, as a stagnant weather cycle works to trap poisonous gasses from the three mills in town, Rose’s nursing career thrusts her into a conflict of interest she never could have fathomed—putting the lives of her loved ones at risk. As the fog thickens, Rose’s neighbors are dying; thousands of people in the community are becoming increasingly ill. Rose is faced with decisions that can destroy her carefully constructed House of Pavlesic and reveal its true character.
7 Quick Fire Questions:
1. City Gal or Country Bumpkin? –City Gal who’d love to be a Country Bumpkin! I love magazines like Mary Jane’s Farm. I’m fascinated with people who have gardens and vegetables and live, even partially, off their own earth. I’m as far away from being that woman as a person can be!
2. Fave food? Pasta—seafood and pasta—put them together and I’m a happy lady.
3. Favorite place on earth? Kiawah Island—when my car circles onto the main drag and we head toward the gates, I lose every ounce of stress I have!
4. Combination of men to create your dream man? Leonardo DiCaprio, Randy Pausch (alive, of course), Mike Greenberg
5. If I gave you a superpower, what would it be? To turn back time
6. Would You Rather… Give up your computer or your car? Car, definitely! I often think if I shrunk my existence down to places I could walk, things would get real simple real fast…then I realize that’s another fantasy for me, right up there with being a farm girl. Living in the suburbs is no place to be car-less!
7. What would you buy with an extra $100 right now? New shoes
3 Expert Tips! Three Tips for Writers
1. Never forget the joy you get out of writing. Bring that sensation to the keyboard and it will help you forget about all the people judging the work later.
2. Immerse yourself in the backstory. I don’t mean to tell everything in the characters’ backstory, but surround yourself with the things the characters might find beautiful, utilitarian, awful. Just having one item my characters might have used helps me find the core of who they are.
3. Fall in love with revision and critique. The trick is finding people who can read your work and understand what you’re trying to do scene by scene. Then they can tell you what’s working and what isn’t. Having readers wrench the book into a vision you don’t have is not helpful. I want my book to be as strong as possible, but I want it to be mine! When you have that relationship with a reader you know when they say “this works,” that it does and when they say, “this is not doing what you think it is,” that you need to go back into the text.
You’ve got to be in it to win it! Leave a comment 
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May 14, 2012 Category: 7 Questions. 3 Tips, Author Interviews, Books, Giveaways & Contests, main 3 Comments
Looking for a Critique Partner! Listings for May 11th 2012
Hey lovelies! I’m switching up our usual ‘Friday Writing Links from around the web’ for CRITIQUE PARTNER WANTED. Each Friday I’ll put up a round-up of those members currently searching for a CP, as determined by the forum requests. If I missed you somehow, leave a message in the comments! And check back often… I’ll be here every Friday.
Oh & TGIF! Have a grand one.
@Jeanna FLASH FICTION
“Looking for someone to give my flash fiction (about 500 words) a peek. It’s a little, um, odd (it involves body parts falling off, but not in a gruesome or gory way; just in a kind of random, surreal way). Partially trying to determine if its TOO odd? But also looking for any other critique someone might want to offer.”
“I’m 20 % of the way through, have reach a point of inflection in the novel. I need some fresh eyes to read and provide feedback. Of course, in return, I’m will critique a piece of yours.”
@bolideo31 CHILDREN’S
“Hi! I’m seeking a writing buddy who can critique a children’s picture book.
It is important that I find someone who can give me honest criticism. As my goal is to publish this book in 6 months, I’m looking for someone who can work under a deadline with a quick turn around. I’m also willing to make a trade if you have a manuscript in need of critiquing.
If you’re interested, I would enjoy hearing from you!”
@frank SHORT- STORY/ YA SCI-FI
“Hello! I’ve been working on a short story with the intention of publishing it for free to various digital publishers. The primary goal is to introduce the characters of a forthcoming three-part YA Sci-Fi series and, of course, to get my feet wet in the publishing industry.
I am seeking a few people with fresh eyes for a one-time read and critique of my story who can provide frank (ha!) feedback before I send it off for editing in preparation for publishing.
If you are interested, please let me know!”
@smileylou YA URBAN FANTASY
“Hi ladies,
I’m in need of someone to read through the first three chaps of my novel. It’s a YA urban fantasy about a girl who discovers a dying Angel (you should know I’ve re-named the species ‘Védő’ because I hear agents are sick of stories about Angels). Following this discovery my MC, Mona, is sent on a mission to destroy a knife that’s threatening to wipe out a hidden race of immortals.
I’m trying to nail ‘voice’ and could use some feedback from a fresh pair of eyes. Feel free to throw anything you’d like me to read in my direction. I’ll try my very best to help if I can.
xx
*Note* Védő in Hungarian means protector.”
@victoria SHORT STORIES
“Hello
If anyone is interested…I’m looking for a critique partner or writing buddy who can critique in short stories or chapters. I take my writing pretty seriously so in return if anyone needs a critique I would do my best to critique as if it was my own work. I guess take a peek at my profile to see if my style and interest matches yours. I would like just work exchange through email and encouragement in writing, along with honest criticism. Again, I will do the same in return to the best of my ability.
Victoria”
@katie6425 YA FANTASY
“I am 15 years old and have completed three novels and a full-length movie. I teach a free creative writing class every Monday, which earned me a trip to Orlando, Florida this summer through FCCLA. ANYWAY, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in co-beta reading my YA Fantasy novel? I would be willing to edit yours, if you edit mine sort of deal, or you could just do mine if you like “
@mary FANTASY
“Hi critiquing ladies,
I’ve recently finished the second draft of a 75,000 word fantasy. It’s loosely inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen story, but the setting leans more to high fantasy than to fairy tale. The full blurb for the book is in my profile.
I’d like to find a couple people to swap beta-reading services with. My ms has been critiqued twice and revised, so I’m in the stage of needing big-picture feedback rather than line edits.
Let me know if you’re interested!”
@tdr7311 URBAN FANTASY/ ROMANCE
“I’m looking for someone to critique with. My novel is urban fantasy with romantic elements. The protagonist is college age, so there is a younger feel with the language. It’s sort of between YA and adult but with adult situations–what they’re coining as New Adult.”
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May 11, 2012 Category: Friday Round Up, Looking for a CP Listings, main No Comments
The Busy Mom’s Guide to Writing, a Guest Post by Suzannah (Write it Sideways) & GIVEWAY!
UPDATE: 5/10 – This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats to Angela Hunter who won a copy!
Thanks to Suzannah of Write it Sideways for this hilarious anecdote of balancing writing and motherhood. Leave a comment below about the book or your own writing challenges to win a copy of Suzannah’s fabulous new guide, The Busy Mom’s Guide to Writing.
- Laura
==========================================================================
I’m a mom, and I’m a writer.
Like all other moms who write, I’m busy. Actually, as a mom of one school-aged child, one toddler, and a set of 7-week-old twins, busy is an understatement. These days, I wear a lot of ‘comfort fashions’ and dream of having a shower the way a child dreams of being accidentally locked in a candy shop overnight. I recently learned about an enticing short story contest, the deadline of which was rapidly approaching. I’d already started a story which was perfect for the competition, but could I possibly complete it, let it marinate, edit and proofread it in just five days?
My kids’ mid-morning nap times were ideal for writing, but what would I do when, at 5:30 am, three-quarters of my offspring were screaming just as I was struck with the creativity and stamina to compete such a challenge? Here’s what: I made my 2-year-old’s breakfast and sat him in his highchair. I plunked myself on the couch with a nursing pillow strapped to my waist (it sort of looks like one of those big trays hotdog salesmen wear at baseball games) in order to feed the twins. I then proceeded to write on my laptop, which was stacked on top of a craft table, several books and a Lego box to bring the computer to the right height.
Awkward. Very awkward.
But, after several mornings spent this way, I finished the story and entered the contest. I may not win or even make the shortlist, but I’m happy I gave it my best. Plus, if I don’t win, I still have a story I can submit to literary magazines.
While I wouldn’t recommend regularly putting yourself in such a position, remember there are always solutions (or at least partial solutions) for your time predicaments. When you’re a busy mom with a passion for writing, you’ll find ways to get your words on the page, even if it means a little indignity and a whole lot of juggling. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll see me featured in an article like Weird Writing Habits of Famous Authors. Until then, you can bet I’ll be practising awkward writing poses for my press shot.
Suzannah Windsor Freeman is the creator and editor of Write It Sideways, and author of The Busy Mom’s Guide to Writing. Her short fiction has appeared or is forthcoming in Grist, Sou’wester, SawPalm, The Sand Hill Review, and The Best of the Sand Hill Review anthology. Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/writeitsideways Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/writeitsideways Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/writeitsideways/
To be in with a chance of winning, just leave a comment!
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May 7, 2012 Category: Giveaways & Contests, Guest Posts, main, Writing Skills 15 Comments
Writing links from around the web! 5/04/2012
It’s that time of the week already… best writing links from around the web is our weekly Friday feature. How Friday rolls around so quickly each week I’ve no idea, but I’m not complaining!
Have a wild weekend, whatever you’re up to. I’ll be watching a belly dancing performance at a friend’s birthday party, and no doubt enjoying some great middle eastern food. Yum!
- Laura
1. When to Avoid Passive Voice – The Write Practice
The title is pretty self-explanatory. Passive Voice is not always your best friend.
2. C.S. Lewis on the Dirty Secret of Language – The Write Practice
Rules just don’t exist in language. Ask C.S. Lewis.
3. Obsessing Over Your Manuscript’s Size – Jane Friedman
Is word count keeping you awake at nights? You are not alone.
4. How Do You Balance Writing With Platform Building? – Writer Unboxed
Ask the expert – Jane Friedman answers the question about creating a balance between writing and platform building.
5. The Beauty is in the Details, by Sherry Thomas – Romance University
Details are what bring out the divine in a story. Sherry Thomas explains why.
6. Rock Your Writing with Checklists – Word Play
If you want to write effectively make a checklist. It will save you a lot of trouble.
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May 4, 2012 Category: Friday Round Up, main, Writing Links - Best of the Web No Comments
Ladies Who Critique – New logo reveal!
Back in August 2011 when I was putting Ladies Who Critique together, it was just me and the hubby working on the site with no budget. We pooled together our strengths, but one thing neither of us had was graphic design! We did what we could though, and I came up with the concept for the LWC logo, and he made it happen:
You’ve been kind to me, little LWC lady.
Now that LWC is almost 9 months old though, it’s time for her to grow up! I didn’t want to stray too far from the original concept, one that reflects our tagline: “Take your writing to the next level”. But I did want the logo to be more polished and a ‘lil more sophisticated. After some trial and error (some of which took place on the LWC facebook page! - join us if you can~), and lots of feedback from members, friends and family, I’m very happy to reveal to you our new logo…
I really think it pops, don’t you?
Thank you so much to everyone who had a say in its creation, especially those who pointed out that some of the draft logos looked like she was holding a stack of pancakes! Hungry are we?
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May 1, 2012 Category: main, Site Updates etc 2 Comments
Best Writing Links from around the Web! 4/27
Enjoy these writing links and get inspired to get down to business!
W.R.I.T.E
- Laura
1. Five Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Writing Sessions – The Write Session
Tips from Tina Blain, an expert in helping authors finish their projects on how to get the most fromtheir writing sessions.
2. How to Write A Novel Without Selling Your Soul – The Creative Penn
Are you a pantser or a planner? You don’t have to sell your soul either way.
3. Character Trait Entry: Persistent – The Bookshelf Muse
Learn what a persistent character is and how to create a successful one.
4. Ask An Editor: Theresa Stevens’ Line Editing Series – Romance University
A wonderful series of articles on content and line editing. Watch a professional editor dissect real work.
5. How To Build Strong Foundations Underneath Your Dreams – Courage 2 Create
Speaking the truth about your dreams is the best way to cure a writer’s block.
6. Lighting Up Your Storytelling With Flashbulb Memories – The Artist’s Road
Use a “flashbulb memories” to write your next short story or even novel.
7. How to Create Distinctive Character Voices – Wordplay
Are all your characters speaking like you? For great characterization you have to make sure each one has his or her own unique personality easily distinguishable from the others.
8. 15 Ways to Write Tight – Write to Done
The one thing Ernest Hemingway, Chris Brigan and other great writers have in common is that they all write tight. You can too if you follow these points.
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April 27, 2012 Category: main, Writing Links - Best of the Web 1 Comment
Book trailers… what’s your take? Plus, some ideas to make a good one!
*Note, this is a modified post that originally appeared on my company website, 30 Day Books. 30 Day Books is the publisher of Kathy Lynn Harris’s Blue Straggler and offers book marketing and self publishing advice and help for independent and traditionally published authors.*
Book trailers have become a popular way of marketing books over the last couple of years. Much like movie trailers, they aim to introduce the book to potential readers and capture their attention in a novel way (pun intended ;P)
Much like marmite (UK), or vegemite (Oz), or [insert controversial food item here if you are from North America and have not had the fortune of encountering aforementioned yeast extract spread], people either love or hate this medium of book marketing.
Perhaps because when done well, they’re really good. And when done badly, well their… awful.
Our aim with the book trailer for Blue Straggler was that viewers of the book trailer would say YES to the following questions after watching the trailer:
- Did it grab your attention?
- Do you want to share it with someone?
- Do you want to watch it again?
- Most importantly, are you going to check out the book now?!
We hope we pulled it off! Here it is…
Here’s a recap of the key elements we tried to keep in mind when putting it together. You might want to think about some of these points when making your effective book trailer.
*Note, this is NOT a post about how to make a book trailer. If you want a great article detailing all that fun stuff, check out the delightful Joanna Penn’s article, Book Trailers: 11 Steps to Making Your Own.*
- Length: Short and sweet are the keywords here. 60 seconds is perfect, 3 minutes is the ABSOLUTE MAX. Aim for impact and intrigue.
- Energy: If you are anything like me, the Internet gives an otherwise patient and calm person a much-reduced attention span. Bearing this in mind, we tried to keep the energy high throughout, and details to a minimum.
- Rights: Check you have the rights to images, music and anything else you are using.
- Keeping the character images vague: This might be a matter of personal preference, but I certainly like to imagine how characters look and sound without being shown prior to opening a book. This goes for book covers too. We purposefully didn’t give Bailey a face so as not to spoil that experience for readers.
- Music: always good for setting the mood.
- Don’t include any spoilers!
- Tone: Make sure the trailer fits the tone of the book. Don’t make a humorous trailer for a dark thriller and vice versa.
- Make it entertaining! Whether that’s through humor, suspense, surprise, or whatever means, it needs to be watchable. This is advertising a form of entertainment (books) and thus it goes without saying that it needs to be captivating.
So, back to the question at hand… book trailers, love ‘em or hate ‘em? And if you have a favorite, please leave a link in the comments! (Shameless plugs to your trailers welcome and encouraged).
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April 26, 2012 Category: Book Marketing, main, Useful Author Tools & Resources 2 Comments
Sarah Pekkanen’s 7 Quick Fire Questions, 3 Expert Tips
This weeks 7 Quick Fire Questions & 3 Tips (a weekly feature) is with Sarah Pekkanen, author of These Girls. Find out about this fantastic new release at the bottom of the interview!
Sarah’s dream dinner date is Ryan Gosling, what d’ya say about that?
- Laura
==============================================================================================
7 Quick Fire Questions
1. Dream dinner date Ryan Gosling. No, a shirtless Ryan Gosling. So we couldn’t go to one of those “No shoes, no shirt, no service” places.
2. Writing routine In the car, on the couch, in the waiting room for the orthodontist, at morning, at night…. you get the idea.
3. Extrovert or Introvert Both. I crave solitude at times, but I also love being around people.
4. The last book you read The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler.
5. Favorite season Spring.
6. Your everyday petit plaisir Chocolate
7. Dream travel destination Australia, mate!
3 Expert Tips for maintaining wonderful female friendships.
1. Be there for the little moments as well as the big ones.
2. Compliment your friends; women beat themselves up all the time, so let your kind words undo some of that self-inflicted damage.
3. Add wine when necessary.
These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen
In her third novel, These Girls, internationally bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen examines the lives of three women working and living together in New York City and shows that family secrets may shape us all, but it’s the rich, complicated layers of friendship that can save us.
Cate, Renee, and Abby have come to New York for very different reasons, and in a bustling city of millions, they are linked together through circumstance and chance. Cate has just been named the features editor of Gloss, a high-end lifestyle magazine. Cate’s roommate Renee will do anything to nab the plum job of beauty editor at Gloss. Then there’s Abby, whom they take in as a third roommate.
Pekkanen’s most compelling, true-to-life novel yet tells the story of three very different women as they navigate the complications of careers and love—and find the lifeline they need in each other.
Find out more about Sarah at http://www.sarahpekkanen.com/.
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April 25, 2012 Category: 7 Questions. 3 Tips, Author Interviews, main No Comments
Looking for a Critique Partner Listings, April 24th 2012
Looking for Critique Partner listings are UP! If I’ve missed you, you know what to do… add your needs, wants and member name/ URL in a comment below!
Have a fab Tuesday.
- Laura
Christian romance, Short stories
“I have written two novels and am currently writing my third. In between when I need a break I write short stories. While they are Christian based, they are catagorized that way because there is no swearing, sex out of marriage, etc. They are what friends consider warm lightheared romances that usually take place in a rural setting.
I’ve spent the last two years to see if I can write and if this is something I want to pursue. Friends and family have read my stories, and while I love them all I don’t trust them a bit! HA! So I am looking for some honest feedback. I really want to know what people think and am totally prepared for the negative while I am hopeful for the positive.
If interested please let me know and good luck to you!”
Short stories
“Hi there everybody,
I have a shorty short that I need looked at, so if someone would be so kind as to offer their opinion, I’d appreciate it. If you need something looked at I will gladly return the favor.”
Romance/ Sci-fi/ Chick Lit
“Hi, I only just joined and am looking for a crit partner. I have experience with critiquing. I’ve critiqued for several published authors. Though the most recent has been academic – same concept though. Unless they’re mine I’m pretty good at finding typos and other errors. I’m very honest but not mean about critiquing. Erika”
YA Fantasy/ Adventure
“Hello everyone!
I’m looking for a/some critique parter(s) for my young adult novel, BALLOONING. I’d be very willing to make a trade if you have a manuscript in need of critiquing as well.
At 50, 000 words, BALLOONING is a fairly quick read. I’d describe it as a quirky adventure story with elements of magic. Below is a brief summary.
***
Fifteen-year-old Chester Phillips is building a hot air balloon, and he has every intention of flying it around the world. Unfortunately, no one really believes that Chester’s creation will get off the ground, because Chester is building it out of garbage.
Finding “just the right part” in alleyways, dumpsters, and landfills is Chester’s greatest satisfaction. Although he isn’t above sacrificing cleanliness and dignity for the parts he needs, Chester maintains one rule: he only takes things no one else wants.
Chester accidentally breaks his own rule, however, when he brings home a battered scuba tank. Inside, is a beautiful, if somewhat cold and reclusive, genie.
And EVERYONE wants a genie.
***
Let me know if you’d be interested in reading or making a trade. Thank you in advance!”
Psssst…. @hopeshines Is offering to beta read for other members! Get in before she gets busy!
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April 24, 2012 Category: Looking for a CP Listings, main No Comments
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