Who is up to reviewing and criticizing a memoir? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T10:58:55Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/who-is-up-to-reviewing-and?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A285475&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAh. Query letters. Make it…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-23:537324:Comment:2856062011-04-23T17:23:09.032ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
<p>Ah. Query letters. Make it short. It's a cover letter for the synopsis. The synopsis is one page. They don't like to read long queries.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3 short paragraphs should do it: a) title, genre, length and general subject.</p>
<p>b)Then your qualifications.</p>
<p>c) Then your experience and/or intended audience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Proofread everything carefully.</p>
<p>Ah. Query letters. Make it short. It's a cover letter for the synopsis. The synopsis is one page. They don't like to read long queries.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>3 short paragraphs should do it: a) title, genre, length and general subject.</p>
<p>b)Then your qualifications.</p>
<p>c) Then your experience and/or intended audience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Proofread everything carefully.</p> I've had one friend read it. …tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-23:537324:Comment:2855662011-04-23T15:57:58.895ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
<p>I've had one friend read it. He proofread it. He didn't actually offer criticism, just guidance here and there. Very tactful.</p>
<p>Yesterday I sent it out to two friends, one male and one female, who expressed their willingness.</p>
<p>I have neither an agent nor an editor yet. I wrote a draft of a one-page cover letter, also yesterday. I'll likely think about the "mini-synopsis" a bit more and do some serious polishing.</p>
<p>I've had one friend read it. He proofread it. He didn't actually offer criticism, just guidance here and there. Very tactful.</p>
<p>Yesterday I sent it out to two friends, one male and one female, who expressed their willingness.</p>
<p>I have neither an agent nor an editor yet. I wrote a draft of a one-page cover letter, also yesterday. I'll likely think about the "mini-synopsis" a bit more and do some serious polishing.</p> You're welcome. Things are a…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-23:537324:Comment:2855542011-04-23T13:08:09.611ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
<p>You're welcome. Things are a bit slow here at the moment. We have members who are just readers of mysteries also.</p>
<p>You say you've had a number of critiques already. I can work with a relatively small number, have worked with just one, but am hoping to get back to two.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keep in mind that you may well also get input from an agent and from your editor.</p>
<p>Too many opinions could just be confusing.</p>
<p>You're welcome. Things are a bit slow here at the moment. We have members who are just readers of mysteries also.</p>
<p>You say you've had a number of critiques already. I can work with a relatively small number, have worked with just one, but am hoping to get back to two.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keep in mind that you may well also get input from an agent and from your editor.</p>
<p>Too many opinions could just be confusing.</p> I am always reading something…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-22:537324:Comment:2854752011-04-22T21:45:25.379ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
<p>I am always reading something, even while i am writing -- whether a brief, an article, or some work -- so I assumed that other folks might also relax by reading someone else's work. I've had one friend read it, and I've gotten the idea that it was a fast, interesting read.</p>
<p>Curious! Do all members of CrimeSpace see this discussion? If so, I hope that at least one of them enjoys occasionally to read memoirs.</p>
<p>Thanks I.J., for your input. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am always reading something, even while i am writing -- whether a brief, an article, or some work -- so I assumed that other folks might also relax by reading someone else's work. I've had one friend read it, and I've gotten the idea that it was a fast, interesting read.</p>
<p>Curious! Do all members of CrimeSpace see this discussion? If so, I hope that at least one of them enjoys occasionally to read memoirs.</p>
<p>Thanks I.J., for your input. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p> Glad it worked for you before…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-22:537324:Comment:2854262011-04-22T17:49:08.619ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
<p>Glad it worked for you before. It may also work here, but the writers on this site tend to be extremely busy with their own books. Still, there have been some who were looking for a critique partner.</p>
<p>Most are writing mysteries, i.e. fiction, though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, good luck!</p>
<p>Glad it worked for you before. It may also work here, but the writers on this site tend to be extremely busy with their own books. Still, there have been some who were looking for a critique partner.</p>
<p>Most are writing mysteries, i.e. fiction, though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, good luck!</p> I'm confused, I.J. My origin…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-22:537324:Comment:2853962011-04-22T15:34:42.594ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
<p>I'm confused, I.J. My original question is on display: "Who is up to reviewing and criticizing a memoir?" What about it? Two of the critiques of my 1996 book did NOT start about with any agreement to exchange anything. The exchanges just happened without any plan or anticipated exchange.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm confused, I.J. My original question is on display: "Who is up to reviewing and criticizing a memoir?" What about it? Two of the critiques of my 1996 book did NOT start about with any agreement to exchange anything. The exchanges just happened without any plan or anticipated exchange.</p>
<p> </p> No, actually I found the thre…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-22:537324:Comment:2854122011-04-22T13:55:49.647ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
No, actually I found the thread amusing. If you exchange critiques, that's fine. Both receive something from that. But that's not the way you set up your original question.
No, actually I found the thread amusing. If you exchange critiques, that's fine. Both receive something from that. But that's not the way you set up your original question. Okay. I am following John's…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-22:537324:Comment:2853372011-04-22T00:59:56.680ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
<p>Okay. I am following John's sound advice!! Note my new profile photo. It is a segment of the cover I tried to design two nights ago. The title--if you can make it out--is <em>Sex, Sizzle, and Sadness</em> or <em>Sex, Sizzle, and Sadness . . . and back again</em>.</p>
<p>The photo is of me at less than half my current age; that is, at 33<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> and not 76.</p>
<p>Any reviewers now?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Okay. I am following John's sound advice!! Note my new profile photo. It is a segment of the cover I tried to design two nights ago. The title--if you can make it out--is <em>Sex, Sizzle, and Sadness</em> or <em>Sex, Sizzle, and Sadness . . . and back again</em>.</p>
<p>The photo is of me at less than half my current age; that is, at 33<span style="text-decoration: underline;">+</span> and not 76.</p>
<p>Any reviewers now?</p>
<p> </p> I have reviewed the books of…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-21:537324:Comment:2853302011-04-21T21:27:36.079ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
<p>I have reviewed the books of many friends over the years. I never sought payment and was never paid. Generally communicating rationally and reasonably cemented friendships that were already strong. Only one review for a high-school French teacher, who was but an acquaintance through another closer friend, ended with anger by the teacher. </p>
<p>One friend who reviewed another manuscript I wrote in 1996 was a lawyer. Then I reviewed his. We are still in communication, but not daily or…</p>
<p>I have reviewed the books of many friends over the years. I never sought payment and was never paid. Generally communicating rationally and reasonably cemented friendships that were already strong. Only one review for a high-school French teacher, who was but an acquaintance through another closer friend, ended with anger by the teacher. </p>
<p>One friend who reviewed another manuscript I wrote in 1996 was a lawyer. Then I reviewed his. We are still in communication, but not daily or weekly. He is an expert in the area of law in which he practices and is very busy. Occasional emails and a SKYPE call seem to suffice. He is one of those friends you do not need to speak to daily to preserve a friendship.</p>
<p>A second friend who reviewed my 1996 manuscript has been a playwright and producer (in MA and in NYC) for years. I've reviewed a few of his works. We are still in constant communication.</p>
<p>A third reviewer was a client in exchange for payment of my legal assistance. He had won a Pulitzer for his investigative reporting which disclosed a major scandal in Arizona.</p>
<p>Although I never finished rewriting that manuscript, if I live long enough, I shall. Their reviews were wonderfully constructive. I simply was in overload at that time from my law practice. Now that I am in Costa Rica and healthier than I ever anticipated, maybe I shall rewrite that MS. Yes, I have their reviews with me here. I talk more about that book and circumstances in my memoir.</p>
<p>So, I.J., payment to or fro is not the only benefit one may receive from reviewing a MS.</p>
<p>I am pleased, however, that you found my question amusing! Humor and amusement is necessary for a long life.</p> Very sensible. Thanks, John.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2011-04-21:537324:Comment:2853272011-04-21T21:09:27.368ZBarbara C. Johnsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BarbaraCJohnson
Very sensible. Thanks, John.
Very sensible. Thanks, John.