Dollieh Sanctuary

Once again I am wielding my supreme powers here (hahaha) for my own nefarious purposes LOL.

Here's the thing, for many many years now I've been writing a series of short stories that are what I would term gothic/dark fantasy. Originally it was meant to be a comic book, but my slow drawing back burnered that and I just write them now as stories. Recently I began doing significant revisions with the plan of self-publishing as e-books since I have the ability to create those on my own. However, my problem is that I desperately need constructive feedback to move forward. As always seems to happen real life friends are eager to help, but never seem to find the time to actually do it, thus leaving me high and dry. I'd hoped to have the first set out by Xmas, but that won't happen now. And yes, I could join an online critique group - but I don't have the time to spare for the required work of critiquing others.

So, here I am, hitting up the doll group because I figure someone out here might be interested in doing some reading and having some input on what I do in my final revisions. The task, I hope, will not be difficult. I supply you with the stories (there are only 3 initially) and some questions. You read them, answer the questions and tell me anything else you feel is relevant about the stories. If you don't like them, no problem - just say why and you are done I'm not thin skinned, I won't take offense.

Those who help me will earn my eternal gratitude, mention in the ebook as having helped, and a free copy of the ebook in the format of your choice (I should be able to create Kindle format as well as standard epub). You will also be in line to similarly assist in the future releases as they are ready (There are 27 stories in the series so far) with similar benefits. I can't pay because my spare cash is currently being saved to pay for all the nice official things I'll need like ISBN numbers, etc...and I will not be raking in profits on this, I just want to see if anyone wants to read them

If it helps you decide if you are interested, the influences are Neil Gaiman's Sandman series from DC comics, Dark Shadows (the 80s revival series, not that horrible movie), early Anne Rice and my love of gothic mysteries set in english castles. I'd give more details, but honestly doing so would be giving away the point of the first three stories so I can't.

Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Greyhaunt

Sounds very awesome! I'll read yours if you read mine. :-p

Trethowan wrote:Sounds very awesome! I'll read yours if you read mine. :-p

Hmmm, that sounds like a vaguely perverted offer

PM incoming - sounds interesting (and I have the time, I commute to work!)

Just wanted to let everyone who responded know that I have not forgotten and I will be PMing you! This last week turned out to be crazy and I had no spare time to think of anything, but this is a short work week so I'll be getting back to everyone soon.

And I'm still happy to take more if anyone else is interested

I love reading and I'm on vacation until December 20! Hurray for paid leave! Still taking critiques readers?

Are you still taking readers?
If so I would be interested

Yes, thank you

And to everyone who replied so long ago, I'm sorry for my delay in getting back to you all. Not long after I posted my mother became ill, and while the condition itself was not at all life threatening it caused her to develop a severe anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, while I could see what was happening (because I've had generalized anxiety disorder my entire life) no one else was recognizing it until it reached the point of her needing to go to the emergency room not once, but twice for severe attacks. Thankfully she is now on both long and short term medications for this, but the past few months have been a strain, to say the least. Now that she's finally smiling again I've the time to once again get back to this writing project. I hope to be sending a PM to everyone in the next few days about what the next steps will be.

Sorry to hear about your mom being ill. I hope that she gets all better very soon

Looking forward to reading your stories.
Have a beautiful evening.