tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post3971971395384699172..comments2008-11-28T11:42:17.880Zauthonomynoreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-40955385804702398582008-11-28T11:42:00.000Z2008-11-28T11:42:00.000Z

I agree with two parts of the discussion. First, this is a great article, and helpful. Second, this site as a whole doesn't work. I took my work down, because playing the game of rising to the top the way it is done here is not my style. I've been published for many years, starting with HarperCollins back when it was Harper and Row, and moving on to my own imprint(one novel is now sold in

Robin Ricehttp://www.bewhoyouare.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-32405554871219515332008-11-17T17:38:00.000Z2008-11-17T17:38:00.000Z

Excellent advice for all new writers. Thank you.<BR/>With that number of books to read each day, do you ever go back to those uploaded some time ago, or do you only choose the latest ones?<BR/>J. Alexander

Joyce Alexanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14779643657450326133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-56950110884912661652008-10-25T17:58:00.000+01:002008-10-25T17:58:00.000+01:00

I agree the plugging is getting too much in the way of discussion and reader feedback. Have not been visited by Jason, yet but I have received very good comments and constructive criticism.

alchemisthttp://authonomy.com/Profile.aspxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-31838083358913174172008-10-18T18:58:00.000+01:002008-10-18T18:58:00.000+01:00

Anonymous,<BR/>OK, you may be right; I haven't run the numbers. But I still maintain that there is too much horse trading going on in the threads (psst! If you read mine, I'll read yours. Etc.) I will also admit to being a bit jealous of those who have risen to the top of the ranks (how many folks here would admit to that?) If I had more time I could perhaps 'network' more on these threads,

Paul Claytonwww.carlmelcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-72660041780915187532008-10-18T14:07:00.000+01:002008-10-18T14:07:00.000+01:00

Paul - I think you are wrong. <BR/><BR/>Let's ignore the fact that writers are readers too - usually some of the heaviest readers (and book buyers) - so HC are probably pleased to have them on board.<BR/><BR/>I've done a quick calculation and there are 6 times the number of site users as books. So potentially there may be 5 readers on site to every 1 writer. Maybe some 'readers' are just

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-47409766406016171492008-10-17T18:19:00.000+01:002008-10-17T18:19:00.000+01:00

There. You can still smell the smoke. My little contribution has killed the thread. So be it, I say, as I put my matches back in my pocket. They'll all move on to other cells in the HC hive to partake in back slapping, airy chatter and hopeful speculation. I'll stew in my anger. And I fear the beekeepers have died or else have had the farm repossesd.

Paul Claytonwww.carlmelcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-19053946985817204882008-10-17T01:59:00.000+01:002008-10-17T01:59:00.000+01:00

A slush pile is a slush pile is a slush pile. The only difference is that this one talks. And, ooh! Hold your ears;it's very. Why am I here, you ask? Like you, there's a chance... My pal used to say, if you buy one lottery ticket you have one chance in a billion, or whatever. But if you don't buy any... But I've stated in other threads here, and I think this has made me quite unpopular,

Paul Claytonwww.carlmelcher.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-8315344113545480292008-10-16T23:43:00.000+01:002008-10-16T23:43:00.000+01:00

The Authonomy "Tradition".<BR/><BR/>This thread sums up Authonomy:<BR/>(The introduction is fine, but look at the responses, which are so characteristic of Authonomy)<BR/><BR/>Martin Grubb said:<BR/>My name is Martin Grubb. I'm 30 from Scotland and have just uploaded some chapters from my young adults novel. I'm hoping to get some feedback here, I'm already enjoying the site. Some of the work

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-83498076523102323282008-10-16T21:53:00.000+01:002008-10-16T21:53:00.000+01:00

When Jason hit town there was a flurry of pitch-editing by those that had sat up and taken note... Focus on the pitch!!<BR/><BR/>The message continues to percolate through the site and many pitches are refined as superfluous words and ideas evaporate.<BR/><BR/>So, thanks Jason. Annoyingly obvious as the advice seemed, it really has helped to smarten this place up.

V Crowehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15858716160820184422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-55361583439335971532008-10-16T16:47:00.000+01:002008-10-16T16:47:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Jason for an interesting read. I know Jason's comments on individual books have been much appreciated by many people on Authonomy and not just the authors!<BR/><BR/>The pitch is all important. The ridiculous thing about Authonomy at the moment is the talent spotter rankings, which, by giving more weight to certain reviewers actively encourages hype and cliqueiness, rather than genuine

Triciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09441437422370166835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-1795289555368505812008-10-16T15:16:00.000+01:002008-10-16T15:16:00.000+01:00

This is my first day of posting anything and I've read through the posts with increasingly raised eyebrows. Strong stuff strongly expressed.<BR/>I would just like to thank Jason for his clear, humorous and informative essay. <BR/>It is a very crowded world out there but I'm sure his advice can help the aspiring.

So...noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-48316147787906947382008-10-16T13:58:00.000+01:002008-10-16T13:58:00.000+01:00

Harry, perhaps the Sunday Times should only publish its best-seller list once a year, so readers can go into bookstores and make their own minds up about what to read without being unduly influenced by any of that ridiculous hype.<BR/><BR/>Promotion is a fact of life and sure promoted books may get looked at. But please give us a bit of credit to know whether we like a book or not!

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-49102675375281391552008-10-16T13:35:00.000+01:002008-10-16T13:35:00.000+01:00

The last anonymous remark is excellent. HC should shouldn't show a ratings chart. They should simply reveal at the end of the month which five books have made it to the editor's desk. This would, hopefully, remove the incessant and extremely irritating self-promotion of most of the authors in the top ten. Most of the forum seems to be dedicated to the self-trumpeting of these individuals.<BR/><BR

Harrynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-42690026706586831142008-10-16T12:10:00.000+01:002008-10-16T12:10:00.000+01:00

Jason Pettus is a class act!

Richie Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-72248778382554194412008-10-16T07:37:00.000+01:002008-10-16T07:37:00.000+01:00

I agree in part with Blue. HC appears quite uninterested in this site, despite the breathless hype it uses to promote it. They toss the odd blog our way, but it is no more than we could find ourselves trawling the net. The critiques they handed down from on high were short and unimpressive.The level of self promotion on the site is understandable given the competitive nature of the publishing

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-85615553326550551832008-10-16T04:58:00.000+01:002008-10-16T04:58:00.000+01:00

Welcome. Your presence is appreciated.<BR/><BR/>I'm American with vast global, idiosyncratic experience, used to live in Chicago. Now I'm in Japan working on a couple of novels(one in revision--it is edgy, shocking, and I can't give away anything else, and two others are in creation).<BR/>You sound like a nice enough bloke. You say you've been paying for drinks for angry artists since 2007.<BR/><

J.T. Bleuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770476423483151091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-79789160609436688682008-10-16T00:14:00.000+01:002008-10-16T00:14:00.000+01:00

blue, anonymous - forgive me here, but read your posts over again and ask yourselves this question, Would you engage with you?

Chris Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-19870035555100532322008-10-16T00:03:00.000+01:002008-10-16T00:03:00.000+01:00

Jason Pettus, very well done here, and again it's a pleasure to read you. Thank you for this.

Chris Collinsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-23538230913499114732008-10-15T23:56:00.000+01:002008-10-15T23:56:00.000+01:00

I fully agree with Blue. I have only been a member for 2 days and already i have noticed how unwelcome genuine constructive criticism is. I honestly would like someone's real opinion if i put any work up but it seems unless you have a book of your own, the authors think how dare you? Half the people who they intend to write for have no intention of writing their own book, so it is irrational and

scarlett21http://www.blogger.com/profile/10608547255483487874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-81485722521768193922008-10-15T20:44:00.000+01:002008-10-15T20:44:00.000+01:00

I have to agree with anonymous. I wonder if HC really think this site is working. There's not much evidence that they do. Their main presence on the site seems to be in the shape of some guy called Rik from the IT department - which sums up their attitude towards the site, I guess. They are engaging with it technically, but not editorially.<BR/><BR/>In X-Factor, everyone gets their chance to

bluehttp://www.millionairesdeathclub.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-12397034788740613112008-10-15T19:08:00.000+01:002008-10-15T19:08:00.000+01:00

So even the people at HC are losing interest in Authonomy. Now the blog has to be supported with contributions from site members. Still, it no doubt appeals to those desperate for their fifteen minutes of fame.

Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-85737814793350221372008-10-15T15:10:00.000+01:002008-10-15T15:10:00.000+01:00

You see this is the problem with such a site...we are unpublished (and potentially unpublishable) authors - offering advice to more of the same...the blind leading the blind. Hence the problems outlined in this blog...but thanks for the tips. If nothing else it focuses our minds on what our story is actually about.

CJ Hawkenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6938941270066027033.post-39580811454453653222008-10-15T15:08:00.000+01:002008-10-15T15:08:00.000+01:00

Jason, that is enlightening to say the least.<BR/><BR/>I have to admit that you're right. The pitch is the first thing I tend to read also, and have read some 'less than perfect' ones here on Authonomy.<BR/><BR/>The next time you're looking for something to catch your eye, could you kindly read my pitch and tell me if there is work to be done on it.<BR/>http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?

Anne Lyken-Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01425485414456096031noreply@blogger.com