Short story feedback blitz

Description

Get email feedback on your story of up to 6000 words (partial text accepted, I will let you know if I’d read on to find out the ending). This is for short fiction stories for the UK / US SFF genre markets.

I accept genres of science fiction, fantasy, and some horrific elements, though horror is not my strength. I also accept “weird” fiction but there must be a speculative element. If there is not, or it is not strong enough for me, this will be included in your assessment.

What you get:

An emailed assessment of the story with a subjective* opinion on the story’s

• structuring and plot
• prose and style
• themes and motifs
• character development
• readiness for market (UK/US short speculative fiction)
• manuscript formatting and so on

And as a bonus, I will include a selection of market research tools for short SFF stories that you might find useful in finding it a home.

I will also give you some general recommendations. I will try to be kind as possible but some of the recommendations may be bitter medicine. Please don’t shoot the messenger! I will try to be as realistic about the story’s viability as possible and not offer false platitudes. However, again, as kindly as I can.

Response time

I expect in most cases to fit your feedback into my working week, so it may take up to a week or even more to get back to you. If you have an urgent deadline, do mention it and I will see what I can do. It might not be possible to make the turnaround but I will try.

What I won’t do

• I will not correct spelling or fix typos – that kind of editing is a different service and outside the scope of this one.
• I will not rewrite your story for you, nor try to force it to match my own preferences… I will do my best to meet the story where it is.
• I will not correct your research, or identify every single possible issue with a text – it’s just not humanly possible. I will do my best to work with you, though.

 

*Subjective means your feedback will not be one-size-suits all. I cannot pre-empt the reaction of editors and first readers from markets, or the general public at large. I can only give my own “take” on your work. I offer no guarantees of acceptance for publication, or any other outcome, as this would be impossible.

How it works:

After you’ve checked out this product and payment has been approved, I email you with an address where you may send an attached story document (please always scan for viruses before sending with up to date anti-viral software). Please include your name and email address on the story. NO AI GENERATIVE WORKS – this includes ChatGPT etc. If a machine has written it you will find very few markets want it in any case.

I will then return my assessment via the same email address, so please check you have typed it correctly, and marked it as a “safe sender” in your email programme.

I will endeavour to get it back to you within a week, or 2 weeks at the outside. If you need something faster, look for other products in store with shorter turnarounds.

The terms of engagement – purchase implies you have read and understood:

I will be making this product only available until I run out of capacity, in which case I will be switching it to “Sold Out” for a period of time until I have cleared all orders (or if I’m on holiday etc). If you have found this product not available, please bookmark this page and return soon!

I only read stories in English. I only read speculative fiction. If you have purchased this service and your story does not meet these criteria I may not be able to refund all your payment due to credit card charges. Please always check a product is right for you before pressing “BUY”. Contact me with any questions before purchase! 

File formats and emails: I prefer Microsoft Word documents (.doc / .docx), but I will also (perhaps grudgingly) accept PDF and .rtf or .txt files or Google Drive document links. I will attempt to get back in touch with all who have purchased this service within 24 hours to establish contact, but please take into account that life happens and I am just one person. Please always check your spam folders, every time, as some mail services are over-zealous.

Limits of service

This service is strictly for science fiction and fantasy prose, or that other “weird” speculative fiction category that doesn’t quite fit in with the others. (No poetry, litfic, non-fic, memoir, etc, as these are not my area – straight up horror is something I can read, but you might be happier with someone who has been published more often in that genre).

I am not averse to graphic depictions of sex or violence, but if I’d prefer them to have a purpose other than authorial self-insert or any kind of vindictive / incel bullshit fantasies. Similarly I am not here for any racist, transphobic, homophobic or otherwise bigoted valorisation. (Obviously, if the character is problematic but is TREATED as problematic, that’s different.) I will be pointing out “problematic” stories, if I spot them, and I might not be kind if I find it to have crossed the line. You have been warned.

The hard part:

My feedback may be not what you want to hear, but the reason you have come to me is the fact you want an outside observer’s opinion. So please try not to get upset if it isn’t as positive as you wanted. I am trying to offer realistic feedback and detail that submission markets such as magazines might not bother to give you.

You will not get a refund for disagreeing with my assessment. I will offer refunds only where I cannot fulfill the service in a timely fashion and it is my fault.

If I have asked you not to submit any further stories, please respect this as final. I will block access to this site based on people I feel are taking liberties.

Sadly, I can’t guarantee your story will find a home after this. Publishing is fickle and a crapshoot most of the time except for a lucky few. In addition, my feedback does not constitute endorsement of your work.

But, if this service did help you, please do leave feedback or recommed me to anyone you think might also benefit.

Also check my general terms and conditions here