So I’m working on my query and trying to figure out comps for my book. I know my book isn’t so completely unique in that there are no comps, but I’m struggling because the closest I can think of (that captures the tone/vibe/structure) is Six of Crows.

But is SoC too big to comp now? I know it’s not Harry Potter or LOTR, but it seems to be a pretty big phenomenon right now.

I will say my book is not a heist, but it does have multi POV, is fast paced/adventure filled, with twists and turns and high stakes.

My big issue with other comps in YA is so many deal with royalty, which mine has none of, and they aren’t dark/gritty enough. And not many have more than 2 POVs.

Thanks for any insight in advance!

Hi! I'm writing about a girl traveling across the Wild West to pick up the belongings of her older brother after he dies and solving a mystery along the way. I'm planning on keeping it light but I'm not sure if the premise itself is too dark for an MG book. Thoughts?

Hey everyone, I'm writing a book and one of my characters suffers from self-harm. I am showing the hiding, how badly it affects her, how difficult it was to hide it, and the daily struggles that people go through when they do self-harm. I wanted to ask if it is okay to write a character in the act of doing it. I tried to find answers but didn't; I'm sorry if there are duplicate questions. I want to be respectful and don't wanna romanticize it.

I'm new to all of this. So I have a manuscript that I would appreciate someone looking over. This is my first attempt to find beta readers. This is also the first time that I've ever actually finished an entire manuscript.

The story takes place in a heavily forested mountain right on the verge of an unnamed plague. The titular character is a shady vermin on the run from a pack of animals that he betrayed who accidentally saves a dog from freezing to death. The two unlikely friends then go on the run together as they try to survive a hostile forest filled with wolves, hostile crows and a strange plague that threatens to turn every animal feral. The conflict is less about the plague however and more about the main character finding a way to overcome his own selfish instincts.

I've edited this first draft to the best of my ability but again this is my first attempt at actual writing so I don't know what I'm doing. I'd appreciate any help or advice but the main questions I'd ask a beta reader are...

1. Do the characters have believable arcs or do they act out of character at any point?
2. Is the mythology in the novel sufficient or do I need to edit it more?
3. Do the naming conventions work for the characters?
4. Does the story feel rushed at all?

I don't know where to go from here. I guess I'll just email the manuscript to anyone who offers to read it. The story isn't very long, about 159 pages.

This is my last edit through before trying to get it trad-published so maybe that might be why. It's just every time I sit down to edit I just end up with a bad feeling in my gut and wasn't sure if others ever experienced something similar?

Hello!

I’m writing a book that’s a YA dystopia. Set within a war, a girl is sent to an enemy country to spy on their weaponry development and later their government. She ends up finding out that the government is responsible for the war though, and the people she thought of as her enemy are not necessarily as evil as she imagined.

My problem is coming up with comps for this. I’m well read in dystopia and a number of other genres, but I don’t quite have a comp for this (unless I’m being too picky - that’s something I’ve been considering but it’s besides the point). Does anyone know of any books I can read that have similar plot elements? Really hoping I can find at least one strong comp.

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi. So, there's this heist that I'm writing about. These heists. I have zero knowledge about heists apart from GTA. Is there's somewhere I can know more about them? In a specific way? Is it really like they show in movies and TV shows?

I’m just hoping to maybe make a few writerly friends with fellow trad-aiming folk. Nothing against indie, but their pressures and demands are not the same as mine, and I’m just really craving community.

Hello! I'm looking for general tips on how to write mysteries in the YA genre, since there seems to be different approaches to it on the mystery books I have read. What do you think works best? What should I avoid? How do I make a 'good' mystery? Those kind of things.

Some specifics I want to ask:

1. How do I handle serious topics? My WIP involves suicide and sexual violence, so how do I handle it without offending anyone, or at least the general audience?

2. How do I write "teen detectives"? My MC's are rich spoiled boys under distress bought by guilt and grief, so I don't want them to act like they're in a police procedural who does everything perfectly. Still, I want them to do some of the investigating. How do I go about it?

3. How do I avoid convolution? I've plotted some of it, and it appears a little convoluted to me. I feel like I did it because I don't want the reader to guess the answers immediately. Is this okay or is this a sign of bad writing? Because I read some authors say it is but then I have read some books more confusing than what I have plotted so far.

For additional details, my WIP isn't necessarily a mystery book. It focuses more on how the MCs are affected by the suicide of their friend but I plan on having the final act revolve around it, and the mystery is what will keep the story moving forward.

Hi everyone! I've been actively querying agents lately and I've hit a roadblock that's been making me second-guess my approach: I'm struggling to pinpoint the exact genre of my book. Since genre plays a huge role in targeting the right agents, I'm concerned that my uncertainty might be affecting my querying success. I would deeply appreciate your insights and advice to ensure I'm on the right track! Here are the key details:

• It's the first book in a duology, with an 18-year-old female protagonist.
• The story is set in secret agent societies outside of present-day Vancouver.
• It's written in first-person POV, present tense.
• The main premise is how the protagonist navigates the complexities of captivity, manipulation, and unexpected attraction while plotting her escape from a rival faction.
• Although she's part of a secret agent society, it isn’t heavy on espionage, the societies are supposed to be akin to all-encompassing belief systems that deeply influence their members’ lives and worldviews
• Romance is intertwined with the plot, but she doesn't end up with anyone in this first book.
• Swearing (sh*t, crap, ass, damn, b*tch, and f*ck) is present but infrequent.
• Violence is mild, and romance scenes are limited to kissing (not steamy).
• Most of the story takes place within one secret agent society's complex.
• The world features some futuristic technologies like truth serums, compliance drugs, and implanted trackers.
• Themes include questioning the foundations of beliefs and societies, exploring the complexities of the human psyche and vulnerability, the nature of power and control, and the search for identity.
• The story is a mix of character-driven and plot-driven elements.
• Tone ranges from playful and sarcastic to suspenseful and emotionally charged
• Fast-paced but there are not many high-action scenes, no clear enemy or antagonist, and no mystery/crime.
• The second book has a clearer enemy, stronger and steamier romance including nudity (no sex), builds upon the original themes, and has a HEA
• Word count: 84,000 (already dropped down dramatically from 97,000)
• Comparable titles: Killing November by Adriana Mather, Thieves' Gambit by Kayvion Lewis, and The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
• Intended audience: Ages 16-25
• Writing style: Casual and straightforward (no pretty prose here!)

Given these elements, I'm unsure which genre it falls into. Young Adult is what I originally had in mind due to the casual writing style, playful and light tone, and themes, but I don’t know if that completely captures the full story because of the heavy prominence of psychological suspense and romance, the word count, and the age of the protagonist (I wouldn’t mind having her older).

I was also wondering - for querying, is the genre for the first book or the series as a whole? For example, the romance is more traditional for my second book but not my first one.

Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated! I'm not comfortable posting my query but I can DM it if you'd like to help!

I'm looking for beta readers, a couple chapters at a time for my books I publish on kindle vella

Working Title: THE MEMORY THIEF, AND THE INFINITE TRAIN

Genre: YA Fantasy

Word count: Sample - 2,000 words

POV: unclear*

Explicit content: N/A

Level of violence: PG

Trigger warnings: Fatphobia

Blurb: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard meets Harry Potter

In a world dominated by rulers controlling enigmatic machines manipulated by blood, an orphaned teenage thief finds herself unexpectedly thrust into an invitation to the prestigious Elite School, once her skills with 'blood machines' is uncovered. Alongside her future classmates, with whom she's too different to get along with, she unravels a perilous plot to unleash a weapon capable of altering the very fabric of the climate.

What to Assess:

Tense Consistency: Should I conform more closely to past tense?

Character Introduction: Does the protagonist, Unami feel oriented around goals, motivations, and personality traits clear? What about Lor, and Pri?

World-Building: Is the setting of the story introduced in a way that feels immersive and believable?

Pacing: Are there any info dumps that slow down the narrative? Do you feel engaged whilst reading this?

Voice: Does the writing have a distinct and engaging voice?

Perspective: What perspective do you think would be effective for my story? First-person or third-person?

Relatability: Does the protagonist face challenges or have experiences that would resonate with 12-18 yr old.

Emotional Connection: Do you feel excitement, curiosity, or suspense?

DM TO SECURE THE SAMPLE PAGES!

​

This is in the context of a book about a high school math team gaining popularity in the small rural town it's in.

The leads are two gifted teenage girls at the top of their high school's class, the MC, Gen, being the star mathlete (ends up competing at the EGMO by virtue of being the best girl not in the IMO pool after one of the initial competitors overdoses) and her best friend, Marcia, being shown to perform academically almost identically to the MC outside of math. (And also better-rounded since Marcia is later revealed to be the quiz bowl captain, and proves to be a formidable mathlete in her own right, but narrowly misses the USAMO)

TL/DR: the two girls simply feel like geniuses, but aren't otherwise spoiled.

A beta reader told me my leads (the MC and her best friend) were so smart their intellect made them less relatable. However, I gave these characters the following flaws (which I knew were common in people at their intellectual level):

• Putting too much self-worth on their performance levels (to the point they both get anxiety or panic attacks)
• Tend to intellectualize too much
• Give their all in a variety of areas without necessarily knowing that they really want in the long run
• (MC only) Tends to over-invest herself in the pursuit of a goal

Sorry for the wall of text...

Hello! My sequel for my YA fantasy trilogy is currently in the Beta Reading phase. I'm looking for constructive feedback on my book blurb. Below is the blurb for my first book and what I currently have for book 2. Thanks so much!

Blurb for book 1 - The Searing Stone - Children of Erym Saga: Book I

​

https://preview.redd.it/h71776z3ixnc1.png?width=468&format=png&auto=webp&s=c74c31dfc0c596dd4556f9611a08717775362e5a

Blurb for book 2 - The Remnant's Secret - Children of Erym Saga: Book II

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https://preview.redd.it/7pirmmiuhxnc1.png?width=468&format=png&auto=webp&s=4b2120532fca1ff8634f3670d6ff2253fbf1fdbc

i am writing a queer 90s romance about a small town rock band trying to make it big. the two guys in the band are in a secret relationship. as the band gains more success, the tension in the band gets heightened when they find out one of the band members is homophobic. ultimately, the band slowly falls apart (for various reasons) and is finally dissolved when the secret gets out, ending in the homophobic character getting upset at the "betrayal". in the epilogue chapters, the band reunites by chance and while the past is not forgiven, they are able to exist together in a friendly manner.

i know homophobia being the "main antagonist" is a disliked trope, and i know, from this quick summary, my story could go in that direction pretty quickly. so i wanted reddit's opinion on this: is my story still "okay"? does it cross any lines? a small side note that i am queer myself.

some context before you announce your verdict 😌
the homophobic character is some-what of an antagonist themselves. they are the main reason for most of the drama in the band, and they are the one who "ruins" a lot of their successes. there is a lot of conflict in the band and the story in general that does not revolve around homophobia and the queer relationship, and it really only becomes "an issue" in the last third of the book. also it needs to be taken into account that the character had recently experienced a traumatic experience and sought comfort in one of the queer characters, and through this starting to grow feelings for that person. so not only did they get mad out of hatred, but also the feeling of betrayal and hurt (of course this doesn't justify their reaction, but there is more to consider than just their homophobic opinions).
i really want to emphasise how much influence this character's mood and strong opinions can have on the group, and it is very fitting to the character themselves to react the way they did. and, after all, it is set in the USA in the 90s. It's not unrealistic for a group of friends to split because of something like this.

i'd love to know what yall think.

Working Title: All I've Ever Known

Genre: Contemporary YA LGBTQ+ (mlm) Romance with some Mystery/Suspense

Word count: Complete novel — approx 98k (that’s approx. 360 pages)

POV: Third person, dual POV

Explicit content: Sexual references, implied sex scenes but not graphic

Level of violence: Moderate violence, described blood but not excessively.

Trigger warnings: Depiction of Homelessness, Violence, Implied Sexual Assault, Implied Past Child Abuse

Blurb:

Alfie is homeless. But he hasn't always been. Still, when the winter threatens to kill, he must do what he can to survive. Even if that means stealing from happy, innocent families.

Meanwhile, between the stress of uni applications, coming out as bisexual, and his dad's constant pressure, Tom feels like his life is falling apart piece by piece. Until one snowy evening when he finds a sad and mysterious, but beautiful boy hiding inside the garden shed.

And now both Alfie and Tom feel like their lives might be changing all over again. But this time, maybe they want it to. Maybe this time something in their lives will actually start to make sense.

Please follow the link below to register your interest and ask me for more info.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiYpKc2LwO58_vP3akTollIQ6T4NhGeBwf1CjNf41dGPylxQ/viewform?usp=sharing

Thanks

Hello! I'm looking for beta readers for my 90k war fiction YA novel. The plot follows a girl who is sent to spy in an enemy country, but while gathering information, starts to realize that the war isn't exactly what she thought it was, and that higher authority figures are set on manipulating the experiences of their people.

​

I've had a few betas but none of them are huge readers, so they couldn't give the critiques I needed, and I'm too broke to pay anyone to beta. Please let me know if you would be interested, even for a few chapters! Thank you!

DISCLAIMER: I am NO ONE. I'm not a published author or have any credentials

HOWEVER, I am set to give a talk to a bunch of new writers in my critique group and I was coerced to give a Q and A about finishing a novel manuscript.

SO, I need practice on what questions is likely going to come up.

About my manuscript (in the vaguest sense possible):
Queer YA Dystopia Romance, 17 year old female protagonist, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, connecting love triangles, friendship above all, bittersweet ending

ASK anything that's related to starting on an idea and efficiently finishing a version of it, that would help me a lot to formulate my answers for this critique group so I don't just talk out of my behind T.T

I NEED YOUR HELP!

Question away

I'm getting to the point where I think it would be smart to have beta readers have a look at the first few chapters of my book to see if they notice something I am too close to. This is my first book however, so I have no real idea how I would go about finding beta readers and I on;y really have one friend who is a writer and my other friends don't read much so I'm out of luck there.

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

What's your favorite writing platform? For me, I mainly use Reedsy or Taler (though for some reason, Taler isn't working today T-T. It would be really helpful if someone checked it out). I have tried to use Scrivener but it just didn't sit well with me and google docs is just... boring, lol.

Comment down below on what's your favorite platform!

When I try to rewrite a description, because I remember how I wrote it the first time, when I try to rewrite it it barely changes from what it was?

Like I know in my head there are tons of ways to describe the same thing yet because I remember how I wrote it the first time my brain takes the path of least resistance or something and ends up giving me the same general thing anyway.

Not sure if this explanation made sense, I'm not fully sure I understand it myself. It's just something that's been annoying me while I try to go through my third draft.

Hello all. I am outlining a YA/NA suburban horror novel. The tentative protagonist in the outline so far is a society darling, the daughter of wealthy parents. However, she rebels against their worldview & donates her extensive jewelry to revolutionary political causes who she believes will bring about egalitarianism. This is obviously just the setup to the main story, but I wonder if this concept is too unrelatable to readers. Does she come off as potentially cool? Or just privileged & annoying? I would guess it all comes down to execution, but if you saw an MC described like this on a book jacket, would you have positive, neutral, or negative feelings about that?

I mean the whole thing. I've redrafted specific chapters dozens of times however I (literally this morning) finished the second draft of my whole book and was wondering how many time is considered 'normal' to redraft the whole book before risking the world of querying.

Hello! About to take the plunge into the querying trenches and wondered if anyone has develop/used/been asked for a marketing plan when querying? I want to be able to demonstrate my seriousness to the effort but not come across as ‘extra’ 🤓. 🙏🏼 thanks!

The story and everything is in the right place for the first book, more I just to make sure it's all as good as I can get it grammatically speaking.

I've been having lots of ideas for the second book though so I've started writing it. I wasn't sure if that was a bad habit to get into though and that I should focus on each book singularly before moving to the next one?

I might be over thinking this.

Hi everyone! I’m in the early stages of writing my first YA book. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but never thought it was really an option for me for lots of reasons I won’t go into. However, I think it’s time to take the plunge!! And I know nothing - which is exciting! I’m curious to hear, what advice would you offer me? It can be anything at all. I’d love any sort of guidance or tips, things you wish you knew, etc. Thank you in advance!

How do I make the theft of a million dollars' worth of coins from a coin mint in my YA mystery novel as realistic as possible?

Hi guys! So I'm writing a novel that originally was one POV with several flashbacks. But I've been considering giving my four main characters POVs, which means I should probably cut the flashbacks. However, the flashbacks are important to the story so something needs to change haha. Do you guys as readers, think it would be to confusing to read multiple POVs with flashbacks for only one or two characters? And as writers, is there a way to execute flashbacks and multiple POVs smoothly? Also, if it's relevant, there are two developing romances. Thanks for the feedback!