Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

Question, I'm writing a crime novel that dwells in the idea of an anti-hero protagonist who has lost the sense of purpose. Can I add a chapter, that reveals the reasons for his traumas and cynicality in the world? Fyi, the reason was cause his wife died so I'm thinking to show his old sentimental positive self and the transformation he had without her. Would it not disrupt the consistency or "staying with the crime genre?"

Hi all!

I'm a young author and I recently got my first book published, and felt this group would be a good fit. It's a fantasy-mystery hybrid called Hercules is Dead. If you like stories involving mythical beings which take place in our current modern world, I hope you'll give it a read! I've included a link below for anyone interested.

Hercules is Dead – Poets Choice

The deadline is July 29th to complete my grant proposal for the usda rural preservation grant against invasive species… I reallllllly need this grant to help further my business. But this is my first attempt to try and do this kind of thing. If anyone has ever been through this and has any information that could help me I’d be very grateful

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

I finished my first novel in January 2024 (literary horror) and began querying a very select group of agents in late April and through May (6 in total). I’ve done a fair amount of work on my query letter, synposis (I’ve a few different length versions), and my opening pages (10k) are as strong as I can make them. I’ve taken on board feedback from beta readers - some of whom I know personally, some who are impartial. I’ve made revisions based on some of that feedback (much of it around clarity and pacing).

The gap in my submission pack (evident from the query letter) is that I do not have any ‘credentials’. I am unpublished and, whilst I have an MA in Eng Lit, that dates back a couple of decades. Because I’m not in a position to do an MFA at the moment, I instead submitted to a bunch of competitions in the hope that I might place and then be able to beef up my query letter.

Anyway, as it is happens, I’ve now placed in the top 200 (second round/finalist) of the Launch Pad Prose Competition and the novel is now on the CoverFly Red List… I plan to include this in future query letters. (I’ve entered the Page Turner Unpublished, Bath, and First Novel - I’m going to put in for a few more over the coming months).

My question then is whether it constitutes bad etiquette to go back and ‘update’ any of the 6 queried agents to let them know that I am now placing in the top 200 and that I am now on the Red List?

My concern is that there is one agent in particular that rarely opens for submissions - but seems a perfect fit. I knew that I was querying prematurely, but was worried that she might shut down and then I would have missed the opportunity. My question is whether an update of this kind might prove counterproductive.

I was wondering if there were any agents or repped writers out there who might be able to advise?

I’m in the Uk, if that makes any difference.

Hey all!

My name is Visnja and I've been a freelance writer for multiple years now.

As a freelancer, I face many obstacles along the way, just like all of you. From finding clients to promoting myself online.

But everyone's path is different, so - I'd love to know what are some of the biggest struggles you face as freelancers.

Would you share your thoughts with me?

P.S. - Any information on how you try to overcome those challenges would be beneficial as well. Let's learn how to grow together!

What's everyones opinion on booktok? Personally, I think it's harming literature with its "smut" All you see on booktok are haunting adeline, icebreaker, and lot's of other adult books that are just porn with words. They normalize harmful relationships, (cough cough any colleen hoover book cough cough) and I'm afraid the actual publishing world is going to be affected by booktok, turning it into shein but for books. But this was my experience with booktok, maybe I'm on the wrong side of it. I'd love to hear others opinion on this! :)

Hello everyone,

I wanted to show you the (improved) Glossary Generator, which is a very useful writing tool.

There are also some really cool new beta features for advanced filtering. Let me know what you think (and if you want to see certain features added).

It really is designed to save days/weeks of your time (I originally made it for myself), to augment your world-building efforts, and help you find errors too (e.g. naming inconsistencies).

Any questions, just DM me! James

https://preview.redd.it/vjpzhsh8pa1d1.png?width=2042&format=png&auto=webp&s=d5b36a8f1b3197e3342475cb098e0cd4a75f0a3b

Hey there! We have a Discord server for writers and readers which includes a channel for promoting your work! We also have channels for read-for-reads and review swaps if you're looking for feedback or new stuff to read. We are just starting but we have big plans for this channel. If it sounds cool, you can join using this link-  https://discord.gg/nQah3wBJut

Hey guys! So i just started my first book and im really excited but also its pretty exhausting for mentally lol. Its so much fun and pretty difficult at the same time. This is completely new territory for me so i thought id give it a shot. Any tips for a beginner?

After four years of diligent work, I have finally completed the last installment of one of my cherished sagas. Amidst personal turmoil and countless obstacles, I persevered, and today marks the culmination of this journey. Crafting intricate worlds and engaging narratives has been my forte, honed through countless beta reader engagements. Presently, I find myself in a precarious phase of life where writing serves as my sole solace. Have you ever experienced such profound reliance on a creative outlet? Completing this final planned manuscript fills me with both elation and apprehension, for the path to publication seems blocked by financial constraints. Regrettably, the sum demanded by the literary agent exceeds my current means, as household expenses weigh heavily upon me. The dream of seeing my book in print has sustained me through countless trials. I attempted to supplement my income through freelance endeavors, primarily beta reading, which yielded some respite until the funds were redirected towards my mother's cancer treatment. Now, at this crossroads of uncertainty, I seek guidance and perhaps, professional collaboration. Should anyone require the services of a skilled beta reader, I offer my expertise willingly, without charge. Your feedback will not only enrich my craft but also assist in refining my writing. To those who have followed this journey until its conclusion, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. May each of you enjoy a splendid day ahead!

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

I've seen how people discuss underlyimg themes, references and other unique points, when they talk about their reads. Most of them are literature graduates. How do I develop this skill? Is there a frameworks sorts they use to analyse? Also, what is the point of doing this exercise? For example, I'm reading short stories by Leo Tolstoy? How do I pick themes from his stories? Does not knowing change the perspective of what you read?

Here's a space to discuss what you're working on, what you're proud of, what you're struggling with, or just whatever's on your mind.

Some prompts:

How's your writing going? Are you stuck? Made some new progress?

Picked up any good books lately? Come across any authors who you wish you could write like?

Are you in the midst of editing? Are you hating every second of it?

Leave a comment and let us know!

I'm attempting to make a fantasy webcomic with a friend of mine, and I need someone to help us with ideas and other things, bing something new to the table. This is a side project with no economic interest. If anyone is interested in helping us we're open for anything and would greatly appreciate anything you might lend to the story. We are discussing the story on discord.

I need feedback on this story I came up with, I just wanted to know what y'all think of this, like spelling mistakes or proper grammar.

This one my favorite one it has the same elements just like that last story.

Nightmare's Echo. By StoryLord.

The flickering light of the television cast long shadows across the room as I sat on the couch, the only sound the soft hum of the late-night program. Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the calm, jolting me from my half-awake state. My heart raced, recognizing the sound as my son's voice. His nightmares were relentless, haunting his sleep night after night.

Without a second thought, I leaped off the couch and hurried down the dimly lit hallway toward his room. The wooden floor creaked under my weight, adding an eerie soundtrack to the tension in the air. As I reached his door, I paused for a moment, bracing myself for what I might find inside.

Turning the knob, I entered to find my son huddled in his bed, tears streaming down his face, his small frame trembling with fear. "Daddy, there's a monster under my bed," he whispered, his voice barely audible amidst his sobs.

I knelt beside him, the cool air of the room sending shivers down my spine. "There are no monsters, buddy," I reassured him, my voice filled with false bravado.

His eyes widened as he pointed for me to look under the bed, his fear palpable in the room. I followed suit, my heart skipping a beat as I saw my son somehow under the bed, tears in his eyes as he has his mouth covered, he gestured his eyes upward, he removed his hands from his mouth, and his words trembled.

"daddy, there's a monster on my bed."

I slowly looked up on the bed the air grew heavy with a sense of dread as I realized the figure was like a twisted reflection of my son, but something was horribly wrong.

The creature's eyes were hollow voids, devoid of any warmth or humanity. Its smile was grotesque, stretching unnaturally wide to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth glinting in the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains. It moved with an eerie grace, its limbs elongating as if defying the laws of nature.

A chill ran down my spine, a primal instinct urging me to flee, but I was frozen in place, unable to tear my gaze away from this nightmare made flesh. It let out a blood-curdling scream, its voice piercing my ears like shards of glass, sending waves of agony through my body.

I recoiled, clutching my ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound, but it was no use. The creature's hand closed around my throat with inhuman strength, and I felt searing pain as it tore at my flesh, ripping my face apart in a frenzy of violence.

The pain was unbearable, a torment that transcended the boundaries of reality and plunged me into a waking nightmare. Just as I thought I couldn't endure any more agony, I jolted awake, gasping for air, my heart pounding in my chest.

Relief flooded through me as I bolted straight up, realizing it was just a dream, a twisted figment of my imagination. I reached up to touch my face, reassured by the familiar sensation of intact skin. But then, a distant scream shattered the fragile calm of my waking reality, reminding me that nightmares, once born, can echo far beyond the confines of sleep.

I turned towards the sound, dread creeping over me like a suffocating blanket. My son's terrified cries echoed through the house, and I felt a heavy weight settle over me, dragging me back into the abyss of fear and uncertainty.

God help us both.

Clark Writer's Workshop is currently looking for members (both in-person and remote) for its Fiction workshop. We're a critique group that offers writers the opportunity to connect with their peers and get valuable feedback on their work.

• Genres: Any genres.
• Meeting Frequency: Monthly meetings on the third Saturday. Supports in-person and remote attendees.
• Expectations: Submit writing for workshop, read 2-5 other writing samples, and craft feedback. Covid vaccination required for in-person attendance. Snacks provided to in-person attendees.
• Skill levels: All skill levels accepted.
• Meeting Place: Union County, New Jersey. Online.
• Total Meeting Spaces: 6 per session, two sessions a month.

If interested, please DM me. Thanks

Story Valley is a discord server looking for fresh blood! We have Storyteller, Gamestreams, Question of the Day, Ask the Editor, critique group (we have spaces!) and much much more. We are collaborated with a professional editor with 20 years of experience who is happy to answer all your writing questions for free! We welcome all kinds of writers but have limited spaces. No minors. Drop me a line if you are interested in joining our very homey, welcoming and chill group :D

Hello everyone!

I've finally found the time to massively improve the Glossary Generator. It's now way more user-friendly, had bug-fixes galore, has on-screen results AND more.

I've added some really cool beta features too for more advanced filtering. Let me know what you think (and if you want to see certain features added).

It really is designed to save days/weeks of your time (I originally made it for myself!), to augment your world-building efforts, and help you find errors too (e.g. naming inconsistencies).

Any questions, just DM me! James

https://preview.redd.it/nq5bnq1j19oc1.png?width=1718&format=png&auto=webp&s=a274aaaef50681fbb74a1aa980a99c06fb49e9b5

I have been working on a manuscript for months now; its in 3rd person past tense, I have 10 chapters so far and a word count of about 35,000. but i feel like my progress just isnt showing up. ive gotten some feedback for a snippet i wrote about my mc's and it was written in 1st person contrary to what my entire manuscript is in.

Now im wondering if my manuscript would be overall easier and more engaging in 1st person. I would also like the mc's pov switches.

Would i have to change the pov, that way i can add multiply mc perspectives? or is there sum way i can salvage this? Should i just finish my first draft before i do any of this? i need help. 😭