kalrarii

General:
Since this is a free "service", I didn't think it would go into the advertising forum. If it should be there, however, go ahead and move it.

The title pretty much sums it up. I'm willing to proof-read longer fiction works (completed or in progress) in their entirety. I'd be happy to proof-read almost anything under 300 000 words. That should cover nearly every story/novella/novel you people are going to offer, unless it's one of those never-ending fanfiction series, or you are an experienced writer. (Or maybe a novice that hasn't deleted the unnecessary)

The Terms:
1. You must be the writer or have permission from the writer, but if you lie you only have your own conscience as punishment. I'll only be accepting original stories; no fanfiction.
2. It can be finished or a work in progress (WIP), but should be under 300 000 words. If it's longer, go ahead and "submit" (offer is a much better word) it in two parts. But heed:
3. I'll only take one offer from the same author at a time. I'll be keeping a list, more information below.
4. If there's a lot of spelling mistakes and rather obvious grammar mistakes I'll probably tell you to correct the story before giving it to me again. I might be proof-reading for you, but I'm not going to do the entire editing process. There will be some exceptions to this rule, though.
5. You must be a member of Writing Forums (if you're offering another writer's work, they don't have to be a member; but if they are, tell me both your and their usernames)
6. The story can be any genre, and though I'm young I'm willing to read "explicit" material if you submit such. Just remember to warn me. :)
7. (optional) I'd really appreciate if you could submit a copy of your work with your own comments in there. Questions, what you yourself think is awkward, etc. Just type your comments in another font/color and I'll be able to understand. It's a lot easier to proof-reader and give feedback if I know what you want me to concentrate on. For example, something like this, so that it sticks out - don't give me any really BRIGHT colors though, that would sort of be a turn off.

To Offer (aka Submit):
Just send a link or an attachment to bruisedelbows (at) gmail (dot) com. Try to include your username (see the fifth term), how many words the piece is, the title, any warnings, and the genre. Be sure to say "Proof-read request" or "Request from Writing Forums" as a subject, otherwise I might delete it. If I get two stories on the same day, and I'm feeling a bit down, I'd want to read the "Romantic Comedy" more than the "Horror"; besides - if I'm happy at the end I'll know it's well written. :) After you've sent me an email try to come here and say you've done so, otherwise I might not realize anyone's sent me anything. As in - I don't check my email often otherwise. :P

The List:
Here's a list where I'll be keeping track of the current stories I need to read. If the demand is high enough I might have a limited number of slots or something, but for now I'll be counting with a word limit of 400 000 per month (which is ~13 300 words per day, to make it seem like a bigger number). When summer vacation comes along I'll be lowering it a bit, since I'll be working on my own novella for the Ruthanne Wiley Memorial Novella Contest.

The Stories: N/A
Word Count: 000 000/400 000

__________________
"Er... no? Unless cold water is hiding some odd stimulant that I'm not aware of."

Aevin

I'm really curious here ... What do you get out of this? The pleasure of reading stories, of employing your skills, of doing a good deed?

Sounds like you're being awfully nice, but are you really bored enough to read such large quantities of amateur fiction? As nice and professional as you are being, I just don't get it.

__________________
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--Din from Namco's Tales of the Abyss

kalrarii

Yeah, I'm willing (but not bored, no). I love proof-reading/editting/being a beta for other people. There's the interaction with other writers and such, and I learn a lot along the way. It might be "amateur" but everyone has to start somewhere. And I'm an amateur myself.

I read so much otherwise and I figured that since I automatically think "this would sound better" or "plot-problem", it wouldn't hurt to take up something like this. And it really isn't as much as it seems:

400 000 / 500 (words per page) = 800 pages / 80 (pages read per hour) = 10 x 2 (to include my comments) = 20 hours per month.

That's not even an hour a day.

__________________
"Er... no? Unless cold water is hiding some odd stimulant that I'm not aware of."

aredin

You sure you're not bored?

Tiras

This seems like a great idea. I'm looking for someone to whom I will be able to send my writing to for proof reading. I dont particually have anything at the moment save for a few of my old short stories, the 'novel' Im attempting to work on at the moment is moving rather slow plus I dont like the intro that I have written so far lol.

I am pondering whether to eventually self-publish so proof readers are good. Hehe.

keep safe

Tiras

Mike C

Please, do yourself a favour and only ponder self-publishing if you decide you aren't a good enough writer to get published any other way.

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KyleColorado

I second that.

And, kalrarii, I may just take you up on that offer, but only if you'll allow me to return the favor. : ) Kudos.

Tiras

But why? I can see the perspective from people who write and work for someone else, but if you own your own company or know people who do then why not simply self-publish? Maybe Im just nieve hehe

I'm hoping to work in the Video Games Industry and my stories will be based upon the games I create so from my point of view I'd rather publish myself if there is already the fan base and the means to get the distributors to distribute the product. For example companies like Games Workshop have thier own Publishing company (Black Library)

I understand the use of Publishers and why people use them, I just think it would be an interesting business venture and something I might enjoy doing, if it flops it flops if not then cracking =)

Thats just my point of view =D

Tiras

Karl Himmelreich

Hi Kalrarii,

That is a generous offer...I am curious how at 13 years of age you have managed to develop the skills and insights required for proof reading and critiques? Remarkable

kalrarii

I wouldn't mind having you owe me, lol. Just go ahead and "offer" (aka submit) away!

__________________
"Er... no? Unless cold water is hiding some odd stimulant that I'm not aware of."

kalrarii

I was wondering when someone would bring this up. To sum it up, I started early. I was writing (as in, maybe ten sentence stories) about half a year before I even started school. I have a memory of me reading when I was four. It's only a 2 - 3 year difference from my peers, but its enough.

__________________
"Er... no? Unless cold water is hiding some odd stimulant that I'm not aware of."

FrankBlissett

Well, there's a couple issues here. First, self-publishing is hard - and novels are the hardest of the lot. The reason for this is marketing. Collections of poetry (and even short fiction) are easier to promote than longer fiction, while non-fiction has a built-in market ready to target.

On the other hand, you mentioned writing novels based on your games, and using the game's fan base as your target market. Certainly, that would make the job easier. On the other, other hand, if your fan base is large enough, then you should be able to (get an agent to) market your book to traditional publishers and have them do most of the work of editing, printing, marketing, fulfillment, etc.

I'm sure that if you get some sucessful games under your belt, you'll have more business know-how and will better be able to evaluate the possibilities. Besides, if you have a REALLY sucessful game, I'm sure you could spend some marketing budget on a novel.

-Frank

Karl Himmelreich

That's great...I might just have to take up your offer!