ZachT

Hey,

I recently created what I think is best called an automated writing circle, and I'm looking for people to join and put up their work. If you've ever heard of Critters, then you know the concept, except through the system I've programmed you don't have to worry about email.

By using a CP or "critique point" system, every writer will get feedback. Read and critique more, and your own work will automatically be seen. This lets you take a more proactive role in getting your work out there.

Give it a try:

http://www.snoap.net


Thanks,
-Zach

mammamaia

getting work out where?... and 'seen' by whom?... publishers don't haunt the net looking for writers and neither do agents... who else would you want your work to be seen by?...

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ZachT

Seen by other writers, mammamaia. Many people value the constructive feedback of other writers, and I'm trying to provide a place for that. I don't expect publishers or agents to come to my website. Hopefully, writers can help each other get their work into the best shape possible, and then make contact with publishers themselves.

Non Serviam

Looks like you're aiming for an alternative to Critters--which is fine; Critters does an excellent job for what it is. Personally I think it's one of the best writers' mentoring resources on the web. Aburt (who runs Critters) has substantial personal credibility--he's clearly very well-qualified to run a resource like that. And he has substantial numbers of published writers supporting critters now.

But what will your site offer that Critters can't?

Edit: Incidentally, Critters doesn't require email. Apart from the RFDR's, you can do it all online--email is offered as an alternative for people who're comfortable with that but it isn't required.

Personally I'm not comfortable with it. You never know who's who on the internet, so I'm automatically wary of anyone who solicits for offsite email contact.

So I interact with Critters purely via the web forms, and I find that completely satisfactory.

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ZachT

You are right about the web forms, Non Serviam. I was incorrect to say that email was required to use Critters. I've used Critters before, and didn't realize that option was available.

Critters is a great resource, but my site does offer a few advantages.

Although you do receive plenty of feedback in Critters, it can take upwards of a month to get that feedback. Critters runs at a set pace. You submit an adequate number of critiques each week, and your story will go into circulation.

My site is very straightforward: a table lists all stories, sorted by the number of "Critique Points" the author is offering. Suppose you are eager to get some critiques, and don't really want to wait weeks. Simply go down the table and start submitting critiques. As you rack up points, put them toward your story, which will shoot up the table.

When I was a member of Critters, I found it difficult to stay active. I might have some spare time one week, only to be far too busy to critique the next week. My site allows you to participate in bursts, whenever you can, instead of having to commit to an effort every week.

Basically, the site offers the convenience of a system that updates instantly.

I'm a computer science student and an avid reader, sometime writer. I thought it would be interesting to do something involving both. Aburt runs a great service, and I hope to offer some innovations on the concept.

Chris Miller

I get a wonderful sense of readership from the forums. Being published in the few venues I have managed has given me no sense of readership whatsoever. I get a copy of the mag. I re-read my piece. The End.

I dislike trading critiques or critiquing for credits. For me it works much better as a voluntary or personal thing, both ways.

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