Monday, May 16, 2011

Looking for a Few Good Men or Women


Okay, here's the deal: I'm working on a novel, which, if it goes, could turn into a new series. Quasi-military space opera, couple hundred years out, FTL ships and a few alien species. Probably rated-R, maybe NC-17, for a combination of language and sex and violence.


I've written most of an opening chapter introducing several characters, about 3000 words, and I have a backstory and general idea of the galaxy they inhabit, along with a couple of book springboards. 


What I want is, a few readers to read the opening and comment upon it, without knowing any of that stuff, only what is on the page. 


Here the caveats: 


1) You have to read space opera and like the stuff. Wouldn't hurt if you were one of my fans, but that's not a requirement. If you think rockets and ray guns are silly? Won't help, save us both the time.


2) You can't talk about it until after a book deal gets made. Oh, sure, you can tell your spouse, but I don't want the specifics on the net yet. Replies will be to the email address I use to send it out, not here on the blog.


3) I'm limiting it to six, maybe eight people, maximum. If you are one of 'em, I'll ship you a PDF and when you are done, you can shoot me an email and tell me what you think. 


The questions I am interested in seeing answered are simple: 


Does it work for you? 


Would you want to read the rest of it enough to buy it when it is available? 


If it doesn't play, reasons why not would be good. 


Beyond that, yea or nay, the details don't matter. If I have typos or I flub a line here or there, it's not important–I'll be rewriting as I go and cleaning up, and what you see might not look all that much like the final version. (When I need readers for that, I'll let you know.)


So, there you have it. I'll stick up a note here soon as I get enough volunteers. Thanks. 


Addendum:


Um, I'll need email addresses. I'll delete them from the blog soon as I harvest them.


Add two:


Thanks, folks, my dance card is full. I appreciate it. 

26 comments:

Stan said...

Hey! Sign me up, Steve!

Chad and Juli said...

Steve, I would like to volunteer.

Christian Berntsen said...

I would be happy to help, please count me in.

- Christian

Justin said...

I'd be more than happy to assist, sir.

Alia D. said...

I would love to help. (I'm a fan of your's but I have to say my favorite series right now is David Weber's Honervers space opera series)

Chris said...

I would be mighty interested.

Chris

Joe said...

If you have room for one more. I would like to read it.

Scott said...

Sounds like fun.

A Meatgoat said...
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Jimmy Simpson said...
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Christian Berntsen said...
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kdorian said...
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Joe Maurantonio said...
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Mantisking said...
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Joe said...

Steve, sorry. I thought that my name link had my email address available. It does now.

If I missed my chance; no harm no foul. I'll read it when it gets published. Congrats to those who got in.

Louie said...
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Louie said...
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Joe said...

Steve,

I read the Matador Series in it's entirety. I like the pace, and the story lines. I'd be glad to help.

Joe said...
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Brad said...

See, this is what happens when you're on the road so much, you miss the dance.

Alia D. said...
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Joe said...

Steve,

My e-mail is japayne88@yahoo.com. Sorry for the omission.

Chester said...

Missed my chance. Oh well, I still look forward to reading the finished product!

John Dearden said...
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Bobbe Edmonds said...

Godammit, missed the boat. What I get for checking in late.

Steve Perry said...

Jeez, Kid, this is too cheap a shot even for me. I'll use telepathy and I bet you can get it ...