OnlineBookClub.org

We've got a nice section for posting short stories and one for poetry. But there's no real area for novelists to post sample chapters where they can ask for feedback on theme, content, style, etc.

This would not of course circumvent the sections for actual reviews. This section would be for in-progress novels (or perhaps non-fiction books) where newbie writers of longer material might get some interim feedback and help.

Thanks, GREAT forum!

I think it is a good idea to consider. @"Scott"?

Yes, it's a good idea to consider. I wonder if the short stories section could be re-purposed to allow for the both short stories and chapters from longer stories.

Scott wrote:Yes, it's a good idea to consider. I wonder if the short stories section could be re-purposed to allow for the both short stories and chapters from longer stories.

I think it could.

Would this be for books that are already in the process of being published? If that's the case, I fear the section will basically become a form of advertising. Everyone and their mother will post the sample chapter (similar to Amazon) of their book in pre-publication to build buzz.

-- 09 Oct 2015, 11:15 --

I don't mean to be insensitve. I know writers would like feedback on their writing. However, if this type of thing is allowed, I think it would be nearly impossible for the moderators to sift through what chapters are from already published books vs. books in progess. I think it open the floodgates for authors to use the topic as a form of advertising to get people to buy the book.

bookowlie wrote:Would this be for books that are already in the process of being published? If that's the case, I fear the section will basically become a form of advertising. Everyone and their mother will post the sample chapter (similar to Amazon) of their book in pre-publication to build buzz.

A good point. It should be for in-progress books only, if at all, to prevent that kind of situation.

gali wrote:

bookowlie wrote:Would this be for books that are already in the process of being published? If that's the case, I fear the section will basically become a form of advertising. Everyone and their mother will post the sample chapter (similar to Amazon) of their book in pre-publication to build buzz.

A good point. It should be for in-progress books only, if at all, to prevent that kind of situation.

So...how would this be managed. I can see how this could mushroom out of control. In my opinion, this would create an extremely hard thing to manage - checking to make sure that the chapter is not from an already published book. There is also a fine line between a book that's already published and a book that the author knows it is going to published very soon - the equivalent of pre-publication status.

All valid points. On second thought @"Scott", I think it shouldn't be allowed.

gali wrote:All valid points. On second thought @"Scott", I think it shouldn't be allowed.

The only thing that might help is if there were a way to ensure the book weren't published. I don't know how this could be done...maybe someone else has an idea?

bookowlie wrote:

gali wrote:All valid points. On second thought @"Scott", I think it shouldn't be allowed.

The only thing that might help is if there were a way to ensure the book weren't published. I don't know how this could be done...maybe someone else has an idea?

I don't think there is such a way.

Perhaps, an added feature of the review team could be for authors to submit partial books for private feedback.

That might work better anyway since the response from a post in a forum can be inconsistent. Sometimes many people would read and comment on the topic. Other times nobody may read it.

If it was done through the review team, it could be one-on-one.

I also think the reviewers, even though they generously volunteer their time, bring a professional, dedicated attitude to each review/analysis. This could provide some valuable constructive feedback to writers before even finishing a manuscript.

What do you all think?

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It's worth noting we do have a section of the website for samples of books: http://onlinebookclub.org/samples/

Scott wrote:Perhaps, an added feature of the review team could be for authors to submit partial books for private feedback.

That might work better anyway since the response from a post in a forum can be inconsistent. Sometimes many people would read and comment on the topic. Other times nobody may read it.

If it was done through the review team, it could be one-on-one.

I also think the reviewers, even though they generously volunteer their time, bring a professional, dedicated attitude to each review/analysis. This could provide some valuable constructive feedback to writers before even finishing a manuscript.

What do you all think?

***

It's worth noting we do have a section of the website for samples of books: http://onlinebookclub.org/samples/

I am for it!

That sounds like a good plan to me.

This sounds fine to me. I really am fine with posting openly to the forum members, and I've received some nice and helpful feedback on some sample chapters. Of course if the chapters are from published books I've avoided listing the contact info, just saying that it's from my private eye novel and nothing else.

If the review folks would be amenable to looking at some sample chapters, sure, I'm all for it.

As for the "samples" section, is this all right for our own books? I see links for Amazon sales but I was unaware that we can post such links, in that these would definitely result in sales.

But if it's okay for me to list my own books there, then yeah, I'll post chapter samples and such. I just don't want to step over any rules. Is it okay for me to post excerpts of my on-sale books?

And thanks for the advice and info. Just let us know the more recommended pathway, okay?