[Print version]
Writers Talk and Blog Their Reviews of Author Salon
Author Salon writers become authors the old fashioned way. They earn it. |
"Author Salon is amazing, simultaneously discouraging and invigorating. It's reminding me of how I tried to learn to write publishable articles years ago when I was trying to get tenure and learning you have to do what editors tell you to do, even if that means drastic change. You have to suck it up and edit. I have spent the last couple of weeks writing multiple synopses and four new possible openings and while I have not got the right ones yet, I hope I'm getting closer on the map."
- Francis Hay, writer on Author Salon
|
"If AS staff agree it’s the best it can be, the writer graduates to ‘marquee status’ and their profile is made available to agents and editors. If the work isn’t ready, the writer takes additional feedback and keeps developing the material ... Easy? Not on your life, but this rigorous assessment is what differentiates AS from Yet Another Display Site. Also, you never upload your entire manuscript to the site and all of your work remains your own. The Terms of Use state that the writer retains ownership of her material.
The primary attribute required to be successful on the site is a desire to get better at what you do, no matter who you are and where your skills sit on the continuum of experience and ability. The second attribute is an open mind and a thick skin. You’ll receive critique with greater depth than the typical MFA workshop."
- Martina Newhook, author of A BULLET FOR SIMONE
|
"And I’ve joined what is a promising venture, the on-line book clearinghouse Author Salon. The idea behind Author Salon, which debuted late last year, is to provide agents and editors information on strongly conceptualized and carefully vetted book projects. To have a project up on Author Salon requires it go through three phases of peer review and critique. Then “marquee” projects become available to the agents and editors (and film people) who enroll in the site. In a sense, it reverses the current paradigm, which forces authors to do the searching."
The process so far has proven enormously useful in helping me to conceptualize the novel and talk about it coherently.
- Nathaniel Popkin, author of BOOK OF MASTERS
|
"I’ve met friendly, creative, determined writers on this site. Their critique comments are well thought through and demonstrate how seriously they take the process and how much they have engaged with my work. Every genre is represented here: young adult, middle grade, fantasy, sci fi, narrative nonfiction, general nonfiction, fiction (women’s upscale, literary, historical), thriller, mystery, detective, romance, paranormal romance. I know I’m missing some. Whatever you write – it’s in here and there are plenty of other people in your genre ready to sign on to work with you."
- Chris Stewart, author of THIS END UP
|
"Now that I told you what Author Salon is, I can tell you what it is not. It’s not a writing circle or review site for people who are tinkering with the idea of becoming writers. This is for serious work-to-publish authors. It’s for professionals; those who don’t follow the rules are shown the door. It is also not for the faint-of-heart or thin-skinned. Your peers and the site facilitators will be blunt. If you do not heed their advice, you don’t move up the tiers. "
- Brian Braden, author of BLACK SEA GODS
|
"It is through the power of robust communities of writers that we learn how to put forward the best version of our work so that it has its own chance out in the world. I wanted to share the knowledge of this incredible website with my friends who are similarly looking for their big W. By using the road map that Author Salon provides I feel confident that every one of us who is participating in this process will one day become the Writer they hope to be. "
- Jenny Poore, author of THE LAST GOOD NIGHT
|
"Author Salon requires any opinion, positive or negative, to be substantiated with an explanation for its basis. Now that it’s necessary to write a coherent critique, rather than deliver it verbally, I tend to analyze the reasons for my conclusions more carefully, and to force myself to articulate my thought process. It’s a workout for my brain that, at times, literally makes it sore.
The compensation comes from knowing that the exercise is strengthening my critical thinking muscles, and that the results will be reflected in my own writing."
- Sharen Ford, author of DAYS IN THE YELLOW LEAF
|
"Editors and agents know that by the time writers are sitting in front of them to pitch their work, the facilitators have slapped them into shape; they are ready. So this is an online version of a pitch conference – an ongoing one – but with many added features and in-depth analysis of each author’s work.
Through the process of putting the aspects of one’s book into the various categories and elements on the site, one is reminded every so often, that if you don’t want to do the work, this isn’t the place for you. They aren’t “nice” but they are clear. Only serious and dedicated writers are welcome."
- Deepam Susan Wadds, author of THE COST OF WEATHER
|
"So I was excited when a colleague introduced me to Author Salon, a new initiative aimed at helping authors prepare to pitch and market their manuscripts. It is a win:win community wherein the author is able to hone their work, while agents and publishers can delve in knowing these writers have done their due diligence.
When you sign up for Author Salon there are a lot of questions about your work. Often these questions make you look at your manuscript through new eyes. This is essentially the idea, that you see it not as the writer, but as the agent or publisher."
- Alon Shalev, author of THE WYCCAN MASTER
|
"They bill Author Salon as a place “where you become an author the old-fashioned way — you earn it”. This, is true. You have to critique 5 other people’s work as well as your own, and constantly be revising and editing. But so far I have encountered hard, driving criticism that has actually transformed how I see my book and myself writing it, and everyone has been fully supportive as I work through that slow turnaround. Some folks have left, citing the requirements as too stringent and the people running the place as being inflexible and controlling. I disagree – these are professionals who know what they are doing ..."
- Melissa Elmes, author of MERRIN BORN
|
"This is why I included the word “serious” in my post title: unlike the label “Author Salon” suggests, this website is NO day at the spa. I could immediately tell that the experts who put the concept together wanted to weed out writers who were not prepared to go the distance with their work. This produces a great side-effect; those that remain are pretty high quality writers, and therefore are able to provide high quality feedback in the peer review process.
And then there are the experts. I never would have expected or asked for this, but some of the administrative staff of the website (experienced editors, published authors, agents, and the like) occasionally take the time to engage Author Salon members in one-on-one discussions about their work-in-progress. Like, in depth discussions. The type of advice that I would have paid real money for if someone had offered me the chance to spend it! I cannot say enough about how great that has been for the progress of THE PROVING."
- Kevin Jackson, author of THE PROVING
|
"From the moment you start setting up your profile, you can tell this is tailored for serious authors. Every section you have to fill out will make you dig deep into your novel. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the process helps you uncover holes in the plot or weaknesses in the characters. The site provides specific instructions and examples for different genres. You will be expected to describe the hook, conflict, stakes, protagonist, antagonist, climax, etc. You will also be required to provide samples of your dialogue, opening, characters, and setting. And you’d better do a good job, because your profile will determine your project status. If your hook, doesn’t hook and your narrative doesn’t pop. Forget it!"
- Ingrid Seymour, author of ONE WISH AWAY
______________________________________