Critters^TM Workshop

Weekly Notes

Notes for 18-May-2022...

New feature... New feature... New feature...

To help reviewers get a sense of when they might benefit from doing more in-depth reviews or using more diplomatic phrasing, I've put in a new minion that will email folks if one or more of story authors / other members / Critters Ratings Review Team / or an automated software minion notices some issues in recent critiques. Note this is an experimental new automated notice, and isn't necessarily about someone's most recent critique, just one/some you've done in the past. For privacy purposes, it won't say who or which or when or what exactly was said, so I realize it might end up sounding generic or even totally missing the mark.

If you get one and think it's in error definitely please let me know, as it might mean I need to fix some other problem, or a bug, etc.

Let me know what you think!

                                   -+-

My ReAnimus Press is excited to announce a brand new, first-ever release! Pre-order now -- goes live May 23rd:


	THE BEST OF EDWARD M. LERNER by Edward M. Lerner - $5.99

		ReAnimus Press Store: www.ReAnimus.com/1711
		Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09Z9F2YBK/?tag=critters3a-20
		 (available in ebook + hardcover + paperback)

	
"One of the leading global writers of hard science fiction."
--The Innovation Show
 Here are the gems! The gateway to the many worlds of Edward M. Lerner!
 
While you probably know Ed from his SF novels, including the InterstellarNet series and the epic Fleet of Worlds series with Larry Niven--Ed is also a prolific author of acclaimed short fiction. This collection showcases his finest and favorite shorter works.
 Faced with the common question of which of his books should someone read first, he has carefully selected these stories to cover his wide range. Now he can answer, "This one!"
 
Alternate history. Parallel worlds. Future crime. Alien invasion. Alien castaways. Time travel. Quantum intelligence (just don't call him artificial). A (sort of) haunted robot. Deco punk. In this book, you'll find these--and more--together with Ed's reminiscences about each selection and its relationship to other stories, novels, and even series that span his writing career.
 
These are the best, as determined by awards, award nominations, and the selective tastes of eight top editors and choosy Analog readers.
Each excellent story stands alone--you won't need to have read anything prior--but you'll surely want to read more of Ed's books afterwards.
 
"Lerner's world-building and extrapolating are top notch."
--SFScope 
 
"This collection demonstrates the author's wide range within the field of science fiction. Fans of the genre are sure to find something to fit their tastes."
--Tangent 



[Disclaimer: Ye Olde Critter Captain also runs ReAnimus Press, sales from which help him keep Critters going as a free site.]


                                   -+-

Thanks for the donations, folks!  Thanks especially to

	Sean Masters
	Bill Leonard

for their recent donations to help keep Critters going. Much appreciated!

[See http://www.critters.org/donate.php for more information.]


                                   -+-

(No Woohoo!s this week, be sure to report your sales/publications/etc. via the www.critters.org/telldaworld.ht web page.)


                                   -+-

This week's Most Productive Critter award, for 2 critiques (at time
of judging), averaging almost 2400 words each, goes to...

	Russell Adams

To redeem an MPC, visit:  www.critters.org/usempc.ht

Congratulations!  To everyone else -- Crit early and often!

(For an explanation of the MPC award, see the www.critters.org/award.ht page.)

                                   -+-

Recommended Reading...
One of the best writing books - Secrets from the 6-time Best Editor
Hugo Award Master, Ben Bova: THE CRAFT OF WRITING SCIENCE FICTION THAT SELLS 
http://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Critters Workshop
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This week we have... [get from https://www.critters.org/private/mss.php ]...
                                                 
     Title                      	Author
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Week of 18-May-2022 (Crits due 25-May-2022):
 F   AllWorlds Anarchy Chapters Twenty-Eight -- Thirty-Two  [mpc] Joel E. Roosa -#30539
 SF  The Desert Meditator's Last Stand - part 7 of 7  Dan Jolie -#30540
 F   The Godfather of Madagascar Chps 8-12  [@] George Guthridge -#30541
 SF  Odd Together                       N. M. Dudack -#30542
 SF  My Job at the Post Office Helps Me Understand the Humans Better  Marc Fleury -#30543
 F   Butterfly Princess                 John Quincy Adams -#30544
 F   Why the Bookmobile Exploded        Barbara Patten -#30545
 SF  SlingStar Myth: Sara's Planet, Chapter 1  Donna Dion -#30546
 SF  Bridge Builders                    Lewis Siragusa -#30547
 SF  Wine From the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil  Winston Han -#30548
 F   Caffeinomancer                     Eddie Beeby -#30549
 H   The Unhallowed Horseman" - Full Novel  Jude S. Walko -#30550

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommended books on writing:

THE CRAFT OF WRITING AND SELLING SCIENCE FICTION by Ben Bova
	ReAnimus Press Store: https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1144
	Amazon: https://Amazon.com/dp/B006MAZPEI

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SPECULATIVE FICTION OPENINGS By (Critter member) Robert Qualkinbush
	https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1184 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007O272ZI

STAYIN' ALIVE - A WRITER'S GUIDE by three-time SFWA President Norman Spinrad
	How things really work in the art and commerce of publishing
	https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1179 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007SIC4I8

EXPERIMENT PERILOUS: THE 'BUG JACK BARRON' PAPERS by Norman Spinrad
	(A 99cent essay on SF and writing)
	https://ReAnimus.com/store?item=1180 | https://Amazon.com/dp/B007MF3MS8
 
Because you might enjoy it... THE RITHIAN TERROR by DAMON KNIGHT
A spy who can look like anyone threatens the Earth Empire 
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1676
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pieces up for critique in other workshops...

In the lit workshop - https://critique.org/lit :
 L   Ruby Wall's Choice, Chapter 1      Elma Schemenauer -#30506

In the mystery workshop - https://critique.org/mystery :
 M   The Ecology Club, Chapters 1-2     Don Oestreicher -#30551
 M   The Case of the Wooden Frame       Thomas Beck -#30552

In the nonfiction workshop - https://critique.org/nonfiction :
 NP  I *Experience*, Therefore I Am     Robin niCathain -#30061

In the script workshop - https://critique.org/script :
 SC  Emergency                          Joe Latessa -#29381

In the kids workshop - https://critique.org/kids :
 YP  Trying A Sport From A to Z         Delano Brown -#30507

In the comics workshop - https://critique.org/comics :
 CG  Magna. logline/ synopsis           Brent Claridge -#28885

In the western workshop - https://critique.org/western :
 W   Currently Untitled                 Aleksandr Vincente Hoang -#30472

In the romance workshop - https://critique.org/romance :
 R   Faith Love and Obsession Chapters 4-5  Angie Mitchell -#30484

In the video workshop - https://critique.org/video :
 VS  The Gallery of Henri Beauchamp     Jay DeTalente -#21424

In the music workshop - https://critique.org/music :
 MP  The Shade Riders and Nocturnal Ned song  Beth Zurkowski -#21675

In the photo workshop - https://critique.org/photo :
 PH  Tree Reflection                    Jen Forte -#30097

In the art workshop - https://critique.org/art :
 AH  Art Man, a portrait                Robert J Cleary -#27847

In the website workshop - https://critique.org/website :
 WW  Franklin's Palindromedary          Ray N. Franklin -#29498

In the critters workshop - https://critique.org/critters :
 F   AllWorlds Anarchy Chapters Twenty-Eight -- Thirty-Two  [mpc] Joel E. Roosa -#30539
 SF  The Desert Meditator's Last Stand - part 7 of 7  Dan Jolie -#30540
 F   The Godfather of Madagascar Chps 8-12  [@] George Guthridge -#30541
 SF  Odd Together                       N. M. Dudack -#30542
 SF  My Job at the Post Office Helps Me Understand the Humans Better  Marc Fleury -#30543
 F   Butterfly Princess                 John Quincy Adams -#30544
 F   Why the Bookmobile Exploded        Barbara Patten -#30545
 SF  SlingStar Myth: Sara's Planet, Chapter 1  Donna Dion -#30546
 SF  Bridge Builders                    Lewis Siragusa -#30547
 SF  Wine From the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil  Winston Han -#30548
 F   Caffeinomancer                     Eddie Beeby -#30549
 H   The Unhallowed Horseman" - Full Novel  Jude S. Walko -#30550
----------------------------------------------------------------------

You might also like... THE DAY THE SUN STOOD STILL by ROBERT SILVERBERG, POUL ANDERSON, GORDON R. DICKSON
What if the sun stood still? Three short novels by science fiction legends
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1630

Standard notes:

HELP:
If you need help with anything, see https://www.critters.org/help -- there
are FAQs and a form to ask questions.

HELPING CRITTERS:
Critters is donation funded & volunteer run, so if you'd like to
help out with our current fund drive or otherwise, please visit
https://www.critters.org/donate.php -- Thanks!!

HOW TO SEND CRITIQUES:
Remember to send the critiques directly to me, critters@critique.org, so
I can forward them to the authors _and_ give you credit for your effort.
Please send only one critique per mail message (makes it easier to
archive).  Please make sure the "#" symbol and manuscript number are in
the email Subject: line, like Subject: #1234.  (Conversely, if you want
ol' Aburt to personally read the message, i.e., it's _not_ a critique,
don't put a "#" in the subject or I won't see it.  Also -- put my current
anti-spam code word in there: see https://www.critters.org/antispam.ht .)

You may also send your critiques via https://www.critters.org/webcrit.ht .

Note that all critiques will be available to everyone to read the next Saturday.

DIPLOMACY:
Remember, authors and critiquers, we're all friends here.  Be polite.  Be
considerate.  Be tactful.  You can say you thought a story was drivel in a
courteous way.  Try to point out the good and the bad; offer alternatives
if you can.  Never, ever, attack the author -- only the story.  Authors:
Remember that some reviewers may lack tact.  Try to be understanding,
but if you get any that you feel are just plain mean-spirited, too short
to be of any use, or too "feel good," let me know and I'll withhold the
reviewer's "credit" for that story and/or cajole them into something
more insightful.  See https://www.critters.org/diplomacy.ht for more...

CRITIQUE LENGTH:
If you want to send a short critique that you know is too short for
credit (200 words or less of your own meaningful content) please put
"NC#" in the Subject (NC=No Credit, like Subject: NC#1234) -and- say
something like "not for credit" inside your critique.  (Remember also that
for MPC purposes, a critique must be 300 words or more.)

CHATTING:
Comments -other- than critiques (such as discussion of the critiques,
or Woohoo! announcements, or chit chat) should be posted to one of the
official Critters discussion forums (See the https://www.critters.org/newsgroups.ht
web page for full info, guidelines, etc.)  Don't post stories or critiques
(mail those to critters@critique.org).

QUOTING:
Please pare the ms. down if critiquing in-line (don't quote the whole ms.!).
Other format rules are at https://www.critters.org/format.ht .

EVERYTHING'S ON THE WEB:
Past reviews are on the web page.  The current week's manuscripts are
also there, as are prior mss. and even some rewrites.  There's a Master
Page Index (site map) with tons of links to common items.

AUTHORS:
Authors for this week -- if you aren't getting email'd critiques from
me (as they come in) within a couple days -- ask me and we can verify
I'm sending them to the correct address.  (Send me a phone# in case I
can't get email to you.)  Check the format of your story ASAP to make sure
it's all there and readable.

EMAIL ISSUES:
If you want to change your email address or preferences (# mss. emailed,
SF/F/H type, or whether you get the huge critique batches at week's end),
point your browser to https://www.critters.org/admin.ht .  Please don't
ask me to do this by hand, it's quite a chore!  (E.g., if you're going
on vacation and want to suspend mail from me -- do this before/after
your trip.)

BACKUP SITE:
If you're unable to reach www.critters.org to get manuscripts, I've set up
an emergency backup site at https://backup.critters.org where you can get the
week's manuscripts (but not much of anything else :-).  Speaking of backups --
don't forget to back up your own manuscripts so you don't lose them!

QUITTING:
If you want to quit or go inactive, drop by https://www.critters.org/admin.ht .

DONATIONS:
Critters is funded by donations, so visit https://www.critters.org/donate.php
if you'd like to help out.

Because you might enjoy it... PREDATORS AND OTHER STORIES by EDWARD BRYANT
Two-time Nebula Award winner
https://reanimus.com/store/?item=1382

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