Could I have any more exclamation marks in my head? I don't think so. No.
This is a very small victory, considering it's just the first page and a little explanatory blurb that readers are rating. But the awesome part is that all rating is done anonymously, with randomly generated submissions to ensure objective ratings. This is the most objective look my work has ever received. Even more so than beta readers, who--bless their hearts--can still say things just to be nice.
I think PageToFame has the potential to be a very useful tool in the publishing industry. I, at least, have already found it helpful in assessing the popularity of story concepts. I've put four first pages out there (from different hooks for different stories), and not all of them have done as well as Drats! It's been very useful to see what worked for complete strangers, and what didn't. Sometimes it's the writing that just isn't up to par, but there is actually a box for people to check when they a) don't like the genre or b) just don't think your story is original enough.
For those of you considering the use of PageToFame for your own work, I believe the going rate for posting a page (and this sees it all the way through to submitting a full, if your work is determined "good enough") is $9.99. I submitted my first-first page when it was only $5, but I still believe it's worth it at $10.
Check out my quite detailed results if you're curious:
ROUND ONE FEEDBACK
In other news, my mom, dad, aunt, sisters, and friends loved the first draft. Last night, I took some of their concerns/suggestions and drafted a second, more sparkly version. The end is shinier than ever. All this to say, I'm still afraid to send it to agents.
Absolutewrite.com Forums have a fun POST about when to say when (i.e. How much editing is enough?). Head on over, but please share your two cents here, as well.
hi! from WEbook CONGRATS! so awesome!
ReplyDeletejust wanted to let your readers know that submissions are only $3.95 as part of a summer special!
(Katrina...for early PageToFame peeps like you...we have a special gift coming next week!)
Congratulations! That's really, really wonderful.
ReplyDeleteKatie- Thanks for stopping by! And I love WEbook so I'm always happy to share the love. Thanks for the tip about your summer special!
ReplyDeleteSandy- As always, thank you for your encouragement. You are truly sweet! I value your comments.
My vote is SEND IT! I can't wait to hear the good news that it's publishing; and yes, it's that good! (this is Wren not Coach, sorry)
ReplyDeleteOk just catching up on my blog reading now. I tried to respond to your comment on my blog through email but I don't know if it went through. Anyway - this is awesome! I've rated stuff on Page to Fame before and thought it was a really interesting idea - gives a hint of what an agent's day of reading slush is like. You should definitely submit this book to agents!
ReplyDelete