Christian Speculative Fiction discussion

Hello Readers & Authors,
The Eighth Review Session will launch either Monday, 22 February, or Monday, 1 March depending on interest.

I apologize about the delay in launching this review session--I've been quite busy with work. As an example, I worked the last 21 days straight, and it's been like this since September. But it's a blessing. I've not felt this good physically & mentally in a few years.

About this Review Session:

In summary, you can join this review session as

1. a reader only

or

2. an author/reader.

I am starting this thread now so we can hopefully reach 20-30 participants.

For info on how we conduct the review sessions, please read below:


Some Guidelines (Some parts from Steve Pillinger's Review Session One):

1. This is not a discussion thread. It is simply to organize and coordinate our review session together. (After the reviews have been done, consider opening a discussion thread, or threads, to talk about any of the books we’ve been reading)

2. The Aim:

a. NOT to pat one another’s backs! This is not a mutual admiration society. Yes, we hope that being reviewed by our fellow Christian speculative fiction fans will reduce the likelihood of low ratings due to the reviewer not being on the same wavelength.

b. But that does not mean that we avoid telling it like it is. We’re looking for sympathetic but honest reviews that will not only increase our review totals (and hopefully our average ratings), but will also help hone our writing skills by making us aware of areas for improvement.

c. But while being honest, we don’t want to go to the other extreme of only pointing out the faults in a book. Remember that for each author among us, their book is a much-loved act of sub-creation on which they have lavished days, weeks, months of painstaking care. A simple rule of thumb is: For every negative comment you make, include a positive one as well.

3. The Commitment:

a. Joining in this session involves a commitment to write two reviews within a two month period (one review per month). (If we get enough participants, we may change this accordingly.)

b. Failing to do so will not only let the authors down, but will also undermine what we as a group are trying to achieve. If you find yourself unable to complete one or other of your reviews, please be aware that it is your responsibility to find a replacement reviewer—and to inform us in this thread of the change, including the GR profile link of your replacement.

4. The Nuts & Bolts:

a. Our review sessions are usually 2 rounds with each round lasting 3 weeks. Each of us will complete one review per round.

**All reviews for Round One will be due [date to be established]

**Round Two reviews should be submitted by [date to be established]

b. Depending on the number of authors and non-author readers that commit to this review session, I will designate the review pairings (without any two people reviewing each other, which is prohibited by GR). If we can get enough interested people involved, it is my hope that the two-month session will allow for 3 reviews for each book presented.

5. How Participants Will Receive the Book to Read to Review:

Since there are wide discrepancies in cost between different books—and not everyone subscribes to KU—it will be the responsibility of the author to contact his or her reviewers and work out how to get them a free review copy. If the book is on KU and they can read it there, fine. Alternatively, the author can ask for the reviewer’s email address and send them a file (mobi, epub or pdf), or provide a link for them to obtain a free Kindle version.

6. Where to Post Reviews:

a. Once review completed, the reviewer will post it to Goodreads and to Amazon (preferably both the US and UK sites).

b. Reviewer will also post links to all 3 reviews in this thread to share with the author/group.

c. Only reviews of 3 stars or higher should be posted. If a book cannot reach that threshold, please complete a review and submit it directly to the author (and also a copy to myself so I have a record of your effort and response) giving truthful and constructive feedback on why the novel doesn’t meet your expectations.

7. Please note that the only acceptable response from an author to a reviewer is “Thank you.” Authors should never enter into a dispute with a reviewer about things they disagree with in their review. If they feel strongly that the review and rating are unfair, they should contact me as moderator, not the reviewer.

8. Authors Submitting Books for Review: Please Note:
Your copy should be either published or about to be published. The version you submit for review must be as if you were submitting to an agent or publisher—ready to go, free of errors as much as possible, and complete. It should not be an advance reader copy that is to be edited at a later time.

9. Notes About Pairings:

a. Authors are requested to let me know in the thread below if you are interested in your book being reviewed. I’ll give plenty of time for new participants to join in the fun.

b. If you know of an author or author group (with leanings toward Speculative Christian Fiction), please do share and invite both authors and readers.

c. As authors come forward to submit their books for review, my request is that you let us know in the thread if you've read any of the books being offered. This will go a long way in helping me when the books are assigned.


How to Write a Review

For some of you this may be the first time you’ve written a review on Goodreads. Others may know the mechanics, but be unsure about what to write. Here are some tips:

One of our previous writers, Justin Coogle, posted a good outline elsewhere in this group. It’s repeated here for convenience:

1) General Impression - "How did you feel before reading it? How did you feel after? Lasting feelings? (Sad it's over, happy it's done, bittersweet, etc)."

2) Characters - "Favorite one, least favorite, most interesting, most unpredictable, etc."

3) Plot - "Favorite twists, was it generic? Was it unique? Did you enjoy where it went? What would you have done instead?"

4) Themes - "What themes were obvious? What themes did you THINK you felt the author was going for? Favorite themes? Least favorite?"

5) World Building - "Was the universe memorable? Forgettable? What was your favorite part of the world-building (weapons, architecture, people, races, societal structure, languages, etc). Would you want to see more? What more are you excited to see?"

6) Seek to Give a Fair Review – Highlight positives and what you liked at the beginning of your review. Share constructive feedback as well.

7) Avoid Spoilers! Consider Steve Pillinger’s words here:

"If you knew who the killer was on page 2, fine, say, 'I knew who the killer was by page two.' But do NOT say, 'I knew by page two that the butler was the killer.' If you feel your review will be seriously hampered if you can’t talk about the solution to certain mystery, or reveal an unexpected plot twist, then put a large notice at the beginning saying 'SPOILER ALERT'".

Above all, have fun! In writing these reviews we are really helping each other hopefully become better writers. Iron sharpening iron is good; iron piercing a heart, not so good. Be gracious, truthful, and helpful.

Interested?

Enter your author name, your book title, and please INBOX me with an email address. I ask for the email address because Goodreads sometimes makes it difficult to send a message.

If you have any questions, please let me know or post and I'll get back to you.

Thank you!
Sean Elliot Russell

PS--If you are linked to a group in Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads where the people might be interested in joining this Review Session Eight, please spread the word and invite. I'd love it if we had 20-30 readers and 15-20 authors. Thanks for sharing about this!

I'm available and putting my name in as an Author/Reader. My book is Elijah, the third book in my Champion series. Elijah

Glen

I would like to be an author/reader. My book is Heaven's Hunter, a soft sci-fi adventure novel.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hello! I would like to be an author/reader.
America's Collapse by J. Jaffray
My book is an apocalyptic Christian fiction (not sure if that qualifies as speculative)
Thanks!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Hi! I'd like to participate in this review round as a reader/author. I need reviews for my "middle" of the series books. So, I'm going to ask for reviews for "The Deceit of Darkness", book 3 of The Seven Words series this time.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

A great start, guys. I look forward to this session. Speak soon. -Sean

I'll drop in again with "Devil Game." Happy to read and review some more books!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Great to have you, Kyle.

I read Devil Game in the last round and enjoyed it thoroughly.

I would like to participate as a author/review and submit the first book in my YA Christian fantasy novella series

Tales of Elhaanai

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0874DYVJB/

I would like to participate as an author and submit my book for review.

Traveling by the Tombstone Passage
https://books2read.com/u/mdKkZE

Thanks, Nicole and Julie. Welcome to both of you!

Guys,
if you're part of a Christian Speculative Fiction Group elsewhere, please let people know about this Eighth Review Session. Whether readers or author/readers, people will come but only if they know about it. Thanks in advance.

I'm aiming for Monday, March 1 launch. That gives us 2 weeks to bring in new readers & author/readers. Please let people know.

Thanks everyone!

I will join as a reader.

Thank you, Kala.

I am new to this forum, so please forgive me if the following is a faux pas. My Christian speculative fiction novel, The Redeemed, is almost ready for a final edit before I query agents and publishers. I would appreciate a review by fresh beta readers if any of you are willing. The hook for my novel is:

Catastrophes collapse civilization into small tribes and gang warfare, and for eleven years, it appears that humanity is doomed. Then God delivers hope through a mysterious stranger entering the lives of survivors struggling to face another day.

Please note that if any of the following offends you, this novel is not for you:
1. Mixed race couples
2. A lesbian couple
3. In defense of the tribe, Christian defenders will kill attackers
4. Artificial insemination

So, if you are willing to be a beta reader, please PM me.

Hi RV,
Thanks for your interest. This particular review session is for books that are published already or about to be published (as in, edited and a date established for publishing). If you have a novel that is completed and/or published, you are welcome to include it in this session.

Please start a new thread within the Speculative Christian Fiction forum offering your book for beta readers. I'm sure you'll find people with an interest in reading your work.

Blessings,
Sean

Hi Sean,
Thank you for the guidance. Is there a particular folder, within Speculative Christian Fiction, that is appropriate for seeking Beta Readers?
Blessings,
RV

I would like to participate as a reader and also submit my new book Time Bound https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TVBBK6F

Thanks!
Mario

Welcome back, Mario! Glad you are here and submitting your novel for this review session.

RV, I would just share your desire for beta readers for your novel in several places within our corner of Goodreads. Share any place that seems a good fit. Hopefully, there will be an interest and you can get some feedback. Let me know if I can help you out in any way.

Guys, there are eleven of us so far who have displayed interest in this review session (Steve Pillinger has messaged me to say he'll be submitting his novel, "The Strongholder" for the review session.) The review session will definitely take place; however, I may delay the start date until we have more readers/authors.

Also, I want to ask you guys for feedback on an idea I've been playing around with for some time.

The next review session could be a different format. I say this because I believe it's good to change things to keep the Christian Speculative Fiction group fresh. But I want your feedback.

The Ninth Review Session: please consider the following:

During the summer-fall months, what if we did the following? Each week, we randomly choose an author and his/her book. We then read their book within 10 days.

On day 11, we not only give the author reviews (3 stars or above), but also talk about the book--things we really liked; moments that moved us; moments that need work; story ideas that were great or need work, etc.; characters we liked or didn't like; etc. We give positive and helpful critiques to the author. The goal is to appreciate the book as a group, and give full-on thoughts/responses to the book.

We might have two author options just in case the primary author's work has already been critiqued by participants in the group.

The author would be randomly chosen. I would spin a virtual wheel on my YouTube channel with all the author participant's supplied. The author would supply copies of their book, and then we would be all go.

What do you guys think about this idea? I really think it would be invaluable to not just review, but give feedback, help the author turn their work into the best it can be, if adjustments are even needed.

I look forward to your thoughts, group. Thanks.
Sean

I think it is an awesome idea. Let's do it!!

I love this idea!

Very good idea, Sean. I like the idea of having the whole group focus on one book at a time. I think good things can come from it.

That does sound cool.

I also like the idea. My only concern would be the length of the book. Reading a 400 page book in 10 days would be a beast. And I work full time so I would not be able to invest the time needed to accomplish a task like that.

thanks for the feedback, guys. Kala, would 14days be better at all?

I, too, like the idea and would be willing to participate.

I could do that.

Okay, guys. The minimum would be 14 days. This will be during summer period.

I will extend the beginning of the eighth review ssssion by 2-3 weeks. I'll assess each week. Please share abt the group review session to others you think might be interested (& readers especially encouraged to join).

Thanks, guys.
Sean

Thanks, C.S. Glad you'll participate.

I just saw this. I'm new, so have less frame of reference, but I can appreciate the reasons Sean has suggested this. Sounds good!

Thanks, Julie. We'll work through the new format by May.

As I shared a few days ago, I'll be moving the start date of this Ninth Review Session for several weeks until we have high enough participants. Apologies for the delay.

Speak soon. And happy writing.

My concern with that idea would be the reciprocal reviews that amazon removes. If everyone in the review session reads a book, then that book's author reads the next book, reviews will be removed by amazon.

If we do that for every book, the only book reviews that will remain would be from non-author reviewers. Am I missing something?

Me, me! I'd like to enter the eighth (and ninth session, when that comes) as both author and reader for my book, "The Father's Tree."
Hoping I'm not too late?

Welcome, Crystal. Glad to have you with us for this latest review session. Thank you. If you know anyone who is an author and/or reader, please do invite them to join us.

Hi Kyle. Yes, that would be a concern. But with review sessions of the past, we have all eventually read each others' books, though over a longer period, admittedly.

I will try to arrange it so book 1's author does not review book 2 (to hold their review until 3-6 months later).

But the greatest benefit will be the in-depth discussions that come out regarding the randomly chosen book. I think the positives will outweigh any negatives.

What do you think, Kyle? Group?

-Sean

Another thought would be just splitting into 2 groups of 5/6 books each... and each group does the other group's books? Have both groups going at once?

That's a cool idea, but would the author's get the benefit of all the discussion that way?

Sounds good to me!

Marie wrote: "That's a cool idea, but would the author's get the benefit of all the discussion that way?"
This is my first time, but I think maybe can we make it accessible to everyone? Both discussions? So when your book is going in the other group, you can just watch that discussion about your book, while taking part in the one you are also in?

Thank you for your suggestion, Crystal. It is a worthwhile idea. And thank you for being here, Crystal. I hope you'll feel right at home here.

In the past review sessions (still viewable), we usually had 10-15 books on offer to read/review over two months. The reason for my idea was to drastically change the way we do things, at least for this one time (to see how it goes).

My initial thought around having one book chosen to be read, discussed, and reviewed was the following:

1. To rejuvenate the group. Having a single book as our focus would be fun and fascinating. It would encourage more interaction, and help us to connect in a stronger way.
2. To help an author get multiple reviews.
3. To encourage and give positive, constructive feedback regarding an author's novel. What we liked. What we feel needs adjustment, etc. Characters liked. Scenarios we enjoyed. Particular scenes that grabbed us or lost us.
4. To draw in more people to this Goodreads group.

Of course, I welcome any other thoughts about this. This would happen June-September, so we have time to decide how we'll conduct the next session.

And if you can, please share about this new review session about to launch. Readers are welcome. Authors of a speculative christian fiction sort are welcome. Please invite. Share on your socials. And thank you so much!

Sean

Hey Sean, just checking. I see the 9th session will be starting June-Spetemberish-is it too late to join for the 8th? Is that one already going? If not, what timeframe do you think that one should start? Sorry if this is glaringly obvious and I somehow missed it 8P Thanks!
Crystal

hi Crystal,
The 8th will be launching asap. But we need more participants before we can push through. Will update as soon as I have something to share. Thanks for the patience, guys. -Sean

Hi! I would like in as an author/reader and am not sure if I'm a good fit here. My novel 'The Alchemist's Portal' is not epic fantasy length or anything like that which disappointed a couple of previous reviewers. Please take a peek at this review.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Hello Kim,
Good to see your desire to join us on our next review session. We've had novellas, so don't be worried about that.

We're still waiting for more people to show up (authors and readers), so if you know anyone that might like to join, please do invite them. My hope is to launch this 9th Review Session in the next two weeks.

Thank you, Kim!
-Sean

Hello everyone,
Please do inbox me here at Goodreads if you haven't before. If possible, please share with me your email address for which I would only use if absolutely necessary.

In the past, it has sometimes been difficult to communicate with participants (getting a message to people on Goodreads isn't always the easiest thing to do). So the email address would be a back-up.

Guys, I hope to launch this next review session 2 weeks from tomorrow, but we do need some more participants first. Please invite friends, family, anyone who likes speculative christian fiction. Thanks in advance.

Sean

Sean wrote: "Welcome, Crystal. Glad to have you with us for this latest review session. Thank you. If you know anyone who is an author and/or reader, please do invite them to join us.

Hi Kyle. Yes, that would ..."

I'd be willing to give it a shot!

My apologies, life is a little too busy right now for session 8, maybe I can join #9.

Hope to see you in Session Nine, Gordon. The format will be different but should be interesting and more intimate.

Crystal, I just noticed your book cover. Very nice!!

Hope you guys are all doing well mid-week. -Sean

Hey guys, I meant to come in on this much earlier and thought I'd lost my chance! But it looks like you’re still needing participants — so please add me, and my book The Strongholder.

Great to have you, Steve.