Zilver
Sage
All this only reinforces me to stick to my prefered method anyway: beta-read exchange - a service for a service with no money changing hands.
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Be on the Lookout for AI Bots in Our Forums and Our DM's
- Thread starter A. E. Lowan
- Start date
pmmg
Myth Weaver
For beta readers, I would be most interested in people who just like the story so far and want to help, but a like for like exchange is fine. Paying for it seems...strange. Actual editing, I would expect there to be a fee.
Naruzeldamaster
Maester
My only hindrance in that method is that I kinda skim read (But I do pay attention while I'm skimming, I just read quickly.) and I make it a point to say that I did skim read. It's kinda hard to find people who are ok with me 'skimming' even though I do remember most of what I read in that moment after I read it.
However if that person is fine with that I'm happy to exchange a chapter for a chapter.
pmmg
Myth Weaver
Well...if I am doing review and beta read swaps, I do kind of want someone to actually put in the good faith effort. Skimming is not what I am signing up for.
B.B.Fortunatus
Acolyte
You know fest is seems legit to me, I’ve gotten quite a bit from his assessment. Has anyone had any ill experience with him?
pmmg
Myth Weaver
Experience with who?
Naruzeldamaster
Maester
I'm not sure if skimming is the right phrasing, I read through quickly a couple of times (sometimes more) and absorb the information, but once I write the review that information is like, gone. Maybe speed reading is the right phrase, but I dunno.
- Thread starter
- #68
I was approached by both rose1 and Festus in DM's, and it should be noted that neither of those threads still exist. I don't know how they were deleted, just that it wasn't me. I keep everything. I also love screenshots. The thing all of what I'm calling bots have in common is that they have no comments, no history. Just join and start sending the DM's. AI? Maybe, maybe not. Acting shifty? Yes. Definitely.
Edit: I just looked in at our new members, and we're now seemingly being inundated by members who have joined, but never comment. Yay.
Prince of Spires
Istar
The best thing about that whole exchange is Mad Swede's incredibly poetic line, hidden at the bottom of the last screenshot: But soft, what light at yonder windows breaks.
No idea what it means, but I love it.
Not posting but only sending PM's is definitely a red flag.
No idea what it means, but I love it.
That in itself isn't too surprising though. People might just want to read and either don't want to or don't dare to interact with the rest of the forum. And joining then has the benefit of seeing which posts are new.
Not posting but only sending PM's is definitely a red flag.
B.B.Fortunatus
Acolyte
I am currently talking with him via email, or her? I have received emails and reviews and honestly his assessements seem very honest, rose used AI in her work and it was evident. Festus penned his from start to finish and offered great advice. He did spring later he was a paid beta reader which did seem like a trap but I inquired of his rate and was pleased for his manuscript rate. I suppose when I find out what method he desires to be used for payment will help in understanding how legit he is. If he offers that same level of assessment through the process I feel it would be worth that investment.
pmmg
Myth Weaver
Nothing about having suspicion towards them means they are not legit, but by policy, I am not spending the energy to separate the wheat from the chaff. They are spammers, they are sending unsolicited PM's hoping to get someone to buy in. They are not here for the purpose of the site. I would call them mostly a nuisance, and I am unconcerned if they are shown the door. Did I miss out on a great opportunity? Maybe... But that's how a policy works. When I am looking I will find my own way of finding them.
pmmg
Myth Weaver
Got this one today in my email for a nice woman named Tina...
Hi pmmg
I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I recently came across your book The Eye of Ebon, and it immediately caught the attention of our reading community. The title feels unique and intriguing, and several of our members expressed interest in exploring your work.
Before anything else, I’d like to briefly introduce who we are.
We’re a small, friendly group of everyday readers from different parts of the world. Most of us work regular jobs and read simply because we enjoy discovering meaningful stories and unique voices. We’re not professional reviewers or influencers just genuine readers who love sharing honest impressions after finishing a book.
Whenever a book stands out to us, we invite a group of members to read it and provide their sincere feedback. Their thoughts are always authentic and based purely on their reading experience.
There is no fee for authors to participate. Some writers choose to offer a small token of appreciation for our readers’ time, which helps foster a warm and respectful exchange between our community and the authors we support.
For The Eye of Ebon, we can involve 5, 10, or even 15 readers whichever you prefer.
If you’d like our group to include The Eye of Ebon in an upcoming reading round, I’d be happy to coordinate everything and guide you through the simple next steps.
Warm regards,
First...your community does not need my permission to enjoy the book and provide feedback if they care to.
Second, all of this email is a lie.
Third, she has doubly lied because she was not honest about her intention, which is to get me to buy in to something. How many emails will it take me to get to that? Well, with the last one, it was like 10 or 15. Just say it...least I will respect you more.
Hi pmmg
I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I recently came across your book The Eye of Ebon, and it immediately caught the attention of our reading community. The title feels unique and intriguing, and several of our members expressed interest in exploring your work.
Before anything else, I’d like to briefly introduce who we are.
We’re a small, friendly group of everyday readers from different parts of the world. Most of us work regular jobs and read simply because we enjoy discovering meaningful stories and unique voices. We’re not professional reviewers or influencers just genuine readers who love sharing honest impressions after finishing a book.
Whenever a book stands out to us, we invite a group of members to read it and provide their sincere feedback. Their thoughts are always authentic and based purely on their reading experience.
There is no fee for authors to participate. Some writers choose to offer a small token of appreciation for our readers’ time, which helps foster a warm and respectful exchange between our community and the authors we support.
For The Eye of Ebon, we can involve 5, 10, or even 15 readers whichever you prefer.
If you’d like our group to include The Eye of Ebon in an upcoming reading round, I’d be happy to coordinate everything and guide you through the simple next steps.
Warm regards,
First...your community does not need my permission to enjoy the book and provide feedback if they care to.
Second, all of this email is a lie.
Third, she has doubly lied because she was not honest about her intention, which is to get me to buy in to something. How many emails will it take me to get to that? Well, with the last one, it was like 10 or 15. Just say it...least I will respect you more.
pmmg
Myth Weaver
- Thread starter
- #75
I get a lot of them over on FB, and if I have time and energy, I'll toy with them a while. But no, they don't get to bring that crap here. This is a safe space for a lot of writers, and to the spammers who've found us I'll say the one thing that scares the spit out of my little sister.
"I don't play."