This is a very noble sentiment, but the truth is that I posted 3
chapters of
"I Can See Clearly Now" and 6 chapters of "Monkey Head-Butting" without
recieving the detailed sort of criticism I've recieved since asking for
pre-readers.  It's very clear to me that a good 80-90% of the list is here
only to read stories, not comment on them or post their own.
(Gee, for that
matter, one of my best friends has joined the list for that very purpose,
and has never e-mailed me word one about my stories, although
when I see him
he tells me he liked 'em.  Hi, Jeff!).

The people who became my prereaders were all people who had been
reading my
story, who had even sent me short comments saying that they liked
it, but...
no detailed criticism, except for a specific comment here or there.  Maybe
if I'd posted my chapters as "rough draft!  C&C required!" I would have
recieved more comments, but I prefer to send my story out as polished as I
can get it.  I want people to like my work, and I don't want to post
multiple versions of my stories in various stages of completion.

Most critics/commentators want to know that the author is going
to listen to
what they say, which is how you wind up with prereaders.  You have to set
time aside to read a story and take it apart, and knowing that the author
will incorporate what you've said into his or her final version makes it
worth your time.  Posting C&C to the list, you don't really know that for
certain.

On the flip side, I haven't preread for anyone yet, but I've C&C'd a few
stories, posting the results publicly when I thought the author would not
mind.  Not everyone wants their story diagnosed before the public, of
course, but I can understand the value of other writers,
especially begining
writers, seeing this sort of commentary.  However, I plan to
continue to use
prereaders if I can, because it helps me make my stories better, in ways
that posting to the list did not.

One final note... perhaps part of the problem is the size of the
ffml.  It's
not an intimate gathering of writers, although it may have been
like that at
one time.  The way it is now kind of dictates that prereading is
more common
than on-list commentary and critique.  It might be inevitable
with a list of
nearly 1,000...  ?

I can only speak for myself, but I rather doubt that any of the Synopsis
List reviewers would mind giving a slightly expanded version of the capsule
review we manage to do every week. SLIGHTLY, mind you... we've got about ten
each per week to do as is, and college starts up again soon enough. If you
can go through the process of drafting and making a submission to the list,
your fic gets reviewed in brief, and you're more than welcome to ask for an
extension on said reviews. I suppose Shunsuke is waiting a bit on account of
college or something's gone wrong with my mailbox, but last week's isn't out
yet. It should be soon.

When I volunteered for the list, and brought two people in with me, I made a
commitment to read everything, no matter what, that was posted to the list.
All you people who are desperate for any kind of C&C should take advantage
of that.

--G. Falconar, who earnestly hopes this won't provoke a flood.