Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations June 26, 2014 - 5:05am

In the spirit of criminality, this is somewhere to pimp out your stories. Tell us why we should read them. Threaten us with blackmail, bribe us, or just thud that lead pipe into your sweaty palms. Make us an offer we can't refuse...

Discussions about the competition keep to the Official Discussion page.

 

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations June 26, 2014 - 6:20am

Loaded up a revised version of "Criminal Class" for y'all. It's even better than before, and only a scandal of epic, Whitehall proportions could possibly stop it getting lots more reads and reviews...

Go to it!

 

Devon Robbins's picture
Devon Robbins from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones June 26, 2014 - 7:00am

I'm always looking for a few more reads on my story "Alchemy and Atrophy." I'll make sure to give yours a review in return.

Motor-Psycho's picture
Motor-Psycho from Montreal is reading Everything By Willeford June 26, 2014 - 7:33am

Does reuploading a piece cost points?

Devon Robbins's picture
Devon Robbins from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones June 26, 2014 - 7:37am

It's fifteen dollars. You can send me a check.

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch June 26, 2014 - 7:54am

You should read False Impressions because it'll either make you feel better about your own writing, or make you aspire to be better. Either way, it's a win win for you!

And also because I'll repay the favor with a read and critique of yours. I'm generally not doing LBL, but anyone that goes through the time to do one for me, will definitely get one in return.

Bob Pastorella's picture
Bob Pastorella from Groves, Texas is reading murder books trying to stay hip, I'm thinking of you, and you're out there so Say your prayers, Say your prayers, Say your prayers June 26, 2014 - 9:01am

My story, Pork Chop, needs a little love. It's full of excons, bulletproof redneck crazies, retribution, sexual dysfunction, but deep down it's really a heartwarming story of revenge and redemption, Southeast Texas style. 80% of 5 readers like it so far.  

I know I'm behind in reviewing. Working 5 days a week and spending my weekends incarcerated. Yep, you read that correctly. Friday evening thru Sunday evening, I'm in jail. Those that know me know what's going on, those that don't are still trying to wrap that concept around their heads. Good news: this is my LAST weekend. So exicted. Then I'm going to be reading ya'lls stories like crazy. 

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations June 26, 2014 - 9:58am

I'll be reading Devon's story, a clear attempt at extortion, and Bob's because, like y'know, from JAIL?! (Glad it's your last Bob... hope the experience has in some way had a silver lining of informing your writing!)

But everyone else, you're just being too damned NICE about it...

Aud Fontaine's picture
Aud Fontaine from the mountains is reading Catch-22. Since like, always. June 26, 2014 - 10:06am

My story's already been paraded around on the other board like the slut it is but I just uploaded a redraft that I'd love some critiques on. I want to be able to have this as close to done as possible by July 1st and since I didn't know about the contest until a few days ago I'm kind of lagging. I'll definitely give you as useful a comment as I can in return.

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/for-all-we-know

Thanks,

Aud.

Also if you don't I'll kill you all. Obviously.

Eddie McNamara's picture
Eddie McNamara from NYC is reading High as the Horse's Bridles June 28, 2014 - 5:21am

I'm gonna pimp this like I was Iceberg Slim. 

 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/not-a-sailors-girlnot-a-truckers-...

YouAreNotASlave's picture
YouAreNotASlave from Birmingham United Kingdom June 28, 2014 - 1:23pm

Safe, may as well put mine on here. Mine is a murder set in a primary (elementary for USA?) school, with the students as the main chracters. Basically tried to write a detective fiction story with kids, limiting myself to the type of crime kids might come across--so no drugs and guns. All feedback appreciated and reciprocated. 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/kitkat

Adam Jenkins's picture
Adam Jenkins from Bracknell, England is reading RCX Magazine (Issue 1 coming soon) June 28, 2014 - 2:28pm

By my reckoning I've read about half the stories so far, with a couple of days left to go of submissions. It's been a high quality showing so far, and  have high hopes for the second half, with some big names lurking. I figure rather than pimp my own story, I'd share some that really impressed me. So in no particular order, my top five so far:

The Quiet Detective - first one submitted, and I'm glad I posted mine up before I read it, or I may not have bothered. This is noirish with a lot of humour, and one of the best characters I've read in a long time. I must have read this one almost into double figures by now. Brilliant.

The Asshat Fund - ignore the name, this is an amusing and exciting ride of a story. There are some rough bits, but you'll finish this one with a smile on your face.

Burglaress - as I put on the comment, I have issues with the ending which doesn't have quite the same high standards as the rest of the piece. For the most part this is damn close to perfect, with a well written descent into drink and madness.

Heart - is there anyone who has yet to read it? Again, I had issues with the ending, but I'm in the minority on that one. The main body (sorry!) of it though is a masterclass of building tension. It's rightly had a tonne of reads and thumbs up.

Foxtrot - There is a lot to like about this one. The dialogue in the opening section is some of the strongest in the contest. It has it's peaks and troughs, but it marries a cracking concept with some solid research, and the best named character. Another one that'll leave a smile on your face when you finish.

Anybody got some recommendations of their own? I want to know which ones to get excited about reading next.

Aud Fontaine's picture
Aud Fontaine from the mountains is reading Catch-22. Since like, always. June 28, 2014 - 6:19pm

I know I'm new here and my opinion doesn't really carry any real weight but I have some suggestions, nonetheless. I agree that Heart and Foxtrot are really great (especially the aforementioned name in Foxtrot which is a goddamn masterpiece) but I think the most criminally underrated stories that I've read so far are The Heist, Why We Can't Feed the Ducks in Winter and Lisa Cummings and the Case of the Exploding Meat. All of them are really unique and cool and I definitely don't think they've gotten the reads or ratings they deserve. 

Here are their links and the authors' descriptions:

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/the-heist

This is a story about the build-up and execution of a daring heist by a young criminal mastermind.

"My name is Zoe and I am seven and a half years old and today I robbed the bank."

 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/jesus-on-heroin-and-why-we-cant-f...

The insular world of two addicts in the middle of a cold winter testing the limits of a drugs ability to help them escape.

 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/lisa-cummings-and-the-case-of-the...

Private Investigator Lisa Cummings and her Police liaison Andy Browning investigate a death at the local abattoir. With pressure from above to solve the case before the Westbrook Meat Festival, and the evidence becoming ever more complicated, there is a very real risk that they might just jump to the wrong conclusion

 

They're fantastic and definitely worth a read at the very least. In my opinion.

Aud.

Devon Robbins's picture
Devon Robbins from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones June 28, 2014 - 6:23pm

Here's what's been said of my story "Alchemy and Atrophy," so far. If you haven't read it yet, give it a go.

This is just really beautifully written. I could read prose like this all day long even if it didn’t tell a story at all. - Jonathan Riley

Strongest story I've read so far, both in style and substance. Well done! - Liam Hogan

Excellent story, one of the most techinically well written in this contest so far, IMO. - Doug Black

I really like the structure of this and found it incredibly fascinating. - Aud Fontaine

Big thumbs up. I really enjoyed the story, enjoyed your poetic licence more though. - madsmaddox

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations June 29, 2014 - 2:23am

Looks like I have 8 recommended stories to read. But, y'know guys, where are the bribes?

Eddie McNamara's picture
Eddie McNamara from NYC is reading High as the Horse's Bridles June 29, 2014 - 8:15am

Some things said about my story...by me.

"Who the fuck needs all those words? I'll do it in less than 2,000."

"This is the only story I've read before, yet it's the only one I felt I hadn't read 1000 times."

"Eddie McNamara isn't only the best looking contestant, his story is like a prime Mike Tyson savaging the rest of the competition."

"'Not a Sailor's Girl/Not a Trucker's Wife'" made your girlfriend pregnant."

madsmaddox's picture
madsmaddox from Berkshire is reading Fated June 30, 2014 - 7:11am

Greetings all!

A big thanks to everyone that has read the Quiet Detective so far and posted constructive comments, special props especially to Adam Jenkins, Jonathan Riley, Christena Re, Chacron and Dino! You’ve all been fantastic with constructive criticism, LBL and proof reads. Greatly appreciated!

The final draft is now up and ready for the month long kicking! http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/the-quiet-detective

The best of luck to all of you in the contest and thanks for taking the time for reading, giving constructive criticism and being all round awesome people for helping myself and others!

And now, back to reading the rest of the entries.

So far, the one's definitely worth a read are:

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/north-of-the-river

Adam Jenkins’ tale is the most honest and real story I’ve read on here. The reviews reflect this and if you haven’t read it, you should.

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/the-asshat-fund

Todd Morr’s tale is hardboiled and a helluva lot of fun!

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/nesting

Dino is too talented for his own good lol. Enjoy!

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/foxtrot

JR’s tale is darkly comic and a lot of fun.

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/everything-disappears

Chacron’s tale is original, ambitious and written with great craft.

All the best and happy writing

Mads

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch June 30, 2014 - 8:40am

I've generally been going down the list of stories to review, but I'm finding that my own story is lagging behind in reviews (though to be fair, I only recently posted it a couple days ago). So just as a reminder, if you read and comment on False Impressions I'll repay the favor with a review of your story.

NikKorpon's picture
NikKorpon from Baltimore is reading Book and books and books and June 30, 2014 - 8:10am

Guess I should've posted this in here.

Family Meetings.

Why should you read it? It's got botched robberies, stolen drugs, prom dates, crooked cops, lecherous moms, and a chase scene that involves the after-effects of dick pills.

Is that a good sell? I'm a terrible hurdy-gurdy man.

Jay Parekh's picture
Jay Parekh is reading Fight Club June 30, 2014 - 8:50am

Que sera sera - Whatever will be, will be.

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/que-sera-sera

Go read it, because if you don't, BAD things will happen to you! How bad?  Like shin scrapes, paper cuts, harddrive crashes and a bad hair day (yeah, that bad)!

GET!

Adam Jenkins's picture
Adam Jenkins from Bracknell, England is reading RCX Magazine (Issue 1 coming soon) June 30, 2014 - 10:42am

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/pork-chop

Another to add to my recommendations. I really enjoyed this one. It sure as hell deserves more reads!

"A chance encounter with an ex-con from his neighborhood forces Jay to tag along for the ride, wondering about what he needs to do in case things get out of hand."

Motor-Psycho's picture
Motor-Psycho from Montreal is reading Everything By Willeford June 30, 2014 - 5:38pm

I'll read n rate whomever reads n rates mine. 

 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/curtis-is-crazy

 

Thanks,

 

Matt

Cmangano's picture
Cmangano from Maine June 30, 2014 - 9:44pm

I'm pimping this out.

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/late-nights-and-corner-stores.

I've not gotten many reads and would appreciate feedback of any kind.

So, read it, review it, rate it. Whatever. This is how pimping usually works,right?

 

 

Turtlethumbs's picture
Turtlethumbs June 30, 2014 - 10:17pm

My favorites so far are Poachers, Naked Villainy and Pearls in a Pigsty. They were each in the "need readers" section. I haven't got to the earlier submissions with tons of comments and thumbs up yet. 

Just submitted mine today and it's called Born Again Packaging. I had to force the ending and am not pleased with it overall, but hey that's probably at least half of us submitting.

Here's the link: 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/born-again-packaging

And here's the description:

Mitch becomes temporarily paralyzed in a dumpster full of dead babies and sees the light. But this doesn't help him beat the charges against him for accidentally burning thirty people alive.

If you read and comment on mine I promise to do the same for you!

JustMotz's picture
JustMotz from Fennville, MI is reading Comics by Mike Mignola, Grant Morrison and Warren Ellis, sometimes by Ed Brubaker or Ben Templesmith. June 30, 2014 - 11:14pm

The piece is Right Round. It's a wrong man type story. Or a right man type story, depending on whose shoes you prefer. It's also about a fucking wedding reception. And red solo cups.

Something that's been rattling around for a couple years. Finally got it down on paper. And submitted just under the wire, it seems.

Tried to submit it for a pulp graphic novel. They didn't want it. Alas.

Got a long car trip this weekend. Looking forward to catching up on some reading.

Adam Jenkins's picture
Adam Jenkins from Bracknell, England is reading RCX Magazine (Issue 1 coming soon) July 1, 2014 - 6:24am

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/looks-like-trouble

Came across another one that is very worthy of a few more reads. This is a nice little noir tale that doesn't stray much from the usual tropes, but what it does it does very well.

Jay Parekh's picture
Jay Parekh is reading Fight Club July 1, 2014 - 11:07am

I read Matts story - http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/curtis-is-crazy

I recommend it! 

Will read as many as i can and rate/ comment. Trying to go for 2 per day, hopefully i ll manage.

Obligatory shameless pimping:

Heres my story: http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/que-sera-sera

Go read it ya namsy pamsy!

RhysWare's picture
RhysWare from Worcester, England is reading The Warriors July 1, 2014 - 3:13pm

Hey guys,

Been trying to read and rate stories when time's been kind, and it's looking to be a little kinder over the next few days so I'll be sure to read as many as I can.

Of course, here to get pimpin' my ho, so I'd appreciate the read on this: http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/circus-crime

It's got a circus, freaks, a tent. Who doesn't love a tent?

L.W. Flouisa's picture
L.W. Flouisa from Tennessee is reading More Murakami July 1, 2014 - 7:15pm

I would have submitted but:

  1. Its an easy reader.
  2. It wasn't revised in time.
  3. Dystopian, not pure crime fiction.

Good luck with all those accepted.^^

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch July 2, 2014 - 6:54am

Here's a couple of stories that I've come across that I really enjoyed and could probably use a couple of more eyes:

Max Golding's Born Again Packaging - I had a couple issues with it, but it won me over at the end. It's such a weird, different tale that it really deserves more reviews.

Nik Korpon's Family Meetings- One of the best plotted stories of the bunch I've read.

Greg Ambros's Something for Nothing- Fun little story with a sad sack protagonist that still ends up being likeable.

Marie S. Cromwell's Pearls in a Pigsty - One of my favorite of the bunch. Nice little hardboiled tale staring tough women.

NikKorpon's picture
NikKorpon from Baltimore is reading Book and books and books and July 2, 2014 - 1:19pm

Thanks, Hector!

kevymetal's picture
kevymetal from Halifax, NS July 2, 2014 - 5:43pm

Hey folks - new to LitReactor and contests in general. Wrote a story called Keys in the Ignition that I'm under the impression (based on the two reviews I've gotten so far) you'll either love or hate. It's about the randomness of violence, bad luck, and heartbreak. If you give it a read, I'll return the favor! Thanks. 

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations July 2, 2014 - 6:06pm

Anyone out there who has under 10 ratings, and has done over 10 reviews themselves? Pimp yourself out, and assuming you don't mind a pretty intense critique, I'll help readdress the balance.

(Far too many stories showing up on random with way more reviews than the author has posted... looks like a small number of keen reviewers, and a load of people biding their time...)

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch July 2, 2014 - 6:10pm

Liam,

I got ten reviews and 13 'reads', and I've done a fair number of reviews. If no one else speaks up, I got no problem being greedy and asking for a review. Not so much interested in winning the contest, as much as getting as many eyes on my story as possible.

 

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations July 2, 2014 - 6:58pm

Sure Hector, I'll give it a look. I might be one of the harsher reviewers, I'm averaging about half up/half down! Don't think anyone is going to win the contest without doing a helluva a lot of reviews, (as reciprocal reviews will give them points), so I'm kind of looking at this as being a few fun reads and maybe give and get some helpful advice...

Aud Fontaine's picture
Aud Fontaine from the mountains is reading Catch-22. Since like, always. July 2, 2014 - 7:08pm

I just read Kevymetal's story and I think I fall into the 50% of people who love it. I strongly recommend it, especially if you like the movie Magnolia or Stranger Than Fiction. It's good times. 

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/keys-in-the-ignition

Turtlethumbs's picture
Turtlethumbs July 2, 2014 - 10:32pm

Liam,

I have 2 reads so far and have done 6 reviews (in the middle of my 7th). Sorry if that's not enough for your 10 review threshold, but I'll surely be there tomorrow or Friday. Obviously I'd love more reads: http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/born-again-packaging

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch July 3, 2014 - 8:40am

Damn it people, I want to read and review your stories, but I don't feel right when you haven't left a single comment in anyone's elses yet!

 

Devon Robbins's picture
Devon Robbins from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones July 3, 2014 - 8:50am

Read mine. I haven't gotten half as many reviews as I've given. Alchemy and Atrophy

Hector Acosta's picture
Hector Acosta from Dallas is reading Fletch July 3, 2014 - 8:51am

Only cause I like your face.

Devon Robbins's picture
Devon Robbins from Utah is reading The Least Of My Scars by Stephen Graham Jones July 3, 2014 - 8:54am

Thanks. I'll dig into yours after work. Cause I like your face.

Jason Choi's picture
Jason Choi from Hong Kong is reading The Goldfinch July 3, 2014 - 3:29pm

Hi all!

As a native from Hong Kong, I have seen the Triad cartoonized/glamorized by the media (think Jackie Chan's Rush Hour 2, the popular video game Sleeping Dogs, Infernal Affairs and Martin Scorsese's mafia version The Departed, and about 100+ Hong Kong gang films).

 

"Burn, Baby, Burn" is my attempt at the realitistic portrayal absent from mainstream media - curious young men falling in with the local Triad who end up making mistakes they cannot live with.

 

There is no comic violence, no Jackie-Chan-style roundhouse kicks - only paranoia, despair, trauma, isolation and death. This is my attempt to create a haunting, sobering and emotional story, and I would greatly appreciate if you could leave me an honest critique through the link above. I will offer one in return, for what it's worth.


Enjoy your summer!


Jason

Also, please check out Dan Fiore's "Heart" - my favorite by far.

Damon Lytton's picture
Damon Lytton from Augusta, Kansas is reading Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow July 3, 2014 - 3:42pm

Looks like there's a ton of buzz over on the page for Snitch.  Here are just a few snippets of praise for the gangland mystery:

Horrible."

Why does this need to exist?"

Hey where's the fifty bucks you promised me if I read this shit?"

If this piece is any indication of the quality of stories in this competition, then I feel bad for whoever's judging this farce."

Get in on the fun and head over to read Snitch.

Joe P's picture
Joe P from Brainerd, MN is reading Wheel of Time July 3, 2014 - 4:15pm

"Pimpin' ain't easy but it's necessary, so I'm pimpin' http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/your-return-policy

like Tom chases Jerry." - Shea Lebeuf

Seriously though, I'm trying to recover from a new of those nasty mystery thumbs down from early in the game. Any reviews are welcome, thumbs down or otherwise. Thanks everybody!

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations July 3, 2014 - 5:00pm

Dear fellow authors,

At least half of you have your mailing address as part of your manuscript, or some other only marginally less difficult to follow way of identifying you. Which means... I know where you live. Don't you think it's about time you read my story? (Criminal Class)

I really wouldn't like to have to pay you a visit. Nor, I suspect, would you...

Stay safe, and do exactly what I tell you. Now would be nice.

Liam

Jay Parekh's picture
Jay Parekh is reading Fight Club July 4, 2014 - 11:31am

Is there any way I can search for the reviews I've written for other ppl? When you do a few you start forgetting the titles. I'd like to revisit a few stories and make some edits on my reviews.

And Oh I am not exactly seeing the love here guys, I've only had 3 reads and 2 reviews so far (from Max and Damon, both positive - Thanks guys!), and I'd like to have a few more eyeballs on the story. So... head on over and give it a read, 'kay? http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/que-sera-sera

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations July 4, 2014 - 4:32pm

Under your profile, there will be "Track" button - it shows all postings you've made, including review postings.

Jay Parekh's picture
Jay Parekh is reading Fight Club July 4, 2014 - 6:07pm

Thanks Liam.

Tom Lydon's picture
Tom Lydon from Britain July 4, 2014 - 9:09pm

So far my submission 'Exit Interview' is dividing the critics - two up, two down. I'd really appreciate some more reads - it's great find out what people do and don't respond to. Also I still think the story's pretty fun, so hopefully you'll enjoy it...

And I'll give reciprocal feedback to anyone who leaves a comment. Can't say fairer than that.

Oh, er, and also I'll find anyone who doesn't review, and bring them to within an inch of madness using only Britney Spears' back-catalogue and a vocoder.

I've been following LitReactor for a while, but this is the first time I was able to submit something for a contest, so I'm very happy to be involved.

mattymillard's picture
mattymillard from Wolverhampton, England is reading Curse of the Wolf Girl - Martin Millar July 8, 2014 - 7:02am

Hi there!

I've just got back from holidays and my concerted effort to get reading and reviewing has begun! I'm already a few above the number of reads I've had on mine though so here's a plea! It's a piece which is outside of my usual comic fantasy style, so any feedback on how I can improve my wider writing would be much appreciated!

Hopefully you'll enjoy it because it has (I think) a slightly different take on crime to the typical. And it's quite short! Haha

http://litreactor.com/events/arrest-us/blood-lust

Thanks all!

Matty

Liam Hogan's picture
Liam Hogan from Earth is reading Hugo Nominations July 8, 2014 - 8:17am

I'm going to pimp out TheCrazyRabbitLady's story, The Demons That Fill You With Fear , because it grieves me to be the only person to have voted for a story, and that to be a downvote. That "0% of people like your story"? All my fault... At least if a couple more people read it, the % might not look so awful, or in the worst case scenario, I'll share the blame!