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Welcome… I’m New Here! Hi everyone

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JohnJoeSmith

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Joined
Jun 12, 2025
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Hello,

I spent the last 6 months writing a manuscript and on Tuesday started the process of trying to understand how to take to market, etc.

Along the way a site recommended this place, so thought I would take a look.

Brief bit about me: I was born in England to Scottish parents, when I was 4 we moved to Scotland to live with my Gran in her Council House. I got expelled from High School in 6th Year and started working in Sales. In my 20's I was in a Glasgow band called Straddler then went on an access course at College, which led me to spending 4 years at The University of Glasgow gaining a Politics Degree. I then did a Postgrad in Broadcast Journalism, which duly found working in radio for a time. Last year my Mum passed away, which prompted me to write this book. I'm now a Carer for my Dad.

Anyway, I hope you’re all well and look forward to getting to understand this place and the people contributing.

Cheers,

JJ
 
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Hello @JohnJoeSmith

Nice to meet you. I hope you're settling in and finding your way around. You're in the best place to get your manuscript in good shape for pitching. You'll also get tonnes of support when things feel stressful.
At least that's how it's been for me here.

Looking forward to reading your work. If/when you're ready to share it Here's How

Any questions, just ask. Super helpful folk here with lots of good answers.

Rachel :)
 
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Welcome aboard @JohnJoeSmith :) I'm sure you'll feel at home here. Sorry about your mum :( What do you write?
Thank you.

I live in the greater Glasgow area. The book is literary fiction, reflective of the world I grew up in.

Bleak, but darkly comic 😀
Hello @JohnJoeSmith

Nice to meet you. I hope you're settling in and finding your way around. You're in the best place to get your manuscript in good shape for pitching. You'll also get tonnes of support when things feel stressful.
At least that's how it's been for me here.

Looking forward to reading your work. If/when you're ready to share it Here's How

Any questions, just ask. Super helpful folk here with lots of good answers.

Rachel :)
Thanks for this Rachel,

Is there somewhere I can view works looking for critique?

Keen to upload something of my own, but appreciate I need to try and help others first.
 
Is there somewhere I can view works looking for critique?
Hi JJ,

Head to The Lab to see projects for critique.
Jake's More Trouble with Prophecies is the latest project and well worth a read.

Otherwise, it's been fairly quiet this week - it varies how busy it can get - but feel free to comment on older posts for the practice of critiquing if you want to. (I said I didn't need any more comments on my own recent short story, but I honestly welcome your opinion if you want to read it.)

And there's new stuff cropping up all the time, so it won't take long to get five critiques under your belt.
 

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