Radio Wonderland

I've read the first 3 chapters and look forward to reading more,but I liked it so much I am backing it now. Very original and funny writing and of course an intriguing setting!
Vall MIDWYF

I've read and enjoyed the first chapter. Love the phone-in, especially the maximum security prisoner and break-up live on air. As a fellow hater of Slade and Wham's Xmas drivel, I have placed Radio Wonderland on my WL and will read on.

I like the pitch, which is most promising, and the intro. Starred up as a downpayment and on my watchlist for a more leisurely perusal tmr.

Orlando WATCHING SWIFTS

I love music related books! Mine is also a musically inspired novel... I'm backing yours tomorrow once my shelf opens up!

Rachel

I've read through the first two chapters and am really enjoying the story. The way you have the characters playing off each other is excellent!

Backed - hope this does well ....

Glenn Johnstone (Darkling Child)

While it's true that there have been stories of people drinking themselves to death, I have rarely found them to be particularly amusing. This one feels different. The reason? The characters are interesting. In spite of the fact that Charlie is a jerk, I care about him or at the very least, I want to know where his downward spiral is going to end. I've read a lot of good stuff on this site, but very few where I immediately want to read the next chapter. This is one of them!

Good Luck!

John
"The Chronicles of the Myst-Clipper Shicaine"

What a festive read this is, or not? It’s like everyone’s worst nightmare. But we all want this guy to get away with it. We already hate Nick and feel he’s the one who needs the comeuppance. I enjoyed the dare aspect of this and I think this could prove a popular read
Happily backed
Wilma1
Knowing Liam Riley – I hope you enjoy reading it

Seems to be a bit of overlap between your profile and your pitch but, that apart, this is a fun read, which will remind your British readers of the goings on at Radio Caroline way, way back.

Philip John

'Just some festive cheer dear.' Comma after 'cheer.' When you address someone in dialogue, offset their name or title with commas. There are more cases of this type of problem. Other than that, this is well written comedy. True-to-life characters. Snappy dialogue. Perceptive narrative. Well imagined settings. Brilliant wit. Excellent pacing. Superb writing. An immensely enjoyable read. Backed.

Like the absurdity of it all....good reading...backed.

Angus Shoor Caan
Violet Hiccup

I have just finished the first chapter and decided to read more. This is my reaon for backing Radio Wonderland. I feel that if you want to read more, then it must have ''something'. Yours has the type of light hearted feel to it. Best wishes.
Love you to look at my childrens book.
Jerry [paperbat]

You write so naturally, just as if you were chatting to me over a cuppa, and I like that. Not pretentious in any way.
Your characters remind me of those in the movie The Boat That Rocked. I love the British style humour - being originally from there. Looking at some of the reader's comments, I find others perceptions interesting. I tended to take a tongue in cheek approach. I can laugh over just about anything. Backed with pleasure. Great stuff. Eunice - The Temple Dancer.

Interesting people seem to gravitate to the media business. Wonderful work. Backed Chuck

A very unusual book, but it keeps the readers interest. A little earthy at times, but perhaps that's the way it is in that business.
I backed it and hope it does well.
I hope you will take a look at mine. (Flawless Murder) It seems to get more and more difficult to get people to respond on Authonomy-do you get that problem.
David (Euphemus)

Radio Wonderland

Hadley Eldon

You will not like this critique of your plot, but it might be an eye-opener. Truly sorry to have to burst any bubbles. This idea of drinking oneself to an early grave has been done before - and brilliantly so, therefore personally, I think your storyline lacks originality big time. Sure one can change a few details, and setting and so on, but your main theme has been done by the best. Where does that leave your plot I ask, constructively? Beware authonomites who will smother you with praise for a backing. Personally, I am sick of it. Look at the 1995 film "Leaving Las Vegas". By all means get a copy of the screenplay. Meet Ben Sanderson and his sorry life therein. You can't beat Nicholas Cage with his academy award and Golden Globe as well as best actor awards from the the New York Film Critics Circle, the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the Chicago Film Critics and the National Board of Review for his role in this film - an alcoholic drinking himself to death... Sounds familiar? All the best with your effort and your writing career.

Hadley

Observations as I read

--'Knicker invaders' confused me

--Minor typo:

'Turn it off and stick to your pla[y] list'

--Punctuation:

You see last Christmas my dear wife. Actually my fucking expensive wife . . .'

I'd have a full-stop where you have the comma.

That's it for chapter one. And, minor niggles aside, it's a great read. Your arsehole narrator has a strong voice and the whole thing is tightly written.

Backed.

This has great potential as a screenplay. Unfortunately, the powers that be would not accept the premise of drinking yourself to death live on air. "And what's this prize you're giving away?" Yeah, I have to drink myself in a stupor every time I hear that damn Wham song every bloody Christmas. I love the line, "mine was ripped out by a heartless bitch and spit-roasted using her dragon breath." Backed.

I'm loving this! Have to pause at the end of Ch 1 to put it on my shelf. One of your comments below mentioned not being sure where this is set, I'm picking UK but will read on and find out! Pogues and Wham! were major clues for me. I love larger than life characters, and Charlie's all of that and then some.
Joanna Carter
Fossil Farm

Hi Hadley, I loved the feel of this. Something a bit different which reminded me of an old TV show all about a radio station (can't think of the title but I think WKRP was the name of the station). Time constraints have meant I only got through the first chapter so this might have been resolved at a later stage - but my one complaint was that I didn't know where I was. I like to know where a story is set. It's probably not that important, it might just be me, but to help get the feel I like to know whether I'm at the North Pole or Timbukto. Just helps set the scene in my head. It's Christmas - is there snow? or is it somewhere hot? You mention The Queen's Speech so is it in the UK? You don't have to make a big thing about where it is, maybe just mention something typical about the city on the way in to work. Hope you don't mind the suggestion and ignore me if all is revealed later on. I will try to find time for the rest when I can.
Shelved with good hopes for you.
Kristen Stone
Kianda Mala - The Monkey Man
The Penhaligan File

Hi Hadley, I don’t know what Charlie’s motives were exactly but you described quite a mood while he was driving and first got to the station. His dumping story on air bringing all the callers in seems to have saved his job - by popular demand at first. It’s funny and I liked the air time with the brisk commotion he’s causing alternating with it. This felt as if it could happen. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Hi Hadley,
I read five chapters yesterday, was hooked so came back to read the rest. The way you write from the different characters’ perspectives is particularly effective (Charlie’s voice is by far and away the best!) though I think there are a couple of occasions where it might more appropriate to keep specific vocabulary to just the one character to maintain those authentic voices. There are a few spelling, punctuation and grammar points to fix, particularly in later chapters, which would improve the overall quality but with a good edit under its belt, I’d pay for this book.
Best

Dear Hadley
Really good cover really good and your short pitch just grabbed me and insisted i read on. which I did and then there was your long pitch which just made so many promises. The book did not disappoint me but just kept me riveted. Well crafted and original storyline, with characters that just popped into my head and wont go home. This is a good read for sure. You have a way with the one liners and I so wish I had half of your talent.
I do hope you will comment on my book and back it , as that would be soooooo cool, but hey if not that is ok also
BEST OF LUCK with your book
Denise
The Letter.

Your question in the short pitch hooked me!
And then I got into the book and found some of the one-liners hilarious (teach me not to read the genre). You have a brilliant book here, engaging, entertaining (perhaps missing the odd vampire- not). This has been a joy to read!

christmas day traffic giving me the shits is a great line and i do like this a lot.
great idea and executed nicely
on watchlist as I read on

This is really well done, funny and a great read, I wish you the best of luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Hi Hadley,

Thanks for making me laugh out loud. I've worked in radio and television - your book is very, very funny and true to life. Backed with real enthusiasm and pleasure.

Cheers,

Stephen
Garkhov's Diary

Hi Hadley
This is a great read and Charlie is a great character, easy to love and hate at the same time. You've got a pretty original idea here and the interaction between the characters is well crafted and entertaining. Well written indeed.
DP Walker
Five Dares

I thought that was excellent, It captured the atmosphere of a mad studio and was extremely funny and well written, I will read more. Backed

'giving me the shits'. Classic. Your opening line. Classic. 'Derek, get off your fat arse'. Classic. And that's just the first chapter. Frasier, this ain't! Very very funny, sharp and instantly engaging. I laughed out loud and I would buy it. Nothing to nitpick here,
Carl
The Time Hunters

Hi Hadley,
DJ Charlie is one crazy dude and boy can he put it away. We dislike him instantly, but as his wit begins to show itself, we find him a more attractive proposition, if a rather sad one.
As for Nick Sykes, well, nobody likes him, do they? And with good reason. Well written and most enjoyable first chapter.
Just a few typos, I spotted
'incident (with) the cyclist'
'extra hour(,) meaning..'
'I('m) playing Wham'
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes, Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

Hi,
DJ Charlie is one crazy dude and boy can he put it away. We dislike him instantly, but as his wit begins to show itself, we find him a more attractive proposition, if a rather sad one.
As for Nick Sykes, well, nobody likes him, do they? And with good reason. Well written and most enjoyable first chapter.
Just a few typos, I spotted
'incident (with) the cyclist'
'extra hour(,) meaning..'
'I('m) playing Wham'
I hope this is helpful.
Best wishes, Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

I have a love-hate acquaintance with Charlie after accompanying him through your first chapter but, accompany him, I wanted; for he rings true, a multi-faceted, fully fleshed-out, usually 'passed-out'/pissed out cynic and yet in his cynicism there is an underlying sharp and incisive wit.
He is a born rebel, not to be fettered by management and represents a universal trait in us of a refusal to be cowed by the norm.
No typo's jumped out at me and, to the contrary, I found this easily readable, fluous and well crafted.

Backed.
Ray
(A Child from the Wishing Well)

you start this well, and go on from there, leaving the reader wanting more,,,fine work...on w.l.
su dan...read SEASONS...

A very intriguing premise for a book and I like it. Your character development is superb and you have created the perfect anti-hero in Charlie. Your story is finely crafted and your use of imagery is excellent. Backed with pleasure.

Cheers,
Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

This is such a fun to read and so well written.
Backed of course, M

- Weekend Chimney Sweep
- Sarajevo Walls of Fate

OMG i love this! The one day of a year his boss gave away something for nothing and he was damned if he was gonna miss it. BRILLIANT! This is one of the best openings I've read on this site so far. He has an excellent voice. He's drunk and it's only shortly after breakfast, and his main concern is getting something for free from his boss.

you have an extra word here i think: going through him marriage troubles. I love the idea of having a murderer on the air, that was an interesting take.

I like what you've done with this story so far. it's a fun read and easy to read. It also seems well polished. Good luck with this. Already Backed.

xBeccaX
The Forever Girl

16 May 2010
Radio Wonderland introduces us to yet another anti-hero who apparently doesn't suffer fools gladly, who probably smells like a brewer's cart horse, who is caustic and cynical, who is a member of the DJ fraternity who are not renowned for MENSA standard reflections and yet - we want to know more because most of us have a somewhat morbid fascination with suicide - whether violent or liquidly protracted. . The writing is curt, abrasive and provides the ideal ambience. I enjoyed dipping into this work and recommend it for others. BACKED. Robert Davidson. The Tuzla Run.

It seems a truism but character is everything. And in the creation of Charlie you have a great book. Backed. lynn

Very funny, love the MC, and the dialogue is peppy and engaging. Backed with pleasure.

Amy
Love Match

This is highly entertaining, one cannot help but bond with Charlie Small, there's a very clever pitch, all is almost believeable and excellently written. Could one ask for more? Loved it - backed with pleasure.
BADD

Dear Hadley--
Charlie's caustic voice easily carried this chapter. He's such an egotist, I had to keep reading to see if he would get his comeuppance. :)

Noticed one small possible error:
2nd para, 2nd sentence: "Where are all these going?" -- Should "people" be inserted before "going"?

Looking forward to coming back for more; backing on the strength of your opening. Please consider having a look at The Long Black Veil, as we would appreciate your comments. -- Delhui

I love the radio...,no, I adore it and from what I have read so far, I loved this book, really. I shall be returning.

Backed with pleasure.

Hope you get the chance to peek at mine.

Sincerly
Brendan Doherty
The Russian Hat

Hello Hadley. I think Charlie is a great MC, who clearly makes Hollie nervous. The listeners interaction and Charlie's response is really funny. Good plot and well told. Best of luck! mariecapri (Cosmic Linx)

Dear Hadley, I love your mix of personalities in the studio & certainly would not want to be the heroine - I've had enough of that in the work place in years gone by. Good read, bring out the characters' feelings. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your recap/pitch,which was very well done. Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

hi
finished the four chapters and would love to know the secret
Two clues, Chalkie's hold over him and the letter Sykes found
Very clever and room for more
Backed
Micheal O'Durcain
Muyder on the Menu

I find this very authentic which is a difficult thing to achieve. Very well done. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

I saw your book sitting on someone els's shelf so thought I'd come and take a look.

Love the cover and the writing is wonderful too.
Great characters and the mix of humour makes this a must read.
Happily shelved
Melxx
Impeding Justice

This sets up nicely from the start, establishing the feel of the radio station and the min character, very much an anti hero from the beginning. Interested to seehow this developes, backed.

Chris Taylor
From London To Paris

SooooooooGood I love your style of writing. It gets the reader's attention, not to mention the pace.

Great stuff.
backed

This looks interesting and I've backed it. Why don't you start with your second paragraph, though> It sets the tone and theme much better than the long first paragraph. That can come second.

Moves along well.

I'd just use sex or sexy or sexed-up once in your pitch and place it carefully for effect. Don't overdo it.

Rosalind
Good for Him
Fair Critter reviewer