The Riverboat Wrangler

I can't believe I haven't seen this before now, looks like it's been here a while! This is excellent. I'm always looking for things that are completely original and different when the fantasy and YA get old, this is exactly what I look for. You've got a wonderful style that is interlaced with some great humor. The characters are also interesting, a great group you've got here. I like how it's written almost like a screenplay, helped it play through my mind as I read. I'm so glad I've found this!

Missy

I read to Chapter 5. This is spectacular. Totally different. Reads like a movie script. Shot through with humour. Everything about this is professional. I fail to see how an agent would not want to represent this, and how a publisher would not want to publish it.
Frank

Completely bizarre and quite wonderful. It takes a while to get into the writer's head, interesting concept, but after a few short snappy chapters the far longer chapter 4 had me howling with laughter and groaning out loud on a regular basis. Surreal, very clever, dialogue that makes its own rules and very funny, this is a breath of fresh air. I love it. More please.
Backed.
Jared.

This is bloody marvelous!
You are a master of dialogue - could be that you are a screenwriter?
There are so many wonderfully barmy quips, names, references to, phrases and situations pick any one they're all so gooood!

This is a riot! A wild, white water ride of extraordinary, colourful characters, bizarre events, curious settings. I have never read anything like it ....The tidal wave of energy and creativity spiling from the author is so full on, it is almost beyond what the pages can contain. If ithis was a printed book , it would need chains to keep it on the shelf! Completely original and difficult to pin down....maybe in a genre all of its own?
Backed with great pleasure.

OK, now this is different. I have to admit, for the first two chapters I had absolutely no idea what was going on and almost felt like giving up, but I stuck with it and began to get into it. Love the twist on the names throughout, Bogart Humphrey, Woody Alan. The humour is there and it's cracking. I do think it's a bit too 'cool' for me, but it's fine, there are lots of things I'm not cool enough for. This is a great peice of work and stunning cover too.

Silva

This is very different and yet so compelling. First off, I love Rogue, I can picture him. You draw the reader into the character of Rogue from the get-go, and then the end of the first chapter comes as a total surprise! The next scene with the he/she's gives this another layer of characters combined with the boat and you've got a winner here! I'm only at Chapter 3 but my curiousity is peaked with the intro of John Smith(?) - great job at pacing, characterization and dialogue! This is a book I'd buy so I'm shelving it and starring it!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Hi Frankie, I read three chapters and thought it was excellently written. Very funny, too.
I liked the opening where we meet the tough card shark, Rogue Tuft and equally tough Desiree, aboard the Wilton Weaver and preparing to play cards.
It took me a while to get used to the dialect but once I did I sped along. Nice hook to the next chapter.
I loved 'your biro's red and your pencil's out of lead' -- brilliant. i also liked the names Andy Mandy and Benny Jenny and the 'no hard feelings...yet.' Cheeky.
Great hook as Rogue passes through the strange green door.
Backed with pleasure. I plan to read more.
Best wishes,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

Erm...? I have no idea what to say. As a piece of unique writing it certainly hits a mark but despite a plethora of cultural reflections from work such as the Beatles, Frank Herbert and many, many others I could not find the direction you wanted to take me in. Maybe I am not seeing what everyone else is and if so then that is my loss. Good luck though.

I can't believe I haven't seen this before now, looks like it's been here a while! This is excellent. I'm always looking for things that are completely original and different when the fantasy and YA get old, this is exactly what I look for. You've got a wonderful style that is interlaced with some great humor. The characters are also interesting, a great group you've got here. I like how it's written almost like a screenplay, helped it play through my mind as I read. I'm so glad I've found this!

Missy

I love you writing and the very good dialogue. It is visual so that the reader becomes so much a part of this. I specially like the part with the 'gator filled water and the atmosphere you create.

Talent speaks

backed

I love you writing and the very good dialogue. It is visual so that the reader becomes so much a part of this. I specially like the part with the 'gator filled water and the atmosphere you create.

Talent speaks

backed

A crazy mix of charachters love the cheeky use of names.
Gingernuts

Imaginative writing, I like to play with names much as you do so there's definitely a feeling of kindred spirits here.....backed with pleasure.

ASC
Violet Hiccup

I love the liberties you take with your characters names, Bogart Humphrey, the Queen of Africa, Shorn Canary. Quite a motley crew assembled at Abilene Zylon's gaming table. You are obviously a great story teller, the action is snappy and more than a little reminicent of Lewis CArroll - Alice having morphed into a 'grown -up' Rogue Tuft. Backed Rab14

Crazed and intoxicating. Backed. Marianne (Saint Paddy and the Sundial)

Your accurate, for the historical time period, snappy dialogue coupled with your use of short paragraphs keeps the pace of your story flowing well. You grab the reader's attention in Chapter 1, the leather sap across the back of the head, and then build well from there. Your descriptive writing sprinkled with delicious humour makes your work a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Hello Frankie, just love your book cover and in my local book store your one would be picked out from the thousands. Your long and short pitches are fabulous as is the book. Funny, colorful, well crafted and such an easy read. I would recommend this for anyone....I don't see any tags, is there a reason, curious. any ways...... I promised myself that I would step across to another genre, and review for skill etc. one cannot just discard a climbing author just because of genre.....BACKED for sure.......I would just love you to step across to my genre and review my book, COMMENTS are so welcome even if it is only the skill etc.... and if you see fit, BACK it.

BEST of luck with yours

Denise
The Letter

RIVERBOAT WRANGLER
I’ve been talked into taking a Mississippi river boat cruise this fall so your pitch about a riverboat jumped out at me. And am glad I opened this. It’s a fun read. Interesting characters . . . good settings . . . the dialogue is another strength. If I had a problem it’s that I’m not sure when the story takes place. Could you mention a time period (who was president, maybe in reference to the civil war, etc) to orient your reader in time? Either way, it’s a good read. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Dear Franki, I love your adventerous spirit & the way you put me right there in the story with you, making everything so real. :) Your pitch is excellent, so set the hook for me to read your book. :) When you use short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, it makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm backing your book. :) Could you please take a moment to back my TWO memoir books? Thanks, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"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 quote:.
"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."

Imaginative, different and great. Best of luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Wierd but good - for something horrible, also on the sea - have a look at Charlie Marconi

I'm not really sure what I just read only that I found it very funny and most unusual. Nothing is what it appears to be and this is cleverley crafted. your chapter headings were also a sense of ammusement not a didtraction. I think this could end up with a cult following its so deligtfully different.

Sue Mackender
Knowing Liam Riley

This is a good story. Your chapters are short and easy to read. Your writing style invites a reader to follow this to wherever it's going to lead. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

snpdrgon, are you 'avin' a larf?! What will you suggest next, I wonder? Lawrence of Arabia written in Arabic?
And where does it say that my story is based in America?
Even if this were the case, as an Englishman in New York I would visit a shopping centre.
The book is written in English and posted on an English web site.

wow, Tim; you went easy on him! I'm a bit put off by the hailstorm of cliches and phrases.

And I will make a point that I've made before that always lands me in trouble: If your story in set in the US, watch your (Euro, AU, British, etc) words giving that away. ie: centre instead of center, etc. My advice is to search for an American editing program.

Anything that snaps your reader out of the spell you are attempting to weave is something you want to address. This comment falls in line with things like a 1950's teenager wearing a digital watch, or a mood ring (god forbid..).

Off to read more!

Backed.

Lisa~
Brewer House

Your book is a bit bizarre, but good fun. It does seems to leave a lot of questions unanswered. Why does the lady at the blackjack table thrash him, Why does he end up in bed with whores he can't pay? Why does the paddle boat end up deserted at the peer? What's with that ghost ship?

You handle the dialogue like a pro. And the narrative reads smoothly. But the story seems a bit like swiss cheese for all the unanswered Qs..

Happy to trade backings, if you are, though you may want to read some of mine first.

Tim Chambers
Moonbeam Highway

What an excellent opening chapter. Short and to the point, it brings the reader right into the story. The dialogue is realistic, making good, comprehensible use of dialogue, and you have done an excellent job of making it work.

Backed with pleasure,
Abi xxx
"Everyone knows the rule: Stay inside the Wall, but Tisha believes rules were made to be broken." - Relic

I thoroughly enjoy the way you write. You have the steady hand of a seasoned writer. Right from your opening lines I knew I was in for a good experience. The short chapters at the beginning work effectively to pull you deep into the book. Before I knew it I was at chapter 6 and still reading. There is a sense, and I believe someone else may have pointed this out that you are a screen writer, such is the imagery and staging of the novel. I agree the pitch doesn't really do the book any justice at all...but then you are a writer not a salesman.
Happy to have you on my shelf.
David
Bailey of the Saints

Very well written. This book reads smoothly and is fast pace, dragging you into the situation from the opening. I wish you all the luck this deserves!

Aimee
His Pride, Her Prejudice

Think you need to change the pitch otherwise I think people might miss a fantastic read here.

This is quirky, full of fantastic characters and very, very readable. I think Rogue is a brilliant character. You have an unique and enjoyable style this is great – Good luck

Excellent fun... thoroughly enjoyed. I wish you the very best of luck with it. kind regards pinkcoffee 'In The Moment'

Hi Frankie
Highly amusing and really wel written. You have an original and unique style.
DP Walker
Five Dares

The Riverboat Wrangler:

Didn't think I would like this but it's hard to keep a straight face while reading it.

Yikes... the two men are going to rape Rogue? I think, as the chapters are so short this one could be part of chapter one, with just a scene break?

Check your ‘began to’ sentences and change them. Example: …began to sigh and groan/ sighed and groaned… began to wade ashore/waded ashore… began to deal/dealt, etc?

Bogart, Woody Dean, Frank, Samuel L Jackson, Ben-Jen, etc... What whacky characters, you have. No Bradjelian?;)

…brung/brought? But as this is dialogue it’s likely okay…

I understand the Scotish dialect, it think, but many won’t, consider something like this? - Pay me nae heed is it? Well le’ me tell ye this much, like I telled him, straigh’ doon: “Ye didna ever stir ma drink. Nivva! (no double quotation marks as the sentence isn’t finished?) So ye kin pay attention t’that, blonde’. you misspell ‘kin’ with ‘ken’ in your sentence. ;)

What a nutty tale you spin with this cast of colourful characters. Can just imagine this as a film.

On my shelf.

Cáit ~ Muckers ~

The Riverboat Wrangler:

Didn't think I would like this but it's hard to keep a straight face while reading it.

Wouldn’t say frilly lace underwear would make a noise as it falls on the floor? Yikes... the two men are going to rape Rogue? I think, as the chapters are so short this one could be part of chapter one, with just a scene break?

Check your ‘began to’ sentences and change them. Example: …began to sigh and groan/ sighed and groaned…began to wade ashore/waded ashore… began to deal/dealt, etc?

Bogart, Woody Dean, Frank, Samuel L Jackson, even Nancy... What whacky characters, you have. ;)

…brung/brought? But as this is dialogue it’s likely okay…

I understand the Scotish dialect, it think, but many won’t, consider something like this, - Pay me nae heed is it? Well le’ me tell ye this much, like I telled him, straigh’ doon: “Ye didna ever stir ma drink. Nivva! (no double quotation marks as the sentence isn’t finished?) So ye kin can pay attention t’that, blonde’ ? you misspell ‘kin’ with ‘ken’ in your sentence. ;)

What a nutty tale you spin with this cast of colourful characters. Can just imagine this as a film.

On my shelf.

Cáit ~ Muckers ~

Frankie, your concise first chapter propelled me into the second. Smooth read. Nothing to nitpick there.

Happy to back your work.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

THE RIVERBOAT WRANGLER:

Frankie,

Where DID you learn to write like this? And I almost didn't read it. Your pitch does not do justice to this highly original, highly amusing, and highly entertaining piece of writing.

I love writers who break the rules and go out of the box. You can only do that when you are a very good writer.

Sensational comedy and writing.

Backed.
Sheila (Pinpoint)

Great stuff! Very energetic lively read.

Dear Franie Brand,

Wishing to be bewildered by new regions of your story, I skipped to chapter seven. I liked the phrases “Rediscovery Channel” and “aged Harry Potter pressed drunkenly across against spine of an appealing but well-fingered Stephanie Meyer”. I chuckled at needing to visit “the throne room of Queen Palm and her five lovely daughters”. After that, I was properly confused for a few pages. Congratulations! Apparently, the protagonist is called a “hog rider”. Is that his official title?

I enjoyed being bewildered by you. Bravo! Backed.

Best wishes,
Alan Marling

The Riverboat Wrangler is a wonderfully self-indulgent romp from a Mississippi paddlewheeler to the Titanic and beyond via leadless pencils and noisy lace underwear. Who knows what other treasures lie in store if only I had the time to read on? This is highly imaginative and colourful, and makes a rib-tickling read in a unique style. Every house needs a book like this on the shelf for those days when all hope is abandoned and the only other alternative is to go noisily mad. So I'll put it on my shelf for that purpose. Well done.

This is Lewis Carroll running amok through pop culture. Very inventive with wild wordplay. Backed.

Wonderful voice! Very nice job with specific descriptions and apt verbs. Backed.

Utterly and irrefutably outlandish. I had no idea what I was in for when I clicked on 1. This is such an engaging story that I didn't even look for typos or anything wrong, so sorry about that. If it's any consolation, I accidentally shot coffee onto my keyboard when I was caught with a laugh mid-swallow. Read 1-4, and loved it all. I can honestly state that I've never read anything quite like it. Bravo.

Gerry
Dropcloth Angels

Hi Frankie, the synopsis put me off this at the start but I delved in for a look and it really is good writing. You introduce the reader to a host of colourful characters in the first chapter and they each have a unique voice which is really well written. I love the idea of the poker game and I could almost feel the distrust and tension, I don't think any of the characters at the table are to be trusted especially not Rogue. My only suggestion would be to fix the synopsis up a little and this will draw more attention. It deserves it as you have a talent here, it's on my shelf. Helena (A Load of Rubbish)

BACKED

I get very little from comments about my own book, nowadays. Some people like it, some don't. Some people are too frightened to leave genuine feedback, while others seek to enforce their own style upon me. I want to get to the Ed's Desk to get professional comment. I would rather spend 30 quid than do all this reading and backing. I have got everything I want out of Authonomy community already. So I am backing your book so that you can reach the Ed's desk and get professional feedback, instead of the platitudes and devious backings that account for 80% of backing you receive. Only 20% of comments are genuine, and will add value to your work.

Now, who am I not to back you? I am not godlike. Your work might be flatly written, unoriginal or even down right bad. It could be wonderful. But in my experience, only you can be honest with yourself about your writing... and that is what matters.

So, I am backing you so you can reach the Ed's desk.

There you are.

BACKED

Hope you reciprocate.
If you end up leaving a comment that adds value to Dream Diamond, I will return to your book and give it a thorough read and comment.

**** = 4 Star effort! Fantastic stuff you've got here. Backed with great pleasure!

This is brilliant, just Brilliant! I have no intentions of telling you how good you are as a writer, as it goes without saying. Pace, setting, characters, and dialogue are all so realistic that this should instantly be recognised as Thee best book on the site.


Shelved with pleasure.
Frank Island 42

Frank Island 42

Chapter 3 was marvelous. But your writing, as a whole, is rather situational. Everyone is reacting accordingly and the prose moves along well. I've never been able to do comedy, because to me, it takes impeccable timing; proper delivery of the hilarity. It kind of boggles my mind when a writer is able to do that, especially as naturally as you seem to do it. Found a few grammatical errors, but whatever. I'm sure you realize the importance of polishing that before the book is sent to an agent.

'Twas a pleasure!

Jeff Sinclair
No Heaven

Hi Frankie, This is a casino Wonderland, a funny surreal scenario. I think it really works with the gambling and casino atmosphere because of the state-of-mind and obsessiveness there. The first chapter was absurd, the lifeboat men were dream-like, and then at the 5'5" talking figure who lost a leg in a lone shark incident, I was relishing all the names and the unpredictable humor. A pleasure to read and Shelved - Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Hi Frankie!

I read your pitch, and my first inclination was to ask "Why isn't he detailing more of the story, plotline, information about Rogue in the pitch? Why use the two very different reviews as the pitch?" By the time I reached chapter four, I get it. Not only do I NOT know how to improve your pitch, but with support from Jared, you absolutely should start your pitch with his endorsement!

Your writing inside is funny, chaotic, unique... Love the term "rent lady!" I also like how you've written the dialogue, infusing the slang and accent into the spelling of your words. Nicely done! Loved the reference to Bogard Humphrey (or rather H.B.) and the fact that Sam won't play his favorite song. "I still have splinters" - great line! Dean Martini - classic!

Couple of notes/nits: Chapter 4, paragraph 13 - I'd think about deleting "-design" - you don't need the word, and it gets rid of that clunky hyphen.

Semicolons - also a piece of punctuation I try to tone down whenever I can - it tends to slow down the reader because it just looks out of place, and more often than not, can be replaced easily with either a comma or a period and new sentence. Some examples:
Chapter 1, paragraph 7 - replace with comma
Chapter 2, paragraph 1 - replace with comma
Chapter 2, paragraph 3 - replace with period, start new sentence with "At."
Chapter 3, paragraphs 1 and 10 - replace with commas
Now, those are style issues, so take them with a grain of salt and keep the integrity of your art in the book! Overall, I thought this was very funny, and had a smile on my face as I read through it. Great job - backed with pleasure!

Kim
Invisible Justice

This is bloody marvelous!
You are a master of dialogue - could be that you are a screenwriter?
There are so many wonderfully barmy quips, names, references to, phrases and situations pick any one they're all so gooood!

I read to Chapter 5. This is spectacular. Totally different. Reads like a movie script. Shot through with humour. Everything about this is professional. I fail to see how an agent would not want to represent this, and how a publisher would not want to publish it.
Frank

moi. and i was going to say i read it to the end when i looked up and checked and hey-ho you've posted another 9 ch's. smart move, fb. you're nobody's fool...
;)

this will be my weekend. 'roger's kettle began to whistle 'home on the range.' ok. two jokes in that one short line. you got me again.

you are clever. you are nuts. you write beautifully.

Hands up all those who have made it past chapter 4.

What on earth were you drinking when you wrote this? I thought some of my stuff was a bit weird, but I doff my cap to you, sir. Had fun with Chapter 4 too. It sort of sucks you in and won't let go, like a quagmire with teeth. Of course I had to place it on my shelf. Keep taking the tablets!

Cheers, Rob
MEET THE KREEPS