Cemetery Ridge

This is truly superb. Well weitten and well researched. Mine is an 'historical' so I know full well just how much work you have to put in to make this work. I think you have written an important novel and I wish you all the best with it. Gordon - The Harpist of Madrid

Cemetery Ridge:

Only had time for a few chapters, but you have my heart pounding. This is such an exceptional read. I lived in Gettysburg for about 8 years and still live nearby. The place is swarming with Civil War activities and re-enactments. Your writing is vivid..great prose and a panoramic imagination. Keep me in mind. I want this when it comes out.

all the best
backed
Sue
Fate's Chastening

hullo Kirby. I agree, you should provide some hint of the message which could have changes the direction of the war. but, other than that, this story is realistically written, flows well and is fairly easy to follow. Very good.Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

Kirby,
This is one of my favorite historical periods to read about, and Cemetery Ridge certainly doesn't disappoint. You've constructed a plausible and exciting plot line and filled the book with flamboyant characters and action. You seem to have done a good job researching your topic. Well done! Just one small suggestion: while your pitch details much of what will happen and serves as a good hook for the reader as well, I think you need to mention up front why carrying a message to Lincoln from the ousted Sam Houston could impact the war in any way. You get to this in chapter six, but I think it needs to be addressed either in the pitch or the opening chapter. I liked the insider retellings of Gettysburg and Shiloh, by the way. Backed with pleasure.
Niobrara Kardnova (The Trouble with Wives)

I liked how you opened this, very sensory descriptive that took me straight into the storyline.
There is a feeling that there has been a lot of thought gone into the researching and subsequence structuring of the story.
But it is the style and how you have presented characters that is impressive, the characters come across very congruent to the storyline. – Good luck with this!

An excellent work of fine prose definately in the literary fiction genre. I have visited the locale and the description is well presented. One item caught my attention, the General's blue Union topcoat in the midst of chaos soon to follow unless accurate from an historical perspective might be reconsidered? Backed. Chuck (Paperboy Adventures) (Literary Agent Blues)

Actually, it is accurate. One of the incongruities of the Civil War. Also, the blue topcoat makes a reappearance later in the book and is (as are many references to Garnett in the Prologue, highly symbolic.

An excellent work of fine prose definately in the literary fiction genre. I have visited the locale and the description is well presented. One item caught my attention, the General's blue Union topcoat in the midst of chaos soon to follow unless accurate from an historical perspective might be reconsidered? Backed. Chuck (Paperboy Adventures) (Literary Agent Blues)

Wow Kirk you are good at writing pitches, maybe offer your services ha. the book is an easy well crafted read ...not my genre but that is the sheer beauty of this site. to see other books and back because of the work and also the skill etc. I found my heart racing whilst reading this and I needed a chamomile tea. BACKED for the thrilling characters and storyline......My book is of a different genre but that is the beauty of this site, and if you could 'review' and 'comment' and BACK it, I would be so happy. Again BEST OF LUCK with your book

Denise
The Letter

Yes, an irishman as a lead, you have my vote already. The Civil war which I know nothing about except for ghost stories and footage on Unexplained Mysteries, seems very real to me here and the supernatural aspects are used to great effect. I feel comfortable with the characters and want to go with them on their journey. The story has been well thought through from your story which is well constructed and alive with imagery. Great stuff.

This book is haunting on many levels. It tells in great detail of life in the Cival War era. The characters are well developed and the writer relays the story with well researched skill and knowledge.

D.E. LaRiviere (AKA Milo Saint) Six of One/The Hand of Cain

Hi Kirby, there's not a lot I can say, other than I enjoyed it very much (two chapters) and thought you are a good writer, who really knows his Civil War period. In moments, I was reminded of the slightly mournful narrative of Ambrose Bierce. The battle is realistically gory and shocking.
Backed with admiration for your ability to transport me back over one hundred and fifty years, and for an informative and entertaining read.
Best wishes,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

11 June 2010
Cemetery Ridge exudes power; powerful prose, potent, and where necessary, violent imagery, commanding action, driving pace and all fuelled on authoritative and formidable research. This is an saga as grand as the epoch it seeks to describe. An intense and forceful novel that compels praise. BACKED. The Tuzla Run. Robert Davidson.

This is a wonderful historical novel and you have captured the time period superbly. Your attention to detail is well done, your character development of Travis and Michael is excellent and this coupled with your descriptive writing style makes your finely crafted book a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Hi Kirby
I have to admit this is a subject I don't know much about, but this seems really well researched and the writing is well executed. Your writing is superbly visual and it is easy to picture the scenes.
DP Walker
Five Dares

The prelude intrigued me, since i live in the county where the civil war ended. There are so many historical areas here, starting with the surrendering grounds. Needless to say, they are a great place to go eat lunch...which i do often on my break! The soldiers buried there could care less, but i think they like the company :) I'm especially fond of the grave of the unknown soldier. I'm not really certain why.
Anyway, i kept reading and really loved the story, though, i haven't finished it yet. Your scene descriptions are wonderful as my mind places the imagery in my thoughts very vividly. I hope to finish reading in the next few days. Great work! Backed!
Karen

Thank you for your kind words. I've only visited Virginia once, but came away with a sense of awe: the towns, the history, the scenery. I envy you. On the other hand, I love my life here in Texas, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I've seen spectacular scenery (New Zealand), magnificent castles (Britain), beautiful architecture (Amsterdam), awesome history (Washington), rugged mountains (Montana/Wyoming/Colorado), endless plains (Kansas), spectacular foliage (Vermont), desolate deserts (Arizona), and sandy beaches (Florida), but always am glad to come home. Isn't it great that we live in a time when we can see the world, enjoy and experience it, but still have a home that beckons?

By the way, I've only posted the first third of CEMETERY RIDGE, so let me know as you get closer to completion and I'll post some more (the story IS complete).

Thanks again,
Kirby

The prelude intrigued me, since i live in the county where the civil war ended. There are so many historical areas here, starting with the surrendering grounds. Needless to say, they are a great place to go eat lunch...which i do often on my break! The soldiers buried there could care less, but i think they like the company :) I'm especially fond of the grave of the unknown soldier. I'm not really certain why.
Anyway, i kept reading and really loved the story, though, i haven't finished it yet. Your scene descriptions are wonderful as my mind places the imagery in my thoughts very vividly. I hope to finish reading in the next few days. Great work! Backed!
Karen

Excellent depiction of a civil war battle, we don't deal with this much in the U.K. so it makes a change for us. Well done. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

This is not a request for backing. It is simply a new service I am providing for new Authonomy Authors. I hope it's helpful.

When a new book is posted by someone who hasn't posted a book here before, it will have a ranking of round about 5,000. Within half an hour or so, it will be up in the 2,000s. That happens because there is a group of people (they have high talent spotting ranking) whose sole job it is to back new books. They are not required to read them, and generally do not. But they perform a useful function in ensuring that every newcomer's book rises from the bottom of the pile to about the middle.

The next stage is far more difficult. Many new authors fall by the wayside. They are pleased by the initial meteoric rise and assume they need do nothing. As the days pass, their books begin to fall down the rankings again. Some leap into action (see below). But others lose interest and disappear.

Those who wish to get their books higher up the charts have to draw attention to their work. But the important first step is to acquire a talent spotting ranking. It doesn't have to be very high, but remaining unranked is a mistake. Others are unlikely to bother with a book by an unranked talent spotter because they will reckon he or she will not bother to return the read (and being backed by an unranked author adds practically no points to a book). So, you need to back a few books. You can, of course, emulate the top talent spotters and just go to the new authors section and back their books without reading them. On the whole, I think, that is a mistake. You would be better advised to set aside the occasional hour here and there and use it for reading books on the site. Read two or three chapters (more if you wish to) and, if you like what you have read, back the book (put it on your shelf). More importantly, write an intelligent comment on the book. Try to avoid creative writing class jargon (saying "you need to show more and tell less" about every book is generally not helpful). Comments don't have to be all negative. If there is something about a book which you particularly admire, explain what it is. But, if there is something that grates, do say so (politely if possible). Don't rush, at least in the first instance, to remove books from your shelf and replace them with others. At this stage, you need your talent spotting ranking to rise and that will only happen if others back the books on your shelf while they are still there.

Once you have demonstrated that you are the sort of person who reads, comments on and backs other books, you can start pushing your own more energetically. This is where things get controversial. A practice has grown up which is called "spamming". This involves sending out messages to all and sundry asking them to read your book in return for a promise that you will return the read. It is not an attractive practice, but many consider it essential. I don't think it is (many books have got to the top without the aid of spamming - I certainly never spammed anyone). A nicer way of doing things is to continue reading other books, commenting on them and backing them if you like them. Active members of the site will be likely to return the reads and, if they like your book, to back it. When someone whose book you have not read backs yours (I don't mean the initial top talent spotters who won't actually have read any of yours), try to find the time to return the read.

You can also make use of the forum. Straight plugging of your book may not achieve all that much (people are getting a little bored by that), but intelligent, witty, informative posts (which can certainly make the occasional reference to your book) will get you known and people, out of curiosity, will click on your name to see what you have written.

Although you will come across some people who sneer at the top twenty or so books, saying they only got there by spamming etc, I think you will find that the ones which rise that high are generally pretty good (there is the odd exception such as my own book). So doing your best to make your book really good is an essential ingredient of success on the site. If others make sensible suggestions for improvements, do consider them and, if you are persuaded, make the necessary changes.

All this takes time (certainly measured in months rather than weeks). But a good book, plugged properly, stands every chance of getting to the top.

I hope all that makes sense.

Charles

Your story is full of wonderful descriptions, I found myself being transported by to the era with the language you use.
It's evident you have carried out a lot of research for your MS and you are to be applauded.
Well done.
Melxxx
Impeding Justice (thanks for the backingxxx)

Welcome aboard, Kirby. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch works. The long pitch needs to be broken down into smaller paragraphs so it reads faster. Think you may want to list this as historical fiction. Being a Texas I guess I am a bit biased about this book. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book on the website, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Dear Kirby,
Your story is wonderful--your detail so right. You'll understand when you take a look at Summer Rose, which also starts on July 3, 1863 at the bloody angle. However, it starts from the other side. I know this history and I can tell you do too. We probably read all the same history books. I've only read the first two chapters of Cemetery Ridge, but I will read more. Your general's speech was magnificent. I've walked that battle field where Pickett's men charged. You know, he never spoke to Lee after that day. Your style is terrific and you remind me a little of Larry McMurty. Best of luck with this. It is wonderful.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

CEMETERY RIDGE
This is an exciting story. I like the way you begin this with a battle then follow that up with an even worse battle when Rasmussen is killed. I had trouble understanding some of the dialogue because you’ve given these men such a thick accent. Made he have to keep rereading. You might think about lightening that up a bit to just give a trace of an accent and make it easier to follow. Overall: this is a good read. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

It is evident after reading the first few chaters that you have spent time energy, research, and passion into writing this epic. Well done. Break up your pitch into three or so paragraphs - readers and editors love white space so I'm told by my fellow Authonomites. It's more appealing and gets you more reads plus it's an easy fix. Backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

Thanks, see if it's better now.

Dear Kirby, I love that you took the time to research & tell about Gettysburg which I knew nothing about. Thank you. :) Your pitch & prologue were 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:
"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.

It is evident after reading the first few chaters that you have spent time energy, research, and passion into writing this epic. Well done. Break up your pitch into three or so paragraphs - readers and editors love white space so I'm told by my fellow Authonomites. It's more appealing and gets you more reads plus it's an easy fix. Backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room