TEN X Book 1: Creation

Hi AJ!
Since you haven’t been to Authonomy for a while, I hope it’s okay that I’m sending this through your book comment:

I’d like to thank you for backing BRAINRUSH (a Thriller) last year. Because of you it hit the Authonomy Number-1 slot, attracted an agent, and landed a film option. Now that’s a brain-rush! The formal book launch is September 1st and the sequel will be released in December. None of this would have been possible without your help. So, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Richard Bard, BRAINRUSH

PS. If you want a good laugh, check out the temporary book-trailer video on the BRAINRUSH website. It’s there as a placeholder for the upcoming professional video. The current one features children and it’s guaranteed to make you smile! And yes, the younger kid on the screen is really me. You can see the video at www.RichardBard.com. The link is also on my Authonomy profile page. Special offer for former Authonomy backers between now and the formal launch on Sept 1st: If you would like to receive a “Review” copy of the eBook (plus 2 FREE thrillers from the Kindle Top-20 PAID Bestseller list – yes, really), go to the website, click the “Contact” button, and leave a message that includes your Authonomy username and the secret code words “I Feel the Rush!” Details of this promo will be emailed to you. Thanks!

Wow- you certainly have a gifted imagination and the talent for putting it into words! Backed 100% - I see a movie in your future!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Yiasou AJ....... I can say we share the same motherland, but that's not why I backed your book. Its because the pitch is outstanding and very deserving.
All the very best with TEN X Book 1: Creation, I guess I will have to read it to understand your title.
Helen
The Last Dream

TEN X Book 1: Creation

A J Filippou

Two out of ten Xs across the world appear to be a good idea for a book. What is an X? Okay, your long pitch gives some hints. I never write science fiction and I admire people who are able to do so. This is an intriguing storyline. You have some nice sentences and phrases. "...how could your heart be like ice when you soul was on fire?" Great potential here and I was happy to give this a spin on my shelf.

TEN X Book 1: Creation

A J Filippou

Two out of ten Xs across the world appear to be a good idea for a book. What is an X? Okay, your long pitch gives some hints. I never write science fiction and I admire people who are able to do so. This is an intriguing storyline. You have some nice sentences and phrases. "...how could your heart be like ice when you soul was on fire?" Great potential here and I was happy to give this a spin on my shelf.

This has a breakneck speed, really just rollicks along. Your writing is to-the-point and condensed, full of detail and vivid action and information. I looked at the first two chapters and much preferred the second. I think that in the case of Alex, you have introduced him well, giving us his surroundings and acquaintances and yet still keeping this other-worldly type feel. I believed in him, I guess. In Sonja's section, I didn't quite believe her to be a real person. It felt at times, in this first chapter, as though she was representative of something, or a vehicle of something rather than an actual breathing person. Not sure why-- I think that even when you gave some of her thoughts, they were a bit abstract or cliche in a way. Overall, your writing is wonderful. Good dialogue, good description, everything in place. If I had time to read more, I'm sure Sonja would flesh out; this was just my impression from her introduction. Still, really enjoyed this.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

Very compelling premise to your novel, with a well written pitch. You get inside the thought and emotions of your protagonist very well. You have good metaphors you weave in the narrative, and you are already building the intensity of the story, making for a rewarding read.

I like your clever use of foreshadowing in "Book 1: Creation". It sets the tone for the balance of your book perfectly. I also like how you build Sonya's and Alexander's characters and explore their feelings and emotions. The dialogue is crisp and realistic and your imaginative writing makes your fantasy a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

Hi A.J. I thought your pitch was good and left a scary thought as to the outcome of your story. Sonja's character was good, although her weakness showed when she was slightly influenced to leave Remone by alcoholic Nancy. Alex comes across as a strong character and makes for a good contrast between the two. I liked the subtle touches of humor too. Backed and best of luck with this! Maria (Cosmic Linx)

Hi A J, A convincing portrait of Sonja and her attitudes towards her father and Remone. The images in her brain at the beginning made me think of media influence. The synopsis and the technology industry described provide the reason for her rebelliousness. The writing moves adeptly through her thoughts while telling about her engagement and her sympathies with her mother. This feels like a complex, intriguing story. Happy to shelve – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Wonderful premise you have here, it's a great fantasy/sci-fi mix. I was intrigued from the beginning and you know how to build the tension and keep the mystery going. I've only read a couple chapters but I knew I liked it enough to back it. It's well written and I found it engaging and exciting. Great job on this.

Missy

TEN X- BOOK I

Dear AJ,

The theme of your book addresses my daily concerns.
However it is the writing and characters that compel me to read on.

You are a master craftsman, and you have an important book on your hands.
It sits on my bookshelf and I will finish it.

A Zoomer (Going Out in Style)

This is an interesting book and it will become more involving as we progress. The potential is enormous and with modern technology a film is not out of the question at all. Paula Barrett (Cuthbert-how mean is my valley)

Think you chapter one is immense!
The thought of the neuron waiting because time was on its side was very chilling. There is a great story developing here. – Good luck!

AJ,
The concept, the plot, the characters are strong. I think this has great potential. It needs polishing-don't we all--but I see the promise and the thought you've put into this.
Caroline
Summer Rose

Dear A.J.,

I have backed your book because I was hooked by the pitch, read a couple of chapters and enjoyed them.

How much more I read and comment on will depend on time and commitment.

Enjoy everything.

MM
Psychiatric Evaluation

Dear A J, I got so excited when I saw that you had backed, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not." :) Thanks so very much. :) Since I have already "backed" your book, I will put your book on my "watchlist." Could you please take a moment to "back" my completed unedited memoir version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which at the end tells of my illness now & 6th abusive marriage. I'd be ever so grateful. :) Thank you. :) Love, Susie :)
authonomy quotes: "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.
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

Lots of good ideas here that involve the reader from the off. Man and machines and their relationship always intrigues. Alex and Sonja make for convincing Mcs who we quickly feel sympathy for. read to end of chapter 6 and will be coming back for more.
Jim Darcy
The Firelord's Crown

I thought it was well written and pacy. The start, although not a dream per se, was still quite vague and dreamlike. You tell us she's scared but nothing really scary happens and the descriptions while good, felt narratively flat to me. She's doing a thig, then she finishes doing it.

The end of that section (would never be the same again...) is a little cliche and almost corny, imo.

The first chapter is much more scary and puts us in the action, so my feeling was that you should maybe cut the prologue and start here. We don't need to know what she saw, just that she has blackouts is interesting enough and leads us to wonder what's going on. This is just my personal view of course, feel free to ignore.

Once it gets going I had no problems with it. It reads well, fast flowing and engaging. Backed.

As of today, Book 1: Creation is complete. The second book of the series is also complete and I'll be uploading it in parts gradually. Please feel free to make comments of any kind and I promise to do the same for you. Good luck to all Authonomers!

Very good premise that excited me from the first sentence. This is great, I was engaged immediately. You want to run with these people as what is happening is not their fault and you want to protect them. Brilliant.

Lots and lots of potential and I'm going to back it on those grounds BUT I feel it would benefit from some editing and polishing, especially in the opening chapter on which so mush rides. For example:
* Change "On turning" to "Turning" to make it sound more immediate and less old fashoined
* Do tsunamis really "whisper" or would it be better to say "roar"?
* Should it read "powder keg" rather than "powder cake"?
* You could safely lose the italics and bold in the speech sections - it comes across like capitals in emails

Hope this helps to give Ten X the polish it deserves.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

Excellent start, the characters Alex And Sonja are engaging and well-rounded, adding credibility. If I were to suggest one thing it would be to second DP. Too many short sentences at the opening make it sound choppy, rather than improving the tension. That aside, it's a promising start, and I've backed it with pleasure!

Abi xxx

Hi AJ
I like the concept here - you have some good characters and a strong plot. I thought maybe you overdid the italics a bit in the opening paragraphs - a few short lines create tension but too many water it down I think. However it is a great story and your visual writing is really strong. It is easy to get absorbed in this booked. Backed happily.
DP Walker
Five Dares

TEN X
This is an interesting story. The idea of a machine evolving in someone’s head is good plotting (I’m computer and mechanical illiterate so actually might benefit from that). You have good characters in Alex and Sonja; Sonja is fleshed out really well. Makes this a good read. I’m adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

A J well I cannot wait to see the cover as this is my gig, just a comment to assist on your pitch. It is good, gripping and really takes me to want to read your book, just a suggestion is to put paras in it. This is the first read a publisher has of your work and also possible readers. It can give the impression of being too long, this was given to me as a suggestion and it worked wonderfully, just paying it forward. The body of your book is a good read, well crafted and really has suspense to take me forward. I have not read it all, however will continue. BEST of luck with it...BACKED by me.........I know my book is a different genre but....If you would review 'The Letter' and give your 'comments' and 'backing', I would appreciate it. and BEST of luck.

Denise
The Letter

WELL DONE

BACKED

Hooked by th pitch and all that I read did not disapoint, I wish you the best of luck with it. E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

Dear A.J., I love you science fiction- it reminds me of my favorite TV Series, The Terminator which is now cancelled - I miss it so & you have brought the killing machines back to life. :) Thank you. :) 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.

The tension whips the reader along, you have some really good lines here too. Like it was the murmur of death. When Remone speaks you have it italicised you don't need to do that. Also watch out for the dreaded 'ly' words.
You have a good narrative voice though and I'm sure your target audience will lap this up.

Melxx
Impeding Justice

Only had a chance to read the first chapter. Very exciting stuff! This is definitely something I will come back to and give more attention.
Kirsty
Prygon: The Circle of dark magic

Dear A.J.,

I have backed your book because the pitch hooked me, read a couple of chapters and enjoyed them.

How much more I read and comment will depend on time and workload.

Enjoy everything.

MM
Psychiatric Evaluation

Intriguing pitch. I've put this on my watchlist and look forward to reading it in the next couple of days.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON