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Mental health

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Flip

Original poster

I am looking for fellow people with anxiety to read my novel...

23 replies

Anxietyauthor · 21/08/2015 21:03

(Namechanged...)

Hello everyone,

I recently published my first fiction novel which deals heavily with anxiety as an illness. I myself have anxiety which is why I wrote the book.

I am looking for people with anxiety (or anyone) to read the book and give me feedback. Is there anyone who would be interested in doing this? It's about 200 pages long and currently only in E-book format. I am sorry, but I cannot pay you for your time (unless said book is mega successful!).

Please post any questions/ comments here.

OP posts:

stuckinahole · 21/08/2015 21:24

I would as I'm a long term GAD sufferer

BertieBotts · 21/08/2015 21:26

Yes I would - PM me. I am a fast reader and I read a lot of ebooks.

CalmYoBadSelf · 21/08/2015 21:31

I would be interested too. I have had some episodes of anxiety which make me very grateful when I am not feeling it

ImperialBlether · 21/08/2015 21:36

Be careful not to take reviews too seriously, OP. Every single book that has more than a few reviews will have some one star reviews. Some people only ever give bad reviews. It's so hard that you can't control that, but it's a fact - you can't.

I hope you get good reviews, but I just wanted to warn you that you do need a thick skin online.

livingtowork · 21/08/2015 21:37

I will, have/still suffer anxiety to varying degrees including agoraphobia, I have a kindle and would be happy to give you feedback. PM me.

3lovelykids · 21/08/2015 23:36

Yes I would too. I have an iPad. I suffer terribly with anxiety too

MountainDweller · 22/08/2015 00:29

I would be happy to read it... Just slightly worried that if it is good it might make my anxiety worse, iyswim

wineandpopcorn · 22/08/2015 13:58

I suffer from anxiety, and would be willing to review your book

FaithLoveandHope · 22/08/2015 14:04

I've had anxiety for years and would be willing to review your book. Am quite a fast reader and have a kindle.

Original poster

Anxietyauthor · 22/08/2015 16:03

Wow! Thank you so much for your replies so far guys. I never expected to have this many people interested.

I have messaged everyone who has replied, but I must say it feels weird calling you by your usernames when you guys are doing me a favour IYSWIM!

Once people start reading, I'll ask MN to remove this thread because I don't want to clog up the mental health boards given that they are a lifeline for so many.

OP posts:

iPaid · 22/08/2015 16:20

OP - why not post details of your novel then we can all have a look. MNHQ won't mind.

Original poster

Anxietyauthor · 22/08/2015 19:12

Good idea iPaid. You can see it here:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0112X2M54

However, I am willing to give it away for free, so contact me if you would like a copy.

OP posts:

Fireflysingstheblues · 22/08/2015 20:29

I am happy to read it too , I am an avid reader and I would love to give you a review .

ImperialBlether · 22/08/2015 20:48

I've just read the first few pages and you talk about 'locking' - I can tell you mean 'fucking' but where does locking come from? Is it a term used in other countries?

WishITookLifeSeriously · 22/08/2015 20:50

I have anxiety and ds is showing signs that I'm trying to help him over come. I'd love to read a copy

MARTIN1 · 22/08/2015 20:59

I'd love to read it I'll be more than happy to give you constructive feedback

Original poster

Anxietyauthor · 23/08/2015 22:22

Hi Imperial,

The term 'locking' just came from how I think Sans sees sex. I think it is her way of connecting, or locking, with sleeping people.

OP posts:

VerityWaves · 23/08/2015 22:24

I'm happy to read it :)

CalmYoBadSelf · 03/09/2015 20:14

Hi Anxiety

I enjoyed the book and have reviewed on Amazon but just had a couple of comments that you may have answers to or which may be constructive for you

Sans Kingtrem. Where does the name come from? The book says she is English yet this isn't an English name, was there a reason for that? I wondered if a more innocuous name might have reinforced that she was from a normal background as the name is so different it makes her a bit "exotic" and seemed a bit at odds with the idea that the only odd thing was her. (Hope that makes sense!)

Locking. Like Imperial I was a bit confused by this and also wondered if it was a foreign term. It maybe needed explaining somewhere that this was her own term for sex and why that word resonated so much for her.

In some parts I was conscious that the writing was in quite short sentences and this didn't always read easily for me. I did feel at one point, because of that, that it was almost written as someone would when English is not their first language so they write very correctly. Maybe this was deliberate to give a staccato feeling and show Sans' anxiety but I wasn't sure if that was the case or not.

I loved the way she defined other people by what food they would be. That really added to the impression of those other characters for me, especially in cases where you would not want to spend time telling too much about a minor character. It was an excellent strategy

Overall I enjoyed it. I don't think it will be the next "Gone Girl" but it is good as a first novel, I've read far worse from some established writers! Good luck with wherever you go from here

Original poster

Anxietyauthor · 07/09/2015 22:52

Hi Calm,

The name 'Sans' is one which the protagonist gives herself. Sans means without, and I feel like she is always without something, but she isn't sure what.

Originally, I planned to call the book 'Sans Life', which would be a kind of pun on this. However, after I changed the title, I kept the name because I felt that it fitted her well.

Locking is not a foreign term (as far as I know). Again, I felt it was how Sans viewed sex. She wasn't quite comfortable enough to say it out loud.

You are right about the short sentences, they are done to reflect anxiety, to kind of show what it's like when you're panicking and you can't quite get the words out.

Thank you for the food comment. It was something I enjoyed writing actually!

Thank you for your kind comments. It was a book that I enjoyed writing and am happy with.

Writing is not my job, it's just my hobby atm.

OP posts:

CalmYoBadSelf · 12/09/2015 21:43

Hi Anxiety
Just got back from a week away and found your post and PM, thanks for the reply and the explanations. It all makes sense now!

I always think it must be difficult for authors as you get to know your characters so intimately it must be hard to know what you need to explain to the reader and what is obvious, particularly as readers are all so different in what they grasp.

LobsterQuadrille · 14/09/2015 21:00

Hi - are you still looking for people to read your book? I have just been rated as GAD7 score 20 which meant nothing to me until I googled it and found that it relates to anxiety and the maximum is 21 .... would be very happy to read and give feedback!

soreyes · 15/09/2015 03:12

Hi Anxiety, I am suffering with anxiety issues at the moment, have read the first couple of pages as per the link, enjoyed it and would be interested in reading more so I can review for you. Can I read it on an iPad?
Thanks.

Flip