The Tenth Beta Reader ...
I want to know what it thinks! But I'm scared!
The 10th Beta Reader …
Like so much of what’s on the Internet these days having to do with writing and becoming a better writer, I assumed that AutoCrit was just another scam. But my buddy, Christina Irene from the Just Mysteries reading group at the Bosler Library here in Carlisle, said no, it’s not a scam at all. In fact, for the for the right writer it might be exactly what’s needed to turn rough draft material into something publishable. The right writer with a couple extra hundred dollars, that is. But a lifetime subscription for $400 is enticing …
I asked Christina to write down a few words about Autocrit and why she thought it was worth the money here’s what she wrote:
AutoCrit has a lot of features, and I personally don’t use them all, but that’s not a bad thing. It means it’s got a wide array of tools and services so it can fit with the multitude of writing styles and software needs that different writers have. It does quite well performing the range of tasks that an editor may do, from simple copy editing, to identifying overused phrasing, to finding holes in your plot. One of my favorite features is how it finds overused and/or weak adverbs, which was great for polishing my final draft. Another favorite feature which uses more of the “I” in AI is where it flagged inconsistencies in my characters’ behavior. This was a big help in a problematic scene where I had struggled to write my protagonist’s emotional responses. There’s a free version of AutoCrit with very limited tools to use but it’s a great way to just take a look and glean its potential, which is what I did. The best price I found was via a Facebook ad offering lifetime access, so just browse the site, say “AutoCrit” within earshot of your phone, and wait for the creepy stalking tech to start dropping ads on your Facebook feed. I’ll also note there’s also a community component offering opportunities to interact with other authors on the platform, plus low-cost courses and editing services.
This is a rough time, investment-wise, for me, because I am preparing to pay my developmental editor for her work in October. But a lifetime contract with AutoCrit would have its advantages. You could take your entire rough draft, put it through AutoCrit, revise along the guidelines, and put it through again … and again … and in theory it would slowly get better. Still, not the time for me to buy.
You may be wondering why I am not using the more ubiquitous AI programs out there, like my favorite right now, Google Gemini, or ChatGPT or Copilot from Microsoft. I asked Gemini if it would read my entire novel if I submitted it chapter by chapter. It replied that it would read the chapters, but it would not retain the entire novel. Somebody needs to up Gemini’s memory.
The more I look into AI, the more I see that we’re talking about dozens and dozens of types of programs, rather than just various versions of one program.
So—maybe put off submitting Unstoppable until I have the payola for AutoCrit? The more I thought about it, the more I wanted just one AI critique of Unstoppable. Just one, just to see Something to compare the reactions of the beta readers to, and something that would tell me whether I’d be welcoming an AI editor into my long-term writing process.
I looked to see which companies would do a one-time read for minimal compensation. My Google search produced a list of AI editors of novels. The one below is the most comprehensive.
https://kindlepreneur.com/best-ai-writing-tools/
It’s pretty clear that these organizations want you to subscribe, monthly or yearly. They want to turn peer editing into a utility. That’s good for them. I don’t know if it’s good for every writer. And I’m pretty sure it’ll stop the impoverished writer from writing what he or she needs to write. Some programs say they’re free. You look into it, and you find that they offer a free trial, or maybe a free or two free, but then you pay.
Hmmmmph. Well, given my wealth of beta readers, I’ll try the one-and-done approach.
I ended up with two services that offered one-and-done.
1) Marlowe A.I. by A.I. Authors https://authors.ai/marlowe/ . The rhetoric on all these websites is fierce. They want you to start using the program before you have any idea of what it does. And they’re chock full of ancillary “supports” (i.e., money grabs): writing services, editing services, publishing services, classes, a conference, etc.
But. Under the tab “Plans” they make this pitch:
Single Report
Do you want to purchase a single Pro report for your novel? Simply click below, checkout and then navigate to your account to upload your manuscript and receive a report by email within 10 minutes.
Buy Now: $45
Submit the book, pay the $45, get the machine’s thoughts, and you’re done with them. OK. Just might be worth the dough.
2) RaptorWrite. This program also wants you to take a course before they tell you one word about what the program does, or, if you don’t fancy that, you need to at least register. I would have ignored this program, but I saw that, whatever it did, it’s totally free.
Two programs. With AI booming as it is. Not many. What’s the difference? I asked Gemini. And it replied …
Marlowe A.I. and RaptorWrite are both AI-powered tools for writers, but they serve different purposes and cater to different needs. The "better" choice depends entirely on your specific goals as a writer.
Here's a breakdown to help you decide:
Marlowe A.I. Marlowe A.I. is not a generative writing tool in the same vein as some other AI programs. Instead, its primary function is **manuscript analysis and editing**. It's designed to read your completed or in-progress novel and provide a detailed report that compares your work to best-selling books.
Key features and why it might be better for you:
Deep Analytical Feedback: Marlowe focuses on providing an objective, data-driven analysis of your novel. Its reports can include insights on:
Narrative Arc and Pacing: It charts the emotional highs and lows of your story, showing you where the plot turns and "beats" occur. This helps you understand if your pacing is similar to that of a page-turner.
Story Archetype: It can identify the narrative archetype of your story (e.g., "Man in a Hole," "Quest," "Rags to Riches") and compare it to others with the same structure.
Prose and Style: The reports flag overused words, clichés, and repetitive phrases, and analyze your use of adverbs and adjectives.
Book Comps: It provides a list of comparable books based on your story's subject matter and linguistic style, which is invaluable for marketing and pitching to agents.
Editing and Revision Focus: Marlowe is best used after you've already written a draft or a significant portion of your novel. It's a tool for refining your work and identifying areas for improvement, not for generating new content from scratch.
Cost: Marlowe's services are typically priced per report, which can be a more budget-friendly option than a monthly subscription if you only need occasional analysis.
RaptorWrite: RaptorWrite, on the other hand, is a generative and organizational tool designed to assist you in the actual writing process. It's built for creating content, brainstorming, and managing your projects.
Key features and why it might be better for you:
Generative AI: RaptorWrite is an AI-assisted writing program that helps with brainstorming, outlining, and drafting prose. It's designed to overcome writer's block by generating ideas and text based on your prompts.
Flexibility and Customization: It allows you to use various AI models (via OpenRouter) and customize the AI's settings to match your specific needs, style, and tone.
Project Organization: The program includes features for organizing multiple writing projects, outlines, and notes in one place.
Cost and Accessibility: One of RaptorWrite's major selling points is its free version, which makes it an excellent choice for writers who are just starting out with AI or have a limited budget. It also offers a one-time payment option for more advanced features.
Supports NSFW Content: RaptorWrite is notable for its lack of restrictions on mature or dark themes, which is a significant advantage for writers working in certain genres.
Conclusion
Choose Marlowe A.I. if: You have a completed draft and are looking for a comprehensive, objective analysis of your novel's structure, pacing, and style to prepare it for editing or submission. It's a great tool for developmental self-editing.
Choose RaptorWrite if: You need an active writing partner to help you brainstorm ideas, outline your story, and generate new content. It's a strong choice for getting a first draft done, and its free version is an excellent entry point into AI-assisted writing.
And the clear winner?
Can you believe it? AI actually made a clear statement that allows me to make an informed decision. Marlowe is your English teacher, while RaptorWriter is your writing buddy from down the street (yeah, Tim, I’m thinking of you!).
Here’s the big let-down, for which I apologize. While I will submit Unstoppable to Marlowe, I will do it after I return from the WriterCon Oklahoma City conference over Labor Day. Why? You ask. Why not now? Because I’m afraid that seeing the AI results will color what I hear the 9 beta readers will say to me, and I can’t allow that to happen. Hey. I’m old-school. Marlowe A.I. may look like the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but I suspect that, withdrawn from the curtain of rhetoric and salesmanship, he’s more like my 1975 Volkswagen Beetle than a human being.
But don’t tell him, or her, or them, or it, that I said that, will you?