Sailor's Dagger

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ART REQ & SEARCH FOR BETA READERS

The Sailor's Dagger is a swashbuckling nautical fantasy novel (with some action-adventure, m/m & f/m romance, and political intrigue)! It is currently in the revision and rewriting stage and is about 105k words or 420 novel-pages long. I'm looking for artwork of the main characters and for beta readers to give me critique and feedback!

Teaser summary

A professor is found wandering an island beach, a professor of a university on the other side of the world. He remembers who he is (barely) but not how he got there. To escort the professor home, the navy pulls together a ship and crews it with convicts promised a pardon for their work.

Of course things get complicated. The professor's daughter shows up, convinced that the navy gave her father amnesia. Some of the convicts are not what they seem (and some are EXACTLY what they seem). A sunken pirate ship holds a big secret. And sea monsters!

Oh man I want Dieder/Jake art! YES PLEASE. 3nodding

For art commissions:

• I'm very picky.
  
• I have basically unlimited gold.
  
• I may consider RL commissions or art trades, but only if your art is comparable or better than my own. Edit: No extra money for RL commissions right now, but I will still consider art trades.
  
• I am interested in CG and traditional, color and B&W, sketch and finished pictures. Basically anything.
  
• I tend to prefer western and classical styles to anime/manga styles, but I'm willing to consider all styles. The more personality the better, no matter what style.
  
• It is very important to me that these characters look like themselves. If you think you can make them look like themselves, then I'm interested!
  
  
  My Tumblr | My dA

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PRIMARY CHARACTERS

Dieder Vossler

Dieder Vossler - THE BLIND PILGRIM
Religious kook. Not terribly bright but has a heart of gold. Flirts when he shouldn't. Flighty and runs away from his problems, often literally. Crazy-talented healer. Bi.
Physical: 20 years old, 6'2", and 160lbs. Body type would be similar to a basketball player or cyclist -- skinny and lanky. Sandy dark blond hair, long bangs with sideburns. Naturally pale but he's outside all the time so he gets a lot of sun, pinkish complexion. Grey eyes with blond lashes and thin, small eyebrows. Very prominent roman nose, and a long bony face.
Best refs: Face, Winter outfit
A few of my fav interpretations: Demonroni, Shas3 (no wings please), z3lyn, Neon Mace, PhoxTank

Jake Morley

Jake Morley - THE CHARMING HURRICANE
Interprets all of his emotions as anger. Other than that, very charismatic. People like him and they want him to like them. Loyal, once loyalty is earned. Would be a good leader if he could get over the rage. Gay.
Physical: Shortish and well-built, like a wrestler, 23 y.o. Around 5'7" and 170lbs. Handsome in his own way, with laughing brown eyes, has a short face with a squarish jaw. Has wavy brown hair that always seems to need a haircut -- note how it flips out at the sides! (Hair like a mix between Jim Halpert from The Office and Chad from Bleach.) He has a long horizontal scar over his left eye, and wears his bangs to cover it (so it may not be visible). About 2 days' worth of stubble.
Best refs: Body (but NOT face), Face, Winter outfit
A few of my fav interpretations: Daquill, MooMooJuice, needs-coffee on Tumblr

Ben Morley

Ben Morley - THE BASHFUL PUPIL
Shy. The brains of the Morleys. Wants to get his book-learning on. A nice, mild-mannered guy. Not confident in his own abilities. Het.
Physical: 21 y.o. Around 5'10" and leaner than Jake, but still built like a man with a manual labor job. Shoulder-length wavy auburn hair that he wears pulled back in a low ponytail. Hazel eyes, noticeable cheekbones, in general a little "pretty." Thick eyebrows and a large but straight nose. Rectangular face.
Best refs: Body and face (but not clothes), Face, Dressy outfit
A few of my fav interpretations: Vandenburg, paquito

Marielle Guyuamme-Fontova

Marielle Guyuamme-Fontova - THE WAYWARD PRODIGY
Smart and talented to a fault. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Fiercely loyal. Bossy and a ball-buster. Were...something. Het.
Physical: Biracial -- her mother is black and her father is white. Early 20's, plump (probably about a US size 16-18 ), petite. Has wide-set dark brown eyes, dark brown (not black) wooly hair she wears pulled back, and medium toned black skin. Usually wears creams and jewel tones, blacks, grays. Dresses fairly conservatively. Creativity on her outfits is encouraged! :3
Best refs: Face and Body, Alternative outfits
A few of my fav interpretations: Alicia Trius, Amai Neiko, Albericus, GalateasFire, Hoolygun

Lt. Gerald Daw

Lt. Gerald Daw - THE RELUCTANT ENVOY
Indecisive. Socially anxious. Excellent at following orders, terrible at giving them. Career navy officer. Married to his work.
Physical: In his early 50's, broad-shouldered and built like a rock. Has bristly, close-cropped gray hair.
Best refs: Face and Body
A few of my fav interpretations: z3lyn, sentridoh

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SECONDARY CHARACTERS

Coming later...

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COUPLES, GROUPS, SCENES, & ETC
(Aka the big bucks.)

Dieder & Jake
A few of my favorite interpretations: (note: some of these verge on NSFW. None violate TOS but...)
Alicia Trias & me, || TOUYA || (possibly my fav picture of them ever), mankodesu, T1mco, godeaters, Alicia Trias, Cat-the-Bat, Forneas, PhoxTanks

Marielle & Ben

The Morleys
Favorites: Nebula Shark

Marielle & Henri (father and daughter)

Scenes/Illustrations
Talk to me if you're interested in drawing a scene or a full illustration! I'm willing to blow some huge heaps of gold on these.
Favorites: Aeryllir, me, me

AU versions of Dieder and/or Jake
I'm often interested in AU versions of Dieder and/or Jake (perhaps other characters, too!) So if you like the characters but would prefer to play a bit with clothing and setting, talk to me. :3 We might be able to work something out.
Favorites: Hip-hop Dieder (Blakely), Depression-era Jake (me), Zombie-apocalypse Jake (Kuyusi), 90's style Dieder, Jake, and Marielle! (me)

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SEARCH FOR BETA READERS

I'm not currently looking for beta readers! The novel is torn into pieces for revision atm. XD
I'm looking for editors for my novel. More precisely, I'm looking for readers. Most of my friends are at least vaguely familiar with my story and I need some people who are totally fresh.

My number one concern is the likeability of the story and characters. Are the characters relateable? Is the story interesting and engaging? Do I have the correct amount of exposition, or am I skipping important details... or giving way too much? Are there blaring plotholes? Do you lose suspension of disbelief?

I'm looking for someone who won't spare my feelings. I take this novel pretty seriously and am willing to do what it takes to have a professional-level final product. (That said, please tell me if you like something! xd )

I'll send you the prologue, you look it over and give me your opinion, and we'll see if you're interested in my writing and I'm interested in your editing! We'll agree on a price for your services at that time. I'm willing to be pretty generous.

Please state your preference for format type (.doc, .docx, .odt, .pdf). I write in .odt. You'll have to send me your email over PM.

If you are able to check for accuracy of nautical terminology, if you have sailing experience, and especially if you have tall ship sailing experience, I may be willing to pay you real money to edit. Talk to me and we'll see if we can work something out!

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Extra post!