![]() |
#16 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
@Dr. Drib: Thanks for the clarification aoub the deleted link
![]() @Graham & Dr. Drib: This project has learning about writing, publishing, and editing as it's main purpose. I hope the more experienced authors at MR will take part in this project. The second purpose is actually getting some material out there. I've been writing passages and scenes, but I don't actually know how good (or bad) they are, and I feel I don't have enough material (yet) to create a full length novel, of which I am of the opinion that it should be around 200 pages long at least. I do have enough material to create one or two short stories, and I think there may quite a few people here who have an idea, write something, but don't think their idea is "big" enough to create an entire book. Putting everyone in the same boat, writing and working together, will make all short stories better (hopefully), and then, at the end, there will be an actual book available. For people who have never put any writing "out there", that's a big deal, and a giant leap for mankind. (Uh... or at least for the startups, it is ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | ||||
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Quote:
If you can come up with three stories of 2,500 words for a total of 7,500 words, then this is fine as well. If another person comes up with one story of 8,500 or 9,000 words, or two stories of 4,500 words, I'm fine with that as well. So, take everything "rule" as a guideline and use some common sense ![]() The suggestions are there because I don't want one author to dominate the Table of Contents with 10 flash fiction stories of 800 words, or another one putting a novella of 40K words in there. Quote:
The only problem would be that if 10 people would post this book at Smashwords, it gets distributed to other stores such as Kobo. At that point, Kobo would have 10 copies of the same book, each by a differet author. Is this a problem? In that case, I could post the book under my own name, crediting all other contributors in the description and in the book. If everybody is fine with this and it is seen as the proper way to do it (to prevent stores ending up with 10 copies of this work), we'll do it like this. Quote:
If we decide to allow each author to post the entire anthology, then obviously a prerequisite to being included in it would be that you give permission for this. Quote:
If I'm going to be the sole poster of the entire anthology because of the fact that I made the first post in this project, then I would suggest this for the seperate stories: - Every author can post their own stories seperately wherever they want. - Each of the stories must include a reference to the anthology in the MobileRead library, and at least one other source (Smashwords/Amazon/own website...). Personally I would like it best if each author got a copy of the work for himself, with only one principle to adhere to: "Do with the anthology as you like. Post it everywhere you want. The only rules are that you don't change anything in it after publication, and keep it free forever." The only problem is that the book will probably end up multiple times in book stores. If that is not seen as a problem, I'm all for this approach. I don't really mind if the anthology is bought (for $0.00) from you, me, Vydor, Graham or whomever, or downloaded from the MR library. If you'd want to actually sell your own stories seperately (so you DON'T post the anthology yourself), I have no problems with that either, but people may not like it, if they find out that they could have gotten the story for free at a gazillion other places. Last edited by Katsunami; 03-01-2014 at 12:58 PM. |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#18 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,032
Karma: 12018368
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-650, Kobo Clara
|
I found a story that I wouldn't mind putting in there, but it's only 1040 words. I'll see if I can find another one to go with it. I don't want to enter too many - don't want to fill up the TOC.-)
The story hasn't been published before, except as one of the award winners in a local writer's group thingy. Still okay? rjb |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Quote:
And, as said, creating the anthology is about learning the writing / editing / publishing process; I don't want to end up with 20 short stories tomorrow. ("Hey dude, I've got a few hanging around I was too lazy to make into a book. Cya!") Me building an e-book is not the goal or point of the project; it's the cherry on the cake, the way to actually get the works out there. Each author must provide at least one (1) new story, written specifically for this anthology, or there won't be anything to learn about writing. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,742
Karma: 32912427
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus
|
Quote:
I was thinking of using a story that I wrote last year that would benefit from rework, rather than writing a new one from scratch. On the distribution front, I think it would be best if the anthology was distributed just by you - assuming you're happy with being the editor - and we all just link to it. And I agree that we should come up with a suitable agreement where we can then use our own stories later on as we wish, on the understanding that the anthology will remain available and free. Allowing a period of exclusivity of, say, six months sounds fine to me. Graham |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#21 | ||||
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Quote:
![]() Submitting an existing story is OK, but it has to be expected that the story will be critiqued, and that changes could be suggested. Quote:
Quote:
edit: Smashwords has a Premium Book program, where they push the book into other stores if the work meets certain formatting guidelines. I intend to follow these guidelines, so the work will end up at more stores than Smashwords, to be "bought" at a price of $0. Quote:
My suggestion: - The anthology will always be free. - It will be posted to the MobileRead library, as a minimum. - Each of the contributing authors can post/promote the anthology wherever they wish, as long as they don't change it, and keep it free. - The stories will have 6 months of exclusivity in the anthology, starting from the date it is first posted. - After these six months, the authors can do with the short stories whatever they want. - Each story, if provided for download seperately, should have a reference to two download locations the anthology; one being the MobileRead library, the other being a store, author website, for example. I have a feeling that trying to sell a story that is always available for free in an anthology might not be a good idea. Customers could get angry at you. Even if we leave the reference to the anthology out of the individual stories, customers might find out by searching for the author's name. At some point in time, Google WILL come up with the anthology. Last edited by Katsunami; 03-01-2014 at 03:56 PM. |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 | ||
Surfin the alpha waves ~~
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 24,874
Karma: 459220161
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New Jersey
Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids
|
Quote:
Quote:
I read that as the anthology being one work and being offered by one authorized person -- such as the editor. If the anthology was offered as an anthology only here, in Mobileread's library, then the stories could be made available anywhere by their respective authors. |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | ||
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Quote:
Quote:
Would it be possible that all contributing authors would grant me the right to publish the anthology in stores (Smashwords, Amazon...) and in the MobileRead Library? Of course, it will be in its complete form, unchanged, with full credits and references to author's websites and/or stores, and always for free. By doing it that way, it will be in stores under my name, and each author can post it onto their own personal websites as a free download, if they so wish. There would be a six month exclusivity, and after that, all the stories can be posted/sold or whatever by their creators, on websites or in their own stores. The only point that remains is that the contributors need to be aware that the anthology will be free forever, so selling the stories might disgruntle customers if they find out about the anthology *after* buying one of those stories. Last edited by Katsunami; 03-01-2014 at 07:32 PM. |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,742
Karma: 32912427
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus
|
Quote:
Even having this very basic discussion is already useful, to try to make us put more professional heads on. Graham Last edited by Graham; 03-02-2014 at 07:02 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,742
Karma: 32912427
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus
|
Quote:
Arjaybe's offer of a short story or two is a nice gesture, and my initial reaction was that the project could cope with both the efforts of the self-editing 'collective' and the other authors on MobileRead who were more comfortable simply donating stories. After all, MobileRead readers wouldn't necessarily know the background behind the project. I suspect that from a reader's perspective, the expectation would be that the ebook would simply contain stories by regular MobileRead posters. However, the key there is 'regular' MobileRead posters. Broadening the project to include any story opens the door to the anthology simply being used for self-promotion. It could also put us in an awkward situation of having to make editorial decisions on whether a particular submission should be included. So, on balance, I think you're right, Katsunami, that this should be restricted to contributors who are comfortable about the collective reviewing and analysis of the stories. The alternative would be to do something like set a minimum post count for someone to have their story included if they didn't want to be fully involved. Incidentally, are there any potential readers watching this thread? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts. Graham Last edited by Graham; 03-02-2014 at 07:01 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#26 |
cacoethes scribendi
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
|
I do like this idea very much, Katsunami.
I have a couple of stories around this size that I wrote last year that I've been wondering what to do with (it will be a long while before I have enough to consider an anthology of my own), so I'm definitely interested. I'm pretty pressed for time right now, so not sure if I will be able to participate in discussion as much as I would like - but I am willing to try. I'm also writing something, that was supposed to be short, now ... but it's already on the high side of the limit of 8000, so it may not be appropriate. That's one of my troubles, I don't generally write fiction to a deadline, nor to a length, so writing specifically for this project would be difficult for me. However contributing a previous story of an appropriate length for critique and review as part of the discussion is something I can do. Last edited by gmw; 03-02-2014 at 09:51 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 | ||||
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Quote:
That is not the primary purpose of this project. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
It's OK to submit a story that was started some time ago and needs rework. Even my own would be in this category, probably, because some scenes are already written out. Last edited by Katsunami; 03-02-2014 at 11:15 AM. |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 | |||
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 6,111
Karma: 34000001
Join Date: Mar 2008
Device: KPW1, KA1
|
Thanks
![]() ![]() Quote:
- For people who are writing a new story: write it "live", posting new versions to a Dropbox folder as they come along. - For people starting with an existing story: post that, and then start editing rewriting. If people want, they can download and read these stories in progress, and give suggestions by PM or e-mail, but everyone is free to either do this, or not. At some point, we'll determine a finalization date. From that date onward, the stories will be frozen, and we'll start reviewing them one by one. After a story gets reviewed, the author can make the necessary edits to incorporate (some of) the suggestions. Then we move to the next story. There could be one to three of these review/editing rounds; whatever we decide to do. Quote:
![]() This project could help you to learn to do these things better ![]() (As a software engineer, I'm sometimes in the same boat. "Just make this function a bit better", "just add a little bit here"... and then the deadline is there and not everything is finished.) Quote:
![]() |
|||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,742
Karma: 32912427
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus
|
Quote:
I've also learned my lesson... don't show said first draft to significant other until at least the next day. It's very painful to have the glow of achieving that completed draft shattered by critical comment before you've even slept on it! Graham |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,032
Karma: 12018368
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-650, Kobo Clara
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
MobileRead Short Story Anthology - [DISCUSSION & REVIEW] | Katsunami | Writers' Corner | 274 | 04-14-2015 05:55 PM |
Mobileread produced short story collection | mr ploppy | Feedback | 10 | 07-15-2011 10:53 AM |
Tumbling Tales - A short story and poetry anthology | TheDJ89 | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 2 | 03-15-2011 10:36 AM |