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Flesnolk posted:I could give it a shot but it would take a while, and depends on if Desmond is cool with it. Would people want it here, on-site, both? So far there is one story slightly ahead of the others. Remember that if you submitted a short story and do not vote, you could lose a vote in the event of a tie. Once I get home after the long Canada Thanksgiving weekend I will post three more short stories either submitted late or written by an admin, just to read but not to vote on. Also, others who are doing SA writing contests in CC, shoot me a PM if you ever want to add them to Goonreads. I can set up a blog there that you can admin.
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Oct 11, 2013 22:52
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I would appreciate any feedback on my story anyone has to offer.
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Oct 11, 2013 23:42
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Desmond posted:People can always post comments on the stories at the site, but I probably won't approve the comments until after the contest winner is announced, just to keep the story free of distraction. I'll feedback-comment on the site after a winner's picked, then. Gives me some time to find an opportunity to read through them all again anyway. Which was yours, Woodchuck? The entries don't name authors unless I missed something like a jackass.
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Oct 12, 2013 05:05
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Flesnolk posted:The entries don't name authors unless I missed something like a jackass. I think at this stage the stories are presented anonymously so they can be judged on their own merit.
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Oct 12, 2013 05:56
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Hi folks! I've registered under my forum name. Looking forward to joining the scrum 
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Oct 14, 2013 15:37
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Hi, I just registered under tnoonan but (of course) put my forum name in the box.
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Oct 15, 2013 17:37
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I have added three more stories to the Horror reads. These are just there for fun and won't be voted on.
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Oct 15, 2013 22:40
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This is terribly cool. So I registered but it advised me I need to post to the thread to finish approval. I have a book being published (well going on sale from preorders) october 31st that I'd like to submit.
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Oct 15, 2013 23:46
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I hope this isn't too weird of a place to ask this question. Does anyone know where I can still get a paperback copy of Veins by Drew? Are there any plans for a second printing? e. vv Oh well. I could always get the eBook version. Thanks for your help! Storgar fucked around with this message at 19:04 on Oct 22, 2013 |
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Oct 21, 2013 06:25
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Storgar posted:I hope this isn't too weird of a place to ask this question. Just googled it: https://www.facebook.com/toothpastefordinner/posts/322432734534441. Hopefully that info is up-to-date. (Edit: the FB link seems dead.) So, four more days to vote on the short story contest! I will announce the winner either Friday or Saturday. Any ideas about the anthology? I think most, if not all, short story writers were interested. I think we'll just need to decide the following: Is it okay to have an editor fix up any problems? We may need some help with this since I think it would take a long time for me to do alone; I am already editing a series until the end of the year. I don't think most stories need it, but it wouldn't hurt to go through and just proofread for typos and grammar. For an e-book, we could split all the royalties 17 ways after any Amazon fees. I could also do a printed book at my press but would go on-demand with Ingram's Lightning Source, and they take about half off the print price. Plus I usually give bookstores 30-35% off. I also sometimes use other printers, but only when I feel more assured of selling a certain amount. I also spring for Ingram distribution, which gets the paperback listed at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. We could split leftover royalties 17 ways minus the initial print and setup costs (typically about $80.00). It'd be cool to also start splitting after reimbursing the out-of-pocket contest award costs of $50.00, but that decision should be up to everyone. I am not an artist, so if we do an anthology, can anyone volunteer the book cover design? Or perhaps they could be added to royalty splits? I don't think the book would really sell that well, so I wouldn't count on making much money--I think this community would be its biggest buyers. I would chalk the anthology up to something to add to your resume/portfolio. And if for some reason it does sell well, that would be a nice surprise. Another idea is to pick a charity and donate to it if we see any profits. These are just things to kind of collectively decide upon. I would not take on the publication without everyone signing a contract that would lay out the agreed-upon terms. Jenny of Oldstones fucked around with this message at 17:24 on Oct 21, 2013 |
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Oct 21, 2013 17:16
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Any anthology would definitely need some editing. And I'm including my story in that; some critiques I've received over PM pointed out a few things that had me smacking my forehead.
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Oct 21, 2013 18:32
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I second the need to edit. There are definitely some parts of mine that need some fixing.
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Oct 21, 2013 21:21
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Oh yeah, I definitely needed another edit pass and there's a few things I'd tweak. I'm trying to wrap up reading all the entries before voting. I've been reading them in bed before I go to sleep...
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Oct 22, 2013 00:52
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Actually, I would be willing to help edit the stories that aren't mine. I definitely need more work for my editing portfolio.
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Oct 22, 2013 01:04
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I'd be game for editing, too, and think I know a few people for cover design. I definitely know a couple real good editors too but they'd charge quite a bit.
Flesnolk fucked around with this message at 03:15 on Oct 22, 2013 |
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Oct 22, 2013 03:13
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I just invited the authors and voters to this site: http://goonreads.com/authors/horroranthology/. While I want to encourage public comments on the actual stories at Goonreads (the comments there will go live after voting ends), I thought having a network for polishing these stories might be good. I think editorial suggestions should be done in the comments section on the stories themselves at the new site here. Then once voting ends, I'll turn over the authorship of each story to the actual author so that they can edit their own stuff. I guess this would be a group effort then. If you really don't want your book in the anthology, just let me know. No biggie. We have 17 stories, which is a good amount, so if you have other plans for your story, feel free to just back out. Though if a lot of people do, we probably won't do the book. I will post a form at the site so you can give your thoughts on a possible book.
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Oct 22, 2013 03:19
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The survey for the anthology is here: http://goonreads.com/authors/horroranthology/anthology-survey/. It's open only to those who are contributors (i.e. who wrote/voted). Just a reminder to vote! I feel like a kid prancing around a present and wanting to open it and show everyone early. Here's a hint about the author with the most votes so far; they have not voted and could lose a point in case of a tie. There are three stories tied now for second place. Two other authors have not voted as well  (I still open presents early but am constraining myself.) Of course the deadline is not until Friday. Also, I had promised to give the outcome of the short story topic poll, which helped to decide one of the prompts. This is a poll that ran late summer.
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Oct 22, 2013 22:21
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Forgive me if this has already been explained but is their any copyright stuff that comes with posting stories on goonreads? Also I signed up.
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Oct 23, 2013 01:57
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Mind Loving Owl posted:Forgive me if this has already been explained but is their any copyright stuff that comes with posting stories on goonreads? Also I signed up. Once the contest is over I would like to build an interface for others to post stories and other writings online. I just haven't gotten that far yet, and I'm really not sure if there's enough interest. It would be assumed that authors always retain their own copyright and that if at some point they want to do something else with their stories and remove them from Goonreads that it would be up to them to request a removal. Jenny of Oldstones fucked around with this message at 17:06 on Oct 23, 2013 |
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Oct 23, 2013 17:04
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Just registered with my forums name. Please do the needful.
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Oct 24, 2013 19:53
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I've added myself to the Review Exchange under Frank Sunder if anyone is interested in...well, exchanging reviews I suppose. It's not a field on the submission form, but I'd be willing to provide free copies. They're not linked at the above link, but the two titles are Processional I and Processional II
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Oct 25, 2013 18:33
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Random Stranger posted:Oh yeah, I definitely needed another edit pass and there's a few things I'd tweak. Good grief, I thought it was just me. I've found some stupid careless errors as a result of me rushing to meet the deadline. I'm anxious to see the results as there was some really good stuff.
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Oct 25, 2013 23:16
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Voting is over, and the winner is DavidJMathis (Random Stranger), author of Debt Collection with 7 votes. I'll be sending your Amazon gift card shortly after the announcement. Congrats Honorable mentions: Little Curly Tail by Michael P/Senior Woodchuck got 5 votes; I'm going to send you a free e-book but will email you with a choice at least. Disassociation (ACStone/Stratfyre), Old Growth (Drunk Tomato), and The Monster in the Lab (Logisti) each tied for a third place. Thanks to everyone! I had a good time reading everyone's stories and think they will all make a good collection of stories if we decide to do that. See this site for more and be sure to confirm your account or let me know if you didn't get an invite (for authors only).
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Oct 26, 2013 04:07
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Desmond posted:Voting is over, and the winner is DavidJMathis (Random Stranger), author of Debt Collection with 7 votes. I'll be sending your Amazon gift card shortly after the announcement. Congrats Congratulations Random Stranger! I know I voted for your story, it was a front runner for me as soon as I'd finished it. I enjoyed everything about it - Which is not to say I didn't enjoy the other stories, I think everyone did a fantastic job! I can't wait for the next contest, I had a blast with this one. It really forced me to write outside of my usual comfort zone.
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Oct 26, 2013 04:38
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Desmond posted:Voting is over, and the winner is DavidJMathis (Random Stranger), author of Debt Collection with 7 votes. I'll be sending your Amazon gift card shortly after the announcement. Congrats Congrats to Random Stranger, I really, really liked the story. edit:nevermind - found it Roydrowsy fucked around with this message at 04:43 on Oct 26, 2013 |
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Oct 26, 2013 04:39
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Roydrowsy posted:Congrats to Random Stranger, I really, really liked the story. I added you as a user already, so maybe check your spam folder (n/m, I see you have confirmed it). edit: So I think only two people haven't confirmed. Everyone else can edit their own story at that site. Jenny of Oldstones fucked around with this message at 04:47 on Oct 26, 2013 |
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Oct 26, 2013 04:43
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Congrats Random Stranger! I would have voted for you if I didn't vote for Little Curly Tail! Seriously, it was a hard decision, both stories were just so good. Thanks to everyone else who ended up participating, there were some great reads in the contest. This was really quite fun.
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Oct 26, 2013 04:45
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Thanks for the congratulations. FWIW, I voted for Little Curly Tail. Also, whoever's comment it was that jokingly accused me of being Neil Gaiman, I want you to know that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me even if I'm really not trying to be Gaiman. Random Stranger fucked around with this message at 05:07 on Oct 26, 2013 |
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Oct 26, 2013 05:04
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Random Stranger posted:Thanks for the congratulations. FWIW, I voted for Little Curly Tail. You really do read like Neil Gaiman, in a good way! (I also voted for you). Congrats!!!
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Oct 26, 2013 06:15
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Ouch. That's quite a blow to the self-esteem. Congrats to everyone though, your stories were all fun to read.
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Oct 26, 2013 10:51
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Random Stranger posted:Thanks for the congratulations. FWIW, I voted for Little Curly Tail. You did have a very Gaimanesque concept. (I'm not the dude who left that comment, but it made me think that!) Congratulations! Thanks to the goons who voted for me. I had fun writing this story, so I'm glad people enjoyed it.
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Oct 26, 2013 15:13
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Congrats, Random Stranger! I had to go for Little Curly Tail, but I enjoyed yours, and many of the others. Hope the anthology comes together so the wider world gets a chance to read the collection.
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Oct 26, 2013 20:10
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Congrats, Random Stranger! I don't remember who I voted for but you were up there for me. I had some thoughts on it but I'll be leaving that stuff for the editorial comments on the site. (Also, for anyone curious, in all the stories have a combined wordcount of 102,150. Even not including things like publishing info, any introductions, a table of contents, etc. that would be one big anthology!) Flesnolk fucked around with this message at 00:55 on Oct 27, 2013 |
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Oct 27, 2013 00:18
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Just wanted to add my congratulations, Random Stranger. It was a really well written story. Also, definite Neil Gaiman vibes.
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Oct 27, 2013 03:56
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Registering as a contributor. Using the dukerustfield username. Thanks.
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Oct 28, 2013 06:27
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systran posted:Surely it would be a huge undertaking, but it would be wonderful if someone posted crits for all of the stories in the short-fiction contest. I have taken this undertaking. And I don't particularly care if you didn't ask for it or don't want it, because I have written the crits for those of you who entered the competition and you will just have to take them and bite your tongue and have your ego torn out a little. GOONREADS #1 COMPETITION CRITICISM COMPILATION BY THE SADDEST RHINO DATED 28 OCTOBER 2013 And here's a table compiling every trope I have observed in reading all the stories: GOONREADS TROPE TABLE I didn't have time to look at the 3 submitted post-contest and therefore haven't crit them but if you ask for it I'll do it, but at a much later date as I will be out travelling for a week starting from Wednesday. NOTE: Please do not take this as discouragement to organise more writing competitions or entering them, because reading these had been pretty fun although honestly I was not all too enthralled with the prompt when it first came out. If anything sounds too harsh you have every right to bitch at me, subject that you aim to improve your writing pls thx.
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Oct 28, 2013 16:31
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The Saddest Rhino posted:NOTE: Please do not take this as discouragement to organise more writing competitions or entering them, because reading these had been pretty fun although honestly I was not all too enthralled with the prompt when it first came out. If anything sounds too harsh you have every right to bitch at me, subject that you aim to improve your writing pls thx. I think there's some good advice though, and would encourage people to use it to improve their stories. I laughed at the trope table too, and am not sure we could expect anything less than that from Something Awful writers!
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Oct 28, 2013 17:58
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I have actually written quite a number of bits telling the authors what need work and what are major issues so I'm not sure why you seem to think the criticism is not meant to be useful? I was also under the impression one month is definitely more than enough time to polish up a work meant to win $50 bucks in cash. EDIT: Or rather, My intent was not to make fun of people and I tried to make the criticism more humourous so it'd be easier to read and understand the effect the stories could have on a reader. I wasn't intending to come into this to say sarcastic things to make myself look good. The Saddest Rhino fucked around with this message at 18:38 on Oct 28, 2013 |
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Oct 28, 2013 18:21
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The Saddest Rhino posted:I have actually written quite a number of bits telling the authors what need work and what are major issues so I'm not sure why you seem to think the criticism is not meant to be useful? I was also under the impression one month is definitely more than enough time to polish up a work meant to win $50 bucks in cash. Okay, trying to be as straightforward as possible here, but my mind is going in several different directions at once while I sift through the critique for usable bits. I don't personally have issues with the comments, but I have enough critique group experience to separate my ego from the story. Some things work, some clearly don't. I saw spots where I agreed with what you were saying and others where I didn't. Sometimes a detail or story may not just click with someone for whatever reason, and sometimes an idea is just too big for a short story. I'm certainly guilty of the latter. (For the record, Luisa Cruz was mine.) But I'd also agree with Desmond's perspective and am not quite following your intent. I'd say the impression of the author part is probably going a little too far if you're genuinely trying to help people. "Shock therapy" can work for some authors, but not everyone. Some authors also might crawl back into their shells, and maybe that's an argument that they still have a long way to go, but I'm not so sure. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there's a middle ground between hugbox and beating them over the head. I'd personally never use the latter if I didn't have the author sitting in front of me and have a good idea of their psychology. But hell, this is a comedy forum, this kind of thing is usually fodder anyway. Oh, and the tropes table is hilarious but I hope no one takes that too seriously as criticism. Now back to my BDSM. Edit: It also occurs to me that it might discourage some folks from participating if they know this is waiting at the end. workingdogv1 fucked around with this message at 19:14 on Oct 28, 2013 |
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Oct 28, 2013 19:11
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The Saddest Rhino posted:I have actually written quite a number of bits telling the authors what need work and what are major issues so I'm not sure why you seem to think the criticism is not meant to be useful? I was also under the impression one month is definitely more than enough time to polish up a work meant to win $50 bucks in cash. Oh, don't get me wrong. I do think your critiques can be useful. I think a lot of effort went into them and am happy you volunteered them. By usefulness, I think posting comments directly at the editorial site rather than here would be helpful, mainly because the authors are editing their stories there rather than here and may not be checking these threads or might miss your post. I posted the link above in this thread and asked people who want to help to just request an invite to the site. I don't have a problem with the humor either, but for critiquing, I'm not sure it serves any other purpose than to kind of poke fun. As far as feedback, is it a good way to do it? I really don't know. My story wasn't critiqued, but if it was I'd just want some frank "this works; that doesn't" rather than 0/10 kawaii donuts or whatever. I still encourage everyone to read these critiques. I'm sure there is something from what Saddest Rhino wrote that will help, and he/she obviously put a good amount of time in it. I think most of us as writers are used to harsh feedback, and prefer it over anything else. It's also good to get a lot of perspective, so I really encourage everyone to use the comments on stories at that one site I built just for that. Also, I didn't really consider a 50.00 award that much, compared to professional types of contests, which generally have a higher monetary value and/or much more recognition. I really want people to have fun with these contests, improve their writing by using prompts and time limits as an exercise, and in the process to get better. SA has some beginner writers and professional writers, so I wanted to tailor this contest to include all and be fun but also to be a way to exercise writing skills and improve. I agree with workingdog that having something like this critique waiting at the end might discourage people from participating; it does put people on the spot. But I can't speak for everyone.
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Oct 28, 2013 19:49
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