A bloody good idea

[impressive]

Selecting what is included in any anthology seems a minefield and should preferably be handled by an editor external to Lit. A recent exercise to select 10 short stories attracted 300+ entries on a forum much smaller than this - that equates to 290 unhappy people.

I see this differently.

As long as a story has the "approval" (via poll) of x# of us ("x" to be defined at some point), there is no need to exclude anyone ... just publish more volumes.

 

[neonlyte]

I see this differently.

As long as a story has the "approval" (via poll) of x# of us ("x" to be defined at some point), there is no need to exclude anyone ... just publish more volumes.

I obviously need to read more of the thread, this sounds like 'self publishing', ie - no external (to Lit/thread) control over content. That's fine if it is being self-funded. As soon as someone elses money gets used, what goes into the Anthology gets decided by someone who knows (or more generally think they know) what sells. That might be where the problems start in terms of people feeling slighted.

I shall watch with keen interest.

 

[yui]

I would like to reiterate what I said in my previous post and what others have said since. Sorry, and no offense, but I really don't care for the idea of limiting things to specific, narrow themes.

Question: This initially started as a POD/self-publish thing. Has that changed? Is the idea now to shop it to publishing houses? If so, I think that changes the entire concept considerably.

 

[impressive]

I would like to reiterate what I said in my previous post and what others have said since. Sorry, and no offense, but I really don't care for the idea of limiting things to specific, narrow themes.

Question: This initially started as a POD/self-publish thing. Has that changed? Is the idea now to shop it to publishing houses? If so, I think that changes the entire concept considerably.

I agree, yui.

I am not interested if this isn't an entirely AH-controlled project ... POD.

 

[CharleyH]

I obviously need to read more of the thread, this sounds like 'self publishing', ie - no external (to Lit/thread) control over content. That's fine if it is being self-funded. As soon as someone elses money gets used, what goes into the Anthology gets decided by someone who knows (or more generally think they know) what sells. That might be where the problems start in terms of people feeling slighted.

I shall watch with keen interest.

NOPE - you are right Neon, and, just caught a wee glimpse of Yui after your post, and she is right too.

 

[Lilin Penn]

well we need to see how many folks would be interested first before we make it AH only or whatever...

I'm no good with organisation but I volunteer to wipe brows, calm tempers and keep things motoring...basically i'll be the happiness fairy *LOL*

I would be interested! *jumps up and down excitedly* I could help EL if she needs help spreading chher

 

[CharleyH]

I agree, yui.

I am not interested if this isn't an entirely AH-controlled project ... POD.

Well, Earl needs to control it. OK ... DELEGATE. Its his plan, let him go with his idea or make up your own

 

[impressive]

I am congentially disorganised, so I couldn't arrange it ....

The Earl

I was under the impression that he was requesting some assistance.

 

[CharleyH]

Even with assistance, Earl should still never let go of his idea, and we should support, and rally rather than take it over (not that we are), but you know what I mean .

 

[tolyk]

Even with assistance, Earl should still never let go of his idea, and we should support, and rally rather than take it over (not that we are), but you know what I mean .

Encourage and guide, he is young, he needs guidance.. *evil grin*


Sorry Earl, couldn't resist.

 

[CharleyH]

Encourage and guide, he is young, he needs guidance.. *evil grin*


Sorry Earl, couldn't resist.

Emphasis. Beautiful.

 

[hydrex]

You know at www.literotica.com there is a link to a book being sold from Lit with a compilation of stories in it. Isn't that the same thing you're trying to do? Maybe they could help.

 

[yui]

MAJORLY, misread (well ok saw first sentance) AGREE whole heartedly.

It's a sexual reference, isn't it? I am such an idiot! http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/diverse/redface.gif

I agree, yui.

I am not interested if this isn't an entirely AH-controlled project ... POD.

Thank, Imp.

NOPE - you are right Neon, and, just caught a wee glimpse of Yui after your post, and she is right too.

Neon is usually right and thanks for seeing me, Charley. I knew I liked you for a reason that was only partially related to lust.

 

[doormouse]

I'm putting my tower in to be upgraded this week... IF I can't get on here (public PCs have limited access), I'll yahoo EL with the info I get from my uncle.

I'll also ask him about how others organise splitting profits, etc.

Any advice can only be helpful

 

[SeaCat]

Honestly knowing my stories aren't going to be up to the standards needed for this I am still going to watch and see how this works out. I'm hoping it works out well, and will watch to see when I can buy a copy. If I can think of a way I can help I will of course let someone here know.

Cat

 

[English Lady]

On the topic of voting -

I've just finished participating in a panel-rating setup for a small organization's in-house collection of poetry and stories. The method they chose I think a good one. There is an overall editor who collected and organized the submissions and submitted them anonymously to a panel of readers she had selected in order to present a diverse range of preferences and views. That panel then rated each work on a 0-5 scale. The editor tallied the votes and selected the top numerical scorers for inclusion, with the odd addition here or there for works that offered a substantial element of variety that helped shape the volume.

Might I suggest a similar approach? We could elect or select a panel of readers to do the selection. That process will, admittedly, narrow the range of people giving input. But it would also elminate the problems of anonymous vote-bombing. I can think of several people whom I would trust to choose wisely. If we had, say, Abs, Dr. M, Colly, Carson, and English Lady, or some similarly diverse range of tastes and styles represented, I think we'd do well, especially if we chose people with the objectivity to know when a story is good even if it's not their personal "bag." If we wanted to avoid shameless pandering and sucking up, we could always keep the panel anonymous.

Just a thought -

Shanglan

And a good thought. I like it


As to the theme thing I agree on the varietybut we need something to pull it together. Like the wicked words by black lace are written by women for women so in itself thats a very loose tie that ties the lot together.

I think we need something loose that means the stories will be in the same kind of category but all varied...do i make sense there?


Lilin...come cheer with me it's a big job!


oh and yrs I think it's been generallydecided it'd be POD....as that seems the best way to go about it...

 

[Belegon]

I'm interested...and willing to help however I can...

 

[English Lady]

I'm interested...and willing to help however I can...

Yay!!!

 

[TheEarl]

I originally tossed this out as an idea to the masses, but the more that I think about it, the more I'm convinced that I want to be in on the actual organisation (coursework be damned).

IMHO, this isn't something that can be organised by committee. As many people have said, it will require being a bitch at times and I don't think that can be done by a large group. I propose that we have a small group who organise it, maybe 3/4 people and everyone else can submit and offer opinions, but the decisions get made by that small group. The last thing we want is an acephalous and amorphous blob of managers.

I've sent out a couple of PMs, but won't mention any names here unless they accept the crushing bore of working with me on this project .

Sound like a plan?

The Earl

 

[TheEarl]

To be honest, POD wasn't the original idea I had. I believe that an anthology by AH authors could sell to a publisher with no trouble at all and it could be on the top shelf of every WH Smith and Waterstones. I was thinking about 'proper' publication, rather than limited print runs and making our own publicity.

The Earl

 

[Guest]

To be honest, POD wasn't the original idea I had. I believe that an anthology by AH authors could sell to a publisher with no trouble at all and it could be on the top shelf of every WH Smith and Waterstones. I was thinking about 'proper' publication, rather than limited print runs and making our own publicity.

The Earl

Exactly. That's what I was thinking, too, when I first read your post.

One of the rules of getting published: aim high. Start with the best possible, then, if need be, work your way down. That's why some people take years to get published and others don't.

 

[impressive]

Then I've misunderstood. The whole discussion began with cantdog's post on a POD thread, so I assumed that was the thrust all along.

I am interested in working on a fun POD collaboration -- a collection of AH work -- withOUT the hard ass aspects associated with rejection slips, PR, etc. I can understand why this would not appeal to those who've aspirations of being published "for real" and making a living on it.

Just a suggestion, but you might want to poll those who've expressed interest to determine which they are expecting. If you're going the super serious route, I don't want my work included -- or even considered for inclusion. I see it as adding stress to an enjoyable hobby -- which would make the hobby much less enjoyable.

Sorry for the confusion. Bowing out, now.

 

[TheEarl]

Fair enough Imp. I will openly say that this was a half-arsed and half-thought through idea which escaped my mouth before I'd considered it at all and I realise my natural vagueness has led to people talking at cross-purposes.

To my mind the POD route would be the stress-filled one, which is when I came up with my idea (inspired, as you said, by Cantdog's original post) of going about a professional anthology. Anyone who's not interested can of course tell me to piss off. I just thought it might be fun to aim high, considering we are a very good collection of writers and together we might be able to achieve something very worthwhile.

I shall return to the idea once I've thought it through slightly and had a word with a couple of co-conspirators. Anyone who is willing/able/insane enough to help, feel free to drop me a PM.

The Earl

 

[impressive]

Fair enough Imp.

I wish you all the best with the venture (and I'll still buy a copy or three).

If there turns out to be adequate interest in the POD route, I'll happily jump back into the pool.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm going to stick with it Earl.

I am hoping to make something resembling a living at this someday, and an anthology of this type would be a good start.

I don't care if it's 'properly' published or POD. I want my name out there.

Oh, something not bought up before. A book has teo major advantages over a computer. Portability and ease of handling. If I'm reading something to feed a fantasy and get off, I can't take my computer to bed with me. And I need both hands to operate the computer properly but only one for a book.

So the Internet can't meet every need.