Kevin's Watch

Matrixman wrote:

Waynhim Barrister wrote:It would be best if they were taken out.

Er, okay...whatever. (shrugs)

If it's in manuscript format that means it will all be double spaced and things. Since we are producing the final PDF file, it will be easier if we have it as close to the ready format as possible.

Uh, WB? If I get a story as a pdf file, I won't be able to work with it. It takes a special program that I don't have, to edit a pdf file, or even select and copy things.

I have found that I can work with a text .zip file, or just a plain old Word file.

Dragonlily wrote:Uh, WB? If I get a story as a pdf file, I won't be able to work with it. It takes a special program that I don't have, to edit a pdf file, or even select and copy things.

I have found that I can work with a text .zip file, or just a plain old Word file.

I don't think, Hier is refering to the submissions format but the final format (pdf) to upload to Cafepress. I'm certain all of the actual submissions will be in typical microsoft word or word perfect type files.

Oh, that's ok then. Final format is Myste's department.

Yeah, I was talking about the final thing.

Yeah, for editing & formatting, the simpler format you use the better. If you can save your story as a text only (.txt) or rich-text-format (.rtf), then pretty much anyone will be able to open it and work on it. This is super-important, since so many people need access to the work.

Here's what I'd suggest as far as format goes: make sure your ms is double-spaced to make it easier for the editors to work with. Please don't use an extra space to mark off paragraphs; indent with the tab key instead--and try to avoid paragraph formats. Of course, the world won't come to an end if you don't do these things, but making sure the formats are as straightforward as possible does make things easier when it's time for the mechanics to take over.

Here's a question for everyone: Do people want to use their real names or their Watch names on their bylines? I ask because for the interior design (as opposed to the jacket, which is definitely Edge's forté), I was thinking it might be nice to incorporate peoples' avs. What does everyone think?

Myste, I for one wouldn't mind including the avs and the user names but I would prefer that my true/author name be the most prominent.

I agree. If I were to be included, I'd prefer it to be credited to my real name, but ideally with some indication of my Watch identity too, for those who don't know my name.

Agreed.

How about this, then: when the selection committee makes its final choice, all you authors out there pm me with your specific preferences. We can do whatever you want, you'll just need to be sure to tell me.

I would say about names, we have a better chance of selling in the "outside world" if we use names that sound like authors. We have less credibility if we sound like the book is an internet game.

Why not use real names, and put user names and avs in a brief bio section if people want them to be added? I'm kinda partial to online anonymity, myself, and Dragonlily makes an excellent point, but this might be able to accommodate those who want both their real and Watch (and other bboard) names included.

It's perfectly normal to publish under a pen name, those who wish to be anonymous.

Dragonlily wrote:I would say about names, we have a better chance of selling in the "outside world" if we use names that sound like authors. We have less credibility if we sound like the book is an internet game.

I agree.

Dragonlily wrote:I would say about names, we have a better chance of selling in the "outside world" if we use names that sound like authors. We have less credibility if we sound like the book is an internet game.

An excellent point that I completely agree with.
Another view is that since I have some small hope of one day becoming a professional writer, I would like for all of my published work to be easily referenced by my author name. You never know who might end up with a copy of the Anthology. I'd like to save the Del Rey talent scout the trouble of trying to find out who the heck "aTOMiC" is.

"Talent scout"? I keep hearing how print publishers are cutting back their stables.

Dragonlily wrote:It's perfectly normal to publish under a pen name, those who wish to be anonymous.

LOL, not if your pen name is something to the effect of "65crazyword4"

That's not a pen name, that's a screen name.

Well I have, and always have had, every intention of using my real name.

Well I have, and always have had, every intention of using my real name.

Sounds pretty good to me. I don't have any problem with anyone knowing my full name, age, parents' names, family history, lifetime achievements etc.

I'd still be anonymous in the sense that matters: People wouldn't be able to contact me and they wouldn't say "hey, you're the guy that wrote that short story I hate so much! I'LL KILL YOU!" if they saw me walking down the road.

Pen name? Why?