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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 14, 2013 18:51:49 GMT
Ah, I was thinking POD.
I think a PDF mag online would be okay but agree with Rog. Printed mag's are cuter. I would favour anything like this being retrospective - far behind the publication of a mag which would be the tiny flagship.
I have no idea about these kindle things so if any member has any ideas for that type of thing fire away but bear in mind that I am Luddite and a simpleton.
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Post by Calenture on Jan 14, 2013 21:24:04 GMT
Maybe I'm thinking of walking before I can crawl, here - and I think everyone's agreed that a 'real' FC printed on paper is what we want - but it's certainly interesting throwing around these ideas. POD, PDF, Kindle... I've just had to Google POD and found that it's multimedia. So far the only podcasts I've downloaded have been audio recordings. Robert Mammone has had work broadcast in that format. So has Dan McGachey. James Stanger put one of his stories out by himself as audio download. DF Lewis put out several stories that way. I've put them all on CD for my own listening. (Oh, except Dan's, as that was a restricted format.) I did at one time think of possibly issuing CDs as FC 'supplements' to be included with the printed magazine, but it never happened. I don't have an iPod, iPad, MP3 Player, Kindle, whatever - despite my clinging doggedly to the past, I know I'll have to try them sometime. And now there's the browser-based Chromebook. Another quick Google confirmed my suspicion that the software to make Kindle downloads is available and free: FOBOKO. But of course I don't yet have a Kindle to try it out with! Hell, I don't have a mobile phone! Oh, and DF Lewis and Rhys Hughes have released their collaborations through Adobe Digital Edition (think I've got that right - only learned of that last night. Seems to be an unpiratable type of PDF.)
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Post by corpsecandle on Jan 15, 2013 1:55:53 GMT
James Stanger put one of his stories out by himself as audio download. That came from the fact that I love the extra dimension audio gives to a story, I am planing on doing a couple more as well. I am not all that well versed with computers either so something like a Pod Cast was well out of my skill level, however Youtube was pretty easy to do. I did have help with editing it fro my fiancee and of course she read out one of them but it turned out well and was pretty fun. I plan to do a couple of stories that I have written from Filthy Creations. Now I don't know if other writers wanted to do their own work in audio (they wouldn't have to read it out themselves) it could complement F.C. Should a writer set up a Youtube channel there could be a link at the end of the book to point them in the direction of the audio of version...or even at the end of the story itself. Then again this is just brainstorming I suppose basically it would be good good to try and open out the appeal of F.C so it got to more people. I do like the idea of F.C being one of the last true print horror small presses. There is still a strong niche for it I guess it's just a matter of how you get the word out.
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 15, 2013 7:28:44 GMT
First consideration is simple - FC7 the magazine
In the future, I'd like a considered plan to pursue doing an audio section on FC and the potential to release a downloadable kindle/multimedia version which could be obtained by members of FC at maybe a token price.
Would anyone on here consider making that job?
The only reason for any sort of price is that from my experience things for free sometimes don't get the respect they deserve.
Essentially this is a writers workshop where I suspect most people would want to progress as far as they can with their writing - either to improve it or in the case of more experienced writers perhaps to experiment with new things - as in the wonderful case of Des writing a gangster story.
What I am very wary of is grandiose plans - its a very human tendency to want to make bigger more wonderful things and to some extent that's a good thing but in other respects I think to myself I am here because I want to write and read stories.
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Post by Calenture on Jan 15, 2013 12:10:52 GMT
I plan to do a couple of stories that I have written from Filthy Creations. Now I don't know if other writers wanted to do their own work in audio (they wouldn't have to read it out themselves) it could complement F.C. Should a writer set up a Youtube channel there could be a link at the end of the book to point them in the direction of the audio of version...or even at the end of the story itself. Then again this is just brainstorming I suppose basically it would be good good to try and open out the appeal of F.C so it got to more people. I do like the idea of F.C being one of the last true print horror small presses. Looking forward to your audio downloads, James. I'm intrigued by your comment that authors wouldn't need to read their own work. You mean that you or your lady would read the stories? I like the idea of widening the appeal of FC. It does occur to me that there's software available free from Google which easily creates up-loadable flash videos. What always daunts me is the addition of sound as like a lot of people I dislike my own recorded voice. First consideration is simple - FC7 the magazine In the future, I'd like a considered plan to pursue doing an audio section on FC and the potential to release a downloadable kindle/multimedia version which could be obtained by members of FC at maybe a token price. Would anyone on here consider making that job? The only reason for any sort of price is that from my experience things for free sometimes don't get the respect they deserve. Essentially this is a writers workshop where I suspect most people would want to progress as far as they can with their writing - either to improve it or in the case of more experienced writers perhaps to experiment with new things - as in the wonderful case of Des writing a gangster story. What I am very wary of is grandiose plans - its a very human tendency to want to make bigger more wonderful things and to some extent that's a good thing but in other respects I think to myself I am here because I want to write and read stories. I tried sorting out some smaller quotes from your post, Craig, but gave up as it all seems immediately relevant. I've just successfully downloaded a free Kindle For PC reader after a few mistakes (bloody pointless 'download managers' and attempts to scan my computer and persuade me that I need Registry Mangler, etc., at the end of which the download I was after became lost.) This is what I downloaded, but I cannot guarantee that you won't get the same blizzard of unwanted software trying to download: Kindle For PCAt some stage it asks you to log into your Amazon account, which is harmless enough. Amazon does have free eBooks which require this software. I suspect curiosity will drive me to continue this as a project, Craig. But if anyone finds a free program to simply convert text files to Kindle eBooks, it'll be great. I've been experimenting with FOBOKU but it's a more long-winded process than I expected. They seem to want you to write your whole book including adding the 'covers' online! I agree that people don't value things they get for free. This brings us back to advertising, maybe making a flash video as James suggested. I both like and dread the possibility of FC becoming the last market for printed horror fiction. I don't think it will be. Apparently figures for reading are 'up'. And in education, reference books have proved more user-friendly for students than web-browsing. Sorry about length of this post, just turned out that way. Tempted to add more but I'll go off-topic which won't help. I've just previewed this post and tried the Kindle For PC link given above, and it seemed to work without hassles.
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Post by weirdmonger on Jan 15, 2013 12:23:36 GMT
[quote author=admin board=information thread=479 post=2680 time=1358251852I agree that people don't value things they get for free. [...] I both like and dread the possibility of FC becoming the last market for printed horror fiction. [/quote] This is what I personally feel, as I said here in my recent 'This is Horror' interview about Megazanthus Press: Do you think eBooks threaten or complement the print industry? I feel very negative about eBooks, despite some of their well-known plus points. With many publishers and budding publishers increasingly publishing or re-publishing books as eBooks for Kindle, etc., one can visualise the time when everything will be available. With everything available, nothing is available. Well, nothing special, any more. Furthermore, there is an accreting ‘culture’ being (inadvertently) encouraged by these publishers of eBooks – a culture that arguably enables and encourages plagiarism, piracy, etc. plus the devaluation of writers. Also, it is my opinion that real paper books have empirically been the only vehicles able to carry fiction works future-nostalgically and memorably as well as effectively in their hard core emotion and tangibility and handleability. (Having said that, I have read a few eBooks and reviewed them in my real-time reviews.) Do you have plans to release Megazanthus books in electronic format? No. In fact, categorically, never![/i] My forthcoming HORROR WITHOUT VICTIMS anthology (for which I am currently reading) will only be a paper book. Des
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 15, 2013 12:48:29 GMT
[quote author=admin board=information thread=479 post=2680 time=1358251852I agree that people don't value things they get for free. [...] I both like and dread the possibility of FC becoming the last market for printed horror fiction. This is what I personally feel, as I said here in my recent 'This is Horror' interview about Megazanthus Press: Do you think eBooks threaten or complement the print industry? I feel very negative about eBooks, despite some of their well-known plus points. With many publishers and budding publishers increasingly publishing or re-publishing books as eBooks for Kindle, etc., one can visualise the time when everything will be available. With everything available, nothing is available. Well, nothing special, any more. Furthermore, there is an accreting ‘culture’ being (inadvertently) encouraged by these publishers of eBooks – a culture that arguably enables and encourages plagiarism, piracy, etc. plus the devaluation of writers. Also, it is my opinion that real paper books have empirically been the only vehicles able to carry fiction works future-nostalgically and memorably as well as effectively in their hard core emotion and tangibility and handleability. (Having said that, I have read a few eBooks and reviewed them in my real-time reviews.) Do you have plans to release Megazanthus books in electronic format? No. In fact, categorically, never![/i] My forthcoming HORROR WITHOUT VICTIMS anthology (for which I am currently reading) will only be a paper book. Des[/quote] I tend to agree Des. Although I'm afraid the tidal wave is simply going o wash us all away. My view is that Rog and I should stick to reading stuff and getting a mag out and maybe some wizard will join the team who can do things easily with computers and go from there. Should be a slightly longer term plan. i do like the audio idea.
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Post by weirdmonger on Jan 15, 2013 13:19:00 GMT
This is what I personally feel, as I said here in my recent 'This is Horror' interview about Megazanthus Press: Do you think eBooks threaten or complement the print industry? I feel very negative about eBooks, despite some of their well-known plus points. With many publishers and budding publishers increasingly publishing or re-publishing books as eBooks for Kindle, etc., one can visualise the time when everything will be available. With everything available, nothing is available. Well, nothing special, any more. Furthermore, there is an accreting ‘culture’ being (inadvertently) encouraged by these publishers of eBooks – a culture that arguably enables and encourages plagiarism, piracy, etc. plus the devaluation of writers. Also, it is my opinion that real paper books have empirically been the only vehicles able to carry fiction works future-nostalgically and memorably as well as effectively in their hard core emotion and tangibility and handleability. (Having said that, I have read a few eBooks and reviewed them in my real-time reviews.) Do you have plans to release Megazanthus books in electronic format? No. In fact, categorically, never! [/i] My forthcoming HORROR WITHOUT VICTIMS anthology (for which I am currently reading) will only be a paper book. Des[/quote] I tend to agree Des. Although I'm afraid the tidal wave is simply going o wash us all away. My view is that Rog and I should stick to reading stuff and getting a mag out and maybe some wizard will join the team who can do things easily with computers and go from there. Should be a slightly longer term plan. i do like the audio idea. [/quote] Hopefully we shall still be alive when the tidal wave has gone through - left to pick up the pieces. As to audio, I agree. A couple of years ago, i enjoyed recording a lot of my stories (by means of a digital microphone that I borrowed) and having them hosted by File Factory. des
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Post by franklinmarsh on Jan 15, 2013 14:46:26 GMT
Rog - so pleased to see you out and about on the web, and thank you for the fantastic illustration for Stille Nacht. Craig, I wish you all the best for reactivating FC and hope it's a success. I'm afraid my computer skills only stretch to typing comments like this.
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 15, 2013 16:20:38 GMT
Rog - so pleased to see you out and about on the web, and thank you for the fantastic illustration for Stille Nacht. Craig, I wish you all the best for reactivating FC and hope it's a success. I'm afraid my computer skills only stretch to typing comments like this. ;D
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Post by Calenture on Jan 15, 2013 20:54:47 GMT
I'm afraid my computer skills only stretch to typing comments like this. Not strictly true, Franklin. You've turned out some nifty stories, too. Great to see you here. Glad you liked the drawing. By the way, did Charles publish Stille Nacht? I remembered seeing it in the workshop, but offhand can't remember where it went in the end (you're sorta prolific so it's difficult keeping track).
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Post by Calenture on Jan 15, 2013 21:54:38 GMT
Just made a quick radio post at Vault but want to make one more comment on this thread (which doesn't mean an end to the thread, maybe I should add!).
Looking over the suggestions above, I think they're mostly tangential things (I think that's the word I want). Alternative ways of presenting the fiction. But we haven't previously presented FC in a way that gets people interested - without actually handing all the various parts of it to them first. Result: low interest, zero surprise.
James did get closest to the way I'm thinking now when he mentioned YouTube. I think it's possible to present the writing and the images in a way that could stimulate interest (why not use the right word: advertise) without giving away any of the magazine.
It's not an original idea that I have in mind - I've seen it done before at the Vault. But the technology's improved since then. It'll take a little while and when it's done I think I should try it out in the closed section first. And if anyone wants to try something before me, similar idea or not, go for it!
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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jan 16, 2013 10:46:57 GMT
Just made a quick radio post at Vault but want to make one more comment on this thread (which doesn't mean an end to the thread, maybe I should add!). Looking over the suggestions above, I think they're mostly tangential things (I think that's the word I want). Alternative ways of presenting the fiction. But we haven't previously presented FC in a way that gets people interested - without actually handing all the various parts of it to them first. Result: low interest, zero surprise. James did get closest to the way I'm thinking now when he mentioned YouTube. I think it's possible to present the writing and the images in a way that could stimulate interest (why not use the right word: advertise) without giving away any of the magazine. It's not an original idea that I have in mind - I've seen it done before at the Vault. But the technology's improved since then. It'll take a little while and when it's done I think I should try it out in the closed section first. And if anyone wants to try something before me, similar idea or not, go for it! I think that's a good idea. i also like the idea of different members trying out things too - we can all have a look/make suggestions before going viral. I definitely like the idea of a small showcase of works being read - not necessarily by the authors. The only vague misgivings I have are that there are many good sites that do this (Even I'm on one) A couple of teaser youtube videos would be great though.
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Post by Calenture on Jan 22, 2013 12:38:00 GMT
A quick aside to say I'm not around too much lately because I had to download new desk-top publishing software. Scribus is described as possibly too powerful for the kind of work needed here.
It was a bit daunting so I decided to get PagePlus which Steve found way back when and was used for all issues of FC. The jury's still out on that, too, as not unnaturally the program authors would like users of the freeware version to upgrade to the premium version. Which means every time I try to do something now, I just run into a pop-up.
Authors of fiction are not the only ones to feel taken for granted.
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Post by Calenture on Jan 22, 2013 13:23:33 GMT
Right, made more progress with Scribus, this time. It seems more stable than PagePlus ever was. Hope I don't regret rash words. And if it lives up to that early reaction, I'll definitely be donating to it.
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