Web Fiction Guide

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I found a website that catalogs and reviews certain types of online fiction. They're open to most genres, but seem to focus on serial fiction rather than one-shot material; they also emphasize free rather than paid fiction, though I found the site through a cyberfunded project (which anyone can read, donations being optional). This is similar to what we've discussed having on a separate Crowdfunded Creativity website, although ours would be a lot more diverse in terms of content and would focus on projects that involve money somehow. Web Fiction Guide looks like a good place to visit if you are seeking projects to read. I'm registered as Ysabetwordsmith.

Editing as a Hobby

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

Recently I came across the blogzine Ya'Sou! and it got me thinking. Writing has long been a hobby enjoyed by people who don't plan to do it professionally, although some of them become brilliant writers. Editing is more obscure. For a while, fanzines were the realm of hobby-editors. Most of those have disappeared now. There are webzines, but most of them are trying to be like regular magazines.

But what if they weren't? What if we encouraged people to do with editing what they do with writing -- lay it out for fun, to share really cool stuff with your friends? Suppose you've been following this crowdfunding thing, and you've developed a list of people whose art, writing, and other creative output you <3 <3 <3 and want to promote? So ... start a webzine. Ask them for reprints, or originals if they're willing, and post the stuff. Maybe do excerpts of longer works to attract attention to those. Pick a theme if you like. Offer to critique people's writing, if you like; some folks have a hard time finding first-readers. If you don't have cash, try attracting contributors by paying them in ad space on your site; most creative people have something to sell or promote.

And then ... PRESTO! What was once merely crowdfunded "self-published" stuff is now, by the magic of editorial accolade, Actually Published according to the rules of a bunch more awards and catalog sites. Isn't that interesting. Plus you've just rolled your favorite creative folks past a whole lot of new eyeballs.

While I don't have time for this right now, I do have the skills, so I'm keeping it in mind for future possibility. Meanwhile, if someone else wants to try it, go right ahead. Feel free to chat me up if you get stuck on something; I had some editor-friends teach me how to do stuff, so I don't mind paying it forward. (You can also click the "editing" link on my LJ, where I've written up a few posts on various aspects.)

Several Points of Business

[ellenmillion.livejournal.com]

1. Sorry for my silence here! I've been away at a 9-day fair that simply ate my time. When I last checked, we were batting around domain names for a crowdfunding/cyber-funded creativity site. I have offered hosting, which has php/mySql capabilities, and I can (fairly) easily install a forum and/or wiki for our use. I will donate the first year of registration on a domain name, and put up a donation button for further registration as needed.

Names we were considering (that were available at the time and *probably* still are...):

creativecrowdfunding.com
crowdfundingcreatively.com
crowdfundedcreatives.com

What do you like? Other alternatives?

2. Torn World, my own crowdfunding project has just closed entries for its first contest, and opened its second for submissions! You can read more details here, and learn more about joining as a contributor here.

3. EMG-Zine is accepting fiction and artwork on the theme of "Faery Court" until Sept 1 for our October issue. Reprints are welcome. Full guidelines are here! While you're there, enjoy our 44th issue, on the theme of "Wizards!"

4. Will any of you creatives be at Dragon*Con this year? I will be in exhibitor's booth 1240!

(no subject)

[highway-west.livejournal.com]

I am curious, if anyone is willing, to share some numbers.

I've been considering something like this and I am curious to know how well it has worked for you.

Art Retrospective

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

haikujaguar is doing an art retrospective, scanning images from old sketchbooks to post online. If you enjoy watching an artist grow in ability, skim back through earlier installments in this project. Meanwhile, she has a set of sketches planned for scanning, but if people donate, there will be extras too.