We made some changes to the authors agreement on the site and the posting rules. Please read the new version here:
https://storiesonline.net/author/posting_guidelines.php
We made some changes to the authors agreement on the site and the posting rules. Please read the new version here:
https://storiesonline.net/author/posting_guidelines.php
As the reside agreement and rules worry-wort, I've looked them over and see nothing is a problem. So I agree with them, just in case you need me formal agreement. Mind you, I'm not sure I noticed what was changed because it looks like the same material as last time checked.
I simply reorganized the top rules (the age restriction rule moved from #4 to #7 for example) and added rule #15.
I simply reorganized the top rules (the age restriction rule moved from #4 to #7 for example) and added rule #15.
No wonder I didn't notice any new material. Thanks for the information.
One thing I noticed was advice to authors on the story description. It might have been a good place to reiterate the need for spell checking and also mention the need to get the title right the first time. My understanding is that readers are less likely to read a story where the description has spelling or other errors. On the theory, I suppose, that if the marquee advertising the show has problems, the show inside will too.
I try and make allowances for the writers who clearly are using English as a second language or from different backgrounds with different spellings for the same words. Like the differences between American English and British or Canadian English spelling can be obvious but with understanding easily read and enjoyed.
I try and make allowances for the writers who clearly are using English as a second language or from different backgrounds with different spellings for the same words. Like the differences between American English and British or Canadian English spelling can be obvious but with understanding easily read and enjoyed.
Those written in the American Ozarks or Appalachian mountains can be tricky too.
Those written in the American Ozarks or Appalachian mountains can be tricky too.
And y'all better remember them other southern regional variations.
Like antipodean?
Bloody right! You buggers betta get the antipodean correct, or we'll have a bonza time turning you on the barbie spit instead of the lamb.
I wasn't clear on rule 11. Am I allowed to mention in the bottom of a story or in my blog that my story is available for purchase on amazon or places like that?
A second question, Can I make my story available for purchase elsewhere from the beginning, giving users who want to the option buy a copy to read the whole thing without waiting. I understand I have to post the whole story up here, I can't post up part and say "the rest can be bought." I just mean for those who do not want to wait for it to be posted up, chapter by chapter.
I wasn't clear on rule 11. Am I allowed to mention in the bottom of a story or in my blog that my story is available for purchase on amazon or places like that?
Damn, that's under the Don't ask - don't tell rule.
I thought the don't ask, don't tell rule was about MM stories. With the military code. Or has the current administration changed that? I don't mind it being optional, I don't want it to be required.
I thought the don't ask, don't tell rule was about MM stories. With the military code.
nah, that rule is about anything where a heavily closed eye helps instead of hurts.
I wasn't clear on rule 11. Am I allowed to mention in the bottom of a story or in my blog that my story is available for purchase on amazon or places like that?
That is clearly advertising and would be prohibited, but if the author has a history of posting completed serials reliably and finishing them, we tend to look the other way as long as we know that the author usually finishes the story and not use it as a teaser for the version being sold.
If the author takes too long to post a serial that he's selling, or fails to finish it on the site, then we'll ban the author and remove all his/her stories from the site.
Can I make my story available for purchase elsewhere from the beginning, giving users who want to the option buy a copy to read the whole thing without waiting
This situation is where the advance posting capability of the submission wizard is very good. You post the first part / chapter and wait for it to be moderated and made public, then you can upload the rest of the story in the submission wizard with each part / chapter having it's own date for posting set in advance on a schedule.
When I posted Finding Home (a cast list and 37 story parts / chapters) I posted the cast list and the first part, when it appeared I then uploaded the other 36 parts into the submission wizard with each one set to be made public every other day over the coming 72 days. That saves me having to remember to post a part, and ensures the parts appear even if I get ill or hit by a bus; it also let's the site staff know they have the full story on hand.
That is exactly what I plan on doing. The first part of my series, I didn't write it beforehand. I was posting beforehand, but was only ever a chapter or 2 ahead. I plan on writing the next part in it's entirety before posting it, and putting every chapter in the submission wizard so it is clear the whole story will go up on the site.
"I thought the don't ask, don't tell rule was about MM stories. With the military code."
richard, why don't you shut up before you ruin a good thing! Some things are not funny!
Rule 9 has to do with copyrighted material. I assume that you would let a person make a defense disputing that anyone else wrote it? Otherwise it would seem open to abuse -- you could just frame someone by alleging copyright infringement? It reminds me of people having their Facebook accounts locked based on spurious complaints.
I think just an accusation will not be enough. I think Laz and the other mods here will check into those carefully and act accordingly. Sure they might miss some but with all the potential help here from everyone who enjoys SOL or FS, there will be plenty of potential helpers available to check into things.
Ernest and CC are just a couple of the ones I place at the top of the helper list. But its because they are the ones I have seen more active in the forums.
I don't think there will be immediate cutoffs when a complaint is made.
edited to add:
Don't get me wrong. I do know those charges will be looked into and acted on if needed.
I assume that you would let a person make a defense disputing that anyone else wrote it?
In other threads in this forum, and in threads in the previous GG version of the forum, there has been mention of copyright / plagiarism issues; in each case I'm aware of a complaint was lodged, the complainant was asked to provide supporting evidence and the accused was asked to respond with evidence. In the few cases where material was taken down the accused did not respond to the accusation and the accuser was able to point to good supporting evidence that could be checked. Thus, after a suitable wait of weeks, the account was closed and the material pulled.
So, from what I've seen, there is a fair and honest process used in such cases, unlike what happens with some other sites.
edit typos
The accuser has to provide proof. No proof no action on our end.
We usually contact the accused and see what's going on. We don't simply act on an accusation.
Glad to hear those issues have been thought about and covered. I guess the bold-face clause about how your opinions don't matter was restricted to points of law as opposed to points of fact, to use a legal analogy.
Yes it's about what some think of the law or posting on the internet.
I've had some posters in the long past argue with me that since the original author posted the work on the internet it means that they forfeited their copyright and put their work in the public domain (internet == public domain).
That's what the bolded part is about. As in 'your opinion about copyright doesn't matter'.