Please comment about the ethical some authors asking for donations and/or submitting 'teasers' or 'Book one' then directing one to 'buy' further books. Just does not seem right on a free sight.
Please comment about the ethical some authors asking for donations and/or submitting 'teasers' or 'Book one' then directing one to 'buy' further books. Just does not seem right on a free sight.
one of the problems with spell checkers and poor eyesight.
Heh, most spellcheckers seem to have poor eyesight ;)
AJ
spellcheckers seem to have poor eyesight
And grammar checkers get confused by all the possible variables and inevitably waste your time by suggesting things that just don't fit.
ETA: Don't forget about the times the spellchecker says you spelled it wrong. You pick their spelling, and then they tell you that choice is spelled wrong. To add insult to injury, they suggest your original spelling as correct.
Don't forget about the times the spellchecker says you spelled it wrong. You pick their spelling, and then they tell you that choice is spelled wrong. To add insult to injury, they suggest your original spelling as correct.
I don't think that's ever happened to me. Now I feel deprived :(
AJ
I don't think that's ever happened to me. Now I feel deprived :(
You're just lucky ;)
It's not even word processor specific because it happens with both Word and LibreOffice. What I do is look up the word in multiple well known reputable dictionaries and add the word with the spelling they agree on to the standard dictionary. It won't come up again.
There is also Open Office, very much like LibreOffice. I think LibreOffice has more features though while Open Office is used more in America.
I think LibreOffice has more features though while Open Office is used more in America.
If it is, it's because it was first. LibraOffice was born from OpenOffice.
If it is, it's because it was first. LibraOffice was born from OpenOffice.
Yep, when Oracle called quits on OpenOffice a bunch of their community developers set up the Open Document Foundation and created the fork LibreOffice and developed it to what it is today. Don't use OpenOffice, it's way behind LibreOffice.
yep, one of the problems with spell checkers and poor eyesight.
Ayep. And the other major problem with that is when they mess up the spell so bad you mistakenly end up summoning and angry dragon instead of the lamb for dinner.
So that's why dragons became extinct ;)
It would seem more likely that that would make the wizards extinct, not the dragons. Take care not to anger dragons for thou art flammable and go well with BBQ sauce.
I believe asking for donations and teasers are against the site's policies.
But having free stories on SOL and at the same time offering other books for sale isn't wrong or against the rules. I assume when you say "Book One" it's a complete book and not a teaser.
It may not seem right to you, but the alternative is that the free stories aren't put up on SOL. That's not good.
In publishing today, there's something called hybrid publishing. It's a mixture of traditional and self. An author might traditionally publish some of his books and self-publish others. Would you have the traditional publishers not publish his books because he self-publishes others? They'd be shooting themselves in the foot.
I believe asking for donations and teasers are against the site's policies.
Teasers are against site policies. Asking for donations so long as it's not part of the story (there are several authors that do this) does not appear to be against the policy.
I believe asking for donations and teasers are against the site's policies.
I think asking for donations is okay. But you are right I have seen it mentioned in the past that teasers are definitely against the rules. Asking for donations might be borderline on the rules, but sometimes writers need financial assistance and asking for donations is a form of asking for help. Of course I could be wrong.
There is nothing on the site that prevents an author from soliciting a voluntary donation.
teasers are a different matter:
Posting rule #6. Teasers and blackmail are absolutely prohibited. (Teasers are any story parts that require or entice readers to read preceding or following parts on other sites or purchase those parts or sending money for further postings.)
There is nothing on the site that prevents an author from soliciting a voluntary donation.
I thought there were discussions in the past on tip jars. Maybe it was another forum.
From the Posting Rules and Author agreement
https://storiesonline.net/author/posting_guidelines.php
6. Teasers and blackmail are absolutely prohibited. (Teasers are any story parts that require or entice readers to read preceding or following parts on other sites or purchase those parts or sending money for further postings.)
I think this type of behaviour is wrong.
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In the past some authors have been banned for doing this, and their stories removed. One particular author whose stories often come up in requests did this a few times, but never posted a full story to SoL.
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It was not even a full book and left things hanging quite a bit, even saying where to BUY the other books and Suggesting a dollar amount for Donations.
The very good arguments others have said for this probably are not 100% valid for this instance since no further updates have ever been made.
I ask for donations, but there are no strings attached. If you don't want to donate, that's up to you. I still publish only on SOL and will continue to do so. The donations have made it possible for me to keep writing and publishing. For example, my current computer was bought with donated funds. My previous computer quit on me back in October of 2018, and I would not be posting now were it not for the donations. I am 84 and depend mostly on Social Security. I can't imagine that Lazeez doesn't know what I am doing, and I have never heard a complaint from him on the subject. If he complains, then I will simply have to quit posting, and I would hate to do that.
I think SOL is the better for your continued presence (enjoying 'Hippolyte and Jane' btw), so I don't see how clamping down on discreet requests for donations could possibly benefit the site.
ETA: If only a few donations could get cmsix a decent computer and internet connection :(
AJ
ETA: If only a few donations could get cmsix a decent computer and internet connection :(
The computer is not the problem, he got a new laptop from his brother and he even managed to get his favorite IBM model M keyboard. I also doubt an internet connection is the problem, you can take a laptop to where one is available. He invited readers to send him emails with which story they would like to see finished and he maybe would try to so. That was in his last blog on March 31, 2014...
If it's anything like UK care homes, he'll spend his days drugged into catatonia and plonked in front of a telly showing daytime TV :(
AJ
If it's anything like UK care homes, he'll spend his days drugged into catatonia and plonked in front of a telly showing daytime TV :(
Could be but I think he is doing reasonably well despite the medical problems he mentioned. Who knows, maybe he is playing poker with his buddies all day :D
If only a few donations could get cmsix a decent computer and internet connection
The last time cmsix was physically sighted by someone credible who visits SoL was in 2016. At that time cmsix was still in the Rose Haven Home, had a working computer, a very intermittent Internet connection that rarely worked well, and very little interest in anything as they had just finished another operation on one of his legs. Checks of obituary lists for his real name since then have not shown him as passing on while property checks still show him as owning the house he lived in prior to going into the nursing home.
I don't have a problem with an author asking for voluntary donations.
Authors, singers, thespians, and other forms of entertainers have been doing so for thousands of years. The operative word being voluntary.
I do have a problem with the type that would violate the rules here.
6. Teasers and blackmail are absolutely prohibited. (Teasers are any story parts that require or entice readers to read preceding or following parts on other sites or purchase those parts or sending money for further postings.)
Those kind of people can KMA.
I do not mind the donation requests nor the pay-for-preview or pay-for-completed models that are used by some authors as long as they are used in a reasonably consistent manner and the complete free story is posted and remains posted on SOL.
Pay-for-Preview Author posts chapters at a pay site (like patreon) for a period of time prior to posting it on SOL. For myself, a week or two is reasonable and anything over a month is not going to win the author any fans.
Pay-for-Completed Author has the completed story available for sale while posting chapter by chapter at SOL. Anything more than a week between chapters I would consider unreasonable.
In both cases I think it is very important for the author to tell the readers what the posting schedule is going to be and stick to it.
6. Teasers and blackmail are absolutely prohibited. (Teasers are any story parts that require or entice readers to read preceding or following parts on other sites or purchase those parts or sending money for further postings.)
I'm very uncomfortable with authors who publish extra content on pay sites. I think they're violating the rule in spirit even if they can say they posted a 'complete' story on SOL.
AJ
I'm very uncomfortable with authors who publish extra content on pay sites. I think they're violating the rule in spirit even if they can say they posted a 'complete' story on SOL.
Look at it a different way - I'm publishing to Patreon as my primary publishing effort and then making the stories available for free. I've committed to publishing AWLL for free, and have done so. Patreon readers get to read as I write (as I only start posting to SOL when the book is complete, has been edited, and has been proofread).
Not sure why that would make you uncomfortable. Happy to have this discussion either here or via DM.
That wasn't knowingly aimed at you. The crux of my complaint was authors who openly advertise the extra scenes in the versions of their stories appearing on pay sites, effectively saying readers have to pay if they want to read the unabridged story.
AJ
That wasn't knowingly aimed at you. The crux of my complaint was authors who openly advertise the extra scenes in the versions of their stories appearing on pay sites, effectively saying readers have to pay if they want to read the unabridged story.
Ah, OK. Yes, I would have a problem with that as well. That's why I've repeatedly committed to keeping A Well-Lived LIfe free to read on SOL.
The crux of my complaint was authors who openly advertise the extra scenes in the versions of their stories appearing on pay sites, effectively saying readers have to pay if they want to read the unabridged story.
Ah, so Ron Dudderie then, With his frequent mentions of Martin's wedding day hijinx that are only available for reading in the "for pay" version of the story.
It's important to be precise with accusations, anything else can cause ... misunderstandings.
I didn't name names because I've seen more than one author using that tactic, but if the cap fits ...
AJ
I didn't name names
Why don't we name names? Are we too afraid? If someone does something we think is wrong we should name them. If you're an asshole don't be surprised when someone calls you one. I think more people should be called out by name when they do wrong. Maybe one day it will embarrass them to act in a manner that civil people respect.
I know I am one that id not NAME authors merely because I did not know if what I read was OKAY or not. Based on the responses, it seems donations are fine and teasers are not. Another reason was most of the ones I read are a year or two old or more so they were not recent.
It is a bit difficult to ask an author for more FREE story especially in this day of PLAGARISM and copying works to sell.
I really appreciate your comments. I have not mentioned any names and authors that have been mentioned like CSMIX or M Loucks have more than met good intentions and reasonable Requsts for donations, I was really reacting to more Questioable Blogs or comments.
Can't judge them so I'm not sure of their intent.
Lot of us are older and things are not cheaper these days so I can't complain, not in thier shoes but wanted your thoughts.
I will not mention anyone specific and most have been silent a year or more.
I wonder if there's a fine line between teasing and marketing. (This has nothing to do with free sites like SOL.)
The last two traditionally published novels I read had preview chapters of another of the author's novels at the end. I guess it's common nowadays and I think I mentioned it in this forum in another thread.
The publisher really is teasing the reader. Trying to get him hooked so he buys the other novel. It's marketing. I guess it would be a teaser if they didn't mention that it was a preview and the reader started reading and then, unexpectantly, was left hanging.
I wonder if there's a fine line between teasing and marketing. (This has nothing to do with free sites like SOL.)
I think the difference is a tease requires the reader to pay in order to read the rest of the story. Most writers here that try to sell their stories have a schedule where the complete story will be posted on SOL and stick to that schedule while having the completed story is also available for sale. The reader is not required to pay for the complete story in order to be able to read it. Sure they might have other stories available for sale from the same sites, but some of those can't be posted to SOL because of contract restrictions.
I wonder if there's a fine line between teasing and marketing.
No, it's a very wide line. Teasing on a free site like SoL is where you never intend to publish the full story while pushing for your pay site, while marketing is where you either pay for the space to place a tease or you intend to post the whole story.
I note in my blog where they can find the full story when I start posting it, but I also upload the complete story with delayed posting dates to the submission wizard as soon as the system will allow me to, so Lazeez knows I'm giving him the full story and not a teaser.
In my opinion there is nothing wrong in asking for help. As long as the help isn't forced. Asking for donations is just like writers asking for either proofreaders or editorial help. Audie and most of the writers asking for donations do not say "Donate or else I will stop writing stories." They are just asking for the help they need unfortunately my financial status is as bad or worse than theirs or I would definitely help Audie since I have enjoyed many of his stories.
Gang thanks so much for the comments and input. What I take from it all is that asking for a donation is fine, posting a teaser is not.
IMHO most requests for donations on SOL are fine and very few are questionable.
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I see plenty of good reasons for authors to try and receive payment for their hard work but SOL is not the ;place.
There is one author (name forgotten conveniently) who regularly posts chapters of his stories and also allows us, IF WE WISH, to pay to see all the future chapters here and now. Given the proven frequency and regularity of the posts I see no great harm in some people paying in advance of SOL publication on the assumption that the paid-for-now version is exactly what will be posted on SOL.
I trust my policy on this is acceptable. I publish on a normal e-book for money site first, but when sales drop off (usually 1 to 2 years) I put the latest version on here for free. (Latest version means typos and stupid errors removed but no change to the essential story.) There is no indication of what exists on the pay site, though there may be some hint - for example I published for money "The First Book of the Merciful Nun" on 20th Dec 2006. It came to Sol on 30th Apr 2010. There is an implication (in the title) of other books in the series and there were intended to be four of them. The second is nearing completion s l o w l y, so even given an urgent miracle it will be 2021 before that reaches Sol. As I am now only days from my 80th birthday I doubt I will ever finish it, let alone the other two.
Am I wrong to want to get paid for my books at first and then to put them on here later?
Am I wrong to want to get paid for my books at first and then to put them on here later?
No.
The only issue Lazeez has had in the past is when someone posted part of a story on SoL and then said the rest was only available at their pay site. That action got the account killed.
I don't start posting a story until after I finish it and my editors chew over my mistakes and we fix the ones we find. Then I post the first part of the story here at SoL, post the completed story at Lulu, then when the first part here at Sol is up I'm able to go ahead and post the rest of the story with parts appearing automatically out of the wizard every other day. I try for between 5,000 to 10,000 words for each part at Sol and since I usually go 40,000 words plus it means 5 or more parts over several days or more. Lazeez allows that because he's happy due to me giving SoL the entire story free so people can wait until it finishes going through the SoL wizard or they can choose to buy the epub copy, but SoL gets the full story up front. What I find interesting is the number of SoL members who use the first part or two to check if they want the full story before they go buy the epub and then email me about doing that.
Ernest Bywater wrote:
What I find interesting is the number of SoL members who use the first part or two to check if they want the full story before they go buy the epub and then email me about doing that
.
To me that is better than normal - at least I could decide if I am likely to enjoy it before spending money and finding I don't like it (as has happened with other writers).
To me that is better than normal - at least I could decide if I am likely to enjoy it before spending money and finding I don't like it (as has happened with other writers).
All new printed books from Baen Books are also available as ebooks. Baen's ebook online shop provides reading samples – always starting with the cover – of at least one fifth up to more than one third of the entire book.
For me that's plenty enough to decide if to buy or not to buy.
HM.