I wonder if people prefer stories that have illustrations throughout, rather than just a cover image. I'm planning to do this, but I don't want to change the existing ones uploaded with cover only. I'm thinking of AI-generated but realistic images.
I wonder if people prefer stories that have illustrations throughout, rather than just a cover image. I'm planning to do this, but I don't want to change the existing ones uploaded with cover only. I'm thinking of AI-generated but realistic images.
I wonder if people prefer stories that have illustrations throughout, rather than just a cover image. I'm planning to do this, but I don't want to change the existing ones uploaded with cover only. I'm thinking of AI-generated but realistic images.
Illustrations have been discussed in other threads. My general impression of the discussions is that most here don't like illustrations.
Personally, I don't mind illustrations as long as they match and don't contradict the story.
A couple of reasons not to:
Illustrations take up storage space - especially color ones. I think Laz would be more comfortable with not having extra space being taken up by illustrations, especially color ones.
Said space considerations would also apply to those of us that like to download our favorite stories.
I'm sure that not all of the readers downloading said images would like the extra storage required.
I suppose Laz could set up some extra parameters to be set by the reader as to whether they would want to consume the extra bandwidth and storage space.
I think Laz would be more comfortable with not having extra space being taken up by illustrations, especially color ones.
If you are correct about this, why does he allow illustrations at all?
If you are correct about this, why does he allow illustrations at all?
Based on the recent change from jpeg to save bandwidth, I think Lazeez is conducting a delicate balancing act and wouldn't appreciate too many authors including too many illustrations.
AJ
Based on the recent change from jpeg to save bandwidth
The comment I was replying to was about storage space, not bandwidth, two very different things.
Based on the recent change from jpeg to save bandwidth, I think Lazeez is conducting a delicate balancing act and wouldn't appreciate too many authors including too many illustrations.
Actually, it's not about the bandwidth for the servers. Since 2015, the bandwidth available to the servers is practically unlimited.
I now live in an area where the internet is crap, and still metered, etc...
I've long heard from readers about bandwidth, still do. So since my own connection is slow and readers may be on metered connections, I seek to save everybody as much bandwidth as possible.
So the attempt to move to WEBP for the covers was from that motivation since covers are in every story.
Thank you for the clarification, and the consideration for readers with slow internet. Even in the UK, I understand some internet users still barely get faster speeds than dial-up.
AJ
It serves a specific need, while overly generic AI-generated art, does not.
In telling a specific tale, many times specific art conveys something specific (i.e. more artistic than factually detailed, to match the artistic temperament of the story itself).
Again, converting full-color, high-def photos to either plain gray scale or 'stylized' gray (ex: cross hatching or simply b/w outline) is much easier for individual users to manage). P.S. I worked in art, focusing on archival-quality art and artist techniques, so have a little expertise on it.
There are settings that allow readers stop images from being downloaded, when reading a story online, but unfortunately the images are included in stories downloaded for offline reading. I have no idea what proportion of readers block images, but as I'm one of them I'm going to assume that the answer is 'most'!
I wonder if people prefer stories that have illustrations throughout, rather than just a cover image.
Not really.
Having images, just because, i don't see any benefit.
Think of Clive Cussler- he will have a few images of vehicles/boats etc to show what he is writing about, and some maps or plans to show the area the characters are working in to help people understand what's going on. That's useful.
A map of a world, continent, island, country, town etc to help people follow the story, that's worth having IMHO.
But having images of this, that and the other- no thanks.
Again, if the included images are strategic (i.e. apropos to the context and not simply dumped throughout the entire story), then it makes sense, and readers can still not bother with them. But when users are essentially force-fed largely random photos, not desirable at all.
rather than just a cover image.
I'm not even sure what the cover image is for on SOL stories. The purpose of a book cover image is to attract a potential reader to the book. Like on ZBookStore or Amazon. But on SOL, by the time you get to the book cover, you have already selected the story.
I have covers on some of my stories, but only because it's fun to make them. I don't see them affecting my readership.
I have covers on some of my stories, but only because it's fun to make them. I don't see them affecting my readership.
Agreed, Switch. I have a few cover illustrations, mainly because it's an interesting project, not to attract readers. I have noticed a few times when I've clicked on a story only to be turned off by the cover before I start reading.
For me, since my stories (were) fully written, edited and already published, it makes sense including the covers too. But the size restrictions, even in high-def, are a fraction of the actual 5"x9" paperback covers, so you get an image of the cover, but when purchasing the novel on Bookapy, it comes with the full sized cover art, and all the included artwork too.
But then, I'm more of a technical in many aspects, so I tend to focus on the details.
A long term paying member and reader's opinion...
A good writer AND storyteller does not need them. They can paint a picture with words. I find the cartoons very distracting. I might start an illustrated story that is rated 8.0 or higher, but have never been able to finish one. The illustrations suddenly cropping up are as jarring as a fire alarm going off behind me. I have avoided all the comic book stories the last 6 months or so. My $0.02.
Cover images: many stories - probably the large majority - don't need an image (jpeg or otherwise) since it's just a gray box with some text. Title, author, etc.
That could be done with a small amount of css.
Thereby saving about 55k each.
Illustrations: I haven't yet read a story where the images helped or made the story more interesting. Some, in fact, do the opposite. You get an image in your mind about a character in the story, and then there's an illustration which spoils it.
It's like you're expecting Christy Brinkley, and Rosie O'Donnell shows up.
Those gray box images are from SOL, whereas, in most cases, those published with the story are more specific and hopefully, better managed (i.e. less overhead).
Most of the AI-generated images I've seen here and elsewhere are cheesy as hell. That's the strongest argument against using them at all, even for a cover.
~ JBB
Most of the AI-generated images I've seen here and elsewhere are cheesy as hell.
I generate images with AI for book covers. I don't think they're cheesy. For example, here are some:
https://storiesonline.net/n/34244/ranch-life
https://storiesonline.net/s/10581/girls-camp
https://storiesonline.net/n/38889/the-mirror-s-secret
What do you think makes an AI-generated picture cheesy?
Excessively smooth skin, not entirely life not entirely life like poses, artificiality.
Your three are less cheesy than average, points for that; of the three I think the girls camp cover is the strongest.
FWIW, I did qualify my original comment with "most."
~ JBB
I wouldn't necessarily say cheesy but all three images have faults - misshapen ears, five fingers instead of four fingers and a thumb, and a girl looking down at her reflection in a mirror which is looking up at her.
I have to worry when I read about the medical advances that AI is making.
AJ
a girl looking down at her reflection in a mirror which is looking up at her.
If you read the story you'd know the reflection wasn't a reflection but a spirit living in the mirror.
If you read the story you'd know the reflection wasn't a reflection but a spirit living in the mirror.
Thank you. That also explains the hair irregularities, eg the spirit's eyebrows, are visible from above but the girl's eyebrows are mostly obscured from below.
AJ
I have to worry when I read about the medical advances that AI is making.
I understand that in the most recent tests medical AI managed to distinguish in 85 % of cases between a kidney and a lung ...
~ JBB
That's because AI is better at managing data streams and generating results from that, so for diagnostic purposes, it works, while for artistic purposes (writing or story images) the results are largely piss-poor, resulting from thousands of copyrighted images to produce one crappy looking 'generic' looking picture.
In those cases, just like with AI-produced stories, I'll quit reading the moment I see it. In short, it's not helping the story in the least. All it's doing is entertaining the one generating the slop without comprehending how to actually create things artistically.
But then, I've consistently made my personal dislike of AI well-known, so I feel like I'm beating a dead, rotting horse corpse.
Are the characters on the covers under 18? They sure look like they are.
If so, why aren't they in violation of the posting rule that forbids any illustration of characters who are under 18?
Like others, yes, I find them extremely cheesy, in that they're mostly generic, unfocused and show NO managing of the incompatible lighting sources. So, in short, they look like crap, thus a complete waste of time.
Now, if the images are more specific and carefully chosen, it's a different story, yet most readers still don't give a sh*t about them.
But in most cases, the newer AIs can mass produce thousands of images in the time it takes to post a single one, and they're incredibly easy to spot as AI-generated. Essentially, they're so easy to mass-produce, it's essentially like feeding candy to crack-addicted babies.
I used public domain photos for my story covers, then added some text. That's about it...
No illustrations, though...
(My stories are over on StoryRoom...)
My experience, when I read a description of a specific car, plane, or such, I will pause my reading and google an image. As others have said, a map of a fantasy place is helpful. For example Tolkeins Middle Earth. I appreciate Jody Daniel's images of aircraft and scenery.
If we allow an author to express him/her self with words, we should also allow an author to use canvas (image, drawings, pictures) to express themselves.
As for AI generated images, some bother me. But I assume this is the best that the author can come up with while also expressing his/her ideas as best as possible. (I assume cost, skill, and more come into play.)
I'm leery of stories with illustrations. I read from my phone, and sometimes in public like a waiting room or while grabbing lunch out. The last thing I want is a nsfw image scrolling up on my my screen while I'm in the middle of a story.
The last thing I want is a nsfw image scrolling up on my my screen while I'm in the middle of a story.
You can set your display preferences to hide the images by default until you click the greyed out rectangle to view the image if you wish.
That prevents that kind of mishap.
You can set your display preferences to hide the images by default until you click the greyed out rectangle to view the image if you wish.
At present, though, there is no way of asking for images to be omitted from downloaded stories. So one can accidentally have images on your device that might be illegal where you are.
Imho: gen llm images should be banned at best, tags that can be omitted at worst!
And since you cant guarantee the artists intent on age they cant be said to be 18+
In general, a image can be nice if its like a index of people and places.
A good author would limit it!
And images should not be in the story itself since people do read in public.