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6 answers

If I get a free ISBN through Amazon's CreateSpace now, will that impact any decisions about getting my own ISBN later?

I am preparing my book for print-on-demand through Amazon's CreateSpace service, and I am trying to understand the options for getting an ISBN. I am a little confused. CreateSpace offers a "free" ISBN, and calls it an "ISBN", but says "This ISBN can…
Questioner
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Will using real-world cultural vocabulary in a fantasy setting disengage readers?

If I have certain minor rituals/garments/culture tidbits in a fantasy setting that mirror those of Earth, and I describe them using the real-world vocabulary, will that disengage readers from the fantasy world I've built up? An example: Let's say I…
clockwork
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How do I go about finding a writing group?

Any websites that list writing groups by geographic location, or genre? Should I try libraries or something? Fan forums of a favourite author? Are there "virtual" writing groups (by email or chat or whatever, as opposed to in person)?
MGOwen
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3 answers

Meeting with a respected publisher, what questions should I ask?

At a writing conference I've managed to snag a 15 minute appointment with a publisher (who published Terry Pratchett, my favourite author). I'm a debut fantasy novelist. She will have received a cover letter, one line story summary, one page story…
Tristan Warner-Smith
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Are already privately bound books a deterent for publishing houses?

I've read somewhere that putting your story, or a piece of it, on the internet would make it difficult (not to say impossible in some cases) to find a publisher wanting to publish your script. Would I encounter such difficulties if say I let my…
Eldros
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When is a screenshot really useful in training documentation?

Software products evolve more rapidly each day. Technical documentation for those products must also follow their evolution. One of the biggest challenges is to maintain screenshots when the graphical user interface (GUI) changes. An easy way to…
Fuhrmanator
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How can a specific (current) event be made timeless?

There are some movies and some stories that are enjoyable when they're released - but they don't stand up to the test of time very well. I've been wondering about what makes a story timeless, one that can be passed on from generation to generation…
Nathan Fischer
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When is a prologue useful?

Prologues tend to get a bad rap on the internet, and sometimes for good reason. They're often used by as an excuse to start a novel with an info-dump. However, it seems to me that people often criticize prologues, but rarely explain when they are…
sjohnston
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What are advantages/disadvantages to use a CC-license for your writings?

What are the implications, if I choose a Creative-Commons-license for my work? Cory Doctorow seems fine with this. Is this exceptional?
Mnementh
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At what point does an author deal with an editor?

I'm just wondering: at which point do you have to deal with the editor, and what are the (possible) consequences? That is, when is the editor's involvement greatest? After or before a deal? I'd suspect after, since before something is agreed upon,…
Jürgen A. Erhard
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How do I avoid tech/social errors in near-future fiction?

Not long ago I read a novel set in the near future (mid-21st century). My suspension of disbelief was totally fine with time travel, an implanted "universal translator" of sorts, major medical advances... but balked at plot points that depended on…
Monica Cellio
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What should I do to promote my books?

My publisher currently does a lot to advertise my books: Dreamspinner invests 10% of our income on marketing and promotion. We have tables at events one to two times per month. In 2009 we distributed more than 15,000 promotional CDs with excerpts…
Ralph Gallagher
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Good books on writing for comics?

Me and a friend of mine has been thinking about joining forces and make a comic. She is an excellent drawer/illustrator while I perform better in the story/character/writing part of things. I guess the best way to start would be to throw ourselves…
erikric
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Why can't I write something longer than a few pages?

I write short stories, a lot of short-shorts. I would say the longest thing I've actually finished writing is "Lord of Snakes", which was about 19 pages typed. (And not even very good.) So I've always wanted to be able to write something...at least…
MadameChusi
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Podcasts useful for improving writing skills

Any podcasts that can help with writing skills? (One per answer please, I'll add my own fave to get started.)
MGOwen
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