What to do with a short story listed as a book?

[Carolyn]

To clarify, I'm talking about when a short story (included in one or more books) is added as a book by a Goodreads member.
I think it should not be listed separately as a book, but wanted to get opinions.
For the example that got my attention, see here: Young Zaphod Plays It Safe
(or here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33... )

It has a description of the plot of the story, but doesn't mention where it's published (it is included in several omnibus editions, but some have 4 books, some have 5).

If it's to be deleted, can a superL do it please?
It currently has 135 ratings, and nothing to merge it into.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Gone.

Unless it was published somewhere (and that includes as an ebook, which this has no indication it was) as a separate entity (i.e., not in an anthology or magazine), no shorts.

[Carolyn]

rivka wrote: "Gone."

Thanks!

[mlady_rebecca]

I believe that short was only included in the omnibus editions of the series.

[Kathrynn]

I see that a lot. Why would someone add a single story out of an anthology? Usually, that same person also marks the "book" as read, then adds the single story. Go figure.

[Geediez]

Umhm. What about stories that are published in a magazine? We have a magazine in Poland which publishes short novellas (I think that's how you call it in Usa). For example the book by Elizabeth Moon - Remnant population was published this way - in a magazine while it was a book in the US.

[Kathrynn]

I believe the decision was made in an earlier topic(s) on what to do with magazines was if they don't have ISBN (number), they don't belong on GRs.

So, if a short story does come out in its own book--complete with ISBN--it's okay to add to GRs. If not, nope.

Good question, though. :-)

[Carolyn]

For something like Remnant Moon, which is published in several editions, you would just choose a different edition to rate and attach your review to. You could specify information about the edition you did read in your review.
Not a perfect scenario, but it would work.

[Geediez]

Yeah, but I've read a Polish translation, not original. I don't want to rate something that is not the thing I've read.

[Debbie]

If you add it and rate it, the worst that can happen is a passing librarian will delete it. I promise not to be that librarian :).

[[deleted user]]

For the science-fiction author Alfred Bester, a number of short stories are listed as books. To the best of my knowledge, these were not published independently. Many of these stories have been shelved, rated, and reviewed more than once.

Here's an example:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Goodreads discussions seem to indicate that the stories shouldn't be in the database. If not, what's the best procedure for removing them - simple deletion; combining with a containing anthology and then deletion; or something else?

[Susie]

For each short story that wasn't published individually, they should be merged into the correct anthology containing them. Although that particular one you list may have been added individually because the anthology isn't currently listed on GR (at least, I can't find it amongst the editor's other books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...).

When anthologies are added, it's best to have the stories included listed in the description, with all authors listed after the editor in the contributors list, like this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8....

Anyway, it's best to start a new thread next time, as this one is ancient!

[[deleted user]]

Will do about a new thread next time! Just to finish this one up, the example above is contained in this book on goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

Per your suggestion, I'll merge.

Susie wrote: "For each short story that wasn't published individually, they should be merged into the correct anthology containing them. Although that particular one you list may have been added individually bec..."