Space Opera Fans discussion
Book and Author of the Month
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BOTM rules change discussion
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Mod
Hi Teresa. What you've suggested sounds sensible. I think what might be good also if there were separate discussion threads on popular series - Honorverse, Culture, etc. - as I'm sure most of us have explored these at some point. It could create interest for an occasional 'Series Starter' thread, maybe?
Hi - I forgot to ask whether on the indie book thread, it could be made clear whether it's a Kindle exclusive? I read a lot of indie titles, but one reason I lost interest in previous monthly reads is there were too many I couldn't get for my Kobo.
Mod
I mentioned it as this month's Poor Man's Fight isn't on the Kobo store. Admittedly, it's available in paperback and audio book as well, so perhaps 'exclusive' is the wrong word.
Mod
Poor Man's Fight was also the Indy pick, and if we're picking Indy books, sorry to say, by definition of Indy it may be there's limited availability. (Although I do understand your point for broader series)
The problem is that we are trying to encourage people to read and discuss these books. If a book is limited in the platforms it is available on that is defeating the purpose.
Just because it's not on one ebook platform shouldn't be a deal killer. If you don't kindle, paperbacks are available, and AbeBooks has quite a few used ones. If you don't want to buy the book, there's always your local library.:D
Mod
Methinks for a few rounds of nominations we may need to experiment. But please don't expect me to spend much time on a given nomination checking on availability. I have a full time job and a book addiction..... ;)
Mod
One problem with Indy's, of course, is the limited number of platforms. An independent author has to manage it all him/herself and has limited resources. And indy's are rarely available in the public library.
Indie authors usually have options. If the group wants to read a book that is hard to find, we (meaning you the Mods) can contact the author and ask - they are usually very helpful. And they all have access to format translators.
I don't understand why they're not available in the public library? Most libraries these days have intra library loan. I have yet to run into a book I couldn't source if I was willing to wait a few days to get it
Laz wrote: "Indie authors usually have options. If the group wants to read a book that is hard to find, we (meaning you the Mods) can contact the author and ask - they are usually very helpful..."I wasn't proposing to create extra work for the moderators! It's more that it would be useful if whoever nominates an indie title can also say how widely available it is.
On the library point, I'm not sure Kindle-only titles would be available. Ebooks distributed via Smashwords probably would be.
Mod
In any case, yes it would be nice if either the nominator or some other group member would mention possible availability issues. Odds are good most people only care about the one platform they use themselves.
I will make a point of checking the READER nominations, and we will just hope for the best on other categories.
I can only speak to the Canadian situation but here goes. On eReaders the more prevelant system is Kobo, That is the system that Indigo/Chapters (our national book chain) sells. As well I know our local library only gets in eBooks for that system. Up here eBooks are not eligible for inter-library loan only physical books over a certain price point, which disallows most mass market paperbacks. As well it can take quite awhile for an item to arrive.
I think a request to nominators to do a quick check and disclosure on availability seems reasonable. And considering there seems to be a plan to do three plus books a month, people who cannot get one book should be able to get another.
Mod
The rule about only nominations that get a second is harder to judge for whether it results in more comments in the discussion thread. It does make it easier for me to do the randomization.
Space Opera Fans
Books mentioned in this topic
Poor Man's Fight (other topics)Poor Man's Fight (other topics)
Goals include
* lots of good nominations so people who read a lot or are picky get more ideas
* chosen books should be ones people will discuss
* don't just choose best sellers
* don't cause too much work for the moderators ;)
So I'm going to propose a variation on our usual process, for the January set of books. If there aren't any strong objections, we will try it for a month or two and then talk about further changes or reverting back to standard.
PROPOSAL
1. Separate nomination thread for each category. I'm hoping this will be less confusing when I tally the nominations for each category.
2. You are allowed to second multiple nominations in the same category if you promise that if we choose one of the books you will post a comment on the book's discussion thread. No penalty if you don't unless it becomes obvious. If you only second one and don't nominate, you aren't promising to post.
3. You can only nominate one book per category. We assume that you will post a comment on the discussion thread if that book is chosen, but no penalty if you don't.
4. When choosing books at random, a book that was nominated but not seconded will be dropped. The remaining books get one point per second, so that a book with lots of seconds will have a greater chance but doesn't prevent a book with a single second from being chosen.
5. We will keep our usual categories, but will add a fourth one, which may vary each month. I'm thinking of categories such as
* Golden Oldie: currently out of print in paper but available as ebook
* Series Starter: good entry point book of a series
* Culture Clash: humans vs aliens or humans of another planet, without a war happening. Misunderstandings due to differences in culture and biology.
So.... does this sound interesting? Want to help me polish it?