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SFReader Forums > Book, Magazine, and eZine Publishers > Flashing Swords > Flashing Swords, Vol.2, Issue 8 is now online.

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von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 11/1/2007 8:02 PM (GMT -4)

Hey, thanks Tim! Awfully nice of you to say so. What is that now, 40 of your 42 posts here in the Flashing Swords thread?

~~~~~~~~~~
Jason M. Waltz
Fantasy Acquisitions Editor Staffs & Starships Magazine
Anthology Editor Flashing Swords
~~~~~~~~~~
Ever waltz with the Devil? Visit von Darkmoor's thoughts to find out (and read a review or two).
~~~~~~~~~~
Critical Eye of the Dragon Avatar courtesy of crystalwizard

Bill Ward
Biblioholic

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 1632

Posted 11/1/2007 8:02 PM (GMT -4)

Indeed Tim, it looks great. I'm holding off reading too much until my print copy arrives (didn't go in for that 118 dollar shipping though, I'm not that impatient

)

Have you guys ever thought about losing the 'volume' designation? Does that ever serve a purpose when the issue numbers aren't fixed to it? Just a pointless detail I thought I'd comment pointlessly upon.

Will there be interior illustrations in future print editions (not of this particular issue, but other issues)? I think that would add a great deal to the appeal of purchasing a print edition. Also, will you offer a subscription service and rate?

Glad to hear the same artist will return for the next cover, issue 8 looks really sweet.

billwardwriter.com

TRtheJ
Neophyte

Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 136

Posted 11/1/2007 8:18 PM (GMT -4)

crystalwizard said...

TRtheJ said...

crystalwizard said...

TRtheJ said...

I will be reading the online edition and plan on ordering a Lulu copy in the future. But upon previewing it I must make a suggestion. The block, non-justified paragraphing with a space between each works fine with the online edition, but doesn't look so hot in the hard copy, especially with the space between paragraphs removed.

Unless it is a real hassle, I suggest changing the format to indented, right justified -- standard copy format -- for the Lulu edition. It would look much better and be read easier, I think.

I'll keep that in mind for the next issue. Thanks :)I'm signed up with Lulu -- still writing a novel I plan to publish there -- and am wondering if, after you've opened Flashing Swords Volume 2; Issue 8 for sell, it isn't possible to change the formatting...? It'd sure make the introductory issue more enticing to those interested.
Uh, but for those who have already ordered a copy, there might be crumbles...? Anyway, if a format correction can be done, I'd suggest it.

It is, yes, but I don't want to do that with live orders coming in. That'll mess up the production schedule and possibly the delivery dates. It's not a good idea to do revisions like that.

Yes, good point. And hey, if orders are coming in, all is good.

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 11/1/2007 9:31 PM (GMT -4)

Bill Ward said...
Indeed Tim, it looks great. I'm holding off reading too much until my print copy arrives (didn't go in for that 118 dollar shipping though, I'm not that impatient :wink: )

Have you guys ever thought about losing the 'volume' designation? Does that ever serve a purpose when the issue numbers aren't fixed to it? Just a pointless detail I thought I'd comment pointlessly upon.

Will there be interior illustrations in future print editions (not of this particular issue, but other issues)? I think that would add a great deal to the appeal of purchasing a print edition. Also, will you offer a subscription service and rate?

Glad to hear the same artist will return for the next cover, issue 8 looks really sweet.

Tell you what, Bill - send me a flat $100 and I'll sign it and deliver it right away.

And thanks for reminding me of that 'volume' thing - I wondered that way back when and then promptly forgot about it. I'm with you on pointlessness of it. Good questions, Bill, keep 'em coming.

TRtheJ
Neophyte

Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 136

Posted 11/1/2007 9:39 PM (GMT -4)

Okay. Wait a minute. I just ran into something that has me wondering. Not letting it deter my plan to by the hard copy, I downloaded the PDF version of this issue for easier reading and noticed the format of the free PDF download is perfect, though I prefer indented paragraphs, with full justification left and right.

Knowing Lulu prints through PDF files, and assuming a version of the free PDF file was uploaded, I am left to wonder if the preview doesn't represent the actual book offered...?

I apologize for this yammer, but while I know content is the most important thing, I think format comes right up to it 'cause bad formatting, making reading tough, can turn some readers away from that content. I just want Flashing Swords to be successful and I want to help all I can.

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4578

Posted 11/1/2007 11:45 PM (GMT -4)

Bill Ward said...

Have you guys ever thought about losing the 'volume' designation? Does that ever serve a purpose when the issue numbers aren't fixed to it? Just a pointless detail I thought I'd comment pointlessly upon.

I had thought about it but wanted to keep it consistant with what it was previously. However since this is the last issue for vol 2 (4 issues per vol.) we can lose it with the next issue and it won't hurt my feelings one bit.

How does the readership feel about that?

Bill Ward said...

Will there be interior illustrations in future print editions (not of this particular issue, but other issues)? I think that would add a great deal to the appeal of purchasing a print edition.

I dunno. Maybe. Let me see how the deadlines fall into place after this next issue. we're only going to have 4 weeks between deciding on what goes in and the issue going live. Let me get past that point and I'll see.

Bill Ward said...

Also, will you offer a subscription service and rate?

Hadn't thought about it.

So: Comments from everyone else on Bill's question?

Bill Ward said...
Glad to hear the same artist will return for the next cover, issue 8 looks really sweet.

:) Thanks. I'll pass the message on to her.

Kelly

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4578

Posted 11/1/2007 11:49 PM (GMT -4)

TRtheJ said...
Okay. Wait a minute. I just ran into something that has me wondering. Not letting it deter my plan to by the hard copy, I downloaded the PDF version of this issue for easier reading and noticed the format of the free PDF download is perfect, though I prefer indented paragraphs, with full justification left and right.

Knowing Lulu prints through PDF files, and assuming a version of the free PDF file was uploaded, I am left to wonder if the preview doesn't represent the actual book offered...?

Remember that Lulu also runs the uploaded .pdf's through their own processor. The .pdf you downloaded is exactly the same one I uploaded to Lulu. And the proof copy I got looked fine. Maybe their free preview does something strange to the text like you are suggesting. I dunno.

TRtheJ said...

I apologize for this yammer, but while I know content is the most important thing, I think format comes right up to it 'cause bad formatting, making reading tough, can turn some readers away from that content. I just want Flashing Swords to be successful and I want to help all I can.

nothing to apologize for. If I didn't want feedback, I wouldn't have asked for it.

And one way you can help is by getting everyone you know, and that includes your local library, interested in getting a copy of the magazine.

Kelly

MichaelEhart
Sage

Date Joined Jul 2005
Total Posts : 2314

Posted 11/1/2007 11:53 PM (GMT -4)

Finished the magazine tonight. Thanks, CW, for including me in this fine project.
No one can claim that S&S is dead when there are writers out there like SC Bryce, Mike Turner, Steve Goble and TW Williams spinning tales like these. The poetry was a treat, too--- good work Jason and Mike. And I am always down for a little history with my S&S--- McCullough was quite readable. The interviews were fun, especially the one of Ralan.
Good job on the resurrection of a favorite!

Buy my book!

The Servant of the Manthycore available Nov. 17th from DEP

Illustrated by Rachel Marks, with an introduction by Michael Moorcock

Read me in 2007!

"The View From the Shotglass Floor" Ray Gun Revival, Feb 2007

"Voice of the Spoiler" The Sword Review, June 2007

"Servant of the Manthycore" The Sword Review, July 2007

"Darkling I Listen; and for Many a Time" Fear and Trembling, coming soon!

"Weaving Spiders Come Not Here" The Sword Review, August 2007

"Six Zombies Doing That Mick Jagger Strut" Damned in Dixie, Summer 2007

"Nothing But Our Tears" The Sword Review, September 2007

"Night of Shadows, Night of Knives" Magic and Mechanica, Fall 2007

"The Scarlet Colored Beast" The Sword Review, October 2007

"The Stars by Law, Forbidden" Unparalleled Journeys II, November 2007

"Who Comes for the Mother's Fruit" Every Day Fiction, November 2007

"Stand, Stand, Shall They Cry" Flashing Swords, November 2007

http://mehart.blogspot.com/

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4578

Posted 11/2/2007 1:41 AM (GMT -4)

MichaelEhart said...
Finished the magazine tonight. Thanks, CW, for including me in this fine project.
No one can claim that S&S is dead when there are writers out there like SC Bryce, Mike Turner, Steve Goble and TW Williams spinning tales like these. The poetry was a treat, too--- good work Jason and Mike. And I am always down for a little history with my S&S--- McCullough was quite readable. The interviews were fun, especially the one of Ralan.
Good job on the resurrection of a favorite!

Thanks for the compliment Mike :)

Joe McCullough will have a regular contribution in every issue. It'll be non-fiction historical along the same lines as the article in this one. About the same length, as well.

I liked the interviews too :) I really enjoyed meeting Maggie at Fencon and I'm hoping she'll submit a story to FS. She said she would, she hasn't yet.

>No one can claim that S&S is dead

No, that claim can not be made. Not realistically, at least.

How does everyone feel about the length of this issue? Was it too long? Not long enough? Just about right?

Kelly

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Managing Editor of Flashing Swords

Visit my art gallery on art wanted
All my books in print

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 11/2/2007 10:31 AM (GMT -4)

Too short!

Oh, should I be voting on this . . .

Thank you, Michael, for your considerate praise of all of the work in this issue. I do believe, however, you forgot to praise the main piece. What's up with that?

Dungeoneer
Bearer of No Clever Titles

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 138

Posted 11/2/2007 11:07 AM (GMT -4)

von Darkmoor said...
Hey, thanks Tim! Awfully nice of you to say so. What is that now, 40 of your 42 posts here in the Flashing Swords thread?

You're welcome, of course! And I thought it was 39 out of 42 (which would make this one 40 out of 43). Not good enough? Sorry, Chief, I'll try and up my ratio to your advantage. ;)

I just had a really pertinent question more suitable to another thread!

Tim

Bruce Durham
Crom's Administrator & Drinking Buddy

Date Joined Jan 2005
Total Posts : 605

Posted 11/2/2007 12:14 PM (GMT -4)

I second the call for a subscription rate and perhaps a bulk purchase rate for X-Mas gifts or selling at cons. Or for wallpapering...

For $118 I'd prefer to have Ironman deliver it over Superman. But then, if vD volunteers I'll even stand him a beer or three...

Come visit the Community Forums of CPI's Official Site of Conan author Robert E. Howard

Recently published: Marathon in Issue #10 of Paradox, Kalini Steel in Freehold: Southern Storm, Fool's Treasure in Freehold: The Protector and Old Havana in When the World Runs Thin

Upcoming: Night of the Meld in Flashing Swords #9 and Valley of Bones in Return of the Sword

Some people dream of success while other people live to crush those dreams.

Nik
Adept

Date Joined Feb 2007
Total Posts : 757

Posted 11/2/2007 12:29 PM (GMT -4)

My two cents:

I'd subscribe; I'm going to buy every issue anyway, so it would be nice to see a reward for loyal readers (i.e., a discount for subscribing).

From a reader's perspective, I also recommend either scrapping the volume designation or using it as it is intended for a quarterly pub: one volume per year, each with issues 1-4. By my count, this last issue ended Volume 2, and you could start with Volume 3, Issue 1 with the next publication. Or you could just go with Issue 9--which might be easier.

But hey, I'm just glad to see FS alive and kicking, so do what you like as long as you keep throwing sword and sorcery tales at us.

Nicholas Ian Hawkins

Forthcoming
"Knowledge and Dust," in Magic & Mechanica, from Ricasso Press, Fall 2007

Published
"Relativity," in FLASHSHOT, September 28, 2007

Visit my website, Trampler of Beautiful Phrases, at nihawkins.wordpress.com

TRtheJ
Neophyte

Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 136

Posted 11/2/2007 1:04 PM (GMT -4)

Since this discussion of the Volume/Issue popped up I did a little research, a.k.a. leafed through some fiction magazines. What I discovered was something like this: Issue 345 Vol. 62; No. 3.

So you have 3 numbers per issue. So so if you keep the volume, which designates a year of publication, simply number each 1 to 4 and add the issue number. Therefore this would be: Issue 8 Vol. 2; No. 4.

Jordan Lapp
ppaL nadroJ

Date Joined Sep 2006
Total Posts : 2526

Posted 11/2/2007 1:10 PM (GMT -4)

Ugh. Just go with the comic book naming convention. Amazing Spiderman's up to number 400 hundred (or higher, who know?) and it hasn't confused anybody.

Jordan Lapp

Managing Editor

Every Day Fiction

TRtheJ
Neophyte

Date Joined Apr 2005
Total Posts : 136

Posted 11/2/2007 1:35 PM (GMT -4)

Jordan Lapp said...
Ugh. Just go with the comic book naming convention. Amazing Spiderman's up to number 400 hundred (or higher, who know?) and it hasn't confused anybody.

Marvel has gone back to conventional numbering?! A while back I was in a comic shop I saw Iron Man (a comic book that's been around since the 1960's) No. 5 on the stand. So I asked the vender what was up with that and he told me Marvel had decided to run series in slots of something like 30 issues. That way you get endless runs of collector desired No. 1's.

If Marvel's gone back to proper numbering, cool.

The way to do a proper, less confusing, "issue volume; number" is what the magazines I leafed through do. On the cover you have: Issue 8. And between the magazine name and the contents on the content page you have: Issue 8 Vol. 2; No. 4.

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 11/2/2007 1:48 PM (GMT -4)

TRtheJ said...

This I like.

Jordan Lapp
ppaL nadroJ

Date Joined Sep 2006
Total Posts : 2526

Posted 11/2/2007 1:57 PM (GMT -4)

I haven't followed comics in a while. But, jason, you're seriously going to ADD another number???

Jordan Lapp

Managing Editor

Every Day Fiction

von Darkmoor
Small Press Publisher (and Dancer still)

Date Joined Dec 2005
Total Posts : 2938

Posted 11/2/2007 1:59 PM (GMT -4)

not my call, but I'd vote for it. I use the Vol & No (properly) on my WWII journal right now. I like having the ability to know at a glance what issue in what year and how long it's been around. I know others don't, but it's a small enough, or at least can be a small enough, piece of text as to be easily ignored by those who don't wish to read it

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4578

Posted 11/2/2007 2:26 PM (GMT -4)

*runs 15 different numbers across the banner of the next issue and let's you guess what they all mean*

Enough. Please. We're not going with the comic book numbering system or getting complex.

I'll give you guys these choices to pick from:

We will continue with the current designation:
Vol X, Issue X
Vol. will increment by 1 number each year.
Issue will increment by 1 number each issue
(so 2008 would be Vol. 3, issue's 9, 10, 11, 12)

OR

We can go to a Yearly Quarter numbering system:
1st quarter, 2008
2nd quarter, 2008

OR

We can go to a date driving system:
Feb. 1, 2008
May 1, 2008

Or we can just go to an issue number and drop everything else:
Issue 9
Issue 10
Issue 11

You've got 2 months to vote and give me feed back to take to the editorial team for final decisions.

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Managing Editor of Flashing Swords

Visit my art gallery on art wanted
All my books in print

Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy

Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515

Posted 11/2/2007 2:29 PM (GMT -4)

I like having the ability to know at a glance what issue in what year and how long it's been around.

***

I agree. Although Jordan's idea is simpler which is good, the standard in scholarly journals is always with Vol. and issue #. As a reviewer of short fiction, I found it easiest when *both* were included, so I cold type #303 or whatever in my column but I could easily scan the covers (or links) through the archives.

So you'd have whole number 303 (an agregate count) and volume issue number (a reference count).

"Art is the celebration of the ego's destruction."

Daniel

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4578

Posted 11/2/2007 2:34 PM (GMT -4)

Daniel said...

So you'd have whole number 303 (an agregate count)

Explain, please?

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Managing Editor of Flashing Swords

Visit my art gallery on art wanted
All my books in print

Daniel
Carl Jung's Waterboy

Date Joined Aug 2003
Total Posts : 4515

Posted 11/2/2007 2:39 PM (GMT -4)

You include a whole number (overall number of issues that have been published) so right now FS is assembling issue #9 vol3. issue 1. since it is a quarterly. You'd just make the issue number(s) look like this:

Flashing Swords Vol. 3, issue 1, # 9. Or Flashing Swords Vol. 3.1 #9. Or even FS 3.1 #9.

That way, a reviewer can easily find generically "volume 1" to preuse the earliest stories, but not have to type such a long issue number over and over again in the eventual review or essay or critique or whatever. You can just type "issue 9" or "#9".

By contrast a whole number counting -- without the volume/issue reference number -- gets confucsing to reviewers or collectors becuaswe they have to do a little math: "let's see: issue 3 of volume two makes, what's that? whole numebr # 7? Or was that 6? Arrggh!"

"Art is the celebration of the ego's destruction."

Daniel

Bill Ward
Biblioholic

Date Joined Jul 2006
Total Posts : 1632

Posted 11/2/2007 2:42 PM (GMT -4)

I don't see any fiction magazines using a volume system*, and FS is far from being a scholarly journal, it is not a reference work. While I can understand the initial use of it to some extent, I think one of the things FS wants to do is present a slick, contemporary, appealing package: useless volume designations aren't a part of a contemporary vision in my opinion.

And who knows if the quarterly schedule will hold? In my opinion simpler is better, for publishers and readers both, and there isn't really any reason for FS to have an idiosyncratic numbering system that differs from 90 percent of what's out there.

*Other than in the fine print on the inside cover where it doesn't confuse anyone, similar to the aforementioned Issue 8, Vol 2 kind of thing. They just aren't put on the front cover.

billwardwriter.com