Book clubs have emerged simply for the entertainment of reading and discussing modern novels, so I thought we could borrow from them and use it as an application in which we can evaluate and study material from the very publications in which we desire to be published.

I suppose if we can find enough people interested in this endeavor, we should then start a thread in discussing published hooks and books. I also ask that our just and kind moderator give us any guidlines to which we must adhere.

I read and subscribe to just about eveything so I am very open to the material we review, but I propose that it be from(Is it SFWA?) markets. I propose Asimov's, Analog, F&SF, IGMS, Fantasy Magazine, and Strange Horizon's to Start. Perhaps a Flash Fiction Online would be another valuable and interesting addition since many of us write flash and from what I gather many of those responsible for that publication are members here.

I also propose that the thread not become despoiled with off topic banter about how they feel about certain publications, editors, etc... I ask that if you are interested, we keep it soley for the discussion of elements within the designated story ei... plot structure, prose, theme, etc...

We can have Q&A. Having some teaching background I will develop a short "Curriculum" with some questions that will generate some deeper analysis of the stories, and I propose that we begin our post, which I feel should be done on a weekly basis, with a discussion of the first thirteen. (Correct me if I am wrong, Kathleen) I think this is Ok as long as we give the material proper attribution.

So Beginning the week, I will post the story and publication source as well as the first thirteen. For a day or two, we can discuss (Much as we do in F&F) the intro. Then I will post some study questions and we can also at that point have open discussion within the thread. By the end of the week we will discuss the candidates for our next story and determine what it will be. Then we start a new week.

I feel this will be a very beneficial tool. Primarily it will encourage us to read published stories within the markets in which we aspire to become published. Secondly, we will excercise a more analytical approach to this endeavor. Lastly, I think it could be fun. Afterall, Oprah's book club seems to be a real 'hoot'

So anyone interested?

As long as all you quote are the first 13 lines, it should be okay.

I second it being under the group section as KDW suggested.

I think a great way to start by using an online Publication. This would make it readily available to anyone wishing to Participate. There is no excuse for not being able to go down to Borders and picking up an Asimov's when you can simply go to the website and read it in fifteen minutes. I suggest we at least start off this way. Llessurnire, we can do something from F&SF. I also subscribe,but we will see what happens with anyone else interested.

Let's keep this post alive for a while (if it is OK with you, Kathleen)in order to grab a few more interested people. I will start a new thread in 'Groups' tomorrow(Sunday). I think Sunday would be a good day to start the week. We can go Sunday through Saturday with one story

Hopefully we can establish a good core base of particpants so it does not fall to the wayward.

Dark Warrior, does that mean that you would be interested in particiating? I haven't been around long enought to know, readily if you are a novelist or a short story writer. I would love to have you on board.

So if you are interested, please include what you would be interested in starting off with. Cast your first 'Vote' for an online publication and then list a printed publication that you subscribe to or are interested in starting a subscription to.

I prefer sci-fi, sub 5k stories, free online.

Many short stories accessible through Free Speculative Fiction Online. Indexes nonpirated fantastical genre short stories as well as novellas and novelettes, novels available online. Two short stories at my last look by Eric James Stone, one in Webscription and one as a pod cast audio from PodCastle, mp-3 format.

I would think the best way to make sure everyone participates is to link to short stories available online, unless everyone gets access to the same magazines. Asimovs and Analog both post stories online, as well as some publishers. Fore example:

http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=stories

I have to write 3000 words today but once that's done I will have completed NaNo and will free and clear to navigate.

In my studies, I've encountered five or more distinguishably different meanings for plot, for example. Two primary ones that have large but separate and divisive consensuses, and three lesser consensuses that orient around differences of application in relation to other attributes, like character, setting, and discourse, etc.

The term point of view and its attendant abbreviations has even more distinguishably different, and frequently divisive, meanings in the larger realm of writing discussions.

Also in my experience, principal influencing factors that diminish, derail, and divert discussions of this sort, and fosters divisiveness, is vague understanding or rigid adherence to one or another of the multitude of senses of literary terms' meanings and applications.

For purposes of engaging, dynamic, reasoned, and productive discussions, I suggest that not only a story be decided upon, but also decide areas for discussion focus based upon discrete, distinguishable literary attributes. The elementals of plot, character, setting, discourse, theme, tone, rhetoric, and resonance, for example, and their senses of meaning and application at play in a story under discussion. To that end, a discussion moderator rubric and prompt might include a set of terms and defining their assorted connotative senses as applicable to the story under discussion.

I.e., character, two principal senses; sense one, a "dramatis personae," "a fictional individual within a larger imaginary situation"* inhabiting a story; sense two, the characteristics that depict a dramatic persona in a story: physical traits, personality traits, social traits, and a dramatic person's ethical traits of vices and virtues, and methods of how one or another trait type depicts characters. In other words, characterization, which has become shortened to "character."

*From Critical Concepts by Lyman A. Baker.
http://www.k-state.edu/english/baker/english320/cc-character.htm

http://www.strangehorizons.com/2006/20061211/talus-f.shtml

I hope you all will join us inHatrack Groups