story text

[deflective]

i don't know what the copyright restrictions are but a link to the text version of a story would be very useful in discussion threads.

maybe if it has been previously published online we could link to that?

[Russell Nash]

That would be the link that says "Previously published in…"

[Heradel]

I've tried to find the story texts for the stories in Podcastle, but if it's not in the first 10 results in google, well, I usually give up.

[deflective]

That would be the link that says "Previously published in…"

ah, cool. that link only ever took me to the publication's page before but i've found one that links to the actual story. i guess that means that the vast majority of the stories don't have a publicly free version of the text available.

if anyone knows and doesn't mind taking a little time to explain, what difference in copyright/price is there to acquire online text as well?

[Heradel]

That would be the link that says "Previously published in…"

ah, cool. that link only ever took me to the publication's page before but i've found one that links to the actual story. i guess that means that the vast majority of the stories don't have a publicly free version of the text available.

if anyone knows and doesn't mind taking a little time to explain, what difference in copyright/price is there to acquire online text as well?

Problem with the internet publishing thing is that it's a theoretical infinite number of copies, which drives the price up. And it's hard to calculate royalties, especially with short-fiction where it's usually a flat fee. Also it can drive down the next sale value if someone wants it for an anthology or magazine.

[Rachel Swirsky]

PodCastle stories that I know of having a text version online:

Come Lady Death - sci fiction - http://www.scifi.com/scifiction/classics/classics_archive/beagle/beagle1.html
Stone Born - never previously published, so no online free version, but logged in users can see a previous draft in the contest thread
For Fear of Dragons - probably not
Run of the Fiery Horse - probably not
Giant - on lone star stories
Goosegirl - I think deflective (thanks!) already picked this one up

Our next three stories all have online text versions. I'll try to remember to link them, or if I don't, Heradel can. (Thanks.)