1 Topic by darla ferrara

(0 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Time for some hard truths, I think. This has kind of been an idea I had in the back of my mind for awhile. I had some short stories sitting around, so I thought a compilation might put them to use. At first, there was quite a bit of interest, but it hasn't really taken off the way I had hoped. I do appreciate those of you that did submit. I wanted it to be more of a group effort and it just hasn't worked out that way.

I going to leave the group open. Feel free to keep contributing, you never know, maybe by Sept there will be something to work with, but at this point I'm going to say this project probably isn't going to happen. If nothing else, I got to read some really good stories and that is always worth the effort. If you have not read them, I hope you will. It is worth the time.

Peace out.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

2 Topic by darla ferrara

(0 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Thanks for the plug. Slowly but surely, we are building this into something interesting. I have a few stories to read still. Sorry, I'm a little behind. I have a lot of balls flying around me right now, but I will get to them this week.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

3 Topic by darla ferrara

(1 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

I've gotten a couple emails recently, so I'll post an update. Right now we are on hold waiting for submissions. I expect to stay this way until August or so. In August, I'll start going through everything again and send Beth a list of stories that she can start editing. She will edit for both content and grammar. Her job isn't to mess with your creative style, but she might ask you to make the story more cohesive.

If your story isn't on that list, I probably have a few suggestion for it, so you will hear from me. I'm trying to read and do a brief critique of the stories as they post. I think I'm caught up here, but I have a few sent to me via email that I still need to go over.

If we don't get at least 70,000 words, I may published it like a literary magazine, both online and off. If we get over 70,000 words, it will probably be a paperback and ebook. I'm considering a project where I published a literary magazine based on this concept with a different phrase each quarter. If anyone is interested in being part of a larger project, let me know. If I do that, I'll probably set up website to work out of.

I  would like three things from members here:

One – bring in more writers if you know talented ones. By all means....

Two – read stories posted by other members and offer a fair, kind and honest critique. Make suggestions on improving them. This should be as much of a workshop as a chance to publish.

Three – write more than one story if you can.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

4 Reply by darla ferrara

(11 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Welcome, glad to have you.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

5 Reply by darla ferrara

(11 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Welcome, I look forward to reading your story.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

6 Topic by darla ferrara

(0 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Just a few updates as this project gets rolling.


If you look at the member listing, which is growing I'm happy to say, you will see Beth. She is a professional colleague of mine who will be serving as our editor. If you have any grammar questions as you write, feel free to ask her. It happens to me all the time.

This came up on another forum; you will retain full rights to your stories. We will need to do some legal stuff just to make sure everyone is on the same page, but, the story rights are yours.

As far as accepting work, I don’t anticipate turning anyone down as long as the story meets the guidelines. If we have too many submissions, I might set up a committee to select the pieces, but I don’t really think that will be necessary.

I am looking for well crafted stories, though. If your story doesn’t meet that standard, we will work to get it there as a group. If it doesn't work out, then it might be rejected. I would like to see each writer contribute more than one story if possible, but that is not a requirement.

This project is more about showcasing talented writers and giving them a publishing credit than making money. So, if you not on board with that, you should bow out. I think most of the people I’ve communicated with so far understand that.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

7 Reply by darla ferrara

(6 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

You probably are crazy, but that doesn't matter. We still like your story. I'm thinking that writers that provide 10,000 or more words will be featured contributors, so the more stories, the better. I'm still working on the details of splitting up residual revenue, assuming there is any, and all that, but the more you contribute the better marketing vehicle this is for you.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

8 Reply by darla ferrara

(6 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

mylilyrose wrote:

Hi Darla,
I just wanted to let you know, that due to formatting errors on my short story,  I tried to correct them tonight,  and what I really succeeded in doing was messing the whole thing so badly, I had to delete the story.  I know you put a review on,  and I appreciate it very much. (even the reviews were messed up)
When and if I ever figure this out, I will repost The Mirror to our group.
arrghh!

Janet


Okay, I really like it so I hope you do. Don't worry too much about formatting for this group at least. Everything will have to be reformatted when I put the collection together.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

9 Reply by darla ferrara

(6 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

It's all good. We will be here for awhile. Enjoy your weekend.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

10 Topic by darla ferrara

(6 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

For those of you new to this process, you can post your stories in the content section of the group. I see two up already, so take a minute and give them a read. I have some deadlines today, but I will read them later after work.

I wrote a story for this site a few years ago that I'm going to put up, too. It was sort of the trigger for this project, because it has that infamous line in it. I have a couple to contribute,  but I'll start with this one.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

11 Reply by darla ferrara

(11 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

I'm too concerned about how long it is ... I would say anything over 5,000 words is pushing it.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

12 Reply by darla ferrara

(2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Done

Go to forum: TheNextBigWriter Premium

13 Reply by darla ferrara

(11 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

Probably both. That is my guess at this point.

I hope you do join. I have quite a number of freelancers interested, as well. I think it is going to be a great mix of creative minds.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!

14 Topic by darla ferrara

(0 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Basic)

I just started a group called Don't Push this Button. We are looking to publish a anthology of short stories based around that phrase. Feel free to join the discussion, all are welcome. The submission guidelines are listed in the forum. Hope to see you there!

http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/group-d … -button-73

Go to forum: TheNextBigWriter Basic

15 Topic by darla ferrara

(2 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I just started a group called Don't Push this Button. We are looking to publish a anthology of short stories based around that phrase. Feel free to join the discussion, all are welcome. The submission guidelines are listed in the forum. Hope to see you there!

http://www.thenextbigwriter.com/group-d … -button-73

Go to forum: TheNextBigWriter Premium

16 Topic by darla ferrara

(11 replies, posted in Don't Push This Button!)

The book is based on one line:

Don't push this button.

Every story must have that one line in it somewhere. It doesn't have to be the first line or even the focus of the story. Just include that line in the prose somewhere.

We want the book to have a Twilight Zone feel to it, so keep that in mind when putting your story together. The great thing about The Twilight Zone was they managed to incorporate lots of different styles into one show. We want that same concept to work here. The stories should make you go "huh" when you read them.

I am not going to put a word limit on the stories, just no flash fiction or poetry. Make them at least a thousand words.
Make it fun! This is about showing off your storytelling skills, so have some fun with it.

I am targeting project completion by early September with possible publication in October. The more the merrier for this collection. The acceptance will be liberal as long as you follow the submission guidelines. If I am overrun with enthusiasm, which I'm not expecting, we may do a series of these books to give writers from all over a chance to contribute.

Everyone is invited to join the group. You are more than welcome to contribute multiple stories for publication, as well.

I'm not sure how the posting works, but if you can't post through the system, feel free to send the story to me directly at fdarlaus@gmail.com or post it to the group here. If you have questions, I'll be available to provide answers through this thread.

Go to forum: Don't Push This Button!