- Do you ever buy short stories in print?
- Do you like reading them?
- Writing them?
- Do you like anthologies?
- Do you prefer anthologies of stories by the same writer, or a group of different writers?
- Do you ever buy single short stories in e-book format?
- Have you ever purchased ebook anthologies?
- Do you hate short stories or anthologies, or have strong opinions about why you'd rather buy a novel?
Just gathering information because I'm still working on that publishing business... :)
10 comments:
Umm, let's see... Yes to questions one through four, six, and seven. I own a LOT of anthologies. In answer to question five, I prefer them to be by different writers -- unless that writer is Connie Willis. I will read anything by her, in any medium, on any topic.
At the moment, I'm enjoying short stories more than novels. I go through phases like this sometimes.
I love short stories, I purchase anthologies, and while I enjoy those of one author, I will buy anthologies collecting the works of others, usually following themes. I have never purchased an ebook, nor will I probably do so. I write stories, and I send them out. I don't mind reading something online from time to time.
I love stories, both reading and writing them. Short stories are, in fact, my preferred method of expression, and when well done they can be the highest form of the writing art. I own a couple of hundred anthologies and would buy more at the drop of a hat. I've bought single story ebooks, but mostly because they were written by friends. I don't typically buy ebooks, although some of my own stuff is for sale as ebooks from Fictionwise.
Thanks, Lynne, Stewart and Charles. Interesting and helpful answers.
I don't read fiction online, as a general rule. The handful of times I have has been for authors and stories far beyond usual circumstances, which I did not have available in print: "I Have No Mouth, And I Must Scream," by Harlan Ellison; "Sympathy for the Devil" and "Hunting the Corrigan's Blood" (the latter of which I paid for!), both novels by Holly Lisle; and Neil Gaiman's short story "Snow, Glass, Apples" (in that case I tolerated the ultimate turn-off and read it even though it was white text on black background, because it was so good) are all I can think of.
Thanks, Anders. I used to not read anything online (fiction, that is) and didn't consider e-books "real" books either, until some friends were e-published. Now, I like ebooks, but that's just me. :) Last night, my daughter and I went to Borders and she was asking me what the ebook reader was for. She thought it was a dumb idea. It's not for everyone.
I own a lot of short story anthologies. I have not yet purchased a single short story in e-format though I probably will get Charles' contribution to Welcome to Suburbia.
I do love short stories and I go through cycles, depending on my time, where I read a lot of them.
I'm not a short story guy. Can't write em, don't much read em.
I like a nice sweeping character arc, and the modern short story instead seems mostly to set a scene and then end on a sharp twist. My appetite for that is much more limited than for following a character through a novel.
Except, of course, that flash fiction on the web is changing my opinions. Michelle's Spell had one heckuva shorty up last week!
Thanks Sidney and Steve for letting me know where you stand. :)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Different
Yes
Yes
I don't actually have the attention sopan to read a novel, or even a novella. Or a thin book!
Juliet India
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