Kirk's picture
Admin
Kirk from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New Sun January 31, 2013 - 11:50pm

Hello everyone!

This is the official discussion thread for Teleport Us. We hope everyone is excited to begin sharing and reading some short science-fiction. I know I am.

  • Since I'm posting this late at night, I'll just tell you to go here to get posting.

Once the clock rolls around and the news staff gets out of their cryo-pods, we will have an official news announcement. Until then, have fun!

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post them here.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt February 1, 2013 - 9:38am

I will use all the writing powers I've gathered over the years to make sure I finish my Teleport Us story by Sunday.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt February 1, 2013 - 12:24pm

Question: Will stories submitted to the Teleport Us Challenge be considered reprints thereafter? Didn't occur to me until Jeff brought it up.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 1, 2013 - 12:46pm

I have a similar question as sound. I know the "Scare Us" was open to the public, yet they still had to be members of LitReactor, ones with the free memborship. Are those submissions considered "previously published?" I intend to send out my story from "Scare Us" in the near future and I intend to write something for "Teleport Us" and I'd like to know if publications would accept them as first time prints.

Thanks,

--JR--

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce February 1, 2013 - 2:10pm

This is going to be fun. I recently ghostwrote (hehe, such a funny word) an article on the top 25 dystopian science-fiction novels, so it's going to be tricky thinking of an idea that doesn't just rehash all my old favorites. And I'm keeping everything crossed I get some time to write something good. 

I'm really looking forward to reading everyone's stories!

Kirk's picture
Admin
Kirk from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New Sun February 1, 2013 - 2:54pm

Sound and Jonathan,

That isn't something we or anyone can really answer other than your potential publisher. My usual advice on this topic is, if that is your primary concern, you probably shouldn't be posting it at all. Err on the side of caution and all. Generally, I would say that it hasn't been published but it's all gray area there.

Teleport Us works like Scare Us did, so long as you're a basic (free) member, you can read and rate stories.

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt February 1, 2013 - 4:16pm

Ok, I'm just going to go with the "it doesn't count".  

Thanks, Kirk.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 1, 2013 - 5:20pm

Thanks Kirk,

It isn't my primary concern at all. I enjoyed 'Scare Us" so much and the experience helpped me grow as a writer. I look forward to entering "Teleport Us" time permitting.

I was just curious because I'd hate to mislead a potential publisher by accident, If someone wants to print it I'd be happy rather they list it as a reprint or not, I just wanted to make sure I didn't submit it anywhere under false pretenses.

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On February 1, 2013 - 5:57pm

^^^This is my worry as well. I never understood that if something appears on a blog or a workshop, it's considered "published" by many literary journals. Usually the work is in-progress and/or incomplete. Plus, Litreactor is not a literary journal; it's a writer's workshop site, with information on publishing and the craft. Or am I wrong? I'd just hate to write something to share on our site, and for it not to be elligible on a journal.

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life February 1, 2013 - 6:04pm

I don't think it's even possible to answer the question, since each other publisher would have to define what they mean by previously published or reprint, et al.

I am just weighing the benefits of posting a story to the public area of LR vs. possibly having it published in another market--I don't even want to wonder, so if I put in in 'Teleport Us', I will only submit it as a reprint thereafter.

leah_beth's picture
leah_beth from New Jersey - now in Charleston, SC is reading five different books at once. February 1, 2013 - 6:05pm

I say submit stuff, and hope for the best. You can always claim ignorance, right?**

Scare Us was so much fun, and I did submit my story from there to a couple places. Honestly the whole "is it published" question never occurred to me because I AM a novice at this...but seriously, I think the experience of the challenge was well worth the potential confusion with a publisher.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a story to write. ;o)

**Worst advice ever.

 

 

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce February 1, 2013 - 6:55pm

My concern about Teleport Us stories being considered as reprints (taking into consideration I'm a lawyer, but also bearing in mind this is not legal advice, I'm just giving my opinion as a writer), is low. If this was on a website that didn't require membership log-in to read the stories, I would definitely consider this publication and worry about submitting it as an original. There's always going to be a publisher that considers it published because we've put it on the 'net and it can be read by an audience, but I would dare to say the larger press who would look at this type of story would not consider a forum to be publication. Put on your blog, though, and you're screwed. 

Covewriter's picture
Covewriter from Nashville, Tennessee is reading & Sons February 1, 2013 - 10:17pm

it would seem that something in a workshop has not been agreed upon to be used or paid for so it's not published . I know it's gray but really, this whole E thing is nuts and we should post our stuff to our workshops and not consider it published. If in the old days I typed something and attached to a bulletin board at school was it published? NO. When an editor says I'd like to have this in my e magazine and you say yes, I call that published. I call turning Ina story a submission.

jyh's picture
jyh from VA is reading whatever he feels like February 1, 2013 - 10:48pm

If a publisher is worried that a dozen people have read something in its earliest form before they print or post it, then they couldn't accept any story which had come from a writing class or been through a workshop.

Potentially, I guess, thousands of people could create an account to read stories; or one person could post or share a story elsewhere to thousands of people without telling anyone.

Flaminia Ferina's picture
Flaminia Ferina from Umbria is reading stuff February 2, 2013 - 4:45am

To my advantage, on this topic, it comes that I am awfully slow. Being English not my first language and stuff. And because I resolve to catatonia in difficult times.
Anyway, I tell you I'm still editing my Scare us story and the result is a nearly brand new short, very different from the one I submitted for that contest. No one will argue that they have seen it somewhere else, except for its earlier (in J.Y.'s terms), embryonic form which, in my opinion, doesn't mean shit if you've seen it or not.

I hope I'll have some more time for an active participation in Teleport us, although I know that I'll have to submit another Beta version (I'm, like, five lines through). I'd like to be a faster writer, for the sake of competition, but I am outlining like hell and I think this is good for my writing.

Thank you for this opportunity LitReactor(s), and for all the fun.

ArlaneEnalra's picture
ArlaneEnalra from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . .. February 2, 2013 - 7:22pm

Wow! Everything I've read so far has been very well written. I get the feeling competition is going to fierce!

Grant Williams's picture
Grant Williams from Wichita, KS is reading Friday February 2, 2013 - 10:26pm

This is the first time I've done anything like this or that anyone other than friends and family have read anything I've done and I must say I love this community.  Everything I've gotten back is either positive or is well crafted and insightful constructive criticism. Also, every story I've read has been great. It amazes me to see where people's minds take them. 

Courtney's picture
Courtney from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooks February 2, 2013 - 10:29pm

I know it's a "contest," but I'm looking at it more as a workshop, but whatever.

Anyway, I nearly forgot about this because I wrote the story a month ago. Just gave it a polish and uploaded it.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts February 3, 2013 - 12:10am

I don't have a clue about writing Sci-Fi. Is it cool if I just do reviews?

sean of the dead's picture
sean of the dead from Madisonville, KY is reading Peckerwood, by Jed Ayres February 3, 2013 - 12:10am

Congrats Grant Williams, and welcome aboard. A lot of us here actually got our start with Litreactor back in June/July when they did a similar contest/writing challenge called Scare Us! It was a horror story version of this. It was a blast, I read a ton of great stories, and met a handful of friends through the experience as well. I hope this one works out as well as the last one worked out for me. I've gotta get my brain to grasp the central ideas for my story soon or I'll end up missing this deadline!

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 3, 2013 - 12:33am

I gotted goosed bumps!

Sean is right. I'm one who benefitted grately from Scare Us. The comunity is awesome and the feedback is great.

I plan to write something for this. No concept yet, but it will come. I've read three stories so far and enjoyed them all.

Linda's picture
Linda from Sweden is reading Fearful Symmetries February 3, 2013 - 4:08am

I want play, but my muse lured me through a few pages only to then sit her ass down on a bench and tell me to figure the rest out for myself. I hate it when that happens. 

I don't have a clue about writing Sci-Fi. Is it cool if I just do reviews?

I'm pretty sure you'll be fogiven if you don't post a submission, but 'not having a clue' about writing sci-fi doesn't necessarily mean you wouldn't be able to write a good story. And keep in mind that not all those reading and reviewing will be hardcore sci-fi fans.

dufrescm's picture
dufrescm from Wisconsin is reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep February 3, 2013 - 10:36am

Submitted.  WOO!

Sound's picture
Sound from Azusa, CA is reading Greener Pastures by Michael Wehunt February 3, 2013 - 12:34pm

"Big Bang, Inc", my Teleport Us offering, is posted. Read it HERE

Linda's picture
Linda from Sweden is reading Fearful Symmetries February 3, 2013 - 1:18pm

Can I only give a story 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down'? I don't know if I can be that decisive.

mattymillard's picture
mattymillard from Wolverhampton, England is reading Curse of the Wolf Girl - Martin Millar February 3, 2013 - 2:41pm

Hey! I've just posted my submission and have read a couple of stories too. Both really good, looking forward to reading some more! I have to say that whilst it is a competition it's the getting feedback which I'm most looking forward to. I've not written many short stories, and not many non-comedic things so hopefully I'll get some good criticism! Good luck everyone :-)

Frank Chapel's picture
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works February 3, 2013 - 4:40pm

I really like Gorund so far interesting concept. Still struggling with my story's ending.

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce February 3, 2013 - 5:00pm

I'm hoping to post a story in a week or two. 

Like Sean & J.R., I got my "in" with Scare Us. Before Scare Us, I'd done a couple of LitReactor classes, but hadn't branched out into the forums and workshops. Scare Us was great for getting me more comfortable with connecting on here, and I'm really looking forward to meeting new people who will start using the forums and workshops because of the Teleport Us challenge. 

Also, my Scare Us submission is embarrassingly bad, in retrospect. Hindsight, who doesn't love it? I'm hoping my Teleport Us effort is a shit-ton better. 

Ethan Cooper's picture
Ethan Cooper from Longview, TX is reading The Kill Room, Heart-Shaped Box, Dr. Sleep February 3, 2013 - 9:46pm

The process this time:

1. Loved Scare Us so much I jumped at the opportunity to cram another 20,000 word story idea into 4,000 words. Yay!
2. An utterly brilliant idea that will revolutionize the short-story world comes to me. It's the perfect story!
3. Muse refuses to work with me. She keeps muttering, "See what I have to put up with?" I'm not sure who she's talking to.
4. New story idea presented to muse. Muse accepts, but only after I promise to put a cat in the story. Odd.
5. Designed logo for story. For me, this is actually a key part of my writing process. Once I get it done, I put it as my desktop background so every time I'm at my computer and not writing, it's staring at me. It's in-your-face guilt.
6. Write story. It contains a cat, sorta. It comes in at 4,200 words. And I was really was asking myself with every sentence, "Does the reader really need to know this?"
7. These challenges make me a better editor. At least, I thought they did. After my 2nd draft (still at 4,200 words), I let my writing group have it, and they let me know where I went wrong (every paragraph).
8. Create 3rd draft. Take a couple of more editing passes. It's amazing how little you have to say to get your point across.
9. Upload the story. Muse isn't pleased with the cat thing. Disavows any involvement in my story.
10. Start reading other stories. Get jealous of all the good ideas.

I'm not sure if this explains anything, but here what I was listening to:

Writing:
Fear Factory
Norma Jean
Blue Stahil
Demon Hunter
Dethklok
August Burns Red

Editing:
Avril Lavigne

JEFFREY GRANT BARR's picture
JEFFREY GRANT BARR from Central OR is reading Nothing but fucking Shakespeare, for the rest of my life February 3, 2013 - 10:20pm

I always really loved Demon Hunter - specifically The Triptych. And who doesn't love Dethklok!

Mess_Jess's picture
Mess_Jess from Sydney, Australia, living in Toronto, Canada is reading Perfect by Rachael Joyce February 4, 2013 - 5:59am

Nice. My writing music is usually Technical Itch, Fear Factory, or the Black Dog. Mostly the Black Dog's darker stuff lately.

ArlaneEnalra's picture
ArlaneEnalra from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . .. February 4, 2013 - 6:45am

For me, I have a pandora station setup that runs through a bunch of different rock/metal songs. (Ozzy, ACDC, Shine Down, Wolfmother, Chevelle, Disturbed, etc.)

Dino Parenti's picture
Dino Parenti from Los Angeles is reading Everything He Gets His Hands On February 4, 2013 - 7:14am

Wow, this impresses me. I can't write a thing with music playing. I need music after the fact so I can decompress. 

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 4, 2013 - 7:20am

I can listen if it doesn't have any words. I like listening to The string quartett of RadioHead's O.K. Computer while I write. Also, their are alot of Tool songs out there done in all stringed instruments. I write to those as well.

R.Moon's picture
R.Moon from The City of Champions is reading The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion; Story Structure Architect by Victoria Lynn Schimdt PH.D; Creating Characters by the editors of Writer's Digest February 4, 2013 - 7:28am

I once saw Fear Factory with Iron Maiden in a small club in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh. It was epic (is that the word all the kids are saying these days?).

If I listen to whatever music my character is in to, I can get a lot done. Except for Marlin (for those who know who Marlin is). I have to listen to Jay-Z, but Marlin wouldn't listen to Jay-Z. I'm not sure why, but that's how it is.

Courtney's picture
Courtney from the Midwest is reading Monkey: A Journey to the West and a thousand college textbooks February 4, 2013 - 7:41am

I listen to a playlist of my favorite Damien Rice songs on my Youtube channel and tend to throw in whatever else I'm listening to at the moment -- so right now, it's basically all Damien with a few Kanye songs from MBDTF and then Broadripple Is Burning. It's only like twelve tracks and yet it's all I can listen to and write well against. If I listen to anything else, I can't get shit done.

dufrescm's picture
dufrescm from Wisconsin is reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep February 4, 2013 - 10:14am

I think someone asked before, but I don't know if it was ever answered: are we allowed to revise and submit a rewrite?  Or is the submitted version the final version that's allowed?

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 4, 2013 - 10:22am

At Dufrescm. In the Scare Us comp you were allowd to take down the file and put up a new one. I'm not sure if you are allowed to do that this time or not. If it is allowed, I'd suggest placing a comment on your page when you uploaded the new draft, because alot of times I'll read other people's reviews and comment on them as well and if none of their reviews make sense in refrence to your most current draft, it could cause undue confusion for many readers. So you could just make a point to comment and say I've addressed the concerns of the above reviewers or what not. So we know from that point on that their remarks don't apply to the most current version. I hope that makes sense.

Frank Chapel's picture
Frank Chapel from California is reading Thomas Ligotti's works February 4, 2013 - 10:48am

Writing Soundtrack: Clint Mansell: Fountain, Moon, Requiem; Soundtrack to Ravenous movie; DeadCanDance; Godspeed, TheMarsVolta; and various others.

dufrescm's picture
dufrescm from Wisconsin is reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep February 4, 2013 - 11:27am

Thanks JR :)

klahol's picture
klahol from Stockholm, Sweden is reading Black Moon February 4, 2013 - 12:54pm

OK, so my story is done, first revision. I would dearly love some feedback before publishing it in the competition, as I understand it's locked after it's published there. I am a member, and I have enough points to get a revision on the workshop. Do I publish my story there? Or do I then stand the risk of having my story stolen? I am not familiar enough with LitReactor to know. 

Linda's picture
Linda from Sweden is reading Fearful Symmetries February 4, 2013 - 1:07pm

I don't think you need to worry klahol. Granted, I haven't been here long, but as far as I know no one's had a story stolen in the workshop. I judge it a safe place for your submission, and I think you'll find the peer reviews are worth every point spent. 

Edit: I have been under the impression that we are allowed to revise submissions and upload a new version, but I would still encourage you to try out the workshop.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts February 4, 2013 - 1:44pm

I once saw Fear Factory with Iron Maiden in a small club in the middle of downtown Pittsburgh. It was epic (is that the word all the kids are saying these days?).

What year was that? Man, that must have been an awesome show.

Soundtrack to Ravenous movie

Absolutely love that one. The track "The Cave" is just the best thing ever. Chopped up and looped Michael Nyman score, perfection. Every once in a while I get this particular melody of brutal violins stuck in my head that I'm sure is from a Michael Nyman score, but I can never figure out what movie.

I've been listening to Magnum P.I. episodes and Machinedrum remixes while I edit your guys stories. That's about it though.

Jason Van Horn's picture
Jason Van Horn from North Carolina is reading A Feast For Crows February 4, 2013 - 2:05pm

Are we stuck with our stories the way they are? I got some good advice and now I'm going back and taking their advice into consideration and doing some edits that, if not for the contest, I'll be able to use later.

So is there anyway to edit our entries or take them off and then put them back on? Or it is what it is once it's uploaded?

ArlaneEnalra's picture
ArlaneEnalra from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . .. February 4, 2013 - 2:49pm

@klahol  I'd go for as many read throughs/revision cycles as you can get before posting.  That initial impressoin seemed to be important in how stories did in Scare Us.  Of course, don't wait too long ;)  Good Luck!

Kirk's picture
Admin
Kirk from Pingree Grove, IL is reading The Book Of The New Sun February 4, 2013 - 4:13pm

So is there anyway to edit our entries or take them off and then put them back on? Or it is what it is once it's uploaded?

Go to your submission and click the EDIT link near the top of the page.

Renfield's picture
Renfield from Hell is reading 20th Century Ghosts February 4, 2013 - 4:29pm

I know it's a "contest," but I'm looking at it more as a workshop, but whatever.

See I thought there was a workshopping element to the submissions, I didn't do Scare Us so I don't know the format. I think my reviews so far are probably overkill then.

ender.che.13's picture
ender.che.13 from Northwestern U.S. living in the southeast peach. is reading Ken Follett February 4, 2013 - 8:38pm

What's to stop people from trolling your story? I mean to say that, if an author wanted to hurt the rankings of other stories, couldn't they just go around arbitrarily sprinkling thums-down icons on other people's works? Or would the impact of something like that be negligible? I didn't participate in "Scare Us", so I've no idea if this has been addressed previously.

Jonathan Riley's picture
Jonathan Riley from Memphis, Tennessee is reading Flashover by Gordon Highland February 4, 2013 - 9:12pm

I think for the most part people are honest. Also I'm pretty sure that thumbs up's count a whole lot more than thumbs downs hurt. I think last comp there were maybe one or two random thumbs downers out there  but they really didn't appear until after the votes were announcedor close to the end. Myself and about a dozen other writers that participated in Scare Us always comment on every story we read and tell exactly why we rate a story with an up or a down. I believe it's the polite thing to do. The goal is for the community to offer helpful criticism so we can all improve the craft. The prizes are just an added bonus.

ArlaneEnalra's picture
ArlaneEnalra from Texas is reading Right now I'm editing . . .. February 4, 2013 - 9:37pm

I'd say Johnathan's got it right.  It's bloody annoying to see a down vote and have no clue why it's there.  I try to  say something one way or the other even if I can't give an objective reason for not likeing a story.  For me, it's often about how a story feels reading it rather than technical stuff anyhow.

Tom Elias's picture
Tom Elias from Maine is reading Everything I can afford or that is within arms' reach. February 4, 2013 - 10:18pm

I plan on uploading something soon here.  I like the discussion on the "previously published" - I've had several people caution me that putting my work up on any electronic forum - to include my blog - constitutes publication.  If this is true, I'm largely screwed, and I'd love to hear expert opinion on the matter. 

I am glad I joined here, though.  This appears to be much more valuable in terms of time investment than Goodreads.