Clear? no...

Do you mean the person who's user-name is 'me'? And is he another Colin? How many Colins do we have?

I want to lie down now...



<Added>

See... we have two Dees now... we're just going to multiply until we have enough clones to fill a book, aren't we...

x

Derek, re. the cover, it should be 300 dpi and the wrap-around size allowing for the spine, plus a minimum 3mm bleed on all four edges - ie 3mm each side extra. The printer will be able to tell you the different sizes that are available, and how thick the spine will need to be depends on the number of pages and the type of paper used(he/she can tell you that too).

That's great, Nell. Thanks

Hello everyone,
Can I open up another area of discussion about this publication?
One small thing that concerns me is the use the old 4 letters, such as 'fuck'and 'cunt.' I know this is the currency of everyday language and personally think it fits in with most of the texts absolutely. However if we are to put this out to a larger audience, rather than the readers on our site that we already know are open minded, we may well run in to a few problems.
Or am I being just too precious? I don't know, given the title and cover?
I'd be interested in anyone elses views on this.

My replies may be a bit erratic over the next short while as I'm moving on Sunday so half the time I can't find anything.

Take care
CL

Thank you for the info Nell.

Derek.

That's a good point CL, but a difficult one... Are you thinking that it might prevent the book going out to a younger audience, or just that it may offend generally, and so limit the readership?

Are there many four letter words in the stories? I don't recall noticing anything very strong... I think my strongest word so far is 'shit'... I don't know how offensive/acceptable that word is these days?


Derek.

Fuck probably only ocurs a few times and as far as I know only 'Mrs Fizzes' by Scottwil has the c word. In fact cunty, is what she actually says.

I don't think it's a big issue (something Mrs Fizzes might try selling).

Shay

I've just been for a look at Mrs Fizzes
...what a brilliant character . (sorry, don't want to take the thread down another path...just saying...).

Derek.

I've put a response to Derek's kind comment under the piece. I'll reiterate my position here (but don't let that stop you reading Mrs F). The book is a joint project and I have no wish to include any language that others are uncomfortable with or offended by. I'm not at all precious about this and would be very happy to tone down the language, if that is the consensus.

After all, some of us may wish to give this book to our mums and/or parole officers for christmas.

Best
Sion

Well I'm happy to take the 'shit' out of mine if it's too strong.

I think shit and fuck are used quite freely nowadays. As a writer we have to ask ourselves if we really need them or if we could have the same impact with another word. The c word makes me shudder but again, if it has its place in the story, fine. I can't imagine using it unless I was writing dialogue for a real life Eastenders - come to think of it, they obviously manage to get away without using any of these words so, is EE credible?

Elspeth

Should we look at this from another angle? - Who are we aiming the book at?

When we decide that, maybe we'll have our answer to what to do with the four letter words.

For instance, I guess there are some teachers involved in this site (maybe in the book too...sorry I haven't read profiles)...How would we stand on putting the book in a high school library?


<Added>

That was just an example. I know it's not going to be aimed directly at children/young adults...but some stories might appeal to that age range...

I opted into this collection on the assumption that it is adult fiction. I think writing for children/young adults is a very specialised area which doesn’t appeal to me. If I thought I had to re-edit my work to suit that market, I just wouldn’t know where to start. In fact I wouldn’t start. I write adult fiction. Full stop.

On the suggestion of school libraries, I’m no expert but I believe there are very strict guidelines on what is or isn’t acceptable.

As for the use of four-letter words, as Elspeth says, they are common these days and to not use them where they would be appropriate would feel like over-sanitising the writing.

And, Sion, my 84-year old mother is scandalised by such language but it doesn’t stop her reading as many books as she can drag home from the library in her wheelie-bin… sorry, shopping trolley.

Dee
x

I haven't read anything yet that I've thought should be censored and that includes Mrs Fizzes. Having just posted a short that includes a comment about being urinated on during sex, which has attracted no adverse reaction (so far) I don't think we have anything to worry about.

I agree with Dee. This is grown up writing for grown ups.

Shay

Shay,

Where's this short you mention????

Ani