On Wed, Dec 26, 2001 at 11:23:01AM +1300, Nico Mody-Nikoloff wrote:
- Which gives the widest readership - web pages or zines?
Hard question to answer, really. Zines will get a readership that web-pages can't get you -- those without net-access -- as well as those with net-access. On the other hand, web pages are more accessible to those who *do* have net-access, because if your page is well-linked-to, then your fiction is theoretically easier to find. But, again, if someone is a con-goer, then there's a concentration of zine-interested people who go to cons like MediaWest and Eclecticon...
(shrug)
- What are the pros and cons of each for writers?
As someone who does both, I think I can answer that happily. Zine pros: - 'tribber's copy -- free zine with other good stories in it! - nicely laid out hardcopy with pretty pictures makes your story look even better - a good editor can help make your story better Zine cons: - generally, you get zero feedback from readers - don't get to revise a story once it's in print (usually) Web pros: - a lot more feedback from readers than zines give - can post revised versions (usually) - a good beta-reader can help make your story better Web cons: - lack of all the nice things you get with zines
Another factor is that not all "web versions" are alike. The amount of control one has over the content and layout of your story depends on whether you can archive it yourself, or whether you have to submit it to someone else's archive -- and the trade-off which can arise if the biggest archive for your favoured fandom allows one to submit a link to your story (so that it can be listed, but you can control it) or whether they require the entire text to be submitted to them.
- Which do readers prefer? It's cheaper for me to read stories on-line but
I do find hard copies much more pleasant to read from. However I suppose this will differ by country because of relative costs.
Well, it's sorta pointless asking *this* question on an electronic mailing list, since you won't be getting input from those who don't have net-access...
Me, I'm one of these people who always prints out web-stories... I do prefer a nice, pretty zine, but it's more of a risk buying a zine, if one doesn't know enough about it to be sure one is going to like it.
Kathryn Andersen -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jenna: I don't think he likes you somehow. Avon: I think I may have to reprogram this machine. Jenna: Still won't make you likeable. (Blake's 7: Cygnus Alpha [A3])