SMS novels

DamaNegra · Dec 11, 2005

Some time ago I read about a guy who was selling his novel via SMS, you sent a message to X number with the guy's name on it, and every week you would get a chapter of his novel via SMS.

Has anyone else heard of this way of publishing novels?

PeeDee · Dec 11, 2005

Well, I guess there are stranger ways to do it...I mean, it's a fairly original idea...I think.

No more opinions, I'll just go back to the safety of my :Wha:

face. That sums it up.

Garpy · Dec 12, 2005

Sheeesh, I hope it's not written in text-ese.

LO MATE. WOT U DOIN? IM FEELING GR8. IS U GOIN 2 DA MALL L8ER?

At some point in the future, I really can see some service provider distilling Dickens or Shakespeare down into, proto-english SMS-digestible chunks for the mobile phone gonks out there.

MadScientistMatt · Dec 12, 2005

I've been known to print out PDF's since I found reading them on paper easier than reading them on a computer screen. Reading a novel on a screen scarcely bigger than a postage stamp sounds downright painful.

When considering a new technology, my first question is usually, "What problem does it solve?"

aadams73 · Dec 12, 2005

To me, reading is a pleasurable activity. Reading on a tiny screen would be downright agonizing. It's a big thumbs down for me.

Maryn · Dec 12, 2005

Recently I read my first-ever book-length manuscript on the computer. While I'll do it again for critique purposes (if there's a reason a paper copy isn't feasible), even a full-size monitor and a comfortable desk chair is no way to read a book.

Until someone can make reading on a screen better in some way for some people and consistently problem-free, I think bound paper books are not in any danger.

Maryn, fan of pulp and fiber

DamaNegra · Dec 12, 2005

I get pains just reading SMS messages sent to me, I agree that reading a novel would be a downright torture. I think that guy was from Japan, though.

zeprosnepsid · Dec 12, 2005

Yeah, I find it hard to read at length from a computer screen.

But there is a place called keep it coming that has serialized novels e-mailed to you twice a week. I think it's kind of a neat idea. Serialization has gone a bit out the window (any US newspapers do it?) but some great novels came out that way.

PeeDee · Dec 12, 2005

zeprosnepsid said:
Yeah, I find it hard to read at length from a computer screen.

But there is a place called keep it coming that has serialized novels e-mailed to you twice a week. I think it's kind of a neat idea. Serialization has gone a bit out the window (any US newspapers do it?) but some great novels came out that way.

You know, I was actually flabbergasted to find that my local St. Cloud newspaper was serializing a goofy pirate-sort-of-camping story. It's not the greatest piece of writing ever, since it has to be very bland so as not to offend anyone, but it's there. Every Tuesday. Surprised me a lot, to say the least.

James D. Macdonald · Dec 13, 2005

Garpy said:
At some point in the future, I really can see some service provider distilling Dickens or Shakespeare down into, proto-english SMS-digestible chunks for the mobile phone gonks out there.

It's been done.

Spookster · Dec 13, 2005

I think that may be one of the most depressing developements of modernization to date.

PeeDee · Dec 13, 2005

....right. Well. I'm going to the hills, to talk to squirrels and read full books. Anyone want to come? There's got to be more than one cave...

DamaNegra · Dec 13, 2005

James D. McDonald said:
It's been done.

Argh!! I bet Shakespear would die at least three more times if he was able to read that.

PeeDee, wait for me!! I'll bring the animal skins to keep us warm!!

SMS novels

DamaNegra

Mexican on the loose!

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

Garpy

keyboard monkey

MadScientistMatt

Empirical Storm Trooper

aadams73

A Work in Progress

Maryn

I Tried

DamaNegra

Mexican on the loose!

zeprosnepsid

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

Spookster

Maiden of the Blade

PeeDee

Where's my tea, please...?

DamaNegra

Mexican on the loose!