User talk:Pagadan

Welcome!

Hello, Pagadan, and welcome to the ISFDB Wiki! I hope you like the place and decide to stay. Here are some pages that you might find helpful:

• Help pages
• What the ISFDB Wiki is for
• FAQ

I hope you enjoy editing here! Please sign your name on talk pages using four tildes (~~~~); this will automatically produce your name and the date. If you need help, check out the community portal, or ask me on my talk page. Again, welcome! Ahasuerus 18:45, 20 Nov 2006 (CST)

Initial Feedback

Joy, glad to see you made it here after all this time. I've approved two of your submissions. Two notes:

1. Please don't use the typographic convention of kerning author initials. For instance, "D.K. McCutchen" should be "D. K. McCutchen", or "G.W. Thomas" should be "G. W. Thomas". There was already a "G. W. Thomas" in the database, and the kerning in your entry created a completely new author for "G.W. Thomas". I've merged the two together.
2. For Paberbacks, use the abbreviation "pb". (see Help:Screen:NewPub).

Otherwise, these entries looked great! Alvonruff 18:53, 22 Dec 2006 (CST)

Two questions about your last two submissions

Can you tell me more about the two submissions you recently submitted? It appears several of these are website publications -- we're not currently accepting anything that is not permanent enough to still be there in a few years. That is, we'll take ebook releases that you can download, and CDs with etexts on them but currently we don't take website publications. Can you tell me a bit more about these publications?

The other question is about "Working Writer". Can you tell me about this? If it's a magazine, the type should probably be MAGAZINE rather than NONFICTION; the format would be "Digest" or "Pulp" or whatever size it is. There's a list at Help:Screen:NewPub. I've gone ahead and approved that one, and will change the type to MAGAZINE, and the type of your contribution to ESSAY. NONFICTION is for books that are wholly non-fiction. I will also change the format to be blank as I don't know the magazine size; and I'll move the date to the magazine title as that's the usual approach.

Hope that helps. Let me know about the website publications and I'll see what I can do about integrating them if they qualify. Thanks -- Mike Christie (talk) 20:31, 25 Dec 2006 (CST)

Rejected ezines

Pagadan, I'm afraid we don't include ezines in the ISFDB, so I'm going to reject at least one of your submissions. The others that are on hold may well also be rejected too. I apologize that our policy wasn't clear on this -- your submissions actually started a debate about whether or not we should take ezines and web publications. Ultimately we decided we can't, for now at least -- the problem is that what we index on a website may be changed or may not even be there after some period of time. Since we are really nothing but a big index, that's a problem for us. Anyway, I'm sorry that you spent time on those for no benefit, and I wanted to make sure you knew why so you don't waste any more of your time. Thanks for contributing; and please leave me a note on my talk page if you have any questions. Mike Christie (talk) 20:10, 26 Dec 2006 (CST)

Thanks for the info re ezines.

Pagadan 19:02, 2 Jan 2007 (CST)Joy

Month dates on magazines

I see you've removed a couple of month and year dates from magazines; I'm approving them, but wanted to let you know that if they really are magazines of that date, then the convention we're using is to include the month and year in the title. If they are dated magazines, you can just change them back to e.g. "Romancing the Skyze, September 2001" instead of "Romancing the Skyze".

Thanks -- Mike Christie (talk) 16:52, 29 Dec 2006 (CST)

(Joy, via email): Sorry! I saw one with the month in the title and one without, so I decided to remove the month because I thought it was a mistake made by zipping through submissions. Yes, it's a dated magazine.

ISBNs and Amazon reviews

Hi, Pagadan! A couple of points re: your last few submissions, which have been now incorporated in the ISFDB. First, when entering an ISBN, there is no need to have the letters "ISBN" added. The 10 digit number is all we need. Adding the letters messes things for the software. Second, the Note field is to be used, as per the Help files, for:

A note specific to this particular publication. These notes should be permanent comments that reflect something indisputable about a Publication, e.g. a mis-spelled title on the contents page.

Please do not add reviews to this field. Once the submission has been approved, you can find the newly created record in the ISFDB, pull it up via "Edit Title Data" and add synopsis data in the Synopsis field. We don't support user reviews at this time, only user voting. Also, please keep in mind that we respect copyright and only Publisher-provided or user-written Synopsis data is acceptable. A cut-and-paste of somebody else's text may be in violation of that person's copyright. Thanks! Ahasuerus 20:13, 30 Dec 2006 (CST)

(Joy, via email): Sorry! Got it. No reviews or ISBN letters. I was thinking of plot info for readers, but I see I shouldn't have done it. I get carried away by cut & paste. And I was uncertain about the ISBN. I shouldn't have done it, I see now. Alvonruff 18:50, 2 Jan 2007 (CST)

Working Writer?

Anotehr quick question: Were the Working Writer essays that you submitted earlier about SF? The reason I am asking is that the magazine itself appears to be a general purpose magazine about writing, not a genre magazine. At this point we only list items that appeared in non-genre magazines (from Nature to Playboy) if they were "of" or about speculative fiction. Could you please clarify? Thanks! Ahasuerus 21:36, 30 Dec 2006 (CST)

(Joy responds via email): Yes, Working Writer is a general writing mag. My writing articles often have a SF slant, but the decision is yours. (I'd have to look at the articles.) And Romancing the Skyze is mostly general romance with the occasional SF/fantasy/paranormal story. Alvonruff 18:48, 2 Jan 2007 (CST)

Tales of the Talisman Volume VI, Issue 1

This publication is already in the database, [here], though it's missing most of the contents. You can add them to the existing record. I noticed that you had only added nine items in the contents section and three of the five reviews. At the bottom of the nine sets of fields that show in the default editing window there is a tab "Add Title" that you can click on as many times as you need to add all of the contents, same at the bottom of the review section. Fortunately, the Amazon "Look-Inside" feature has a full table of contents, even showing the interior artwork, so I could add all those if you like. However, the reviews are not shown individually, just as a section so could you at least add those? Thanks, and welcome back! --~ Bill, Bluesman 02:49, 30 July 2010 (UTC)

Tales of the Talisman

Bluesman,

I added everything, but apparently it got lost! That might have happened when I went back to Submit again because the first one didn't take. Drat! Now it looks like I have to start over since I don't even see the number of stories and reviews that you said I had. Whimper.

Bill,

If you could add the interior artwork, I'd appreciate it, but if not, just tell me.

On the third try, I think I've got The Tales of the Talisman issue submitted. This time I copied the info so I could email it if necessary!

Corrections: Westfield should be on page 73: and the review of The Legend of Sigrid and Gudrun should be on page 92, and maybe I should have added Christopher Tolkien as editor...

When I found that there was already a pub record for the magazine, I rejected your very first edit, as it would have created a new record, not updated the existing one. I should have mentioned that. Apologies! I can add the interior art, no problem. When you are editing on your talk page there is a string of 'tabs' above the edit window. The second last one [looks like just a squiggle] is the time/date/user name signature tab. Helps to know when a reply was posted. Cheers! --~ Bill, Bluesman 19:49, 3 August 2010 (UTC)

WomanScapes

Are all of the stories in this anthology speculative fiction? Mhhutchins 05:06, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

Yes, I'm pretty sure. I'd have to reread the whole book... "women living in other realities." "...tales about other worlds, mythical creatures, visitors from other planets, heroes from the past, and contemporary women dealing with strange events." —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Pagadan (talk • contribs) .

I accepted it, only to discover that it's already in the database. Just as several more of your submissions were duplicate which I had to reject. In the future before making a submission, please do a search to see if the publication is already here. The moderator assumes that an editor has already done this and doesn't need to check himself. Thanks. Mhhutchins 17:12, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

It was in the database under the name "E. J. McFall" (the first record was entered with the editor's name as initials.) Mhhutchins 17:14, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

I'm sorry! It wasn't on my page under my anthologies so I assumed they hadn't been added. Maybe I added them! In which case I'd better not add Kings of the Night II, where ever it might be. That is way tedious: I spent a long time doing all that last night.. I can't even find my own pagein a search--just on an old link. I am sorry I made your day harder. I did finally find the tilde, btw. I'll try that now: Pagadan 07:52, 1 March 2013 (UTC)

So how do I add the anthologies to my summpary page? Pagadan 07:58, 1 March 2013 (UTC)

Anthologies are listed only on the page of the editor (the "author" of the anthology). Your individual contribution appears on your page, not the anthology. Mhhutchins 17:32, 1 March 2013 (UTC)

Oh, I have an old anthology listed, which confused me. I hate to see it there all by itself. Pagadan 04:59, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

It's listed by itself because it's the only anthology which you edited, or at least the record says you edited it. If not, you should correct the record. Mhhutchins 05:00, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

Detour Trail

According to the synopsis for this novel, it doesn't appear to be speculative fiction, and would not be eligible for the database. Is there any spec-fic or fantasy elements in the story? Mhhutchins 05:10, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

No. Drat. My first novel, and it turns out to be a western. I thought it'd be all right to have it listed. Sniffle. Joy —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Pagadan (talk • contribs) .

Nongenre works are not allowed unless the author is "above the threshold", i.e. an author who is considered a spec-fic writer and has a considerable reputation within the field. We can add Isaac Asimov's mysteries, but only Philip Roth's science fiction. You can always list your nongenre work on the bibligraphic comments page. Mhhutchins 17:28, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

Ah, I see. That explains it. Pagadan 07:54, 1 March 2013 (UTC)

And I forgot the tildes again. Arrgghhh!!! Pagadan 04:57, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

You're also forgetting to add a colon to each successive update to a topic. That indents each reply which makes it easier to read the discussion. Mhhutchins 05:02, 4 March 2013 (UTC)

Mystic Signals

Thanks for your latest submission adding Mystic Signals #17 to the database. I accepted it but have had to make a few further minor edits so it conforms to ISFDB's various entry standards. Just a few pointers, most of which you will find covered on the New Publication Help page:

• I added some punctuation to some author's names, such as a point "." after an initial, and changed "Jr" to ", Jr."
• Each short fiction entry should be listed from the drop-down menu not as "Anthology" or "Collection" but as "SHORTFICTION", with the story length supplied from the adjacent drop-down menu. As you had already entered "shortstory" for each of these, I entered them again as the same with the exception of 'The Journey of Wegferend" which you indicated in your Note to Moderator as being a "POEM".
• I kept all your notes as written, but tidied them up a little and relocated one from the Synopsis entry field. This field is usually used to describe stories (if an editor wants to supply a description), and is not used for notes about the publication itself.
• I removed "17" from the 'publication series number' field and moved it to the title field as "Mystic Signals #17, February 2013". This format enables the publication to be included in its issue grid. This issue's Amazon listing identifies the publication as being from February 2013.
• If you wish to have a go at adding an image hosted by Amazon, please go ahead! You can find the instructions on how to do so under Image URL on the NewPub help page.
• I see other editions of Mystic Signals also have plenty of interior art. You can add these too, following the guidance found on the Interior Art help page.

Once everything looks in shape you can then verify the publication by clicking on 'Verify This Pub' in the toolbar. I hope everything above is clear, but if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask here! Thanks for contributing. PeteYoung 15:12, 23 December 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, Pete, for fixing all that! I think I'll skip adding an image. I'd probably never find my way back... And thanks for all your help in navigating my way here!

Pagadan 02:15, 29 December 2013 (UTC)

Strike Three

Thanks for submitting the ISBN for Strike Three! I have added its 13-digit form to the publication record, but could you please confirm that it says 978-1-936099-65-8 rather than 1-936099-65-9 in the book? In theory, all publishers were supposed to switch from ISBN-10s to ISBN-13s over 6 years ago, but you never know... Ahasuerus 03:50, 29 June 2014 (UTC)

ISBNs for Strike Three

Sorry. Should have entered them both then...

ISBN/EAN13: 1936099659 / 9781936099658 Pagadan 21:36, 30 June 2014 (UTC)

Thanks for the update! Could you please clarify which, if any, ISBN (the 10-digit version or the 13-digit version) appears in the book itself? Or is it both? The reason I am asking is that we enter the ISBN that is printed on the copyright page (or the back cover etc.) The ISFDB software then uses the entered ISBN to derive the complementary ISBN and uses both for display and searching purposes. Ahasuerus 22:34, 30 June 2014 (UTC)

Uh, sorry. I don't have a hard copy yet; it'll be about a week... Pagadan 03:32, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

No worries, take your time! :) Ahasuerus 03:33, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

OK, I think I've found where I went wrong--over and over--so I'll try adding it here 9781936099658 Pagadan 23:36, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

Thank you also. Pagadan 12:22, 9 July 2014 (UTC)

Great, thanks! Ahasuerus 23:52, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

ISBN

9781936099658 Pagadan 13:09, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

It's best to keep all responses in one topic posting. Just click on the "[edit]" link on the right to respond to that specific topic instead of creating new ones. Thanks for contributing. Mhhutchins 14:57, 5 July 2014 (UTC)

I know! I tried!! Over and over I typed in the number with text--and finally I just put down ISBN--not even ISBN for Strike Three--in that blank page that kept popping up. And now I'm trying again. Sometimes it works for me and sometimes it doesn't. What's the magic word?!

Just practicing. I have an SF anthology upcoming so I'll have a chance to remember the way it works... Pagadan 23:38, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

Without looking over your shoulder I can't say why you're having trouble. It may have happened because you created a topic with the same subject as one already on the talk page. That can confuse the wiki software sometimes. That's why it's best not to start a new topic, just edit the one to which you're responding. As for creating records, that has nothing to do with the wiki. The database and the wiki are two different entities, each with its own rules and entry methods. You'll learn them the more you stick around. Mhhutchins 23:53, 6 July 2014 (UTC)

Thanks! Pagadan 12:21, 9 July 2014 (UTC)

Science Fiction Consortium

Can I change the publisher to Jot Russell, please.Pagadan 04:04, 1 November 2014 (UTC)

Done! Ahasuerus 04:20, 1 November 2014 (UTC)

Thank you! Pagadan 01:44, 3 November 2014 (UTC)

Sugar Time

At 56 pages, this is not likely a novel, and by the description it "collects Joy V. Smith's Sugar Sweet stories into one volume." That would make it a COLLECTION. And at 8.5 inches, it should be entered as "tp" for trade paperback. The currency is also missing (I'm assuming it's US dollars.) Also, there is already a title record for this work in the database and you should have added the new edition to that title. Do you want me to accept the submission so that you can make the corrections, or do you want to cancel the submission and make a new one? Mhhutchins 04:00, 14 August 2015 (UTC)

I wasn't sure about that. Maybe it should be chapbook? Or tp. Sorry! Yes, US dollars. The original title is an audiobook with three stories; this new edition(s)is print and an ebook. I know it's confusing... And thanks for the tilde reminder. Pagadan 05:04, 14 August 2015 (UTC)

Oh, and the new edition has four stories 'cause the last one was published separately in a magazine... Pagadan 05:07, 14 August 2015 (UTC)

As I said above, if it's a collection of stories, it should be typed as a COLLECTION, regardless of how many pages the publication contains. For the ISFDB "chapbook" isn't a publication binding/format, it's a publication type. It sounds like it should be either "ph" (if it is stapled) or "tp" (if it is perfect bound with glue). I've rejected the submission and ask that you make a new one, typed as COLLECTION and include the contents as well. Thanks. Mhhutchins 07:09, 14 August 2015 (UTC)

OK. I'll wait till I get the print copy. Just wait till I try to enter the new audiobook edition...Pagadan 20:35, 14 August 2015 (UTC)

Again, a 52 page publication isn't a novel, unless it has very tiny print and more then 40,000 words. Is it one complete work or a collection of stories which each have their own title pages?

There were other problems which I have fixed. First it should not have been entered as a new work, because there was already a title for it in the database. Next, you did't give the currency, so I added the dollar sign. Next I changed the cover artist from "Laura Givens (cover artist)" to just "Laura Givens" since I'm pretty sure "cover artist" isn't part of her name. I then merged the new title you created with the one already in the database. Mhhutchins 22:10, 31 August 2015 (UTC)

Sorry. Okaay. I wasn't sure about adding cover artist, but I knew you'd fix it. And this is not Sugar Time, the audiobook. It's the print edition and contains one more story than the audiobook. It is a new work. And in the Help section, it said that sometimes these books, if not strictly a collection, could be called a novel. (Yes, I was confused by that.) And I noticed that the editor added his name to some listings, and I assume that's to differentiate it from the audiobook, but I didn't know how to handle that.... Sorry about the dollar sign. Pagadan 00:42, 1 September 2015 (UTC)

Perhaps you've misread the instructions, but a publication that contains four stories (according to the Amazon Look Inside) is not a NOVEL, but a COLLECTION. If you insist that it's a single work titled Sugar Time, then you will have to make the publication into a CHAPBOOK, which is a publication containing a single piece of work which is less than 40,000 words long. But since you keep insisting that it "contains one more story than the audiobook" then you certainly can't claim that it's a single work. You have three options:

1) You can delete the current publication record and create a new one which is either a COLLECTION (if it contains more than one story) or a CHAPBOOK (if it contains only one story).

2) You can update the current record, changing it to a COLLECTION or CHAPBOOK (depending upon the number of stories it contains) and adding content records for the stories.

3) You can allow me to create a record based on the publication as seen in the Amazon listing and delete the record currently in the database. Then if the record I create doesn't match your copy, you can update the record, with a note to the moderator concerning the changes you're making. Mhhutchins 01:42, 1 September 2015 (UTC)

Sorry. I almost made it a collection, but something stopped me. (I was beginning to chew my nails.) I did study the definitions... So, would you like to change it to a collection (it is four stories with separate titles: Sugar Time, Flight Test, Return to Neander, and Flashback (story published separately in a magazine)? Or would you rather I start over? Pagadan 03:00, 1 September 2015 (UTC)

Oopsie! I just read your previous instructions... Obviously I was still confused. I should have skipped the definitions... Pagadan 03:02, 1 September 2015 (UTC)