INTERACTION

I'm looking for input from authors & editors. I am building a submissions manager (like Submittable but open source & free) & I want to know what features you would find useful. Please feel free to pass this on to friends who might be interested.

Answers here are cool or feel free to send me a PM.

As a less than successful author I'd like to know how far into an MSS a reader/editor gets before he/she gives up. Eg did they get past the first 'page', midway through or all the way and how long did it take?

I'm not sure said reader/editor would think that a good idea though.
Roy

But it could be an option. A lot of editors don't have time to give feedback so maybe a couple of clicks for standardised comments? (and ta for replying)

Well, it now has a name, SubPunk.me.

I am working on 2 questionnaires, editors & writers, that when done would be great if anyone could fill out.

Can you make it turn the editor's screen red with headache inducing flashes and sirens when submitted stories have been left without response for over a year?

I will try to avoid inducing seizures, but a reminder wouldn't be out of the question.

Nah, go for the full epileptic..

We don't get that many submissions at TQF, and we've been fairly happy with Gmail so far. But these are the things I like about using Gmail, in case they're the kind of thing you're looking for:

- being able to auto-tag a warning to submissions from writers who have been difficult in the past (e.g. turned out to be plagiarists, simsubbers, aggressive, ignored proofs, internet embarrassments, etc)

- having email addresses easy to hand

- dropping files into the right place on my hard drive for reading (using attachments.me)

- being able to claim stories that I'm working on so the other editor doesn't duplicate my reading

- passing messages back and forth between editors (e.g. can't make my mind up about this one - could you take a look?)

- being able to sort accepted stories into groups with tags (e.g. TQF46) to make it easy to find the emails again when sending out proofs and letting authors know the issue is out

- easy to add terms and conditions to email when accepting stories

Hope that helps! Would definitely be interested in having a look at the finished product.

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Theaker's Quarterly Fiction

Thanks Rolinkov! That's a great help.

I have made a short preliminary survey for editors and will have one up for authors soon.

And here is a short one for authors.

I've completed the one for authors...

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www.andrew-hook.com

Thanks Andrew =)

I have never done anything like that before, were the questions ok or stupid?

They seemed sensible enough to me

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www.andrew-hook.com

Ta much =)

We are still looking for input, especially from people on the publishing/editing side. We plan to have a beta up by spring next year so any help is greatly appreciated.