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eBooks

Welcome to Space1999.org's free, non-commercial eBook publishing imprint!




FAQ

Last updated: 28 April 2006

General

  1. What is an eBook?
  2. What software do I need?
  3. Why not offer other eBook file formats, like Microsoft Reader?
  4. Can I print out my own eBook copy?
  5. These eBooks are really free? What's the catch?
  6. Do all of your eBooks follow the same timeline? Are they all part of the same universe?
  7. Are you competing with other professional publishers (like Eagle One Media or Powys Media, publishers of various Space: 1999 books)?
  8. Can I download Powys Media (Space: 1999) books here?
  9. May I publish my own eBook here?
  10. Are there audio versions available?
  11. What non-Space: 1999 eBooks do you plan to offer, if any?
  12. What's the difference between the various imprints?
  13. How do I create a joint imprint with Space1999.org?
  14. What does a joint imprint provide?
  15. Do you publish mature-themed content?
  16. Aren't other fan fiction sites offering the same thing as you? What's so special about your eBook publishing?
  17. How do I get (or make) hardcopy versions of these eBooks?
  18. What is "OpenDocument" format and why is it so important?

Authoring

See also our eBook Development Kit for additional FAQ items.

  1. How can I get my work published with your imprint?
  2. What do you mean by "all authors retains 100% ownership of their content?"
  3. Can I create the eBook myself and just give it to you to post?
  4. Which imprint should I choose?
  5. What can I publish?
  6. I want to publish a short story, not a novel. What are my options?
  7. Will you edit my work? Would you edit my work for me if asked?
  8. I have a great idea, but I'm not a writer! Can you find me a co-author or ghost writer to assist?
  9. If my work is rejected for your publishing imprint, are there other options to publish it?
  10. Do I get any compensation for having my work published with your imprints?
  11. I want to sell my book. Can you make an exception?

Distributing

  1. Can I distribute your eBooks?
  2. What web content should I post with the eBooks?
  3. Can I charge users for these eBooks? Is there a payment program or some form of compensation?
  4. Can I distribute or sell hardcopy versions of your eBooks?

General

1.) What is an eBook?

An Electronic Book (eBook) is a digital version of a traditional paper book. It can be read on a computer desktop, laptop or hand-held device. There are numerous eBook file formats requiring special reader software. Most eBook file formats are proprietary and not cross-compatible, eg. Microsoft Reader (.lit format) will not open within the Adobe Reader program.

2.) What software do I need?

For Space1999.org's imprint offerings, there are two different software programs you can use, both of which are free.

With more than a dozen different proprietary eBook formats on the market, we opted for two which a.) provide a good user experience; b.) are widely used/adopted; and c.) are accessible on different computer platforms and operating systems.

While we understand Microsoft's Reader is popular, it is a closed, proprietary format intended solely for their Windows operating system. (Same with Palm OS and others, too.) It also proved to be a major time suck when trying to re-format files into .lit format. (Microsoft, fix those bugs!)

Why not offer other eBook file formats, like Microsoft Reader or Palm Reader?

Two reasons: 1.) Formatting problems; 2.) Increased workload.

Companies, like Microsoft, offer conversion software which appear to easily change a document into their eBook file format. However, the end result is uneven and sloppy--and requires a tremendous amount of clean-up work.

In the future, we hope the driving forces behind eBook publishing will create a truly open, cross-platform standard which all eBook publishing tools can utilize. There are simply too many proprietary formats on the market, requiring huge amounts of extra work. We do not have time to create three or more separate document types, eg. tweaking and reformatting to generate other specialized eBook file types.

By offering a generic .odt (OpenDocument Text) file, users themselves can save into other formats for use on their reader of choice. However, the formatting within the original .odt file will be lost and require extra work, if desired. It is an option to those wanting to read our eBooks on the software reader of their choice.

Personally speaking, we're fans of the Microsoft Reader format. However it is a major beast (and burden) to re-format an entire eBook into the .lit file type. Microsoft has done a poor job of producing WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) tools for their .lit format. Regardless of the free .lit converter by Microsoft and Overdrive's software tools, it is far too time consuming to produce the quality eBook designs we're striving for when different formatting standards exist. (Microsoft: 6x9 layout!)

4.) Can I print out my own eBook copy?

Yes. We do not lock files or assign DRM (Digital Right Management) which prevents this. Depending on which software format you choose, you are welcome to print out your own copies for personal, non-commercial use within your own private collection.

5.) These eBooks are really free? What's the catch?

Yes, they're free! There is no catch. This is a hobby for all involved, not a professional venture or money-making endeavor. Our works showcase and celebrate our interest in the Space: 1999 universe, among other properties. We hope the property owners understand and permit this.

6.) Do all of your eBooks follow the same timeline? Are they all part of the same universe?

Each author is able to write their own independent fan fiction or reference works "based on" the universe of Space: 1999 and/or other properties. As a general rule, we've asked authors to stay mostly true to the original characters, scenes and situations. We encourage writers to follow canon and adhere to the actual TV series episodes. Some may choose to incorporate continuity and events depicted in Powys Media's licensed Space: 1999 novels. Some may cross-reference other fan fiction works, or develop an alternate timeline or series of events. None of them have to follow the same timeline or universe as the other eBooks in our imprints.

7.) Are you competing with other professional publishers (like Eagle One Media or Powys Media, publishers of various Space: 1999 books)?

No. We are an amateur, hobbyist effort, not a professional publishing house. While we're seeking to release quality eBooks, we do not consider ourselves as competing with anyone else. Ours is a fun, non-commercial, non-for-profit effort.

If anything, Space1999.org has been an ardent, vocal supporter of these publishers. Please buy their products! The more you buy, the more you signal the need for Space: 1999 commercial products.

8.) Can I download Powys Media (Space: 1999) books here?

No. Powys Media is a professional, commercial publishing house that releases officially-licensed paper books of Space: 1999, The Prisoner and others. You can support Space1999.org by purchasing Powys Media books within our Store section.

Space1999.org's imprint only provides free, non-commercial and not-for-profit eBook offerings for direct download on our site.

If/when Powys Media releases eBooks (instead of traditional paper-only books) we'll provide links from our Store section.

9.) May I publish my own eBook here?

Yes. The Space1999.org will consider your work for possible publication. See our eBook Development Kit for details on how to proceed. Space1999.org approves, formats and assembles all eBooks offered with its imprint.

10.) Are there audio versions available?

Not yet! We would like to offer such versions. If you would like to help record audio readings of our titles, please contact us. Such work would be 100% pro bono (no payment, no compensation, merely for fun) with credit going to all involved.

Worth noting: Newer versions of Adobe Reader have a "screen reader" technology built in which will read the text aloud. To enable the Read Out Loud feature within Adobe Reader, select View > Read Out Loud then select one of the options listed!

11.) What non-Space: 1999 eBooks do you plan to offer, if any?

"That would be telling..."

We do have plans to branch our imprint into various other fandoms over time.

12.) What's the difference between the various imprints?

Marketing.

Depending on the focus of the partnered web site, the joint imprint adds additional marketing value. Examples:

* denotes a ficticious web site used for the examples above.

Bottom-line: Space1999.org has it's own imprint (the Space1999.org imprint) for publishing eBooks. In partnership with others, we offer joint imprint publishing, too.

13.) How do I create a joint imprint with Space1999.org?

Contact us with the subject line "Space1999.org eBook Joint Imprint." Anyone wanting to partner on a joint imprint must have content to publish. We do not provide content for such purposes. (We have our own imprint where we do that!)

14.) What does a joint imprint provide?

Marketing value. Your web site receives a mention by virtue of the joint imprint branding. Space1999.org maintains the overall guidelines and assembles the actual eBook files; joint publishing imprints offer the final eBook product (files) for distribution.

15.) Do you publish mature-themed content?

As a general rule, no.

We may consider publication of mature-themed eBooks depending on the subject matter. If/when we do, we will place a label on the cover art, plus a text warning within the eBook itself. It will be up to the reader to determine if they can obtain and read such content, per their local laws.

Mature themed stories dealing with drug abuse, sex/sexuality, violence, racism, ageism, sexism, politics, religion -- all within the context of the story -- may be considered as acceptable, depending on their usage. Space1999.org reserves the right not to publish any story. Topics dealing with (but not limited to) intolerance, hate, gratuitous unnecessary acts of extreme violence, sexual perversity (pedophilia, bestality, incest, rape) and religion bashing are not welcome.

16.) Aren't other fan fiction sites offering the same thing as you? What's so special about your eBook publishing?

Some sites already offer Microsoft Word .doc files, plain ASCII text, HTML, XML and Acrobat versions of fan fiction works. Essentially we're offering both an Acrobat file and glorified word processor version of our files. Nothing terribly special, right?

Our goal, however, is to uplevel and improve the design, formatting and presentation of fan fiction offerings. From cover art to layout, we want our eBooks to have a professional look about them.

17.) How do I get (or make) hardcopy versions of these eBooks?

See our special web page on hardcopy versions which discusses this topic in-depth.

18.) What is "OpenDocument" format and why is it so important?

Hear it at the source: http://www.odfalliance.org: the OpenDocument Format (ODF) Alliance.

Authoring

1.) How can I get my work published with your imprint?

You will need to download our eBook Development Kit and familiar yourself with our requirements. Once you're ready, you can submit your work for consideration via our submission form.

A lot of work is done to produce these eBooks; due to this, only a few entries are selected at any time for conversion in eBook offerings. Space1999.org reserves the right not to publish any story.

2.) What do you mean by "all authors retains 100% ownership of their content?"

Authors retain full ownership of their content, allowing the Space1999.org imprint (or other joint imprints) to publish copies of their content as an eBook. The imprints cannot claim legal ownership of any writings, artwork, etc. created by the author. Such ownership belongs to the creator.

In kind, authors may not claim ownership of the Space1999.org imprint (or other joint imprints) or content created by the imprints as part of their eBook publication. For example, cover art may not be re-used in another eBook publication without express permission of the creator. The imprint branding may not be used or represented on any other publications by the author, only by the imprint.

3.) Can I create the eBook myself and just give it to you to post?

No. We ask authors to provide the story content; we at Space1999.org will do the actual design, formatting and packaging work, including cover art. If you are an artist and wish to contribute the cover art, let us know. We prefer to do the work, though.

4.) Which imprint should I choose?

It depends on the subject matter.

5.) What can I publish?

From a book of do-it-yourself cutout paper dolls/spaceships, to a series of lengthy fan fiction novels, let us know what you have in mind!

6.) I want to publish a short story, not a novel. What are my options?

Due to the work required to create our eBooks, we prefer not to publish a short story as a standalone release. However, from time to time, we compile anthology releases--volumes of collected short stories. Your short story could be published this way. Use our submission form and let us know you want this option. We'll consider it.

7.) Will you edit my work? Would you edit my work for me if asked?

No. Maybe. (Just ask!)

There is a difference between editing and formatting. We may correct the occasional typographic error, but we will not rewrite your content. If you want your work edited, we'll consider it, depending on our available free time. We remind everyone that this publishing endeavor is a hobby, not a job.

8.) I have a great idea, but I'm not a writer! Can you find me a co-author or ghost writer to assist?

We'll consider helping--no guarantees, though. Just contact us with the e-mail subject line "Space1999.org eBook Story Idea" or use our online form.

9.) If my work is rejected for your publishing imprint, are there other options to publish it?

Yes. The aforementioned Space1999Fiction.com is an excellent source for hosting a wide variety of fan fiction (displayed as XML-formatted text on web pages). You should always consider publishing to that web site before submitting to us.

Bear in mind: We, at Space1999.org, work on a mere handful of eBook titles each year. Our rejection of any work may not be based on lackluster writing by the author, but our workload!

Another option is utilizing our eBook Development Kit to self-publish! You can create your own publishing imprint and release your own eBooks. We ask that you consider the "Space1999.org imprint" before doing this.

10.) Do I get any compensation for having my work published with your imprints?

None. Our imprints are entirely non-commercial and not-for-profit. All work is made available for free access.

11.) I want to sell my book. Can you make an exception?

No. Our publishing model is intended to make all eBooks from the Space1999.org imprint (and joint partnership imprints) as available for free.

If you decide to sell your own eBook (and you will not be able to publish under the Space1999.org imprint, nor will we host your eBook for download from our site), then we might consider cross-linking (as a courtesy) to your online store where you offer/host/sell your eBook.

Distributing

1.) Can I distribute your eBooks?

Yes, provided the eBook file is unaltered, unmodified and available for free, non-commercial download. You may host copies of our eBooks from your own web site. Please do not link directly to our eBooks files. Rather, you may host your own copies.

2.) What web content should I post with the eBooks?

Using our Open Content Model (OCM), you can re-use our content (citing Space1999.org as the source) or create your own. Please represent the eBooks fairly and positively.

3.) Can I charge users for these eBooks? Is there a payment program or some form of compensation?

No and no.

3.) Can I distribute or sell hardcopy versions of your eBooks?

No. See our special web page on hardcopy versions which discusses this topic.

 

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