SETTING THE BAR
The nature of Steemit is de-regulated and open to all. This means anyone can post anything, regardless of quality. It’s a beautiful concept and I applaud it. What about the serious writers, though? The ones churning out valuable content and setting the bar for excellence? What if we find a way to reward their contribution to this community and offer them the option of even more exposure through a public digital library?
The Steemhouse Fiction Trail is a curation project started in the Fiction Workshop at the Minnowsupport Discord channel. We are fortunate to have professional authors and editors in that group, people who see a tremendous opportunity for Steemit to impact mainstream publishing. This curation project is the first step toward a much bigger goal. We have already envisioned an independent publishing imprint powered entirely by crypto. This is the time to build momentum, pique interest, and find sponsors willing to get on board the project. Eventually The SFT will generate its own voting strength and be able to offer substantial reward through a simple upvote. For the immediate future, we will appeal to potential investors about helping us offer SBD incentives for curation. This will take time to develop, but we’re starting now.
I’m a moderator at the PALnet @minnowsupport group, and also a “mini-mod” at the Fiction Workshop. The sense of community there is profound. We’re a close-knit group, but also a very welcoming group in the Workshop. We laugh and joke and kick up our heels, but the overall atmosphere is very workmanlike and productive. No promotion of posts is allowed in the Workshop, and spam links get deleted quickly. But if you’re looking for serious feedback about your fiction, it’s the place to be. Some of our mini-mods in that group have decades of experience as professional book critics and editors, along with published novels available at major booksellers. Our workshop isn’t the featherweight corner. If you tell your story instead of show it, we will tell you. If you need to practice Deep POV, we will tell you. If you’re head-hopping, we will tell you. If your grammar and syntax needs so much work that it interferes with your voice, we will tell you that, too. Find us at the Fiction Workshop HERE.
The SFT emerged directly from the Fiction Workshop. The Workshop and the SFT Library are my dedicated projects as PALnet moderator. We are a minnow group in the Fiction Workshop because we’re new to Steemit, not because we’re new to publishing. The MSP Discord channel has several honorary whale members, as well as dolphins and witnesses. So I encourage you—if you’re serious about your fiction, pay us a visit. The only people not welcome are bullies. 😊
See the first curation post from The SFT HERE.
You say you are a mini-moderator in the Fiction Workshop. Yet, there is nothing mini about your editing abilities @rhondak! The fiction workshop has done wonders to improve my writing style, and the community there is amazing. It has rejuvenated my love for social media. I am super excited to be a very minor part in all that goes on in the Fiction Workshop. Go SFT! Let's Build Worlds!!
@nexusfyre, here lately I've been so busy with the website and all this related stuff that I haven't gotten to talk to you much. Please know you are an integral part of the Fiction Workshop and bring soooo much good energy and wisdom to it. When I glance in and see you there talking to people, I'm always reassured that everyone is in good hands. :-)
An awesome initiative! I'm excited to see where this leads to. Imagine all the undiscovered gems just waiting to be polished for the world to see. Ah, the possibilities!
I know! It's so exciting. :-)
This is a terrific idea. I think the concept of sort of sub-communities existing on Steemit where you can share your work, get feedback and engage with similar people has a huge amount of potential.
I look forward to seeing how the SFT library progresses.
Thank you. I agree that the subcommunities may be key to the ultimate success of the platform, especially for professional users. :-)
nice post @rhondak.. i follow you
@maite hello spanish ☺️
Hello! I don't speak Spanish, but it's so very nice to meet you. :-)
Nice post
Thank you. :-)
Welcome☺
Woot! I've hated being out of touch for the week, but am excited to be back!!
Good to see you back, @uniwhisp!!! :-)
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by rhondak from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
Upvoted and RESTEEMED!
Thank you! I'm so excited about these projects I can hardly stand myself. :-)
We said! It's very exciting to be a part of this project and the Fiction Workshop in general. Can't wait to see where this leads!
@jrhughes, like I just told nexusfyre--you're a cornerstone of the group and the Workshop wouldn't be the same without you. :-)
Resteeming in order to spread the word and get folks into posting more fiction pieces! Thank you.
Thank you! Yes--you hit the nail on the head. We want people to post more fiction, great fiction, and get recognized for it. :-)
Trying to get some writers to join the platform--stay tuned!
Yay!
Appreciate this!
I've always wanted to step my fiction game up, so thanks for pushing forward.
Much ❤
@Tayken
Omigosh that gif is too cute. :-)
I think this is a wonderful development, and I'm looking forward to where will lead in the future, for Steemit, and for authors. Thanks for putting this together.
I resteemed this to help spread the word.
Thank you! See you in the workshop. :-)
Great project.
Can't wait to try it out! Guess I better start getting serious.
Yep! Now would be a very good time. LOL!
You're awesome! @rhondak , i always liked this idea of it, promoting creativity which i always admire it. Definitely upvoting n resteemed.Keep it up
Thank you! I definitely agree… Promoting creativity can only amount to something good. :-)
Hello @rhondak you have just made the cut in the STEVE TOP5 POST FOR TODAY.
@steve1122, you are awesome, and what you're doing is awesome. Thank you! :-)
That workshop is a cool initiative! Great for you :) Keep up the good work.
Thank you! :-)
This is a mindblowing idea. Thanks for sharing. Love the way you presented the content. Keep on steeming
Thank you! So far, we just can't find a down side. :-) Steem on!
You guys are going great work. I think as a minnow and a freelance content writer it is important for me to join the network and learn stuff from the experts.
You guys are targeting one of the biggest problems writers around the world face; exposure. I have accepted the invitation to join PAL network on Discord. I am sure I will get to improve my writing skills.
P.S: I post stuff on How to Become a Writer and make money with Steemit, please take a look at it.
Thank you.
I look forward to seeing you there!
definitely a great Idea! I haven't been on Fiction workshop lately but I'll be back as soon as I have more allocated time :)
I love it there! It has improved and given me a lot of knowledge in terms of writing a fiction.
Have a great day rhonda
Hi, macchiata! Very much look forward to seeing you again. :-)
Heading over to Discord to have a look..:-)
Well, I think tons of professionals are on here, and perhaps you may not have found them. I am a screenwriter, not a home hobbyist writer. I am a produced screenwriter with multiple credits to my name. I constantly help other writers on steemit from a variety of different angles. There is no writer considered too new for me to not assist. Steemit can have its days and fluctuations. I would love to help out and no bullying here.
Yes! I've seen many seriously talented writers and can only presume they're pros at this in some capacity. We'd love to have you in the Workshop. Couple of screenwriters there, and it gets lonely for them in the midst of a herd of novelists.
Awesome, mate!
Would love too.
This is a fantastic project. The help and support you give aspiring authors is inspiring.
I heart GMuxx!
I have been waiting for something like this! And thank you, @naquoya for resteeming for more visibility!
I see you sneaking into the group even as I type this. Great to have you! :-)
yes agree
:-)
The workshop that @rhondak moderates is a spawning ground for great content. The amount of time she dedicates to the community is pretty unrivaled.
Thanks @rhondak, I will always support!
@unprovoked, you are awesome. And so is "Mind Map!"
upvoted and resteemed
Thank you! :-)
The literary prowess of SFT is staggering....&........*....Muxxybot approvesI heart Muxxybot. :-)
Illogical....*....LOLOLOL!
Woot woot!
Nothing I can say will express the depth of my gratitude to Rhonda, SFT and the Creative-fiction group on discord. Many of us have been typing, writing, even bleeding on the digital page for eons with nothing but broken hearts to show. Then along comes Steemit, and SFT. How many of us can now spend our free time doing what we love? Creating worlds is just the beginning...
Thanks guys for re-directing my life. I can't wait for the day when our baby steps will shake the print world. I sense it's coming. Oh boy. It's coming.
Uber hugs.
Jhagi.
Yep! It is definitely coming. We have lots of work to do but it barely feels like work when it's what we enjoy. :-)
Hi @rhondak! I was recommended to the fiction channel by some of my readers...this is an amazing initiative that you all are setting up and I am excited to learn more about it. I do agree with you, I often find myself enjoying content outside of this scope and Steemit is the perfect place for multi-dimensions of material to come together but I get lost in my words, perplexed by my thoughts, wanting to reach an audience to share my stories with and I would be thrilled to join what you have going on now. I am currently on Part 5 of my series, I am new here but people tell me they like it and I would love to hear what other writers have to offer to it and learn some tips and tricks to make it that much better. I hope we can talk more about this! I am looking forward to hearing from you and will pop over to Discord next time I take a break from Part 6 ;)
@heart-to-heart, we'd love to have you in the Workshop! Please do stop in first chance you get. :-)
I've seen the Minnow Support Group in several posts but haven't been able to read much on it. Since I'm not big on discord anymore, is there any other way to contribute. Besides putting it in hashtags to my post, I haven't really received anything about it.
I've spent a whole year trying to help Steemit fiction by encouraging authors in their comments section. I always make it a point to leave thoughtful commentary, and I've been praised time and again for boosting morale. I would very much like to help out with this initiative, as I envision Steemit as a place where fiction authors can thrive as well. Just from reading this, I could see that our objectives are aligned in that regard.
I've just finished publishing my Steemit-exclusive novel last month. I've spent the first half of this year posting it weekly. Does that count for a feature or are you guys looking for current stuff?
We curate first chapters that are still within their seven day period before payout, so that we can upvote them. :-)
Oh alright. Good luck with your initiative! When I was first starting out I envisioned a lively fiction community here, and even though it's only happening after my first year here I'm still happy that initiatives like this are happening, even without my involvement :D
Expect some SP delegation from me soon. Since I’m a fiction writer myself, I can’t say anything but - wonderful idea! Unfortunately English is not my first language, but I’ve already decided that I will try to translate at least a portion of my book-in-creation for "Steemit purposes". Who knows maybe some of the folks on PAL could give me a helping hand. I’m going to follow the trail and wish you best of luck.
That sounds wonderful! We'd love to have you visit us in the Workshop at PALnet. :-) We have several ESL folks, and do our very best to help.
I find this very interesting. I am working on my first novel and just broke 22,000 words which is a big deal to me. I would love to be involved in this community and hopefully have some knowledge dropped on my novice self. I clicked on the link above and in discord it said the invitation had expired. What to do?
@dwhntx , I'm so sorry! I have no idea why the link shows as expired. I definitely had it set to "never" expire, but technology can be glitchy. Try this link: https://discord.gg/dXrCAxX and see if this works.
All good, I am in! Appreciate the follow up.
Good post! thanks for sharing @rhondak
Hey, a post that got more than a couple bucks! You deserve it.
Hallelujah! Yes, I have to admit… This made me happy. :-)
Ah, too awesome!
Will have to catch up with you on Discord asap--I've been busy but have some time to catch up and connect this week. Hope you've been able to work on your own writing!
My own writing? What's that? LOLOL! I am definitely working on a piece, hoping I can do my own series for Steemit. People really seem to enjoy those. I have like, three words written. Well, one page. But I'm getting there! I look forward to seeing you in the workshop! You bring a lot to it.
Three good words, I trust! Haha!
The hardest part is always getting started... I'm rooting for you!
Hey @rhondak , I am starting a podcast where I interview other entrepreneurs, I would like to invite to the inaugural episodes.
The podcasts will be hosted on my youtube account: https://www.youtube.com/nantchev
We talk about what you are currently doing in life, your business as well as your journey and any lessons or advice you want the world to know.
A casual conversation about entrepreneurship, and about you.
Count me in. Just tell me what to do next. :-)
Great to read! Please go to this link, fill in the details and pick a time for the interview.
https://calendly.com/adriannantchev/entrepreneur-podcast
I got started with the calender, then it asked for a Skype address, and suddenly I realized. . .this might be video rather than audio podcast. I don't have a webcam! Oh no!
BUT--as a sufferer of autoimmune disease who is FED UP with Big Pharma, your advocacy for legalization of hemp has made me a loyal supporter. I found you on Twitter and followed, as well--author name Diane Ryan.
No, it is an audio only interview.
The hemp idea is something I am slowly putting on the backburner so as to focus entirley on my personal brand and grow my online reputation.
Okay then. I'll submit the calendar, and we'll be in business. :-)
Sounds great! Look forward to it!
I see your interview slow, but you do not have a Skype address.
What do you suggest as an alternative?
Ohhhh
I've been writing fiction on here for 6 months (I like to think it's Ok) I've been approached by your group and when I ask how to take advantage of it, I get some Discord channel but no instructions about what to do. Maybe if you made it understandable to people of "that certain age" that don't possess the tech gene, you'd get more responses... unless you don't want us.
Hey Rich! I know I'm one of the people who's approached you and I'm sorry if I haven't been clear on how to participate. I'm also not sure how you reconcile these two statements: "I've been approached by your group" and "unless you don't want us." I'm about to be as specific as possible on how you can participate in the workshop, but first I need to clear the air a bit.
At the risk of sounding defensive, I must point out that @Rhondak spends almost all day every day and most of every night in that workshop. Rather than writing her own posts and cashing in on them, she is helping other people do so at a higher quality than before. So I guess I am a little defensive when someone so generous with her time is accused of age-discrimination. I'm being very nice about it because you and I have had a report here on the site, so I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that your frustration got the better of you in that comment. But it was uncalled for.
The reason we keep giving you a link to the Discord channel is because that is where we all meet to discuss our work. There is no other way to participate in the workshop than to join it on Discord. That is the workshop.
The way to participate is to sign up for Discord through the link provided (here it is again if you need it) and say "Hello" to the room. Then we will know you are there and can welcome you.
Discord can seem intimidating in the beginning, but it doesn't require any more of a "tech gene" than Steemit and I see you are getting on well here, so you should be fine getting onto it. Especially since the link is a direct path to the workshop. It is no more technical than opening an email account. Once you're in, type "Hello" and 99% of the time someone will be there to welcome you.
If you are wondering what participation will consist of once you are there, here is a post I did yesterday on that very thing: Tips for Fiction Part 4 - Work(shop) that Thang!.
I hope this clarifies things for you, and I hope you don't retain the incredibly mistaken impression that the workshop is unfriendly to people of any age. If you can navigate Steemit, you can make it into the workshop. I hope to see you there!
I'm a grandma. . .so I might be a certain age-y myself. . . .
LMAO!
Thanks
Cool one. Go SFT
All I can say is WOW, steemit amazes me more and more each day, so many exciting projects around! I love writing but have a lot of learning to do, will certainly look at this channel, thank you!
What a great idea! I have to admit, I could benefit from this workshop. It's finding the time to spend working with you. I spend my days writing medical blogs on a freelance platform, and it takes up most of my day. I guess this is one of the most common excuses, since time is a writer's best investment. Could you give me a bit of info on how it works?
Hi, @kimmydee2. Thank you for commenting! Yes, I would love to tell you more about the Workshop and the SFT. :-)
They're two separate projects, but affiliated. The Workshop is run by volunteers on the MSP Discord channel, so we are all very understanding about time constraints. One of our regulars is in law school and his life is as busy as a whirlwind right now. The good thing about the Workshop is that, while we do have "busier" times there with more chatter and more traffic, it's open 24/7 with our links and resources available here: http://www.mspfictionworkshop.com/
For writers with a specific piece of fiction they need feedback about, we have a submissions process and an open-ended period for critique. The submission goes into a spreadsheet that we work with as our own schedules permit, and more often than not you get a lot of diverse suggestions from various people in the group. Everyone participates at will. We have "green" writers and professional editors in the group and all pitch in according to their own availability.
We've also just launched a weekly radio show where we'll have lots of lively discussion about the writing process, as well as guest authors. Lots of things on the horizon for writers at Steemit! :-) https://steemit.com/msp-waves/@rhondak/the-first-fictioneers-live-radio-broadcast-on-mspwaves