Up to this point, I have gotten a Funko Pop villain as a physical representation of my stories (I have more than in that photo now), and as a visual reward for each of my publications. However, other than reading the e-copies of the books/magazines, I've had no other interaction with my stories.
What to do?
This evening I sat down and printed up the covers of the anthologies and magazines that include my work. I haven't worked out the details yet, but I'll be putting them in a binder so I can flip through and see the covers. This is also where my contracts will be kept. Yes, I kill trees and print them up. I like to have the physical forms in front of me, and always have better reading comprehension with something on a piece of paper vs. something on a screen. So I print them up to review them before signing/agreeing, then I file them.
I'm deciding whether to print up my stories to keep in the binder behind the covers. I keep the e-books/magazines on my Kindle so I have the closest to a physical copy of the book or magazine possible.
I'd like to hear what everyone else does with their e-books. I'd love to steal your great ideas (but only the ones that involve how to best treasure your e-publications.)
How do you save your e-books/publications? Do you print up the covers? Do you display them? If so, how? Do you keep hard copies of your e-published stories? What do you do with them? Where do you keep the e-copies?
May you find your Muse.
23 comments:
That's a good idea. I have physical copies of my novels, but several of the anthologies I've contributed to are only in eBook form. You should print out your stories for that binder.
I print all of my online stories and keep them in clear plastic sleeves in binders. Each binder has a list of the stories, where they were published and the date. It's a huge boost to flip through the pages and see how much I really have accomplished on this writing journey so far. Sometimes I forget that and those binders are wonderful reminders. :)
I've only published eBooks so far and never have been published in a magazine or newspaper, so I yearn to be able to hold one of my works too. One day, we both will!
I do make a hard copy of every cover and keep a folder on each book series where I keep a hard copy of the contract and the maps I've drawn of the world I created for them and anything else that belongs to that series. Most of my books are available in print so I keep a copy of those nearby too. Go for it and print yourself a copy.
Susan Says
The only magazine we were in physically had a comically misspelled cover, it misspelled one of our names, and had artwork that looked like it was drafted up by (I'm assuming) someone's six year old. Sometimes not having a physical copy is okay.
Outside of our physical paperback books, which grace our mantles, we've printed (professionally) and framed our favorite covers.
I like the idea of printing the covers as a physical reminder. I have a few anthologies I'm published in on my bookshelf, but like you, nothing for the e-books. Placing the links on the blog isn't the same as touching the pages.
I have not found a need to have physical manifestations of my work. I, of course, have copies of the books. Except, well, -I- don't have copies of them; my kids do. So, other than my ragged copy of House that I read from each year, I haven't bothered to make physical any of my work to keep for myself. It's just never seemed important.
I think printing up a copy and holding it very satisfying. The ebooks are great, but you can't hug them like you can the paper versions.
I love your idea! I'm like you a physical representation is so important.
I'm going to do like-wise, print copies of my online pieces, including the covers of the publications they appeared in.
At heart I'm a paper-back gal!
I'm leaning toward doing that. It will be cool to flip through. One of the magazines I was in sent me a PDF form in addition to the other formats, so I might be able to print up the magazine formatted version.
That's a great idea! I do have a spreadsheet on my computer of my publications (so I can track when rights revert to me, etc.), but a form in the binder would be great, too.
I hope it's soon for both of us!
I have a composition book (color coded) for the novels I have in the works, but I like the idea of the folders. I could even color code them with the composition books!
I was thinking of framing a couple of them, too. I have this great frame that has a swivel door on it so it can easily be opened to switch out photos. I may have to acquire an additional one (the one I currently have has pics of the kids, of course.)
It really isn't the same. I printed up the covers the other day, and have already looked through them a couple times. And showed them to my husband, haha.
I love the tactile experience, and it's always been important to me. I'm excited about one of the journals I have work coming out in soon, because I'll get physical copies AND they're kid-friendly (most of what I write isn't), so I'll be getting copies for each of my kiddos. Another first in this career.
Exactly!
I can't explain the why of it, but I definitely feel that way.
Me, too! I respect the digital world, but I work better with paper.
I just go some great ideas from you. :) I wish I had some ideas to share.
Ebooks are cheap and sell better than print. Although, I'm old school and like print. I purchase my print books and keep them nicely preserved on a shelf next to my Harry Potter collection...
I love your ideas for the binder. I wish I had some ideas to share but I am totally blank. But I think that binder will definitely be a treasure to have.
And I LOVE your Funko collection! I'm totally obsessed with those toys and I think your collection is awesome. What a great idea.
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