Novelty Fiction's Private Network

First impressions

The first thing that greets you once you have registered as a member and been approved is usually a welcome gift with a few friendly words attached. The messages are never automated, so someone – oftentimes me – has actually noticed your presence and felt the urge to say hello in this fashion.

There are few formalities, very few indeed. An avatar (profile image) is required on the network. This is a matter of style, but also of recognition – since faceless members are a lot harder for the moderator and other members to spot. User names must not contain numbers or be written in all uppercase. There are not that many other rules on the network.

Author websites

The forum is quiet compared with HubPages. It is mostly used for announcements and brief discussions. One of the more popular threads has been about the Novelty-sponsored author websites, 10-pages designed to the author's color preferences, and no two sites are ever alike. The sites are completely free from banners or advertisements; in fact, the only commercial feature that Novelty inserts is a logo in the top left corner of the home page, with a link back to Novelty Fiction's homepage.

Someone who wants an author website is typically already a network member. They indicate their color preferences, then fill out an online questionnaire. I will then present a site proposal, usually within a few days. The method for creating new websites has been enhanced, so that it now takes merely about 2 hours from concept until the site is online.

Blogs

The blogs are very important on the network, where there are monthly fiction contests with cash prizes and publication to the winners in Novelty – Stories & Perspectives. Members can use tags to receive free critiques from Novelty, and additional free services (proofreading, editing) are being rolled out. Another valuable tag is called “Premium,” meaning that the author would like for Novelty to consider publishing the story in question.

The network still has less than 50 members. Very recently, the network was upgraded so that members now are able to issue invitations directly from within the network. 2 authors, Lora Palmer and Sunnie Day, have been published in Novelty – Stories & Perspectives, with others to follow in coming months. Soon, Novelty will start publishing books and e-books as well.

The network is also spreading through newsletter sign-up forms, which are embedded into the author websites. Each author with an author website can have their own newsletter, which Novelty will then distribute to subscribers once a month. This way, Novelty Fiction and the author both help the network and its newsletters grow for our mutual benefit.

Another article site?

What sets Novelty Fiction's private network apart from so many other sites are the following:

• The main purpose of posting there is to receive in-depth feedback and in the hope of the story or article being published by Novelty;

• There is no unrest or any fights on the network, which welcomes both readers and writers;

• The network members and newsletter subscribers will soon form an ever expanding book club, where Novelty Fiction will give away free e-books and printed books as well as magazines.

• Novelty will also pay royalties to the authors whose works are being published and distributed in this manner. The works will be made available for sale to the general public, with an ISBN attached.

• The network is free. There are no access fees or any charges for services on the network. We do not accept donations, either. So far, everything is being financed by fees generated through editing assignments and the like.

If you are a creative writer, or someone who simply enjoys reading good stories, you could either join the network or sign up for some of the other services described in this article. Novelty Fiction will try hard to make you feel welcome and appreciated.