So, FayV and I have been talking, and we both want to try to get something of a 'short story club' going on Weasyl. This would be like a book club, but for people like me and her who don't have the time to read a new novel every month. Hence substitute shorter works (short stories, novellas, plays) for the books. So read the work, then discuss it somewhere as a group.
We haven't hashed out too many details on this yet, so right now this is just a roll-call to see who might be at all interested in such a thing. Any interested parties?
And if you like the idea and think you'd want to do it, please, give us some suggestions, both works to read and how such a thing might operate.
I doubt I'd have time to take on anything else at this point, but I think it's a good idea and would be happy to signal boost. The main suggestion that comes to mind is just echoing what Huskyteer said -- choosing material that's available free online, or at the very least, commonly available in libraries. (I'm assuming it's not strictly furry-focused, although hey, that could be good too, with the Bad Dog Book Club being defunct.)
Furry obviously wouldn't be off the table, but since it would be a Weasyl-sponsored thing I'd much rather leave it open. I keep trying to reiterate as often as possible that Weasyl isn't furry-specific, in a vague attempt to attract a more diverse clientele to the website. But I will say, one thing I would be happy to consider would be some of the Coyotl winners/nominees, for hopefully obvious reasons.
Anyway, if you'd want to signal boost, that would be lovely. Thanks so much.
I keep trying to reiterate as often as possible that Weasyl isn't furry-specific, in a vague attempt to attract a more diverse clientele to the website.
It's a good fight, but personally I feel like that's a battle that's already been lost. I mean, animal name, animal mascot, created by (or mostly by?) furries, and with a vast majority of the userbase furry -- it's going to be seen as a de facto furry site, if nothing else. But I can see where you're coming from.
I'll be sure to spread the word once things are in the works. :)
I'd be interested, depending on the reading materials and scheduling.
Maybe host discussions on weekends via forums or IRC? (Anything simple & quick will do)
I think it's not hard to set up a specific IRC on the Weasyl server for such a thing. At this stage, though, I'm waiting to see if there's a better response should Fay or PT choose to publicize this idea, since the responses here seem more or less approving but non-committal. I'll let you know what happens, though.
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Sounds like a good idea to me, especially with how little time a lot of people have to sit down and truly enjoy a novel.
If you're looking for suggestions of works, George Saunders tends to have a few works. As does Denis Johnson and Kelly Link.