[The Critter Captain's Tesla FAQ]


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Ahoy, Critterfolk!
New entry May 28

Critter Notices

Books from Critters!

Check out Books by Critters for books by your fellow Critterfolk, as well as my list of recommended books for writers.

How to Write SF

The Craft of Writing Science Fiction that Sells by Ben Bova, best-selling author and six-time Hugo Award winner for Best Editor. (This is one of the books your ol' Critter Captain learned from himself, and I highly recommend it.) (Also via Amazon)

The Sigil Trilogy

If you're looking for an amazing, WOW! science fiction story, check out THE SIGIL TRILOGY. This is — literally — one of the best science fiction novels I've ever read.

Interviewed!

I was interviewed live on public radio for Critters' birthday, for those who want to listen.

Free Web Sites

Free web sites for authors (and others) are available at www.nyx.net.

ReAnimus Acquires Advent!

ReAnimus Press is pleased to announce the acquisition of the legendary Advent Publishers! Advent is now a subsidiary of ReAnimus Press, and we will continue to publish Advent's titles under the Advent name. Advent was founded in 1956 by Earl Kemp and others, and has published the likes of James Blish, Hal Clement, Robert Heinlein, Damon Knight, E.E. "Doc" Smith, and many others. Advent's high quality titles have won and been finalists for several Hugo Awards, such as The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy and Heinlein's Children. Watch this space for ebook and print editions of all of Advent's current titles!

Book Recommendation

THE SIGIL TRILOGY: The universe is dying from within... "Great stuff... Really enjoyed it." — SFWA Grandmaster Michael Moorcock

Announcing ReAnimus Press

If you're looking for great stuff to read from bestselling and award-winning authors—look no further! ReAnimus Press was founded by your very own Critter Captain. (And with a 12% Affiliate program.) [More]

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MORE NEWS & NOTICES >>

CRITTERS STORE >>

 

FEATURED BOOK

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CRITTERS STORE >>

To quit or not to quit, that is the question...

(Or whether 'tis nobler to zero one's counter)

Lots of folks ask me for advice on how to handle absences from Critters. You make the call, but there's a lot of flexibility here when it comes to quiting (or going inactive) vs. going on email hiatus vs. zeroing your counter.

There are a few basic reasons someone visits this page:

  • You want to reduce the amount of email you get from Critters
  • You need to arrange an extended absence from Critters
  • You need to arrange a short absence from Critters
  • You feel you're too far behind to ever catch up
  • You're absolutely sure you want to quit the group for good (aka Unsubscribe)

To accommodate these arrangements, we have a flexible array of options to suit your needs (& there's a form below to do the deed once you've chosen):

  • If you want to reduce email load (and don't want to lose all your existing critique credits), then you want to set your email preferences to "0" mss. and No emailed critiques. Your participation ratio will decline if you go away, but that's what the 75% is all about -- the 25% was designed to cover absences if you otherwise send in one critique per week. You can "stock up" before you go, or you can raise the ratio rapidly on your return by doing a bunch of critiques (of current stories, or old ones with author permission). Set your preferences back any time.

  • If you're taking a short break from Critters and don't mind losing your critique points, the best option is to set your preferences to no email like above, then, when you return, use the same form below to 'zero' or 'reset' your counter. (But check when you first return to make sure you're actually below 75%, otherwise it isn't worthwhile).

    However, note that if you fail to do at least one critique in any calendar month, you are subject to being inactivated.

  • If you plan to be gone more than a month, but want to keep up with the goings on in Critters, then use the form below to set yourself inactive. While inactive, you'll still get the weekly email notes, but no manuscripts and your counter is set to zero until you want to return, when it starts counting fresh again (like a reset). You can remain inactive for as long as you want; years, etc. reactivate when you're ready.

  • If you feel you're just too far behind to catch up, then have me reset/zero your counter. Acts like you just joined today; ramifications are that any manuscript in the queue goes to the end as if you just sent it today, you lose all your credits, and you must have at least one credit to forfeit -- if you're already at zero or below, you'll have to do one to make up for it, which is to say you'll get a "-1" credit.

  • If you just want absolutely nothing more to do with Critters (for now -- you're welcome back any time), or you're taking a hiatus and know that your current email address won't remain valid, then you should use the form below to entirely quit and rejoin when you get back.

      Since Critters' goal is to keep people as active as possible, between these choices you should find something to suit you. When in doubt, send extra critiques! :-)

      Your name:
      Email address:
      Password: [Forgot your password?] (Unncessary if you're currently inactive/amici)

      I want to...

      Reset/Zero My Counter      
      Go Inactive      
      Completely Quit (Unsubscribe)   (Also quit Aburt's blog list)      
      [or: set my email preferences]

      Workshop:


      Comments to Andrew Burt, the Critter Captain:

      Your request will be processed as soon as aburt's software minions get to it; you'll receive an email confirmation when that happens.

      Other comments/questions/etc. to the cap'n.

DONATIONS

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[via ►PayPal or: Square]
Happy minion   Happy minion — last donation was recent. A big Thank You! to Brian Sellnow, John Papiewski, Pamela Najar-Simpson, and lots of other Critterfolk for their contributions!

Critters is entirely funded by donations from Critterfolk like you, so yours is most appreciated. Click here to make the minions happy. Every dollar helps. Thanks for your support!

COOL BOOK

WHERE TO?

Manuscripts / Submissions
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Member Woohoo!s
Member Bios
Discussion Forums
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LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO READ?

(Or want to collect money for other people reading your stories?) Check out Aburt's ReAnimus Press.

CRITTERS DIPLOMACY

Fundamental to Critters' success is how people deliver criticisms. Start by reading Critiquing the Wild Writer: It's Not What You Say, But How You Say It. and The Diplomatic Critiquer.

NOVELS

Critters has a special program to get whole novels critiqued. Read about it here.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Please follow these guidelines for formatting and submitting manuscripts to Critters.

WHAT'S IN THE QUEUE

Critters keeps a queue of manuscripts out or to be sent. See the Queue.

WEEKLY MPC AWARD

Want to jump to the head of the Critters queue? The Most Productive Critter or MPC is Awarded weekly to encourage mo' better critting. How to win...

AVOID SCAMS

General Guidelines & Tips on Avoiding Publishing Scams

FAQ

Critters has an extensive FAQ to answer your every question.

CHECK OUT ABURT'S OTHER PROJECTS

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Andrew Burt