I've contacted a few maintainers of Big Bangs with ideas that may help make Big Bangs more accessible. the_muppet has given me her go ahead to post them here.
More fans (not just ones with disabilities) are now using e-readers to read Big Bang fic. They're running into a few problems - many do not have the ability or energy needed to reformat multi-part LJ stories into a something an e-reader can use.
In addition, they are unable to access older fic or art when LJs or websites go down (by older I mean sometimes as little as a few months).
How Big Bangs are addressing these challenges varies. One way to ensure the fic is available and accessible is to have it backed up in a major archive (such as Archive of Our Own or an off-LJ fandom archive). Some archives do double duty by automatically offering downloadable/formatted files. If not, the Big Bangs look for volunteers to create both PDFs and e-reader compatible files. I personally favor the Archive of Our Own because it allows you to tag fic so it becomes part of collection (ex: The Paper Legends Collection) and it automatically creates both PDFs and eReader compatible files. It also has this added benefit: unlike fan uploaded PDFs to megaupload and sendspace, the files stay available for more than a few weeks and do not require constant reuploading (I adore any method that makes as little work as possible for the writer and community mod). But frankly any method of backing up fic and creating PDFs/epubs would be a benefit to fans and readers. And it will also help those fans who for health reasons cannot sit at the computer for longer periods - many need to be able to access the Big Bang fic in e-reader or PDF formats. So I can only see this as a win win for a large number of fans, not just ones with disabilities.
So with all that in mind here is a list of resources/tips that may help make your Big Bang accessible. All are optional. *Cross-post to Archive of Our Own (you can embed art, just not upload it or host it on AO3). Tag it as part of
The Paper Legends Collection. Your readers will then be able to find and download your work in multiple types formats without you having to any work. *Offer your story in a single web page or word document - this will allow fans to do conversions themselves into whatever format they need. *Offer your fan fic as both a PDF/ePub file (or find a volunteer who will turn your story into a PDF/ePub). Note: not all e-readers
can handle letter-sized PDFs.
If you're a reader who wants to convert a Big Bang that is not hosted on AO3 to your format of choice, I'd recommend halcyon_shift 's Squeebook that will convert LJ fiction into multiple formats - ePubs, PDF etc. It works best if your writer offers the fic on a single page.
I feel like I read or heard somewhere how Hunith and Gaius know each other. Does anybody know or, alternatively, know how they know each other? Any help would be really appreciated!
Congratulations to everyone who finished their stories! I can't wait until I have enough time to read them!
I just wanted to let everyone know that I started up a Paper Legends Collection on AO3. If those of you who are posting to the archive want to add your stories to the collection, it will make it easier for people looking for Big Bangs to find your work. Right now, the poor collection is sitting empty. :(
Has anyone free time for a chat about my story? Preferably now? because nobody I know is online. I'm flailing all around the place again. I'm so afraid that nobody will like my ending that I need someone to cheer me up, so I'd actually had the wish to write it and wouldn't stare at my PC screen and curse Arthur. *headdesk*
thanks in advance.
FINALLY FINISHED. No help required anymore. Thanks to anyone who helped. ;)
I'm in need of some cheering. A chit-chat to get my muse moving would do, too. Actually, anything that would calm my stressful nerves and include someone who is ready to listen to my flailing would do.
There is this thing. I've like 5K to left to write (the fight, killing evils and the happily ever after that's actually will not be that happy but that's not the point here) and for three days (I think. Have no sense of time lately, doesn't matter that I have a calendar hanging right on top of my PC. really) every time I open my word doc I stare at it and then leave to do whatever I think is really important. But I need to finish that damned story. Preferably in next two days.
Does anyone have a link to that wonderful resource some wonderful person did that's been around for a bit now that explains all the elements of Arthur's armor? I thought I had it bookmarked but I checked my tags and it's apparently gone the way of the dodo. *is disorganized* Thank you for your help!
Is there a resource anyone knows of that tells us everything the dragon's told Merlin? What I'm looking for specifically is any reference to the dragon telling Merlin that Arthur is the 'once and future king' or implying anything of a "forever more" or "always" nature. Thank you in advance!!!
anxious
curious
worried