FAQ
1) What is OpenFloodgate?
OpenFloodgate is an online showcase for digital creations, including books, stories, articles, poems, memoirs, and more. It brings together publishers, authors, emerging artists, and enthusiastic readers. We provide a forum for publishers to promote fresh material and for emerging authors to share their work with the world.
2) Why should I join if I am a publisher?
Publishers use the site in a number of ways. They can promote upcoming and newly released books by posting the first chapter. They can also use the site to test market material in advance of publication. And, they can use it keep work alive that has gone out of print.
3) Why should I join if I am a writer or artist?
Membership allows individual writers and artists to create an on-line profile and to post an unlimited number of creations, including book chapters, stories, articles, poems, photos, etc.
4) Why should I join if I am a reader?
Membership allows readers to create a profile, start a club, and accrue points based on participation on the site. The more points you earn, the closer you get winning awards.
5) How does the point system work?
Every time you participate — refer a friend to the site, add a comment, start a club, or post a creation — you receive points. Each quarter prizes are given to those visitors that earn the most points. Our most recent winners received $50 gift certificates from Amazon.
6) When do I have to register for OpenFloodgate?
Anyone can cruise the site, read any of the public creations, add comments, send a recommendation to a friend, and download a creation. However, you need to register if you want to add a creation, start a club, or rate a creation. Registering is easy and free.
7) What is my "name"?
We let people pick a name for the site. That means that readers won't see your real name when they read your work. You are welcome to use your real name, but it is optional.
8) What file types can I upload to the site?
You can upload either word documents (.doc), pdf files (.pdf), or jpeg files (.jpg). All files are turned into images before they are posted on the site to prevent tampering with the files.
9) How do I create a pdf file from a word file?
It is very easy to create a pdf file. Open your document and select "PRINT." When the Print menu opens, you will see a choice at the bottom that says, "SAVE AS PDF". Click on this button. You will be asked to name the new pdf document and to select a location for the new file. Give it a name and save it to the desktop. Select SAVE. That's it... you have a pdf file.
10) How do I pick a cover for my creations?
When you add a new creation there is a default cover image. You can use this image, select one from our collection, or upload your own image. There is a menu of available images on the Add a Creation page. All you do is scroll through them to pick one you like. If you want to upload your own image, choose the image you want from your computer files and select "upload image".
11) Is the material I add to OpenFloodgate still my property?
Of course! Anything you add - that you have created - belongs to you. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, "Copyright itself does not depend on official procedures. A created work is considered protected by copyright as soon as it exists. According to the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, literary and artistic works are protected without any formalities in the countries party to that Convention. Thus, WIPO does not offer any kind of copyright registration system." For more information, visit the WIPO web site: http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/
12) What happens when I suggest a new Collection?
When you add a new creation, you are asked whether you want to suggest a new Collection. Feel free to make a recommendation. The site editors will look at the suggestions weekly and add new Collections to the site. If your Collection is not added, you can always start a Club on your suggested topic. See below regarding Clubs.
13) How do I start a club on OpenFloodgate?
It is easy to start a club. All you have to do is select START A CLUB from the menu on any page. You will be presented with three questions: What is the name of the club? What is the purpose? Who do you want to invite to join? Answer these questions and hit SUBMIT and you have started a club. Visitors to your club can contact the club owner, the person who started the club, to ask to join.
14) Why would I want a club on OpenFloodgate?
Clubs are a great way for groups of writers to share their creations, for classes to share assignments, or for families to share stories. Authors add creations to the club page and all members can view the work. They can read them, make comments, and add them to their own bookshelf.
15) Who can invite others to join a club?
Anyone who is a member of a club can invite others to join.
16) What does it mean if my creation is Private, Group, or Public?
Each contributor has complete control over who gets to see each creation. If a creation is PRIVATE, then only the author can see it. If a creation is accessible to a GROUP, then anyone in his or her Club can see it. If it is PUBLIC, then it is visible to anyone who visits the site.
17) What does it mean if I allow people to download a creation?
Authors choose whether each creation is only readable on-line or whether it is available for download as a pdf by visitors to the site. This setting can be changed any time from the author's profile page on the site. See below: How do I update information on my page?
18) How do titles become listed on Cream of the Crop?
Registered visitors can rate each of the works using the stars at the top of the page for each creation. The Cream of the Crop is picked using an algorithm that looks at the creations with the most stars that are viewed most frequently. This is updated daily.
19) How do I update the information on My Page?
When you are logged in, you will see a link at the top of the page that says, "Your Name". When you select this, you go to your profile page on OpenFloodgate. From this page you can change your e-mail address, your photo, your bio, add and edit creation listing, and change the visibility status of each creation. Visitors will be able to see all the changes immediately.
20) Does OpenFloodgate monitor the content on the site?
We are always listening to the community. If we get comments that particular material is unacceptable or offensive, we review it and quickly make the decision about whether to remove it or not. We trust that the majority of our users will respect the other visitors to the site and post material that is appropriate.