This page is an archive of past discussions. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.
2009 archive
Adoption
I would be happy to adopt you, if you are interested. I have been editing for over a year, although I have not adopted any users before. If you want to find out more about me, look at my user page and User:Strdst grl/more userboxes my userboxes. strdst_grl(call me Stardust) 14:12, 24 May 2009 (UTC)
Thank you for accepting my offer! I'll try my best to help you out. In the future, you can leave messages for me at User:Strdst grl/adoption.
Okay, first some pointers for you in general:
Put information about yourself and what you're doing on your userpage. I've moved some incorrectly placed information. This page is just for messages from other users.
When you're leaving a message on any Talk page (but not when editing an article) please sign it, by placing ~~~~ at the end of the message.
Don't be afraid of editing! If you make mistakes, other editors (especially me) will be happy to help you out.
Also, in response to your questions, you can check WP:NOTABILITY to see if a topic deserves its own article. If you still aren't sure, try finding the WikiProject that article would come under and asking on the Project Talk page. This is also a good idea for groups that you personally are involved in, to make sure you aren't violating WP:NPOV - you can ask a neutral editor to make the page, and then improve it later. strdst_grl(call me Stardust) 16:31, 26 May 2009 (UTC)
Coordinators election. An election has been long overdue, and therefore one will begin shortly. If you wish to stand, please put your name in by June 28, when voting will start. Members are encouraged to vote for the candidate they wish to support by July 21 at the Coordinator Elections. The Ed17 has decided not to stand for re-election. His work as Assistant Coordinator, along with Kevinalewis, since the last elections in October is highly appreciated by all members of the project.
17 positions remain unfilled at the Job Centre. Members who are active project contributors are encouraged to apply even if they can only fill a position for a short time.
On April 23, a fact about the protagonist Cousin Betty in Honoré de Balzac's La Cousine Bette appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? column.
On April 25, a fact from the article Blanca Olmedo written by Lucila Gamero appeared on the main page in the DYK section.
On June 15, a fact from The Road to Yuba City by Tracy Kidder appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? column.
- Contributors are Alan16, (who searched the archives).
Task force and related news
His Dark Materials task force has begun. This task force is dedicated to improving all articles in the scope of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. The main purpose of this taskforce is to expand, cite, and promote all articles in scope of the series. They welcome any advice or help that members of WikiProject Novels may be able to offer. If interested, drop a note on their talk page.
– Position of editor for the task force has been undertaken by Pmlinediter.
Hi, I have been a member of this project for a few months now, and after finally gotten to grips with Wikipedia I have decided to take on the role of writing this newsletter (currently by myself, but any help would be appreciated) with some helpful tips from The Ed17. After undertaking this I realise why it was so difficult to keep it going. I will, however, persevere. From the members, I would encourage you to vote in the Coordinator elections, and take up roles at the Job Centre. The project has struggled recently, and I am hoping to try and revive it. If, with the publication of this newsletter, there are a couple of things that aren't quite up-to-date (like the Collaboration part), you can be certain I am working on it. I will be trying to get a newsletter out on around the 21st of every month. Finally, thanks for the help Ed. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 23:41, 20 June 2009 (UTC)
Current debates
A Kenneth Oppel task force has been proposed. You can comment here. Oppel is a Canadian author who specialises in Young adult fiction.
Novel related news
American writer Michael Hemp wins the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award in the Action/Adventure category for his novel, The Nadjik Pheromone.
This is my first attempt at the newsletter, and I hope it at least gets close to the previous high standards set by Kevinalewis and The Ed17. I will once again encourage you to vote in the Coordinator elections, as I hope it could be the springboard to revitalise the project. I'll keep working on the newsletter, partially because I like the stress, and partially because we need it to get members and would-be members interested. Hopefully the start of great things. Regards, Alan.
Collaboration of the Month
Because there has been little activity on our Collaboration page for a long time, I have made an executive decision, and chosen The Tin Drum as our Collaboration of the month. All members are asked to assist where they can. The next collaboration is due for selection on 21 July, 2009 so nominate and vote.
Newsletter challenge
This month's article is Mindplayers by science fiction author Pat Cadigan. It is a previous, uncompleted challenge.
Announcements and open tasks
WikiProject Novels • (inc. novellas, novelettes & short stories) Announcements and open tasks
Recently a new worklist had been created and quietly arrived, the Cleanup listing which gives a fairly comprehensive hit list of "novels" related articles that have been tagged for something or other.
Since then a new Article alerts listing has also been added of more topic and "urgent" items worthy of our attention.
WikiProject Novels - Coordinator Election
Hello. To begin, every member of WikiProject Novels will be getting this message (the joy of macros) so if you wish to get in touch with me, please post a message on my talk page. I would encourage anyone who so wishes, to stand in the Coordinator Elections. If you wish to stand, please do so by 23:59pm, June 27. Voting will the continue to 23:59pm, July 21. Can everyone please check-out the Coordinator Elections page. Also, the collaboration of the month is The Tin Drum, so if you have any spare time, please check it out. And I apologise to the seven of you for whom this will be a repeat message. Regards, Alan16 (talk).
Hello. The Coordiantor Election has begun. All members are encouraged to vote by the deadline, July 28. To vote simply add support to the comments and questions for.. section of the member of your choice.
The July 2009 issue of the Novels WikiProject newsletter has been published. You may read the newsletter, change the format in which future issues will be delivered to you, or unsubscribe from this notification by following the link. Thank you. Alan16(talk)
Newsletter Challenge
The newsletter challenge is a challenge to create a new article. At the moment, The Cater Street Hangman redirects to Thomas Pitt, so the challenge here is to make a unique article for TCSH. Hope that explains everything. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 21:20, 3 August 2009 (UTC).
That seems like the perfect layout for it. I'll give you a hand filling in the sections if you want, then you can move it into the mainspace. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 21:46, 5 August 2009 (UTC).
The writing seemed fine. There were a couple of typos, but nothing major. And we'd need an admin to move it to a redirect. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 13:34, 6 August 2009 (UTC).
As the page exists (as a redirect) you will need an admin to move it. I'd suggest someone like Juliancolton - he has done this for me in the past. Just post a message on his talk page saying: "I have created a page in a sandbox for the novel The Cater Street Hangman. This page currently exists as a redirect. Can you please move the sandbox page to the article page. The sandbox can be found at: User:Sabiona/Sandbox4. Thanks. 4 of ~" He should do it without any problems. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 14:03, 14 August 2009 (UTC).
Will do. Sorry I couldn't help more, I got a bit distracted by some other stuff. I'll try and add some stuff to it (even if that is just refs) over the next couple of days. Alan16 (talk) 19:18, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
Hi. I put it at "start" class due to the lack of refs and the fact that it is currently developing. With a few refs and a little bit of fixing here and there it could easily be a C or B. Also, if you're really desperate for something to do - and I mean really desperate - there is always trawling the DYK archives for stuff novel related to put in the newsletter (that can be anything on a book of some sort, or on an author - although book stuff takes preference over authors stuff). It can be pretty mind numbing stuff, trust me, so feel free to not do it - however if you do, just post what you find at User:Alan16/newsletter/DYK (that should hopefully be a red link at the moment) noting the fact, the author, the book, and the date this was featured. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 19:33, 14 August 2009 (UTC).
WikiProject Novels - August "Member in Focus"
Hi Sabiona. You are an active member and did some good work on TCSH (for which you will be getting a mention anyway). I would therefore like you to be the "Member in Focus" in this months newsletter. Can you please provide around 150 to 200 words on yourself and what you do for the project. "Members in Focus" are normally about 300-400 words, however this week there shall be two "Members in Focus". Just so you know, I may edit what you write, merely for spacing. Can you please let me know by Sunday 16 August whether you can do this or not? Regards, Alan16 (talk) 14:15, 11 August 2009 (UTC).
Thanks for the quick response. No need to rush it, as long as I have it by the end of the weekend that's fine. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 21:14, 11 August 2009 (UTC).
Thanks for getting it done so quickly. I got a work count of just short of 170, and after reading it all the grammar and stuff is fine so you'll be happy to know I don't need to edit at all. You should see it in the newsletter about a week from now. Best regards, Alan16 (talk) 13:05, 14 August 2009 (UTC).
Hello. It looks like you're going to be the only "Member in Focus" this month. If there was something else you wanted to add to your paragraph, can you get in touch by the end of today (Friday). Thanks, Alan16 (talk) 10:42, 21 August 2009 (UTC).
Hi, sorry for the late reply, some new telephone lines were getting put down outside my house yesterday, so my internet was down. I get that bit at around 70 words, so altogether it is about as long as the normal bit, so I think that should be fine. You should get the newsletter either tonight or tomorrow. Regards, Alan16 (talk) 13:01, 22 August 2009 (UTC).
Newsletter DYNs
Hi. Thanks for those. Sorry I didn't specify dates: I basically work through from the 21st of the previous month to the 20th of the month of the newsletter, so anything which has been DYNed since the previous newsletter basically. If I do come up with anything, I'll drop you a note, but you've already done more than your fair share, and it's much appreciated. You'll be fully accredited in the newsletter by the way. If you'd like to help with the newsletter every month, I'd be grateful for the help. I don't give these things out often, to avoid diluting their meaning, so:
The Random Acts of Kindness Barnstar
For all the work done in helping with the WikiProject Novels newsletter without being asked. Alan16 (talk) 21:08, 14 August 2009 (UTC)
Liz Braswell
The reason for that is because I accidentally added one of her pen names as her real name. I don't think that the article can get any higher than a stub from my searches. Joe Chill (talk) 20:18, 17 August 2009 (UTC)
WikiProject Novels - Narnia Task Force
Hi! You would be glad to know that a new wikipedia ad has been created by Srinivas to encourage users to join Chronicles of Narnia Task Force. You can display that ad on your user/talk page too using the following code: ((Wikipedia ads|ad=190))
17 positions remain unfilled at the Job Centre. Members who are active project contributors are encouraged to apply even if they can only do a position for a short time.
Project news
ON July 26, a fact about F. Springer's novel Bougainville appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the DYK section.
On July 27, a fact about Arnon Grunberg's award-winning 2003 novel The Asylum Seeker appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? section.
On July 28, a fact about Austrian writer Felix Salten appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the DYK section.
On August 1, a fact about Scottish novelist Walter Scott appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? section.
On August 12, a fact about American author Jeffrey McClanahan appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? section.
- Contributors were Alan16 and Sabiona (who searched the archives).
Task force and related news
The members of the Chronicles of Narnia task force have created a new ad encouraging people to join. You can display it on your user page or talk page using the following code: ((Wikipedia ads|ad=190)).
Hello, I am a school librarian in my ‘real life’ and so I use Wikipedia a lot with students ageing from twelve to eighteen. While helping students research various topics I’ve run across many holes in Wikipedia that need to be filled so I created an account and began editing pieces. I’m taking a break from teaching for a few years while I raise two boys of my own, so I created a personal account a couple months ago and am focusing on editing articles on literature as well as the upper Midwest area of the United States and theatre. I enjoy all forms of literature but most often read fantasy and mystery. I am an occasional editor with no intent to run for any post; instead, I look at one or two articles a month that need help and do what I can. My public library system allows home access to a number of academic and professional databases, which is where I find most of my sources. Finally, I am currently working on filling in some of the red links on the Newbery Medal page and then hope to turn the stubs into full articles. Anyone want to help? I'd be interested in starting a Award Winners workgroup. I am also active in the WikiProject Biography and in the Children and Young Adult Literature WikiProject. They all have areas of focus that compliment each other and my interests.
I was approached after the last newsletter by somebody who wanted to reach out to some of the readers, so here we are – Alan16(talk).
Hi all, the Sword of Truth Task Force is restarting to clean up the articles related to Terry Goodkind's books and there adaptations. With the new TV series, The Legend of the Seeker, the books and the TV show are getting more critical attention, which means more real world material to document this great series of book. I would love to have other's help, as I have only just recently joined to find no other active members. The other members, as listed, have mostly left Wikipedia or removed themselves from the task force. If you are interested I would love to talk at the forum: Wikipedia:WikiProject Sword of Truth/General Forum, or send me a message. Hope to talk to some of you soon, SADADS (talk).
All members are asked to assist where they can.
The next months collaboration will be selected on 21 September 2009.
Newsletter challenge
Last months newsletter challenge, The Cater Street Hangman was completed by Sabiona. Members are encouraged to help improve this article.
The first person to start the article is mentioned in the next newsletter. This months newsletter challenge is Oberon Past and Present by Anthony Burgess.
Announcements and open tasks
WikiProject Novels • (inc. novellas, novelettes & short stories) Announcements and open tasks
Recently a new worklist had been created and quietly arrived, the Cleanup listing which gives a fairly comprehensive hit list of "novels" related articles that have been tagged for something or other.
Since then a new Article alerts listing has also been added of more topic and "urgent" items worthy of our attention.
Hello! I just wanted to let you know that I edited your sandbox User:Sabiona/Sandbox3. I added colons to the categories so that they will still show up for you while you are working, but your sandbox will not show up in the Wikipedia categories. Feel free to remove them when the article moves to main article space.
Thank you for contributing to Wikipedia! It's fun to have more librarians around. -- KathrynLybarger (talk) 22:43, 11 October 2009 (UTC)
Chicagoland Vampires AFD
Is Library Journal really considered a strong source when considering notability? It's literary review publishes reviews of several hundred books each month. Would each of those books be considered notable? I'm just starting to get into citations and sources, so I'm asking genuinely. --SquidSK(1MC•log) 18:54, 1 December 2009 (UTC)
LJ is a professional review magazine, written by professional readers and reviewers. It won't have self-published items, or tiny press local publishers. I suppose I should have said it was a 'valid' source, rather than a 'strong' source. If LJ had given it a starred review, or a full page article then I would say it was a strong source.
As to the specific AfD we're talking about, the series will continue, and so I feel that even if we delete it now, it will just be reentered at some point, so let's keep what we have and leave a 'paper trail' rather than delete it and then have future articles rehash what is already here.
2010 WikiCup Signups Reconfirmation!
To ensure that everyone who signed up is still committed to participating in the 2010 WikiCup, it is required that you remove your name from this list! By removing your name, you are not removing yourself from the WikiCup. This is simply a way for the judges to take note of who has not yet reconfirmed their participation. If you have not removed your name from that list by December 30th, 2009 (by 23:59 (UTC)) then your name will be removed from the WikiCup.
It's worth noting the rules have changed, likely after you signed up. The changes made thus far are:
Mainspace and/or portal edits will not be awarded points at all.
Did you know? articles (which were worth 5 points last year) will now be worth 10 points.
Good articles (which were worth 30 points last year) will now be worth 40 points.
Valued pictures will be now awarded points, however the amount (5 or 10 points) is still being discussed.
Featured lists (which were worth 30 points last year) will now be worth 40 points.
Featured portals (which were worth 25 points last year) will now be worth 35 points.
Featured articles (which were worth 50 points last year) will now be worth 100 points.
Featured topics (which were worth 10 points per article last year) will now be worth 15 points per any article in the topic that you were a major contributor to.
Good topics (which were worth 5 points per article last year) will now be worth 10 points per any article in the topic that you were a major contributor to.
In the news will still be awarded points, however the amount (5 or 10 points) is still being discussed.
If you have any final concerns about the WikiCup's rules and regulations, please ask them now, before the Cup begins to avoid last minute problems. You may come to the WikiCup's talk page, or any of the judge's user talk pages. We're looking forwards to a great 2010 WikiCup! On behalf of the WikiCup judges, iMatthewtalk at 03:46, 5 December 2009 (UTC)
Hello, the flag you signed up with at the 2010 WikiCup Signups page was removed as it did not meet our flag requirements. Your flag must "be under a free license that is of a (current or historical) continent, country, state, county or city and has NOT already been chosen by another contestant. You may not use the flag of Mexico." Please return to the signups page and choose a new flag that meets these requirements. Thank you! iMatthewtalk at 22:35, 5 December 2009 (UTC)
Hi! My apologies for reverting you - I see now what you're trying to do. But I think you went about it in the wrong way. Rather than revert one edit at a time, it's better to go back to the last good edit in the history, either by editing it directly and then saving the page, or by using popups. If you do it one edit at a time then you can temporarily put bad stuff in while you take other bad stuff out, which is against WP:OWNFEET. Philip Trueman (talk) 19:17, 7 December 2009 (UTC)
Thanks for the restoration there. I also do it that way,as I haven't found out how to do it all at once. Maybe Philip Trueman could explain to us both exactly how it's done? Moonraker2 (talk) 19:51, 7 December 2009 (UTC)
Replied on the talk page. Unfortunately very busy in the real world and have some copyediting obligations to finish, but thanks for swinging by and having a look at the article. It's better than the version I rescued, but still needs work. Truthkeeper88 (talk) 03:14, 8 December 2009 (UTC)
17 positions remain unfilled at the Job Centre. Members who are active project contributors are encouraged to apply even if they can only do a position for a short time.
Project news
On November 1, a fact about the novel Madol Doova appeared in the DYK? section on Wikipedia's main page.
On November 22, a fact about the book Acquainted with the Night appeared on Wikipedia's main page in the Did You Know? section.
On December 1, a fact about the book Blown for Good appeared on Wikipedia's main page in the DYK? section.
On December 11, a fact about the novel Kajsa Kavat by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren appeared on Wikipedia's main page in the Did You Know? section.
- Contributor was Alan16 (who searched the archives).
Task force and related news
A new Military fiction task force has been recently created by SADADS. The group focuses on military fiction that is not primarily associated with fantasy and science-fiction, and is calling for users to help support the integration of the Military fiction task force, including template development, tagging, and assesment. Anyone interested in joining can sign up here.
Hello all. As you're probably aware this is the first newsletter since August. I had hoped that although I was unable to write one for the ensuing months, somebody would have picked it up, but that was sadly not to be. However I am back, and that should hopefully mean a new newsletter every month, like it used to be. There has been a lot of work done on novel related articles in my absence, however the project does not appeared to have progressed very much, which I'm sure you would all agree, is a shame as it holds such promise for Wikipedia. But with the new year approaching I am hoping that things will turn around, so I urge you all to get involved with the project in whatever way you can, and help it achieve its full potential. All that's left for me now is to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Début novelist 29 year old Evie Wyld won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize for her novel After The Fire, A Small Still Voice.
Collaboration of the Month
There have been no novels nominated at the Collaboration department for the past few months, so this months collaboration will remain: The Sound and the Fury.
All members are asked to assist where they can.
If you think there is an article which requires the projects collaboration, you can nominate it here.
The next months collaboration will be selected on 17 January 2010.
This months newsletter challenge is to create an article for The Spoilt City by Olivia Manning. The first person to start the article will be mentioned in the next newsletter.
Announcements and open tasks
WikiProject Novels • (inc. novellas, novelettes & short stories) Announcements and open tasks
Recently a new worklist had been created and quietly arrived, the Cleanup listing which gives a fairly comprehensive hit list of "novels" related articles that have been tagged for something or other.
Since then a new Article alerts listing has also been added of more topic and "urgent" items worthy of our attention.