FAQs are Frequently Asked Questions. I've been posting these (and the answers) on the newsgroup fairly regularly, but it isn't always in time to greet someone new. So I've decided to put them here.

If there's information you think should be here, please email me
at Julie.Czerneda@sff.net or post it on the newsgroup! Happy to oblige!

1. Is it really the author who is posting all the time on the newsgroup?

Yup. That's me. Julie E. I drop by several times a day, in fact, schedules, storms, etc. permitting. I enjoy the company and conversation. So if you want to ask me a quick question or tell me something, that's the place. I also post my most recent news here, whether about new books or events.

2. Do I have to post something to participate?

Certainly not. Quite a few people never post. They prefer to be "lurkers" and read what's there. That's fine. It's nice if you introduce yourself, because I'd like to meet you, but not required. On the other hand, drop into any conversation of interest. The more the merrier!

3. What should I ask?

You'll notice from the posts already there that just about anything goes. People in this  newsgroup are wonderful sources of information. Don't worry about asking something you feel must have been asked already. It doesn't matter. The older posts are periodically erased by sff.net, for one thing. And others are lurking who'd like the same answer.

I love to answer questions about my work, by the way (btw) so don't hesitate. Feel free to tell me what you liked -- and what you didn't! But please put the word SPOILER in your subject head if your post will contain information that gives away plot points to someone who hasn't read a particular book yet. And please do this when talking about TV or film, as well as books. I tend to tape and watch later, so I may not have seen it yet.

4. Are there rules?

Only of courtesy. Think of the newsgroup as my home and you've been invited to drop in for conversation with some friendly people you've never met before.

5. When should I start a new subject?

If you reply to an existing post by hitting "reply all" or "reply group," it will automatically put your reply under the same subject heading. A few of these produces a thread, so a conversation is recorded under one subject. Threads are fine, but if you are going to change the topic drastically, it's best to start a new post with a new subject head, so everyone interested can easily find it. Not everyone reads them all. (Well, I do ;-)

6. What are those weird words?

I really do try not to use acronyms and abbreviations, but it's difficult. Here are some of the more common. Don't hesitate to ask for an explanation if something is posted that makes no sense whatever.

IPU - Imperial Patience University. A group of people dedicated to making me (and now other innocent authors) write faster, or at the very least, post snippets of work in progress. They are tenacious, clever, and charming folks, despite their tendency to bellow "arrroOOOO" at the hint of new words. I believe membership entails being incredibly "patient." A requirement I seriously doubt.

GEV - Great Editorial Voice. Me talking to myself. Don't worry. I don't really have a split personality, just a split work ethic. Part of me remains the businesslike professional editor and nudges at me to work, get real, all those things. Plus, sometimes I use the GEV to express things that sound dumb when I say them [GEV - in other words, she talks about herself in the third person when embarrassed.]

LOL - Laugh Out Loud. Or Lots of Love. Depends on context and the time in Norway.

ROTFL - Rolling on the Floor Laughing. There are variations.

VIOLA! - Not an acronym, but now the catchword for anything creative and fun produced on the newsgroup. My dear BF (Biggest Fan) keeps the best of these on her site.

Writerly Stuff - which isn't an acronym either [GEV - she's easily distracted]. This is the subject head I use to post things about the craft I hope will be useful to other writers. [GEV - or show a little too much about this writer.] There are many other writers on the newsgroup who kindly post information as well.

7. What's involved with the Contests?

I try to run some type of contest each month. Some are trivia questions or riddles, based on my books. Some are for the first person to spot a new book or its reprint, information I find very helpful. Sometimes they are simply "next lurker to post a first message" contests. The prizes range from sneak peeks at new book covers to autographed books. We have fun with them.

8. What's a snippet?

Quite a while ago, I wanted to test a phrase from a work in progress. So I posted it as a "snippet," from the word my family uses for a little taste or a small bit of fabric used as a sample. Well. Snippets are now the preferred food of Snippet Hounds, who oddly all seem to belong to the IPU. Hmmm. Suffice to say, it is my pleasure to occasionally post bits from my upcoming book. The word "snippet" in the subject head is in case, as some readers, you'd prefer not to read anything in advance. It's a lovely practice, since several of the talented writers in the newsgroup kindly post snippets too. Did I mention I'm an alumnus of the IPU myself?

Welcome to sff.people.Julie-Czerneda!

Updated July 10, 2001