1. Seven Crowns

    Seven Crowns Moderator Staff Supporter Contributor Contest Winner 2022

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    Short Story Has anyone ever seen a short story about the Nigerian Prince?

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by Seven Crowns, Jan 10, 2019.

    Stupid question, I know.

    I've done some internet searching looking into this . . I see a movie about a Nigerian Prince, but it's metaphorical and looks like a drama. I see some sort of comic on Amazon, but I don't care about that. Then I see a story from Clarkesworld Magazine in 2016. ( http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/okorafor_11_16/ ) It's not the type of thing I'm after . . . I think . . . so that should be okay.

    I was going to write a short where the Nigerian Prince shows up with some other spam-email characters to save the day, like they really do exist and they are our last hope, but I feel like I'm stealing the idea, and I can't do that. But I'm not sure . . .

    I once picked up a magazine in Barnes and Nobel and was thumbing through it, and I THOUGHT I saw this story/plot, BUT, there's a chance that I was looking at that 2016 Clarkesworld (it was about at that time I had the idea), and the story I imagined that I saw hasn't really been written. And that means I need to do it! What I was looking at seemed like some sort of comedy about the Nigerian Prince. Has anyone ever read something like this? I don't want to waste time writing something that won't be published because it's already been done.

    An aside: I once had an idea for Nixon vs. the supernatural, where he would have been the ultimate anti-hero, but then I saw this ( https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Austin-Grossman/dp/031619851X ), which was exactly the type of thing I was going to do. I still think mine would have been funnier. Nixon was going to fight Sacco and Vanzetti in a duel for our souls. He must cast himself out of the White House to complete the ritual. But anyway, I would never have been published with a duplicate idea. So much for that.
     
  2. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    I haven't, and it sounds like an interesting idea.
     
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  3. deadrats

    deadrats Contributor Contributor

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    I can't recall one, but I'm sure you're not the first author to play around with an idea like this. Do it anyway. It will be your story by the time it's done. And unless the places you submit to have seen or published a similar story, that won't be the reason you're rejected. It's a cool idea. Have fun with it.
     
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  4. Manuforti

    Manuforti Active Member

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    I love the idea of it. I'm picturing Eddie Murphy in coming to America, making initial contact by email. Dealing with rejection and the cynicism of the people he contacts. I think you should lock this down and sell it to Netflix.
     
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  5. Stormsong07

    Stormsong07 Contributor Contributor

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    I think this is a great idea, and could go in so many different directions, that even if there is something out there, I bet your version would be different enough to stand out. Do it!
     
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  6. Rosacrvx

    Rosacrvx Contributor Contributor

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    Excellent idea. Yes, do it. Doesn't matter if other people have worked the same concept. Yours will be unique.

    I wasn't around in Nixon's time. Can't say if your idea is funny. Maybe it's meant for an older audience.
     
  7. Manuforti

    Manuforti Active Member

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    The political operator Roger Stone ( Paul manaforts partner) has a tattoo of Nixon. Not entirely relevant but still.
     
  8. Iain Sparrow

    Iain Sparrow Banned Contributor

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    I think what one decides to have branded on their body forever says a lot about them. I have the gryphon from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on my chest. And I like it!

    As for the thread at hand... for some reason the idea does seem somewhat familiar to me, like a short story I might have read a long time ago. But I certainly can't pin the memory down, so I might be mistaken.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. making tracks

    making tracks Active Member

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    The only thing I can think of is the Cyanide and Happiness cartoon, but that's a short animation so it would be fun to have a different, written spin on it. Here's the link to the cartoon (with a warning it contains 'adult humour'. The Nigerian Ptince part comes in at 1.27)



    quick edit: also from your description it sounds like you have a pretty different direction you want to take it in too
     
  10. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    That was odd.
     
  11. making tracks

    making tracks Active Member

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    I don't disagree!
     
  12. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    I just got this one:

    Dear Friend,

    I know this message will come to you with lots of surprises.

    On the 5th of November 2017, Saudi authorities arrested dozens of the kingdom’s royal, political and business elite. Security forces sequestered princes, cabinet ministers and billionaires in Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton, as the city’s private airport was shut down to prevent escape by private jet.

    The detainees face various charges of corruption issued by an all-powerful commission decreed by King Salman mere hours before the arrests and headed by his son, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

    Among the detainees was Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, founder and owner of Kingdom Holding, global businessman, media mogul and one of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Alwaleed was joined in detention by Saleh Kamel, billionaire and owner of Dallah al-Baraka, and Walid al-Ibrahim, brother-in-law of the late King Fahd.

    As a matter of urgency Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has instructed me to look for a foreigner who will act as his proxy to receive huge amount which i will disclose to you when i receive your reply and your interest, you are to invest the money into a lucrative business and maintain the secrecy required.


    Write me back through my personal Gmail account. {rahbarc9@gmail.com}


    Regards,
    Rahim Bacar
     
  13. Iain Aschendale

    Iain Aschendale Lying, dog-faced pony Marine Supporter Contributor

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    Mind if I get in on this one, seems pretty legit :)
     
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  14. John Calligan

    John Calligan Contributor Contributor

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    Be my guest. I was going to buy 700k dollars worth of Apple stock, but we can split it.
     
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