aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 27, 2012 - 11:56am
Five or six sentences max including bio and don't say your inspiration was locking your baby in a room or CPS may be called lol
PopeyeDoyle
January 27, 2012 - 12:06pm
Uh - not be weird - but how short would you want this to be. I'll just go on and on and on.
Oh no, that's not creepy at all... ;)
PopeyeDoyle
January 27, 2012 - 12:06pm
double post
natashaghica
from Romania is reading Franny and ZooeyJanuary 27, 2012 - 12:06pm
I have a story that I would like to submit for the anthology. Where do we post our drafts so that others can give feedback?
I'm new to this community so I'm a bit confused.
Thanks!
wickedvoodoo
from Mansfield, England is reading stuff.January 27, 2012 - 12:09pm
@ Natasha - if you signed up to the workshop then you can put it up there. Otherwise you are probably best PMing Danny (aliensoul)
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 27, 2012 - 12:13pm
I'm on board with any proceeds that would come my way being split between advertising and a charity.
Nick Wilczynski
from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. MartinJanuary 27, 2012 - 12:20pm
I'm with bryan.
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 27, 2012 - 12:26pm
I have to admit that aside from lack of time, one reason why I'm slow with the revision is that I felt a bit overwhelmed with the feedback - which I'm grateful for, don't get me wrong. I got good feedback and I want to do justice to it and the story, so I found myself in writer's block because I want to make the story great, perfect, shining! And I'm putting too much pressure on myself. But this weekend for sure I'm submitting a second draft, because I should go through at least 3 drafts before I settle on a final version. Please someone slap me so I don't think I have to write a masterpiece in my 2nd draft.
bryanhowie
from FW, ID is reading East of Eden. Steinbeck is FUCKING AMAZING.January 27, 2012 - 12:55pm
Liana, you have 35 minutes to finish this draft and submit it. GO!
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 27, 2012 - 1:36pm
Haha nice try but I am writing a paper right now..... Make that 35 hours?
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 27, 2012 - 2:04pm
I just did some final tuning, cut extra additions to sentences that didn't really add much. All that added up to nearly 200 words, which is cool.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 27, 2012 - 2:07pm
I understand how overwhelming feedback can be, Liana. Sometimes when I get some really in-depth feedback I have to take a couple days to absorb it all. As great as some of feedback can be, you still have to be selfish and write the story you want to write.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 27, 2012 - 3:22pm
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 27, 2012 - 3:26pm
Liana, if it makes you feel any better, I don't think your story needs a huge amount of work. You have all the basic story elements there, it just needs some cutting and rearranging like maybe incorporating the letter into actual dialogue at the end. The confrontation scene wasn't long enough but the hoarding, the rat obsession were all great elements of his illness.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 27, 2012 - 3:28pm
As for the bios and naming illnesses at the epilogue for readers who may be like wtf was that--bryan, did we agree your character's illness was paramnesia or something.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 27, 2012 - 4:29pm
Short bios are my favorite kind (I mean to write). I despise writing about myself.
As far as money goes, I am comfortable saying that I don't expect to get paid unless this thing REALLY takes off. I'd rather see the money spent promoting the shit out of it and getting more people to read it. Money is nice, but this anthology is going to be full of AMAZING stories and I am so pumped about it--I just want to see people reading it.
I also think some charitable donation would be good from a PR perspective as well as from my, personal, bleeding heart, borderline hippy perspective.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 27, 2012 - 4:29pm
I created my Jonah Novak Twitter page: @JonahNovak
Not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it because I never pictured Jonah being an Internet-savvy guy, save for porn. Nevertheless, it'll probably be mostly remarks on girls he sees on the road and some pop culture nonsense.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 27, 2012 - 4:55pm
@aylee, you want bios now or later?
@everyoneelse, I'm sorry i've been slow on the review. I've been studying, so I'll do tons of work soon for u guise <3
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 27, 2012 - 6:11pm
@aliensoul77 - whatever you want to do, danny, is fine by me. i think that's a nice gesture. i guess it would just be nice to put some of that sentiment out front so that people know that we're writing about a subject that COULD be sensitive to some people, but that we're going to donate some of the proceeds to charity.
i can say that unless we sell THOUSANDS of copies, if you take the list price and subtract the print costs and then divide that by 30 people the profits won't be much. so i'm happy to donate my portion to charity.
(these figures are all mine, not sure what you'll set the list price and % at)
$15 book
$7 print costs
leaves $8 profit (assuming no marketing dollars spent)
divide the profits 50% to press and 50% to artists (although most give 30% to the artists)
take that $4 per book and divide that by 30 = .13 per artist (per copy sold)
if we sell 100 copies = $13 per artist
if we sell 500 copies = $65 per artist
if we sell 1000 copies = $130 per artist
just some numbers to consider. and i hope you do take some of the profits to allow you to create another anthology.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 27, 2012 - 7:47pm
Exciting shit, guys. I just finished the promo image for "Perfectly Natural". Took me forever because I tried to mock all the wrinkles and tears in Photoshop and it just didn't look realistic, so I just made the pamphlet, printed it out and crumped it to make it seem like the protagonist of Jessica's story had picked it up at some point. Then I just scanned it back into the computer. I like the look of it a lot, and I'll probably print out and re-scan the newspaper article I made for my story as well.
What do you all think? Also, @averydoll, is this cool or do you think I could add anything else in there? I thought about drawing on the baby's face but it seemed a bit too much. Hilarious, but too much.
Danny has approached me about making a "flyer" for his story. He also gave me text to write in, which was great because it meant I wouldn't have to come up with the words myself. After I do his, I'll go about approaching everyone else for ideas on what to do for each story. That said, the image must be something paper-based from out of your story. So in addition to thinking about your biography, it might be a good idea to start brainstorming for your promo-image as well. Also, if you already know what your idea is, feel free to PM me.
You can click the image to see the full-size version.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 27, 2012 - 7:50pm
THAT IS AMAZING. I'm floored.
enough
from Indiana is reading Warmed and BoundJanuary 27, 2012 - 7:52pm
Im going to try and get some reviews in over the weekend. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me a review on my 1st revision. Danny has been my only review so far. Help a brotha out.
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 27, 2012 - 8:14pm
Danny, I do appreciate you saying that. I usually am pretty relaxed about these things but I felt differently about this story and got myself anxious when I shouldn't be.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 27, 2012 - 9:09pm
Bek--you are a fucking GODDESS.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 27, 2012 - 9:18pm
@Avery - I'm glad you like it. When I look at the full-size image, it looks like some cheesy old pamphlet from the seventies or something that your protagonist takes home the day she goes to the doctor's office (at the end of the story), and maybe she reads it half-heartedly, making excuses for her behaviour before folding the pamphlet in half and shoving it in her purse.
@Renee - I'm wondering what I can do for you now. I'm thinking like a page of old notes from one of Charles' notebooks or something. Or maybe a crumpled receipt that Finn left in his car? Not sure yet, but I'm sure you can help me out.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 27, 2012 - 9:21pm
@Bek, yeah I am playing with some ideas. I do need to finish up this draft though, haha. I was thinking something like what you said, or maybe something like a coffee stained study with notes in the margin. I'm working on it internally.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 27, 2012 - 9:23pm
@Bek, sexy as ever :P Love your work.
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 28, 2012 - 1:24am
So here's the scanned version of my article:
I've decided to call the collection of images the "Psychosis: Scrapbook", A Collection of Reality, Inspired by Fiction
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 28, 2012 - 12:24pm
So awesome, Becky, I really appreciate all your hard work. Even if these don't make it in the actual book depending on how we publish, we can at least have them as bonus items for the website. I think they add an extra depth to the stories.
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJanuary 28, 2012 - 1:14pm
@Richard: I think that sounds like a great idea and very realistic. A few bucks to each contributor is really nothing compared to both the potential block of a community donation. Not only could it mollify any angst or malevolence the subject matter might generate, but it might also aid in placing both the Anthology and the community in a favorable light, essentially heading them off at the pass.
@Liana: If it is any consolation, I have been in a similar position as you--slammed with work/career obligations to the extent that I am too exhausted to get my writing motor kick started or find any time to write. Just so you know you are not alone!
@Danny: I have been mulling over a couple of your newer suggestions for stories though. I don't know if I will even be able to pull anything off at all the way things are going, but whatever I do submit will take into to consideration a condensed format possibly incorporating one of your story suggestions. Maybe. But I am just happy to contribute in whatever way possible, regardless.
@Rebecca: Very cool stuff. That is why you are the Beka-nator.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 28, 2012 - 1:17pm
Okay, we could donate 30% of the proceeds and then use the rest towards the next anthology. MEDICAL ANOMALIES!!! I already have an idea for a pair of conjoined twins.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 28, 2012 - 1:30pm
Okay, we could donate 30% of the proceeds and then use the rest towards the next anthology. MEDICAL ANOMALIES!!! I already have an idea for a pair of conjoined twins.
This sounds aswesom to me.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 28, 2012 - 1:30pm
Wow, I think I had a seizure while typing that...
Awesome. It sounds awesome, to me.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 28, 2012 - 1:31pm
For the cover of the next anthology I want a deformed fetus crawling out of a man's head, would that be too much?
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 28, 2012 - 1:35pm
Uhhh....
PopeyeDoyle
January 28, 2012 - 1:51pm
For the cover of the next anthology I want a deformed fetus crawling out of a man's head, would that be too much?
That's not exploitative at all.
Nathan
from Louisiana (South of New Orleans) is reading Re-reading The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste, The Bone Weaver's Orchard by Sarah ReadJanuary 28, 2012 - 2:41pm
I just have to chime in that it's a little bothersome to keep seeing the subject of who we might offend come up, or what we can possibly do to make it up to anyone we might potentially offend.
Are we artists and writers, or politically correct politicians?
If we’re going to worry about offending anyone with anything we write, why write at all? Why release the anthology at all?
I think it's fine and maybe important for us to take a stand on the fact that we're not making fun of mental illness, but we can do all of that with a simple disclaimer. It's that easy, and they can take it or leave it.
I don’t think we can go the route of worrying about who we offend, or else we end up censoring, nitpicking, and overthinking.
It also seems offbase that a few can decide for the rest that any money we make may be better suited toward a certain charity than the artist's actual pocket, seeing if we make any money at all.
All that said, I'm definitely not against donating to charity, so it's not that I'm the bad guy here. Don't mistake what I'm saying. But for someone else to say that a charitable cause is more important than a contributing artist's, as far as money goes. How can anyone know that for sure? And if I donate money, which again I'm more than fine with, I"m not going to do it to "make up" for "possibly offending" a certain community of people. Artistic freedom, especially within fiction, owes no apology. Just saying we may be getting ahead of ourselves and losing focus, no?
Chester Pane
from Portland, Oregon is reading The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot DiazJanuary 28, 2012 - 4:23pm
Good points Nathan,
And I thought a lot about those very elements. You bring up a great point about the disclaimer. The thing is, thus far there have been some suggestions that these stories seek to portray real aspects in a way to enlighten readers. This needs to be handled very carefully. I am not even sure if making such claims is accurate.
On the other hand, a whole shit load of bad publicity could be a good thing.
But you are right, no artist should ever put a muzzle on their voice or fetter their muse in order to tame the work. I am not suggesting that at all. And you probably know me well enough that you know I speak my mind and would never go that route.
As for the charity thing, that was purely my opinion. And again, you are right, it should be a choice of the contributing individuals.
But I would like to stress the issue that Richard brought up. It is extremely important that the Anthology make no claims to instruct or be official in any way as the stories pertain to educating readers on these maladies. That is only asking for trouble. Again, my opinion.
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 28, 2012 - 4:35pm
I do think we can make a general disclaimer that says, the following stories aren't meant to be textbook representations of mental illnesses but are accurate in that they are based on real disorders and told in an entertaining way. We can say, we aren't making light of people with real mental disorders and encourage anyone suffering from the following afflictions get help and not make the choices our characters do.
If people want to donate whatever earnings they would have earned to the charity, that's fine, I don't care. Although Nathan is right in that if we do use any artists, we should try to compensate them and if the anthology did in some "idyllic possible reality" make thousands of dollars, of course I would send everyone a check for their fair share or at least consult with them first before donating to charity in their name. I don't think any of our stories are really that offensive, even Rebecca's story about a rapist is told in a way that you can see what a pathetic loser the guy is. In fact, I don't think we glamourize any of these diseases in that, I don't think I would want to be any of these people in the anthology lol The only story that could even potentially seen as exploitative might be the "Phantom Pains" one by Jason but in the narrator's twisted mind (for those of you who read it) believes he is commiting an act of love in his very misled way. Has anyone read the Phantom Pains story I sent them? I like it, it's very grotesque and probably a little more over the top than some of the stories in the antho but I thought we might need a few stories that are a little "WHAT THE FUCK" to even out the more quiet subtle ones. LIke I said, I am arranging the book like a symphony. Although my story symphony is more like "quiet quiet quiet build up, weird weird weird, psycho psycho PSYCHO! this is deranged, this is deranged!"
Nick Wilczynski
from Greensboro, NC is reading A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. MartinJanuary 28, 2012 - 5:36pm
hehe, it's like a "this coffee is hot" warning.
"The following are works of fiction, any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."
Past that I don't think we really need much in the way of a disclaimer.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsJanuary 28, 2012 - 6:43pm
Alright! If I make it in (fingers crossed) I get to be the fucked up guy. haha. Do I need to start growing a beard out and working on my crazy eyes look? Jack Ketchum better scoot over a bit. :P
aliensoul77
from a cold distant star is reading the writing on the wall.January 28, 2012 - 6:49pm
I pretty much voted you stay on the island. Unless everyone else is offended by your BO, you should be fine. You can grow a Unibomber beard for any reason at any time, that's your right as an American dammit!
@nick, how about "this novel may cause feelings of euphoria, sociopathy, delight, eroticism and light diarrhea".
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 28, 2012 - 7:38pm
I thought the purpose of this thread was to get input from everyone that felt inclined to give it, so I havent read anything as "this is how it shall be", so of course, anyone opposed to, or who may see issues with this idea or another should speak up. I think donatin to charity is preferable to a check for $20, assuming we even get to a point where proceeds could be divided 30 ways and still equal $20. That's my feeling. I also think it could be good for sales, not going to sugar coat it. People like feeling like they are doing something "good" without actually having to do something, I know I do.
In the end, this is a passion project, and I don't think any of us honestly believ this baby is going to make anyone rich, so for me, if ee're being realistic, the paltry amount I may get paid is irrelevant, and so being, I am not opposed to that hypothetical paycheck going somewhere it may do some good.
Class Facilitator
ReneeAPickup
from Southern California is reading Wanderers by Chuck WendigJanuary 28, 2012 - 7:39pm
Excuse my typos, I'm posting from my phone in bed with a toddler crawling around. Bad combo.
Richard
from St. Louis is reading various anthologiesJanuary 28, 2012 - 9:44pm
glad to see a lot of discussion here. like renee said, what i posted up were just some SUGGESTIONS, i'm just one voice, one author amongst many. this is not my anthology, i'm not the editor or the person in charge. i just thought it MIGHT be nice to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity. i'm not worried about offending anybody, because, well...you always offend somebody. again, i thought the gesture and the disclaimer that was just mentioned might be worth looking at. and as far as donating your portion of the pie, i wasn't speaking for anybody, except myself.
like renee said, this is an open discussion about what we MIGHT like to do, not what we are GOING to do. when the writing is all done, and the contracts go out, then we'll know what the editor(s) want from us. we could always do something like this:
$15 book
$7 print costs
$8 left - 20% to charity, the rest split between press and authors (50/50 or otherwise)
($1.60 per book to charity; $3.20 to press (for marketing, next antho, editor cut, etc; $3.20 to authors)
3.20 divided by 30 authors = about .10 cents per book
100 copies = $10 each
500 copies = $50 each
1000 copies = $100 each
i'm just breaking down some numbers here so people can see the realities of what this could earn. the first time i did an anthology for pay i was shocked at how little i got ($12). but then i did the Shivers VI anthology (with King and Straub) and was surprised at how big the checks were ($100; $310; $125 - for ONE STORY), so...you never know. could be $30 each, could be $300 each.
Liana
from Romania and Texas is reading Naked LunchJanuary 28, 2012 - 9:45pm
Money talk is making me dizzy... I agree with whatever is agreed upon.
Chester, I have to tag you in a Facebook post, so you stop always doing stuff for others and start doing stuff for yourself. Lemme see if I find that old post.
Jason Van Horn
from North Carolina is reading A Feast For CrowsJanuary 29, 2012 - 6:24am
Personally, I submitted because I liked the idea surrounding the anthology, plus it would be nice to have an established writing credential. I'm glad I have a winning poem in my portfolio (even if it was just for a community college literary journal), had a few articles published in a gaming magazine, and love writing articles online for LitReactor and MPOGD, but to have something actually published in one form or another - that would make me like I've finally became a writer (as stupid as that may sound).
So I'm not opposed to donating, getting a check from sales, doing 50/50 or some split, using the money to market the book, using the money to spearhead a second anthology, or all of the above.
So if I'm included and get to stay on the island, everything else is just cake in my book and I'm good with the masses.
Typewriter Demigod
from London is reading "White Noise" by DeLilo, "Moby-Dick" by Hermann Mellivile and "Uylsses" by JoyceJanuary 29, 2012 - 7:14am
Bekanator
from Kamloops, British Columbia is reading Ugly Girls by Lindsay HunterJanuary 29, 2012 - 10:09am
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves with the medical anomoly stuff, guys. We haven't even finished our first anthology yet. Tsk tsk.
As for the worries of offending people, I can see the point from both sides. The key thing here is that we all stand behind our work and our project. Even for me, writing my story made me cringe a bit, because being a feminist, I did wonder what writing such a piece about rape stated about me as the author, but honestly, if you can't look at rape (at least in the case of my story) from its roots, then you can't say that you fully understand the crime.
As for "Phantom Pains", I haven't read it yet, because stuff described as "grotesque" makes me shy away. Not to say that it doesn't have a place in the anthology, though. I'm sure it's great, as Danny has praised it so, but I do know my limits as a reader. Amputations really freak me out.
avery of the dead
from Kentucky is reading Cipher SistersJanuary 29, 2012 - 10:17am
I agree with Bek that each author needs to stand behind their work and that of the anthology. Some of the best stories for the anthology (of the ones I have read) really shine a light on the illness, which I think is a good thing. I know that with my story, personally, I wanted to show a side of postpartum a lot of people don't think about. The fact that there are little to any outward signs (that the man on the street would see). It isn't just the obviously crazy person. It could be anyone. My hope for the anthology is to show that these are not "disorders" they are people.
And I still think donating a bit of the profit is a good thing.
Five or six sentences max including bio and don't say your inspiration was locking your baby in a room or CPS may be called lol
Oh no, that's not creepy at all... ;)
double post
I have a story that I would like to submit for the anthology. Where do we post our drafts so that others can give feedback?
I'm new to this community so I'm a bit confused.
Thanks!
@ Natasha - if you signed up to the workshop then you can put it up there. Otherwise you are probably best PMing Danny (aliensoul)
I'm on board with any proceeds that would come my way being split between advertising and a charity.
I'm with bryan.
I have to admit that aside from lack of time, one reason why I'm slow with the revision is that I felt a bit overwhelmed with the feedback - which I'm grateful for, don't get me wrong. I got good feedback and I want to do justice to it and the story, so I found myself in writer's block because I want to make the story great, perfect, shining! And I'm putting too much pressure on myself. But this weekend for sure I'm submitting a second draft, because I should go through at least 3 drafts before I settle on a final version. Please someone slap me so I don't think I have to write a masterpiece in my 2nd draft.
Liana, you have 35 minutes to finish this draft and submit it. GO!
Haha nice try but I am writing a paper right now..... Make that 35 hours?
I just did some final tuning, cut extra additions to sentences that didn't really add much. All that added up to nearly 200 words, which is cool.
I understand how overwhelming feedback can be, Liana. Sometimes when I get some really in-depth feedback I have to take a couple days to absorb it all. As great as some of feedback can be, you still have to be selfish and write the story you want to write.
@natasha--workshop or dangrn77@hotmail.com.
Liana, if it makes you feel any better, I don't think your story needs a huge amount of work. You have all the basic story elements there, it just needs some cutting and rearranging like maybe incorporating the letter into actual dialogue at the end. The confrontation scene wasn't long enough but the hoarding, the rat obsession were all great elements of his illness.
As for the bios and naming illnesses at the epilogue for readers who may be like wtf was that--bryan, did we agree your character's illness was paramnesia or something.
Short bios are my favorite kind (I mean to write). I despise writing about myself.
As far as money goes, I am comfortable saying that I don't expect to get paid unless this thing REALLY takes off. I'd rather see the money spent promoting the shit out of it and getting more people to read it. Money is nice, but this anthology is going to be full of AMAZING stories and I am so pumped about it--I just want to see people reading it.
I also think some charitable donation would be good from a PR perspective as well as from my, personal, bleeding heart, borderline hippy perspective.
I created my Jonah Novak Twitter page: @JonahNovak
Not sure exactly how I'm going to go about it because I never pictured Jonah being an Internet-savvy guy, save for porn. Nevertheless, it'll probably be mostly remarks on girls he sees on the road and some pop culture nonsense.
@aylee, you want bios now or later?
@everyoneelse, I'm sorry i've been slow on the review. I've been studying, so I'll do tons of work soon for u guise <3
@aliensoul77 - whatever you want to do, danny, is fine by me. i think that's a nice gesture. i guess it would just be nice to put some of that sentiment out front so that people know that we're writing about a subject that COULD be sensitive to some people, but that we're going to donate some of the proceeds to charity.
i can say that unless we sell THOUSANDS of copies, if you take the list price and subtract the print costs and then divide that by 30 people the profits won't be much. so i'm happy to donate my portion to charity.
(these figures are all mine, not sure what you'll set the list price and % at)
$15 book
$7 print costs
leaves $8 profit (assuming no marketing dollars spent)
divide the profits 50% to press and 50% to artists (although most give 30% to the artists)
take that $4 per book and divide that by 30 = .13 per artist (per copy sold)
if we sell 100 copies = $13 per artist
if we sell 500 copies = $65 per artist
if we sell 1000 copies = $130 per artist
just some numbers to consider. and i hope you do take some of the profits to allow you to create another anthology.
Exciting shit, guys. I just finished the promo image for "Perfectly Natural". Took me forever because I tried to mock all the wrinkles and tears in Photoshop and it just didn't look realistic, so I just made the pamphlet, printed it out and crumped it to make it seem like the protagonist of Jessica's story had picked it up at some point. Then I just scanned it back into the computer. I like the look of it a lot, and I'll probably print out and re-scan the newspaper article I made for my story as well.
What do you all think? Also, @averydoll, is this cool or do you think I could add anything else in there? I thought about drawing on the baby's face but it seemed a bit too much. Hilarious, but too much.
Danny has approached me about making a "flyer" for his story. He also gave me text to write in, which was great because it meant I wouldn't have to come up with the words myself. After I do his, I'll go about approaching everyone else for ideas on what to do for each story. That said, the image must be something paper-based from out of your story. So in addition to thinking about your biography, it might be a good idea to start brainstorming for your promo-image as well. Also, if you already know what your idea is, feel free to PM me.
You can click the image to see the full-size version.
THAT IS AMAZING. I'm floored.
Im going to try and get some reviews in over the weekend. I would really appreciate it if you guys could give me a review on my 1st revision. Danny has been my only review so far. Help a brotha out.
Danny, I do appreciate you saying that. I usually am pretty relaxed about these things but I felt differently about this story and got myself anxious when I shouldn't be.
Bek--you are a fucking GODDESS.
@Avery - I'm glad you like it. When I look at the full-size image, it looks like some cheesy old pamphlet from the seventies or something that your protagonist takes home the day she goes to the doctor's office (at the end of the story), and maybe she reads it half-heartedly, making excuses for her behaviour before folding the pamphlet in half and shoving it in her purse.
@Renee - I'm wondering what I can do for you now. I'm thinking like a page of old notes from one of Charles' notebooks or something. Or maybe a crumpled receipt that Finn left in his car? Not sure yet, but I'm sure you can help me out.
@Bek, yeah I am playing with some ideas. I do need to finish up this draft though, haha. I was thinking something like what you said, or maybe something like a coffee stained study with notes in the margin. I'm working on it internally.
@Bek, sexy as ever :P Love your work.
So here's the scanned version of my article:
I've decided to call the collection of images the "Psychosis: Scrapbook", A Collection of Reality, Inspired by Fiction
So awesome, Becky, I really appreciate all your hard work. Even if these don't make it in the actual book depending on how we publish, we can at least have them as bonus items for the website. I think they add an extra depth to the stories.
@Richard: I think that sounds like a great idea and very realistic. A few bucks to each contributor is really nothing compared to both the potential block of a community donation. Not only could it mollify any angst or malevolence the subject matter might generate, but it might also aid in placing both the Anthology and the community in a favorable light, essentially heading them off at the pass.
@Liana: If it is any consolation, I have been in a similar position as you--slammed with work/career obligations to the extent that I am too exhausted to get my writing motor kick started or find any time to write. Just so you know you are not alone!
@Danny: I have been mulling over a couple of your newer suggestions for stories though. I don't know if I will even be able to pull anything off at all the way things are going, but whatever I do submit will take into to consideration a condensed format possibly incorporating one of your story suggestions. Maybe. But I am just happy to contribute in whatever way possible, regardless.
@Rebecca: Very cool stuff. That is why you are the Beka-nator.
Okay, we could donate 30% of the proceeds and then use the rest towards the next anthology. MEDICAL ANOMALIES!!! I already have an idea for a pair of conjoined twins.
This sounds aswesom to me.
Wow, I think I had a seizure while typing that...
Awesome. It sounds awesome, to me.
For the cover of the next anthology I want a deformed fetus crawling out of a man's head, would that be too much?
Uhhh....
That's not exploitative at all.
I just have to chime in that it's a little bothersome to keep seeing the subject of who we might offend come up, or what we can possibly do to make it up to anyone we might potentially offend.
Are we artists and writers, or politically correct politicians?
If we’re going to worry about offending anyone with anything we write, why write at all? Why release the anthology at all?
I think it's fine and maybe important for us to take a stand on the fact that we're not making fun of mental illness, but we can do all of that with a simple disclaimer. It's that easy, and they can take it or leave it.
I don’t think we can go the route of worrying about who we offend, or else we end up censoring, nitpicking, and overthinking.
It also seems offbase that a few can decide for the rest that any money we make may be better suited toward a certain charity than the artist's actual pocket, seeing if we make any money at all.
All that said, I'm definitely not against donating to charity, so it's not that I'm the bad guy here. Don't mistake what I'm saying. But for someone else to say that a charitable cause is more important than a contributing artist's, as far as money goes. How can anyone know that for sure? And if I donate money, which again I'm more than fine with, I"m not going to do it to "make up" for "possibly offending" a certain community of people. Artistic freedom, especially within fiction, owes no apology. Just saying we may be getting ahead of ourselves and losing focus, no?
Good points Nathan,
And I thought a lot about those very elements. You bring up a great point about the disclaimer. The thing is, thus far there have been some suggestions that these stories seek to portray real aspects in a way to enlighten readers. This needs to be handled very carefully. I am not even sure if making such claims is accurate.
On the other hand, a whole shit load of bad publicity could be a good thing.
But you are right, no artist should ever put a muzzle on their voice or fetter their muse in order to tame the work. I am not suggesting that at all. And you probably know me well enough that you know I speak my mind and would never go that route.
As for the charity thing, that was purely my opinion. And again, you are right, it should be a choice of the contributing individuals.
But I would like to stress the issue that Richard brought up. It is extremely important that the Anthology make no claims to instruct or be official in any way as the stories pertain to educating readers on these maladies. That is only asking for trouble. Again, my opinion.
I do think we can make a general disclaimer that says, the following stories aren't meant to be textbook representations of mental illnesses but are accurate in that they are based on real disorders and told in an entertaining way. We can say, we aren't making light of people with real mental disorders and encourage anyone suffering from the following afflictions get help and not make the choices our characters do.
If people want to donate whatever earnings they would have earned to the charity, that's fine, I don't care. Although Nathan is right in that if we do use any artists, we should try to compensate them and if the anthology did in some "idyllic possible reality" make thousands of dollars, of course I would send everyone a check for their fair share or at least consult with them first before donating to charity in their name. I don't think any of our stories are really that offensive, even Rebecca's story about a rapist is told in a way that you can see what a pathetic loser the guy is. In fact, I don't think we glamourize any of these diseases in that, I don't think I would want to be any of these people in the anthology lol The only story that could even potentially seen as exploitative might be the "Phantom Pains" one by Jason but in the narrator's twisted mind (for those of you who read it) believes he is commiting an act of love in his very misled way. Has anyone read the Phantom Pains story I sent them? I like it, it's very grotesque and probably a little more over the top than some of the stories in the antho but I thought we might need a few stories that are a little "WHAT THE FUCK" to even out the more quiet subtle ones. LIke I said, I am arranging the book like a symphony. Although my story symphony is more like "quiet quiet quiet build up, weird weird weird, psycho psycho PSYCHO! this is deranged, this is deranged!"
hehe, it's like a "this coffee is hot" warning.
"The following are works of fiction, any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."
Past that I don't think we really need much in the way of a disclaimer.
Alright! If I make it in (fingers crossed) I get to be the fucked up guy. haha. Do I need to start growing a beard out and working on my crazy eyes look? Jack Ketchum better scoot over a bit. :P
I pretty much voted you stay on the island. Unless everyone else is offended by your BO, you should be fine. You can grow a Unibomber beard for any reason at any time, that's your right as an American dammit!
@nick, how about "this novel may cause feelings of euphoria, sociopathy, delight, eroticism and light diarrhea".
I thought the purpose of this thread was to get input from everyone that felt inclined to give it, so I havent read anything as "this is how it shall be", so of course, anyone opposed to, or who may see issues with this idea or another should speak up. I think donatin to charity is preferable to a check for $20, assuming we even get to a point where proceeds could be divided 30 ways and still equal $20. That's my feeling. I also think it could be good for sales, not going to sugar coat it. People like feeling like they are doing something "good" without actually having to do something, I know I do.
In the end, this is a passion project, and I don't think any of us honestly believ this baby is going to make anyone rich, so for me, if ee're being realistic, the paltry amount I may get paid is irrelevant, and so being, I am not opposed to that hypothetical paycheck going somewhere it may do some good.
Excuse my typos, I'm posting from my phone in bed with a toddler crawling around. Bad combo.
glad to see a lot of discussion here. like renee said, what i posted up were just some SUGGESTIONS, i'm just one voice, one author amongst many. this is not my anthology, i'm not the editor or the person in charge. i just thought it MIGHT be nice to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity. i'm not worried about offending anybody, because, well...you always offend somebody. again, i thought the gesture and the disclaimer that was just mentioned might be worth looking at. and as far as donating your portion of the pie, i wasn't speaking for anybody, except myself.
like renee said, this is an open discussion about what we MIGHT like to do, not what we are GOING to do. when the writing is all done, and the contracts go out, then we'll know what the editor(s) want from us. we could always do something like this:
$15 book
$7 print costs
$8 left - 20% to charity, the rest split between press and authors (50/50 or otherwise)
($1.60 per book to charity; $3.20 to press (for marketing, next antho, editor cut, etc; $3.20 to authors)
3.20 divided by 30 authors = about .10 cents per book
100 copies = $10 each
500 copies = $50 each
1000 copies = $100 each
i'm just breaking down some numbers here so people can see the realities of what this could earn. the first time i did an anthology for pay i was shocked at how little i got ($12). but then i did the Shivers VI anthology (with King and Straub) and was surprised at how big the checks were ($100; $310; $125 - for ONE STORY), so...you never know. could be $30 each, could be $300 each.
Money talk is making me dizzy... I agree with whatever is agreed upon.
Chester, I have to tag you in a Facebook post, so you stop always doing stuff for others and start doing stuff for yourself. Lemme see if I find that old post.
Personally, I submitted because I liked the idea surrounding the anthology, plus it would be nice to have an established writing credential. I'm glad I have a winning poem in my portfolio (even if it was just for a community college literary journal), had a few articles published in a gaming magazine, and love writing articles online for LitReactor and MPOGD, but to have something actually published in one form or another - that would make me like I've finally became a writer (as stupid as that may sound).
So I'm not opposed to donating, getting a check from sales, doing 50/50 or some split, using the money to market the book, using the money to spearhead a second anthology, or all of the above.
So if I'm included and get to stay on the island, everything else is just cake in my book and I'm good with the masses.
For all those looking for medical anomoly fun,
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/HighOctaneNightmareFuel/DiseasesAn...
Let's not get too ahead of ourselves with the medical anomoly stuff, guys. We haven't even finished our first anthology yet. Tsk tsk.
As for the worries of offending people, I can see the point from both sides. The key thing here is that we all stand behind our work and our project. Even for me, writing my story made me cringe a bit, because being a feminist, I did wonder what writing such a piece about rape stated about me as the author, but honestly, if you can't look at rape (at least in the case of my story) from its roots, then you can't say that you fully understand the crime.
As for "Phantom Pains", I haven't read it yet, because stuff described as "grotesque" makes me shy away. Not to say that it doesn't have a place in the anthology, though. I'm sure it's great, as Danny has praised it so, but I do know my limits as a reader. Amputations really freak me out.
I agree with Bek that each author needs to stand behind their work and that of the anthology. Some of the best stories for the anthology (of the ones I have read) really shine a light on the illness, which I think is a good thing. I know that with my story, personally, I wanted to show a side of postpartum a lot of people don't think about. The fact that there are little to any outward signs (that the man on the street would see). It isn't just the obviously crazy person. It could be anyone. My hope for the anthology is to show that these are not "disorders" they are people.
And I still think donating a bit of the profit is a good thing.