"UNSCREWED!" anthology working thread

[DocAbsurd]

I'm home. And there was much rejoicing.

yaaaaaaah.

I'm gonna try to nail down a few things about the book over the week-end. It's definitely gonna be an anthology; it's definitely gonna be all new material (I want those who got really screwed over completed work to take it where they're gonna be paid real money, not empty promises); I want a theme, along the lines of 'blowhard gets what's coming to him' but in an allegorical sense; I'd like to see a combination of panel-to-panel and prose (hear that, authors?); I want all proceeds to go to those who swallowed the tepid kool-aid, divided up as evenly as possible (which I know ain't gonna be easy, considering both the sum of monies owed and number of creators financially injured). Most of all, I want this to be cathartic and fun, a good read for buyers and a release for contributors.

The one thing I don't want is any mention directly of the Troll-ney. There's your challenge.

I'll need editors, participants, list of injured parties, that sorta thing. I'm taking Ian up on his printing offer, and probably gonna use a combination of the SPA, IF and ICC as co-publishers. Hell, if Jonah wants to slap the CBR label on it, I'd be only too happy to have him on-board. He's been patient as feck about this bandwidth monstrosity.

The only other thing I don't want is credit. I ain't doing this for me, for finances or for reputation. Good people lost a lotta time and effort cuz of this git, and I just wanna see some good come from it. Lemons to lemonade sorta thing.

I'm laying claim to 'Moby Dick'; I've already started designing Ahab, and I've drawn a few orca (for obvious reasons) so I've just gotta do my research.

I'll need to figure out a minimum and maximum page count; to ease the printing worries, we'll stick to even numbers for now. We also gotta decide whether to go with color interiors or b&w. Oh, and please don't let this take away from other assignments. This twit doesn't deserve another iota of energy.

Gail, if you think this needs a separate thread, lemme know.

Mebbe we can get this done before the convention season starts.




Doc 'My Dad Has a Barn!' Absurd

[OzBat!]

Nobody objected, so I copied doc's post to a new thread all of its own - the better to keep it focussed, and not get buried under the rest of the Olney thread content!

[Joshua Pantalleresco]

I'll do it. I'm not a big name or anything, nor was I screwed by this guy. but I know I can write a really short story about this. I just hate seeing anyone getting away with something like this and since I don't have millions or thousands of dollars to help out, a story would make me feel better.

That is, if this really goes through and you're interested.

JP

[Sarah Beach]

You know I've already volunteered to help in the editing, however needed.

I'm also going to team up with a partner in crime, Erik Burnham, and come up with a short tail... uh, tale. We're still discussing how long a story (he's the one that has to do the art, after all).

Details to follow.

[Scott Shaw!]

I've got a few thoughts:

A.) This may sound elitist, but I think that all of the contributions be professional in execution. Not necessarily by previously published professionals, but of professional quality. I don't this this should be considered a "try out" book, an opportunity to become a "pro", or a fanzine. On the other hand, contributors don't need to be a big name or previously published creator. But I think we all have a gut feeling as to what "professional" means, quality-wise and that whoever is editorially screening the material should also be as professional as possible in who actually gets into the book.

B.) Without trying to be too "indy" in approach, I think that UNSCREWED! would benefit by an intentional avoidance of stories relying on the superheroe, fantasy or science fiction genres. I think the book would have much more credibility if it were more "real world", with lotsa variations on what that might be.

C.) Although the theme is "balancing the scales of justice" or "blowhards get their due" or "the little guy finally gets what's coming to him" or whatever, I think that the editor(s) should concoct a simply "mission statement" for UNSCREWED! And I'd like to put my vote in for a mixture of true (with all identifying stuff changed) and fictional storiesd, with none of 'em specified. That'll keep folks guessing and avoid any lawsuits of our own.

D.) Looks like UNSCREWED! will have a great and diverse list of contributors, which is great. It would also be to a great advantage to get a "draw artist" for the cover, someone with a known name and popular style, either from within ourselves or by soliciting a cover from someone who'd be agreeable to contributing.

E.) There's also the possibility of ad space. We could sell ads, which would help defray costs and/or go to our "Olney orphans". We could give the ad-space to the "Olney orphans" themselves. Or we could have ALL editorial content and no ads at all.

I'll probably think of more stuff. Please forgive me if I sound bossy, but I've edited comics and produced TV shows and I guess I'm not used to keeping my opinions to myself (as you've no doubt noticed!)

I'd love to hear everyone else's ideas for UNSCREWED!, too.

Aloha,

Scott!

P.S.: Rather than do one long(er) story, I'd like to contribute a few of my one-page, nine-panel "Now It Can Be Told!" stories (TwoMorrows published a few in this series of mine in their Eisner Award-winning anthology STREETWISE.) Probably two or three of 'em; whatever is needed to fill out the page count. So, who else is on board for UNSCREWED!? -- SS!

[Mike Bullock]

Count me in. Any artists want to work on something with me?

[Allan Harvey]

I'd be more than happy to offer my services as "art robot" for a page or two, should any writers require one.

www.allanharvey.net

Sounds like a great project. Good luck!

[PatrickG]

Once you folks settle on a submissions editor/process, I'll be happy to submit a text piece for consideration for anywhere from one to seven. I can also submit it pre-formatted and if you do elect to go with color, go for a slick design.

Unless there are an over-abundance of artists available. I suspect there won't be.

I'd suggest something like Comixpress for printing the project. It's fairly economical and there's almost no upfront overhead. However, if you can find a printer who will cut you a deal... That's worth considering.

You may want to speak to our own Tom Stillwell about submitting if you go with Comixpress since he qualifies for a discount as a repeat customer with his HONOUR BRIGADE book, I believe.

[AIPman1]

I can talk to Jeff at SIPS, Dimestore works with them and they cut us a nice deal on the Small Press Idol #0 issues. Anyone that saw those books knows they were top notch quality...we were very happy. We should compare printers overall prices. SIPS also reduces prices the more copies are ordered. So they can handle from 1 copy to 10,000 with little difference in turn around time.

[Typo Lad]

Pardon me if this is rude, but shouldn't the actual creators involved be the ones that were stiffed? Not third parties?

I mean, I'm willing to help behind the scenes if it is needed, but I think the content itself should come from those who have been Olney'd.

Just my 3 cents.

[PatrickG]

A fair point perhaps.

I don't have much money to spare but I'm willing to help however I can.

[AIPman1]

Originally Posted by Typo Lad

Pardon me if this is rude, but shouldn't the actual creators involved be the ones that were stiffed? Not third parties?

I mean, I'm willing to help behind the scenes if it is needed, but I think the content itself should come from those who have been Olney'd.

Just my 3 cents.

Actually, the point of the benefit is to raise $$ for those creators. While I am sure Tim would include work BY those creators, I remember him saying that to simply print the work they didn't get paid for, would preclude them from being able to shop the work to other PAYING companies.

I agree with Scott Shaw that a high quality standard should be maintained in this effort...there are 1,000 places for amateurs to cut their teeth (I run one such place: Mysterious Visions Anthology) but a BENEFIT BOOK is not one of them.

[Typo Lad]

Well then, if that is the point, then I'd certainly be willing to contribute. I am not sure, however, I am "pro" enough. I've only been published thrice.

Again, the offer for behind-the-scenes help stands.

[DocAbsurd]

This much activity before work is simply not healthy for the mind; it gives me too much to think about and distracts from the importance of closing the store.

[/sarcasm]

Scott, I'll be the first to admit I am not a publisher; I draw, I write, I edit, but I am in waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay over my head. So ideas and suggestions will not go unappreciated or unacknowledged.

So, in order:

A) I want this to sell well enough to help the 'Olney Orphans', so I agree about the quality requirement. When Daphne and I go over our list, we'll get in touch with everyone who's offered editorial assistance; they'll be the ones with quality control. It's gonna be about execution, not prior published credits. Remember, we want to mix in prose along with the panel-to-panel work, too; and you don't have to have battle scars from dealing with the Troll-ney to participate, just a desire to set things straight.

Rubbing his nose in this is just a bonus.

B) Everyone has their own particular genre they prefer to work in. I'll be doing some sort of sci-fi parody of Moby Dick. I'm sure there'll be a couple cape and fantasy stories as well. The idea should be to hit as broad a spectrum of content as possible. Plus, if we're going with more allegorical stories, it's only inevitable that we've got to add some sort of exaggeration. To be honest, I'd be surprised if we don't up with the vast majority of content focused on the 'slice of life' type of story.

C) I agree completely here. We'll write a proper 'mission statement' (good idea that) for submissions so everyone knows exactly what's being sought.

D) I've already though about this one. I'd actually like to get 2 cover artists, front and back. I have an idea for one who's already offered to help, but I'd like a recognizable name for the other. I've also got to find someone to do a catchy logo; I've been given a name to contact and I'll be emailing him tomorrow.

E) I like the idea of ads. The less money we have to spend outside of generous contributions, the more can go to those 'Olney Orphans'.

As for the printing question, I'll make our goal part of the mission statement (which will be the only place Tricky will be mentioned throughout the project). I want it to be made utterly clear this is not for our profit, but solely to aid those who Reek refuses to pay. This might make it easier to solicit assistance or get a better rate for printing. We've also got to figure out distribution and promotions. I may hand the printing chores off to you, Ian, so I can concentrate on the million other things I'll have to co-ordinate.

Scott, I choked when you offered to help. Hell, I still have the 3 pager of 9 panels you did for Critters in my permanent library. I say go for it. Once we compile a list of contributors, it should be a lot easier for creators to team up. Sarah, I've already got you in, along with everyone else who's offered (which has already become a staggering list).

We'll have more details posted over the week-end. Feel free to speak up and throw out suggestions. We'll get this nailed down.




Doc 'Unscrewing' Absurd

[PatrickG]

Scott suggested a submissions process.

If there's an editor, those of us in the "not pro enough" camp could be judged on the quality of the work.

Otherwise, I'm willing to help where I can, even if it's just something like making web banners for people to put in their signatures on message boards.