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flexagonI got into work today at 7:35 to try to finish up crap from yesterday. Didn't work, I encountered more troubles, but damn do I feel virtuous about trying! I even mailed Timothy his stupid leather on the way in. :b
(The first part of today's subject line is from Tori Amos' song "Leather", which I now have stuck in my head.)
Last night was interesting. I had a really good talk with my editor friend (by which I mean he's a writer, and used to read slush for magazines, and knows how to edit--not that he works as an editor). I will call him editor bear. Anyway, he had reviewed my story for me as a favor and he loved it--he likes it way more than I do really. He got me totally psyched up and believing it will sell to someone if I send it out. I do need to do some edits, but we're talking word changes, not massive scene rewrites. Made me happy! The one thing I don't have yet is a title... hmmm... title title title. Title. Nope, it's not coming out yet.
I also got to ask a question related to last Sunday's idea, namely: how hard is it to start up a new magazine? I decided I can tell you that much without giving much away, since the idea of a new mag, itself, isn't new. In fact there are several books on Amazon about how to do it. The specifics must needs remain secret tho'. Anyway, this idea too survived editor bear's scrutiny--he told me how to get people to send me submissions, and told me what people usually pay for such, which was a huge help. And he agreed that the first thing to do is put a first issue together, second thing is to talk to advertisers and subscribers, and speaking of subscribers, focus on a certain subgroup that happens to be institutional rather than individual. All very good ideas. Somewhere in there is making a rough biz plan, figuring out where/how to do printing, deciding on some go/nogo decision points, and other such niceties. It's a fair bit... but... here are two good things about magazines. First, you get to create something once and sell it an indefinite number of times, like a book or software, and NOT like making one jacket (or pente board) at a time. Second, you get to create something new each month or each issue, which would make the work varied and fun. Third (yes, third out of two!), my particular idea is one that will minimize my work as an editor--although my work as a salesperson could clearly go through the roof. Fourth, it could be started as a one-person toga party. Fifth, if it worked okay but didn't explode, it would balance fine with a part-time job.
Have I decided to do it yet? No. But honestly, I'm amazed the idea has lasted through the mental sandblasting for a few days now. I'm definitely going to move on it, in terms of casing the competition a little better, buying a how-to book (though, ye gods, their mere existence does make me feel like everything's been done before), and finding out a little about printing costs. All that is a reasonable first step. My biggest concern, and editor bear's too, is that there just might not be a market. But that is something the gods might not tell me until I try a pilot issue. Like I said, even if this folds or hits a "stop" point somewhere, I will at least never feel dumb for having thought of it.
Third, we talked about editor bear's job at ESC (evil shifty corporation) and how he once loved it but now hates it. We brushed on almost the same topic![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
bluechromis did today, namely why will people do things for an organization (corporation) that they won't do in their private lives? It seems to me that w/o personal gain as a motive there'd be even less incentive to be immoral and/or unreasonably greedy (by which I basically mean expanding for the sake of expanding). But, somehow, it happens.
Now, back to coding, I think. That virtuous feeling will go away if I slack too long, and I'm kinda likin' it. :)
(The first part of today's subject line is from Tori Amos' song "Leather", which I now have stuck in my head.)
Last night was interesting. I had a really good talk with my editor friend (by which I mean he's a writer, and used to read slush for magazines, and knows how to edit--not that he works as an editor). I will call him editor bear. Anyway, he had reviewed my story for me as a favor and he loved it--he likes it way more than I do really. He got me totally psyched up and believing it will sell to someone if I send it out. I do need to do some edits, but we're talking word changes, not massive scene rewrites. Made me happy! The one thing I don't have yet is a title... hmmm... title title title. Title. Nope, it's not coming out yet.
I also got to ask a question related to last Sunday's idea, namely: how hard is it to start up a new magazine? I decided I can tell you that much without giving much away, since the idea of a new mag, itself, isn't new. In fact there are several books on Amazon about how to do it. The specifics must needs remain secret tho'. Anyway, this idea too survived editor bear's scrutiny--he told me how to get people to send me submissions, and told me what people usually pay for such, which was a huge help. And he agreed that the first thing to do is put a first issue together, second thing is to talk to advertisers and subscribers, and speaking of subscribers, focus on a certain subgroup that happens to be institutional rather than individual. All very good ideas. Somewhere in there is making a rough biz plan, figuring out where/how to do printing, deciding on some go/nogo decision points, and other such niceties. It's a fair bit... but... here are two good things about magazines. First, you get to create something once and sell it an indefinite number of times, like a book or software, and NOT like making one jacket (or pente board) at a time. Second, you get to create something new each month or each issue, which would make the work varied and fun. Third (yes, third out of two!), my particular idea is one that will minimize my work as an editor--although my work as a salesperson could clearly go through the roof. Fourth, it could be started as a one-person toga party. Fifth, if it worked okay but didn't explode, it would balance fine with a part-time job.
Have I decided to do it yet? No. But honestly, I'm amazed the idea has lasted through the mental sandblasting for a few days now. I'm definitely going to move on it, in terms of casing the competition a little better, buying a how-to book (though, ye gods, their mere existence does make me feel like everything's been done before), and finding out a little about printing costs. All that is a reasonable first step. My biggest concern, and editor bear's too, is that there just might not be a market. But that is something the gods might not tell me until I try a pilot issue. Like I said, even if this folds or hits a "stop" point somewhere, I will at least never feel dumb for having thought of it.
Third, we talked about editor bear's job at ESC (evil shifty corporation) and how he once loved it but now hates it. We brushed on almost the same topic
bluechromis did today, namely why will people do things for an organization (corporation) that they won't do in their private lives? It seems to me that w/o personal gain as a motive there'd be even less incentive to be immoral and/or unreasonably greedy (by which I basically mean expanding for the sake of expanding). But, somehow, it happens.Now, back to coding, I think. That virtuous feeling will go away if I slack too long, and I'm kinda likin' it. :)
