Comments on: Fast Return – August 2010

By: the_other_dave

the_other_dave — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:54:27 +0000

Having popped into this page a few times since the last disscussion (just to see on the off chance if anything had come up – no pressure, just a step in my normal morning routine) I’ve always noticed the look on the Brig’s face in the banner photo. The weary resignation of someone who sees the shape of the rest of his career* summed up in a daft looking monster.

Ho Hum.

Wonderful picture choice that man.

* – “his” = Brigadier, not “his” = Courtney, who has done lots of other worthwhile stuff and seems a nice chap to boot.

By: the_other_dave

the_other_dave — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:32:13 +0000

Ooooh, I think life and history would be pretty non-conducive to an official working relationship. I would be happy to help at the proofing/sounding out/feedback/edit level in a purely supportive capacity to get you over this current hurdle, if that’s any help. (Though that said in many cases my “help” may have been the kiss of death on some projects). Feel free to email me if I can be of any use.

By: Paul Scoones

Paul Scoones — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:05:10 +0000

Well, what would be most beneficial would be a co-editor. Someone to help solicit and select contributions, provide feedback to contributors and edit material. What I would suggest to anyone considering this is, commit to one issue initially rather than viewing it as a long term thing, which might seem a bit daunting. That said, I’m not thinking of doing more than one issue a year, maybe two at most.

By: the_other_dave

the_other_dave — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:10:45 +0000

Sooo…

With the caveat of we (“we” – wider populace “we”, rather than me and anyone else specific) have our own work/life mixes to manage, is there any specific assistance you were after?

By: Paul Scoones

Paul Scoones — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:24:56 +0000

Hi Dave,

I’m holding off on widening the appeal because of my aforementioned heavy workload at present. Once I’ve got this under control I’ll begin soliciting.

Paul

By: the_other_dave

the_other_dave — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:40:33 +0000

Paul,

While I appreciate any input I have in this may be regarded as biased, have you considered putting your appeal for assistance on the NZDWFC forum as it’s own thread (rather than an aside on a “when is TSV coming out” discussion). Unfortunately the Zeus Blog readership is a bit bijou/boutique* since its regeneration, and really it sounds like you probably want to be soliciting as wide an audience as possible and promoting discussion amongst potential contributors.

Just a thought…

*Sorry Peter, no offence intended.

By: the_other_dave

the_other_dave — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:56:43 +0000

And for those listeners wishing to take a break from the tennis, the previously mentioned, absolutely wonderful Figthing Fantazine can be found here:

http://fightingfantazine.bravehost.com/Fighting%20Fantazine.html

By: Paul Scoones

Paul Scoones — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:45:52 +0000

Thanks, Peter.

Yes, I think in future issues should be shorter, but I view that as something that needs to happen gradually. I have a commitment to honour many advance paid subscriptions for the next few issues which were priced at around 80-100 pages each.

If it wasn’t for this then, yes, I would definitely make TSV a shorter, PDF zine and I would certainly like to migrate it to this format over time. I’m very impressed with Alex’s Fighting Fantazine, which seems to be doing very well indeed.

I worry for my time too! I have several large projects on my plate at the moment. In fact I’m taking a brief break from laying down production subtitles for a Doctor Who DVD in order to write this reply… right now, back to work!

By: Peter A

Peter A — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:53:04 +0000

Thanks for responding Paul, and your devotion to TSV is clear and noted.

Do you think there’s any reason why any future issues needn’t be shorter if volume is an issue in and of itself? I don’t think any RTP readers made the complaint about it being (roughly) half the size of TSV, and if filling a larger space is a particular problem, then the answer should be a no-brainer.

I do worry for your own time and work commitments though. You already have a very large project on your hands. I don’t think anyone here would begrudge you setting the zine’s concerns aside while you concentrated on that.

I do believe in PDF issues however, as nice as Panic Moon looks. And the cost margin to the club and to subscribers would be significantly less, right? Alex produces his Fighting Fantazine this way (although they are h-u-g-e files). I’d hoped this time a year ago that RTP might have made a similar migration…

By: Paul Scoones

Paul Scoones — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:26:05 +0000

I’m painfully aware that we haven’t had a TSV issue this year. Believe me, this bothers me a great deal. I’m letting a substantial number of loyal readers down, all of whom have so far waited remarkably patiently. I do not want to see TSV fade away.

Progress on the next issue is very slow at present. I do not have a reserve of writing or artwork to utilise and I know of only a few contributors with things in the pipeline. All offers of help will be very gratefully accepted.

I do like the idea of PDF issues, but unless the page counts are significantly shorter there is little gain in terms of time and effort saved. Once an issue is complete as a PDF, the hard work’s just about all done. Printing and posting copies is relatively effortless.