#+ a lot of the writer moots i have use warnings describing when they add stuff like that!! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

abri-chan · 4 years

Note

Any opinions on the Epitaffio zine? I want to apply but reading your bad experiences i don't want to lose time

I don't know the mods, but the idea was interesting. Although tarot card projects have been done before in JoJo, but still.

I had a few small issues with seeing the application, in that the artists were asked to describe how they would paint something instead of sketching it out, while the writers had to write passages as part of the applications. Basically I feel description of how to sketch does not equal writing a passage, but actual sketching would make more sense. But that's minor, I suppose. I also thought the description they gave as an example of writing was very flowery with nothing under, and I do agree good tarot reading has to be more than just poetic prose, it usually conveys something meaningful (I don't believe in astrology, but you have to give it to people that designed the meanings of cards, they weren't stupid and knew how to balance the vagueness, so anyone can relate, with some illusion of meaning so it sounds insightful). I guess we have to wait and see how the actual card descriptions turn out.

If to apply or not should depend on your role as a creator (and I'm assuming you're an artist bc their writer applications are closed), your personality, and how much risk you take.

Usually artists get treated better than writers, and that's a reflection of how the fandom sees us. So chances are as an artist you won't be talked down or assumed you don't know your craft and your deadlines and deliverables will make more sense.

Personality, depends on how much you speak out when something bothers you, how much of a normie you are, how involved you want to be in chats. As in, I have made the *mistake* of pointing out some writer requirements didn't make sense or that the way mods talked to us was demeaning (they literally told us: make sure you do a good job bc people are paying, and no such communication was given to artists). That resulted in artists and some writers saying I was challenging the mods and that I don't speak for all writers so I should shut up or gtfo. So if you just don't complain, or ignore double standards, you'll be fine. (I've had people I considered moots not standing up to back me up, or speaking out, even if they share those links on how writers are discriminated). But if you really know how to navigate social situations, or just keep quiet and accept the mods reasoning as correct always, and are an artist, you'll be fine, really. (I have found out my personality is a strong attractor, people click with it or they don't. Add to that that I have no filter, I'm not diplomatic, which one way is good bc I won't say behind your back what I won't say to your face. But it's also bad bc people just swallow their pride to present themselves in a better light at times, and I don't. Technically there's no reason for me to get involved just bc I find something unfair, most people only get involved when it concerns them. But I'm autistic.)

Ultimately, you cannot decide all zines are bad bc I had bad experiences with them. You may want to be willing to take a risk, and sometimes it works out. Plus for this specific zine, only writers had like 5 artists to work with, but as an artist you only had to work on one piece, so you won't get overwhelmed. And sometimes it's worth it going through the zine experience yourself, to make your own conclusions. It could be a fandom issue, it could be a mod issue, you should not take my words to say never apply. I mostly talk about it, bc it's my personal blog and I can rant if I want to, and more like a reminder that if you create a zine don't do these mistakes. In general, you should make your own decisions; incorporated what you hear but don't let people decide for you.

If you decide to apply in this zine or any zines, I have some advice as to how to handle conflict. If you think someone disagreed with you or they seem to be targeting you, don't bother replying to them in the chat, or dm-ing them. Go to the mods right away, before that other person does. It's a Karen move, but I've learned that if I complained right away, mods would have taken me more seriously; basically don't stand up for yourself, but go to the mods and act like a victim. I thought I could explain to these people why I was right in that the treatment was unfair, or why I thought my question was valid; it's a bad move, they'll think you want to drag the drama out. Always go to the manager!

(I don't want to use victim loosely bc people can get really bullied, but what I mean is: you may think someone @-ing you and saying "how dare you complain about X and Z" may not warrant a mod-call bc you can reason with them as to why you think that. But in the meanwhile they have gone to the mods already to complain that you are making the place toxic and that you are aggressive and make them feel scared of you. So you may as well warn the mods beforehand; say that this person probably misunderstood or something, and you hope they won't target you in the future but it's something you noticed. People are petty, and people are self-righteous, and have thin skin.

Ignore them in the chat, and talk to the mods right away!)

***

EDIT: bc this zine seems like a big project, if successful, you have to weigh how big the exposure you will get due to it will be. As in, the risk may be worth it, even if the experience ends up bad and you never want to see the mods again, after.

I added this thinking of how to be risk and profit efficient, bc exposure also matters a lot, and I suspect why a lot of creators just shut up when they see unfair treatment; if you plan to be big into zines you may want to be diplomatic about stuff, so you don’t antagonize people. So exposure is another thing to consider, that I didn’t say in my original post.

Oh and don't go into zines thinking you'll strike up friendships with popular artists, they usually just ignore the chat. Just apply to what seems interesting to you, and work on your skill. Don't go after people that don't appreciate you; eventually hard work will make you just as good.

(Let me know what your decision ultimately was)

#anime manga rambles #fandom

3 notes · View notes