#best ad networks for publishers
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Top 7 Proven Strategies To Monetize Your Website For Success
Welcome, readers! Ready to transform your website into a money-making wonder? This blog is your key! Monetizing websites has soared in the digital age. Owners are seeking ways to earn. Whether you're exploring effective monetization or aiming to level up your current strategy, discover ten surefire methods in this ultimate guide to monetize website with ads. Let's unlock financial success together!
Ok readers, it is time to start our journey towards online prosperity; let's go -
Table Of Contents
Website Monetization: Profit Playbook
Significance Of Website Monetization
10 Proven Strategies: Monetize Like A Pro
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion
Website Monetization: Profit Playbook
Monetizing your website is akin to reaping rewards for your dedication. Running a website seamlessly demands meticulous content creation and upkeep. Quality content is pivotal, luring in an audience and boosting traffic. This surge in traffic becomes a magnet for advertisers, generating revenue through clicks, views, and actions on ads. It also opens avenues for diverse monetization approaches like affiliate marketing, subscriptions, or product sponsorships. Discover the best ad networks for publishers to optimize your earnings.
Significance Of Website Monetization
Website monetization provides financial stability to businesses and individuals by turning their online venture into a reliable income source.
Let's see its following significance when you effectively monetize your website traffic -
•Provides Passion A Great Value - Many publishers are creating content and running a website because they are interested in it and doing it as their passion. Monetization provides great value for their effort and opens the door to earning in different ways.
•Motivates For Higher-Quality Content - Monetization helps motivate website owners to create more engaging content to generate more income from their websites. As we discussed above, quality content is the key to holding and increasing traffic on your page and also encouraging them to make a revisit to get more informative content. It can be stated that "The higher the traffic, the higher the chance of earning income."
•Reinvestment - If you want to monetize your website for a long time and build your online presence, then a timely investment is essential to make more development on the website. Monetization helps website owners reinvest in their websites to provide the best experience to their audience.
•Professional Development - As a website owner, it is essential to build up powerful links not only for the growth of the income but also for professional development. Monetization helps website owners meet new people for the particular task which is also a part of creating a link. The link also helps the website owners in their future monetization plans. In short, monetization conveys the silent message to website owners: "Think Big, Do Big, and Earn Big."
7 Proven Strategies: Monetize Like A Pro
Publishers, here we come to the section that not only provides the ways to monetize your website but also puts a full stop to your question of how to monetize your website with ads. Excited? Then why wait? Let's jump into the pool of the following ten proven strategies -
Diverse Ad Revenue - One of the top ways to monetize your website is by leveraging ad formats and partnering with leading website monetization platforms like 7Search PPC. This allows effortless income generation. How? Just allocate space for ads; 7Search PPC ensures high-paying, relevant ads only from authentic advertisers. This strategy is among the best ad networks for app monetization.
It plays the role of the assistant for the publishers, managing all the monetization processes and letting the publishers concentrate on creating engaging content for the website.
Are you worried about the payments? No, you don't need to worry because 7Search PPC will keep a record of every payment you earn or every payment you withdraw. It also provides a hassle-free payout to the publishers; you can withdraw money from various sources, including PayPal, Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin, and many more.
Affiliate Marketing - Let's take a step toward the next monetization strategy, and its name is affiliate marketing. It is the strategy that helps you to earn a commission for every successful purchase through your website. It is considered the best website monetization strategy because you don't need to go anywhere; if your website has good traffic, companies will approach you and urge you to put ads for their product and services on your website page.
Fee For Exclusive Content - If you are doing hard work as a publisher in providing exclusive content to the audience, then it is fair to charge a fee for doing this. You can divide a content part into two categories: Free and Premium. Free content will help you increase the number of the traffic to your website, and the premium content will help you enhance the revenue to the next level.
Sponsored Content - Another powerful way to monetize your website is through sponsored content, a key strategy within ad networks for publishers. By collaborating with established brands and startups, you create compelling content promoting their products or services. This sponsored content drives traffic to their platforms, earning you substantial revenue for each engaging piece. Keep in mind, when crafting promotional content for these partnerships...
must maintain the balance between the audience value and the promotion of the products and services.
E-commerce Integration - Selling the products and services directly from the website also comes under the website monetization strategy. You can utilize your website as an online store where the audience can directly visit and make a purchase from your website. You must research the customer's demand and ask yourself whether you can easily fulfill their demand from your website or not.
The following points will help you make money by using e-commerce integration.
Explore the trustworthy suppliers for your website that can provide you with the products on time.
Organize a product into a category, including filter options.
Use attractive descriptions and high-catching visuals for the product that you are going to offer to the audience.
Utilize the dropshipping services, which will help you to directly sell the product directly to the customer without keeping it in your store.
Paid Webinars - Hosting paid webinars is also an effective strategy to monetize your website. You can invite experts on your website to talk about the trend and provide informative things to the audience. Remember, you can only invite the experts that align with your website content and monetize objectives.
Suppose you are running a pharmacy website; you can ask healthcare professionals to come virtually and guide your audience about relevant topics such as medicines, diseases, etc. You can approach the audience through social media or email marketing and ask them to pay if they want to attend the seminar. Many audiences will pay a fee to get the specialized knowledge and attend the webinar.
Remember to provide the certificate of participation and healthcare material to the attendees, which will help to encourage them to participate again in future seminars.
Study Material - After the pandemic, students shifted their interest towards online education. According to the report of SKYQUEST, in 2021, the market size of global online education was valued at $31.20 billion, and it will touch the mark of $175.52 billion by 2030. The reason behind showing this data is that you can understand that there is a lot of scope to sell online courses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sell products and services on my website?
Yes, my friend! You can sell the products and services directly to the customer through your website by creating an online store.
Why is SEO essential in the monetization journey?
SEO helps website owners enhance the visibility of their website in the SERPs, which leads to more visitors and enhances potential earnings.
How can social media platforms be used for monetization purposes?
Social media platforms are the perfect way to drive traffic to the website, which creates a chance of more conversions and increased revenue.
Conclusion
So, readers, it is time to wrap up this informative blog. In this blog, you successfully learn the ten proven strategies that will help you write a success story for your monetization journey. The provided strategies are not just about generating bucks; they are your ticket to online victory. You can now start implementing these mind-blowing monetization strategies and watch your online website reach new heights.
#monetize website with ads#top 10 ad networks for publishers#best ad networks for app monetization#top ad networks for publishers#best ad networks for small publishers#ad network for publishers#best ad networks for publishers
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Optimizing Ad Monetization: A Deep Dive into the Best Ad Servers for Publishers
In the digital age, publishers are continually seeking ways to optimize ad monetization strategies to maximize revenue while ensuring a seamless user experience. A critical component of this optimization process is selecting the right ad server. Ad servers act as the backbone of digital advertising operations, facilitating the delivery, management, and tracking of ads on publishers' websites or mobile apps. With numerous ad servers available in the market, it's essential for publishers to conduct a comprehensive analysis to identify the best solution for their specific needs. In this article, we'll delve into the world of ad servers, exploring key features, benefits, and considerations to help publishers make informed decisions and optimize their ad monetization efforts.
Understanding Ad Servers: Ad servers are sophisticated technology platforms designed to streamline the process of serving advertisements to targeted audiences. These platforms enable publishers to manage their ad inventory effectively, including ad placement, targeting, scheduling, and performance tracking. By leveraging the capabilities of ad servers, publishers can optimize revenue generation by delivering relevant ads to the right audience at the right time.
Key Features to Consider: When evaluating ad servers, publishers should prioritize the following key features to ensure they choose the best solution for their ad monetization needs:
Ad Format Support: Look for ad servers that support a wide range of ad formats, including display ads, video ads, native ads, and more. The ability to accommodate various ad formats ensures flexibility and maximizes revenue opportunities across different platforms and devices.
Targeting Capabilities: Advanced targeting options such as demographic targeting, contextual targeting, and behavioral targeting enable publishers to deliver highly relevant ads to specific audience segments, increasing engagement and click-through rates.
Ad Management Tools: A robust ad server should offer intuitive ad management tools for easy creation, scheduling, and optimization of ad campaigns. Automation features streamline workflows and improve efficiency, allowing publishers to focus on maximizing revenue.
Performance Tracking and Reporting: Comprehensive analytics and reporting tools provide valuable insights into ad performance, including key metrics such as impressions, click-through rates, and revenue earned. Real-time reporting capabilities enable publishers to monitor campaign performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize revenue.
Integration with Ad Networks: Ad servers that seamlessly integrate with ad networks and demand-side platforms (DSPs) provide access to a broader pool of advertisers, increasing competition for ad inventory and driving up ad prices.
Best Ad Servers for Publishers: While numerous ad servers are available, several stand out as leaders in the industry, offering advanced features and capabilities to help publishers optimize ad monetization efforts:
Google Ad Manager (formerly DoubleClick for Publishers): Google's ad serving platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including ad serving, ad exchange, and ad management tools. With advanced targeting options and real-time reporting, Google Ad Manager is a popular choice among publishers of all sizes.
OpenX: OpenX is an independent ad exchange and ad server platform that provides publishers with advanced targeting capabilities, real-time bidding, and programmatic advertising solutions. With a focus on transparency and control, OpenX helps publishers maximize revenue through optimized ad monetization strategies.
AppNexus (Now part of Xandr): AppNexus is a digital advertising platform that offers publishers access to premium demand sources, advanced targeting options, and real-time analytics. With a global exchange and robust optimization tools, AppNexus empowers publishers to maximize revenue through programmatic advertising.
Rubicon Project: Rubicon Project is a leading advertising technology company that provides publishers with ad serving, header bidding, and yield optimization solutions. With a focus on transparency and collaboration, Rubicon Project helps publishers maximize revenue by connecting them with premium demand sources.
AdSense: Google's AdSense is a popular monetization solution for publishers, enabling them to display targeted ads on their websites and mobile apps. AdSense integrates seamlessly with Google Ad Manager, providing access to a vast network of advertisers and maximizing revenue potential.
Conclusion: Optimizing ad monetization is essential for publishers looking to maximize revenue and achieve long-term success in the digital advertising ecosystem. By selecting the best ad server for their needs and leveraging advanced features and capabilities, publishers can effectively monetize their digital properties while providing a seamless user experience. Whether it's Google Ad Manager, OpenX, AppNexus, Rubicon Project, or AdSense, publishers have a wealth of options to choose from to optimize their ad monetization efforts and drive revenue growth.
#Best Ad server for publishers#best publishers ad server#Ad servers for publishers#Best ad networks for small publishers#List of ad servers for publishers#Best ad servers for publishers
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Best Adult Ad Networks for Advertisers & Publishers (2024)
In the dynamic realm of online advertising, adult ad networks play a crucial role in connecting advertisers with their target audience and providing publishers with monetization opportunities. As we navigate the landscape of 2024, it becomes essential to identify the best adult ad networks that cater to both advertisers and publishers.
Understanding Adult Ad Networks
Adult ad networks, at their core, serve as intermediaries between advertisers looking to promote adult content and publishers seeking to monetize their websites. These networks offer various ad formats, targeting options, and analytics to optimize campaigns.
Criteria for Selecting the Best Adult Ad Networks
Choosing the right adult ad network involves considering factors like target audience demographics, available ad formats, customization options, payout rates, and payment methods. This ensures that advertisers and publishers find a platform that aligns with their goals.
Overview of 7Search PPC
7Search PPC stands out as a prominent player in the adult ad network arena. With unique features and advantages tailored for advertisers and publishers, it has become a preferred choice in the industry. From precise targeting to flexible budgeting, 7Search PPC offers a comprehensive advertising solution.
Benefits of Using Adult Ad Networks
Utilizing adult ad networks provides numerous advantages, such as increased reach, targeted advertising for better conversions, and monetization opportunities for publishers. These networks create a win-win situation for both parties involved in the advertising ecosystem.
Top Adult Ads Publisher Platforms
For publishers seeking to monetize their websites through adult advertising, several platforms stand out. This section reviews popular options, comparing features and benefits to help publishers make informed decisions.
Adult Ads and Site Monetization
Effectively monetizing adult ads on websites requires strategic placement and optimization. Publishers can maximize revenue by understanding user behavior and incorporating ads seamlessly into their site's design.
Best Practices for Advertisers in Adult Ad Networks
Advertisers aiming for success in the adult ad network industry should focus on creating compelling content, refining targeting strategies, and optimizing their campaigns. This section provides valuable tips for advertisers looking to make an impact.
Trends in Adult Advertising for 2024
The ever-evolving landscape of adult advertising witnesses emerging technologies and formats. Staying updated on these trends is crucial for advertisers and publishers seeking to stay ahead in the competitive market.
Challenges in the Adult Ad Network Industry
Despite the opportunities, the adult ad network industry comes with its share of challenges, including legal and compliance issues and navigating content restrictions. Advertisers and publishers must be aware of these challenges to operate successfully.
Success Stories in Adult Advertising
Case studies showcasing successful adult advertising campaigns offer valuable insights and lessons for industry practitioners. Learning from these success stories can inspire and guide advertisers and publishers.
Tips for Beginners in Adult Ad Networks
For those entering the adult advertising space, a set of guidelines can be instrumental. This section provides essential tips and highlights common pitfalls to help beginners navigate the industry effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the world of adult ad networks is diverse and dynamic, offering opportunities and challenges for advertisers and publishers alike. By understanding the criteria for selecting the best networks, exploring platforms like 7Search PPC, and embracing best practices, stakeholders can navigate this unique adult industry successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are adult ad networks legal?
Ans:- Yes, but they come with specific legal and compliance requirements that advertisers and publishers must adhere to.
What makes 7Search PPC unique for adult advertising?
Ans:- 7Search PPC offers precise targeting, flexible budgeting, and a range of features tailored for the adult advertising industry.
How can publishers optimize adult ads on their websites?
Ans:- Publishers can optimize adult ads by strategically placing them based on user behavior and seamlessly integrating them into their site's design.
What are the emerging trends in adult advertising for 2024?
Ans:- Emerging trends include new technologies and formats that advertisers and publishers should stay updated on for a competitive edge.
What challenges do advertisers and publishers face in the adult ad network industry?
Ans:- Challenges include legal and compliance issues and content restrictions that must be navigated to ensure success.
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Partners in Death…and Life
Part 2: Radio Will be Dead if He Doesn’t Explain Himself
| Part 1: Radio's Not Dead |Part 3: Not Everything You Hear From The Radio Should be Trusted| Masterlist | ao3
Parings: Alastor x wife!reader
Tags: fem!reader, established relationship, hopefully not but just in case ooc!alastor (I'm still trying my best to keep him as canon as possible) Reader is in hell for a reason.
Hello, I’m back :D This was supposed to be published yesterday, but I got busy. Anyway, thank you for all the likes so far. It motivated me to really finish this chapter. Also once again, I have everything planned out, it really is just a matter of writing it down.
*Updated 28/02/2024 Just added some stuff that I thought made sense*
Flick…
Flick…
Flick…
Lights flicker above you with a slight buzz. You drape an arm over your eyes when the gleam of the bulb blind you.
The hardwood floors chill your skin, but it’s the sensation of casual loose clothing on your back that warrants your exhale in peace. Just a second. You just need a moment on these hard and chilling floors to ground you… just… one … single … moment to…
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
A stray feather pricks into your arm. The vane tickles, but the barb digs your skin. You’ve called this body ‘yours’ far longer than your human one, yet the feathers that grow on your skin still astound you. You twirl it around your fingers, and wave it in the air like a wand—it’s a proper animalistic feather.
Your nose scrunches into a hard scowl, and you jump up, stomping into the kitchen toward that untouched coffee mug on your counter. Grabbing it, you splash the contents down the sink, letting it flush down the drain.
The sponge is rough against your hands as you scrub and you scrub and you scrub and you scrub and you scrub and you scrub a̵̯͒n̴̤͝d̶̫͌ ̶͚̇y̶̤̎o̷͔̓u̶̢͐ ̸̓͜s̵̪͗c̸͎͂r̷̀ͅṳ̴̎b̸͖̀ ầ̷̩̯͍̙̳̍͗͘ń̵̰̞̰̕d̴͇̻̮̫̝̓̎̈́ ̶̡̬̬̮̺͗͒́̌͑y̴̙̘̻͇̿̉̐͆ǫ̷͉̟̍̅̑̏ŭ̸̖͓ͅ ̴̛̝͇̭̥̌́́̂s̸̠̑̽̏́c̷̥̺̃̾̊r̶̲̯̈́̈̄͆͊u̵̼̝͕̼̇̍̈́͘b̶͍͖͖̐̾͝.
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
You rinse the mug, slamming the cupboard door shut when you drop it next to your own clean one. Fingers run through your feather-hair…hair-feather, or your ‘whatever that grows on your scalp’. Some questions you’ve stopped asking.
An audible grumble… well, uhhhhh…. grumbles from where your stomach is placed in this body, and you munch on your lips to keep the inhumane screech from erupting into the kitchen and breaking all kinds of glassware and little knickknacks that Alastor filled your home with.
(These days, the old trinkets collect dust on your shelves. There haven’t been any new ones in years.)
Chopping Hell’s equivalent of carrots calms you. (It’s honestly the use of some type of razor-sharp object that calms you. You’d prefer a different razor-sharp object, but a sharp knife is a sharp knife, no matter the size.) You chop until there’s enough food to make a proper and decent meal that your stomach will accept.
You crash on the couch, dinner secured on a plate, and flip the television switch. Light flashes into the room when you do.
Ad about some impish business—Not interested.
‘Yeah, I fucked your sister, So what?’ — Boring.
Cooking Venison with Vox— Lame.
Settling on the lifestyle network, you munch on your food. Some poor slimy creature flashes across the screen, and it's her home that will be remodeled because of…something. You’re not sure what that something was. You don’t care enough to find out.
The sounds from the television swap with the silence of your living-room as you take each bite. It’s one of the sadder habits you’ve picked up since purchasing this noisy picture box.
Your eyes wander to that half-filled coat rack, while your ears listen in on the show and that woman did not just say that pink would go with brown. Only your singular coat drapes on the hinge, when this particular design was made to hold two.
A commercial plays for some-thing called the Hazbin Hotel.
Your eyes are stitched to the screen until the final note of the song plays, and a different advertisement takes its spot. You take a sip of your drink. Just ą̷̖̯͈͂ ̷̡̧͚̤̩͎̙͇̞͓̟͈̤̝͉͉͉̘̉͐̓́̆́̇̍̐̿̈̄͜͜͜͝͝s̶̨̢̛̥̣̻̱̰̬̩̹̥̞̟̳̝͔͓͙̗̗͕̟͇̆̉̿į̴̡̢̠͇̱̤͔̙͎͕͛̑̓̒̀̔͆̓͂̃̚͘͘͠ṗ̶̡̢̨̳͙̦̮͍͓̻͎̲̪̲͕͛̔̐́̐̈́̒̒̉̎͛̆̈́̈́̉̔̑̃̕ͅ.
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
Inhale
Exhale
You blink, and you find your keys locking your front door. Already, your legs are trekking down the garden stones. A flower snarls at you as the gate locks with a click.
Another blink.
Huh…you’re on the bus.
The sign says it’s headed into the city. Living on the outskirts has always been beneficial for you. Not today, though. Today, the one-hour commute makes your feathers bristle.
You read the barely eligible address scribbled on the note, and pat your hair, smoothing the flared feathers sticking out. It seems…
Hmmmmm.
It seems you did not think this through. H-how…How are you going to get to the hotel?
Tagatha calls you a fossil for using one of those flippy telephones. You considered purchasing those fancy telephones with the lights and screens, and loud robotic voices telling you where to turn left, but learning to use a flip-phone brought enough stress for two lifetimes. You’ll happily stay a fossil.
Turns out, you don’t even need the address.
The Hazbin Hotel sticks out. It’s a humongous building with its name written across what you call the sky in blinding neon lights. Your vision zooms in, and you see that the hotel rests on a giant hill at the other edge of the city. Three large neon-lit arrows point to a crudely attached radio tower. Below it, a wooden ship hangs to the side. Circus light bulbs flicker with electricity.
The Hazbin Hotel is an eyesore – it’s exactly what Alastor prefers.
You reach the dinged-up metal gate on the bottom of the hill and reset your hand on the rusted latch. Trekking through the city took a lot, and you were already here. So, why are your legs frozen to the cement? Why does your heartbeat thump in your ears?
“Excuuussseeeee me.”
A snake towers over you. It’s your first time seeing such a slithery specimen as large as him. His hat rests on his hold, and it blinks at you. His hair … or was that skin … puffs out with two red sets of red eyes.
“Can I help you?” you say, warily. Sinners are in hell for a reason.
“Yessssh,” he says, his tongue slithering out. His flaps stick out, all four eyes staring right into your own. “I’d like to be a guessst at this hotel!”
You glance at the eye-sore that’s called a hotel. “I don’t work here.”
His flaps droop. The snake takes a deep breath, and slides the gate open, slithering in with determination in his … er… snake body.
You follow in silence.
The snake matches your pace. “Will you be a guest at this establishment as well?” he asks you. “Or were you given the same sssssuper secret mission?” Just like before, his tongue slithers out—what a funny little odd man.
Bangs grab your attention. When you focus your vision, you see an inky shadow servant striking a nail into broken wood. “Not at all,” you say slowly. “I’m just here to visit someone.”
His flaps open, and three pairs of eyes and a hat meet yours. “I am the great Sir Pentious!” he says with a proud hand on his puffed-up chest. “Inventor. Architect of destruction. Villain extraordinaire!”
You give him your name “….Doctor.”
“It is only the coward who attacks a battler of health.” His flaps droop as he sinks into himself. “You cannot be my rival, I’m afraid.”
“I guess that makes you brave,” you say, humming. The decorations for the hotel are rather dull. Drawn on the middle of the hill, a giant pentagram is etched on the ground. The flowers dwindle on the cliff edge, and do little to combat the grayness surrounding you. “What a shame to hear—I rather love good rivalries.”
The eyes on Sir Pentious’ hat brighten at the same time his own do as well. “Ssssso do I!”
One of the inky shadow servants waves at you.
You wave back.
Light streams from the glass doors. You blink a few times, adjusting to the sudden change of brightness. Circus-themed stained glass decorate the front entrance. One of the less tacky – but still tacky – designs of this hotel.
Sir Pentious taps the glass with the tips of his finger, clinking with each tap, and his eyes water in excitement. His nose crinkles when he takes a deep breath. You weren’t aware he even owned a nose. Sir Pentious fiddles with the flap of his hat, and bangs on the door.
Your smile strains after a minute of banging.
A young lady with long, white hair creaks the door open. You recognize her from the commercial.
Sir Pentious’ flap open and close with each word as he says, “Why, hello, my dear –”
A punch to the face is his reply.
“Oh dear!” you screech. Sir Pentious drops to the ground, and you kneel next to him, a steady hand on his slimy shoulders. “Have you no manners?”
This insolent girl points her spear and stomps a foot on Sir Pentious. She snarls, and her glare hardens.
“Wait, wait, wait!” Sir Pentious’ tongue slithers out as he holds a peace-sign. “I come in peacccccceeeee”
“What are you doing here?” Her spear inches closer.
“Vaggies,” another voice calls out. A blonde with a red pantsuit and a bowtie pokes her head, eyes in a squint. O-oh! You know this lady from the commercial. The Princess of Hell … Cady … Char …Charlie Morningstar! “What’s the problem?” Charlie’s eyes widen when she spots you and Sir Pentious, an honest smile drawn on her face. “Oh, hello again! And hello to you as well!”
“Can you please tell this insolent girl to get her food off this gentleman,” you spit, tilting your nose into the air. Your feathers sharpen when you bristle. “And your weapon away from my face.”
Vaggie takes her foot off Sir Pentious. She holds the spear close, but it’s away from your face.
Sir Pentious straightens into a stand, and the group prattles on.
No one bothers to help you. A huff escapes, and you brush the dirt off your skirt. Absolutely no manners. Insolent and ill-mannered. Would Alastor stay in such a place?
You’ve never laid an eye on someone as unique as this Vaggie. Her hair patterns are similar to wings. It’s almost unheard of to see such a prominent ‘x’. Her flared eyelashes resemble a bird. It strikes you silly. Almost everyone in hell resembles a human body with animal characteristics hidden somewhere. This insolent girl doesn’t appear to have any of that – only miniscule feathers made to appear native to Hell.
“Absolutely!” Charlie exclaims to who you think is Angel Dust. (The porn-star, not the drug. Obviously.) Sir Pentious nods with the sweetest smile on his face. There’s a squeak every time he bobs his head. That hat of his looks nervous. “This place is about second chances and who deserves one more than this…slithery…slippery…special little man.” Charlie takes a peek at you. “Oh, and this feathery…sheddy… and round-eyed woman.”
You do not shed.
You smile at Charlie, and give her your name, “…and I expect it to be used.”
Angel Dust whips to Vaggie. “Aren’t you supposed to protect this place?” he says and turns to you. “How are we even sure we can trust this lady – no offense, toots.”
“None taken,” you say, dryly.
Charlie’s eyes water when she turns to Vaggie, who easily relents with a sigh.
You’re thrust through the apple and circus-themed doors, squinting at the chandelier. It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust to the design—it reminds you of those old rolled films. Charlie leads you and Sir Pentious further down the hall, all but pushing you in. Vaggie and Angel Dust lag a few steps behind.
Charlie waves her arms to go into an enthusiastic point. “So…this is our bar,” she says. Husk drops his drink, a scowl on his face, “and the bartender. This is the curtain, and this is the new wall after Sir Pentious broke the last one. And this is—”
Vaggie calms her down.
The bar clashes with the red wallpaper of the hotel. It’s almost as if someone just dropped it there, and etched it to the very wall. The wood is firm underneath your touch and feels exactly like what wood should feel.
You turn towards the bar and take your seat. Husk focuses on his drink. “Hello,” you say with a gentle voice that should not be mistaken for kindness. “It’s good to see you, old friend.”
Husk chokes and splatter out his drink, but you only smile at him. He coughs and his ears droop low. “Uh…yes,” he starts. “Good to see you as well.”
“There’s no need to be nervous.”
“I’m not.”
“Good.”
You run your finger across the skeleton wrapped around the bar post. A memory tickles your brain. This is one of the many specimens you owned. It took one whole month to strip the muscle off its tight hold on the bones, and another month just to clean, bleach, and wire together. The heads above the bar sign were a gift to you, and the skeletons were your gift back.
The neural spine pokes your finger as you tap each one. “I see you’ve set up shop here.”
Husk scowls, taking another swig of his drink. “Not much of a choice.”
“And tell me,” you start, “how long have you been here?”
Husk doesn’t answer you.
Charlie calls your name, and waves you over. “Over here,” she says pointing to where Niffty plays with some kind of one-eyes cat, “we have our maid—Niffty!”
Niffty hops on Sir Pentious. “The bad boy is back!” she exclaims, pulling him closer, eyes wide and shaking. A bead of sweat drops from Sir Pentious’ hat. “Never leave me again.”
“We’re about 80% sure she’s harmless….” Charlie prattles on.
“Hello, Niffty.” You smile at her.
She jumps off Sir Pentious, landing with a small ‘humph’, and strides to you with her pointy short legs. She calls out your name.
You squat, meeting her eye. “It’s great to see you again—Is Alastor forcing you here?”
Her eyes shine with an innocent type of glee. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” She claps her hands. “I get to chase all the bugs here.” Nifftly leans closer to you, giggling. “Can I be strapped to your table again? I love it when you slice me open.”
“Maybe next ti—”
Charlie grabs your arm, hauling you forward. “Oh! Uh, Alastor! Our gracious facility manager! You've met our newest guest Sir Pentious…hehe…,” she tells him. Charlie keeps pulling you, only stopping when you stand before a grand staircase. “These two will be our special wonderful guests!”
Alastor does little to show you what he feels, there’s just that same empty grin.
He bought a new coat, you note. This new one has white streaks on the new collar and less stripes. Guess some things were more important than others.
You slip out of Charlie’s tight grasp. “I think you’re mistaken, my dear,” you say. “I’m not a guest— just a visitor.”
You hold your husband’s gaze and greet him.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
“It’s good to see you,” you say, a smile drawn on your lips. “How are you doing on this wonderful morning?”
Alastor turns to you, drops an item into his grocery basket, and blinks. “I am amazing!” he says. He grabs your hand with his gloved ones and shakes it. His hands are warmer than you expect them to be. “Alastor. Pleasure to be meeting you. Quite the pleasure.”
You chuckle at him. “Yes, I’m aware of who you are.”
“Oh, how lovely!” He waves his fingers. “ are you on of my many fans?” His smile strains, and there, you see it, on the corner of his cheek. His nose flares and his smile takes the appearance of a snarl. Maybe it was the other way around.
“A bit,” you admit, adjusting your hold on the basket. “How are your stitches, Sir?”
His eyes widen—brown eyes, you note. “The good doctor!”
“I think you mean the good nurse.”
“Oh yes, yes,” he hums and inches the basket away from your gaze. “I’ve been taking my medicine, and replacing my dressing every three days, just like you said.”
“Good—that’s great to hear. No more accidents?”
“None!” He laughs. “And if one does happen, I’ll be sure to present you with an injury that is only hours old.”
A giggle slips through your lips. “That’s even better to hear,” you say. You clear your throat, tightening the hold on your basket. “I’d hate to take even more of your time. I’ll let you go on with your day.”
A firm grip on the basket handles keeps your feet planted on the glossy floor of the general store. “Not so fast, my dear. I think you still owe me,” he says. Your teeth bare into what you hope is a polite smile. “You promised to show me your marvelous embroidery the next time we meet! You’re not the type of lady to go back on your word now, are you?
“You sure do know how to put such ladies into a tight spot.”
Alastor laughs, breathy and light. “I assure you; I don’t mean to. I tend to get very excited about art
“Well, with you holding my integrity hostage, and the addition of such lovely enthusiasm, I find myself having trouble refusing.” You reach into your purse and pull out a clean handkerchief. “Sadly, I wasn’t expecting the general storm to be an art gallery, so this will have to do.”
And there it is again, that same breathy and light laughter. “They really do have everything in here
Alastor takes your handkerchief with steady enthusiasm, studying each stitch carefully. It’s one of your simpler designs—tiny flower bouquets scattered across the fabric. Your eyes are drawn to the contents of his basket: rope, strong acids, latex gloves, rolls of plastic wrap, and other such interesting items.
“You have such beautiful handiwork.”
“You can keep it if you wish,” you tell him. “I have thousands back home, and I’m always weak to such flattering compliments— a real boost to my ego.”
“Splendid!” Alastor slips the handkerchief into his coat. “I love receiving gifts from fans.”
You smile at him to hide your frown. You are not some fan-girl. “Of course.”
Alastor is following you.
The conversation ended several beats of silence ago, but he trails behind your every step. You skip the aisle where they sell produce, stop to grab some eggs, ask the butcher for 50g of chicken liver, and smile back when he smiles back. You sigh and lead Alastor to the end of the general store, and into an aisle.
You snatch a glass bottle of chemicals off the shelf—they really do have everything here. “Going for a hunt soon?” you ask, and read the label.
His smile brightens as he says, “Why yes! There was this wonderful prey that I spotted the other day, and I’m just dying to have his head hanging on my wall.”
You offer him the bottle. “You have a lovely coat. It would be a shame for it to be ruined by stains,” you say. “This always does the trick when dealing with the redder parts of my job.”
He takes the bottle from you.
“Take this as well,” you say and reach into your basket. “It’s the last bottle of 12% hydrogen peroxide in this store, but you need it more than I do. A ratio of fifty-fifty of this and a bit of hair developer in a bucket of water should brighten up your bones. Just let it soak for a day. Oh…and just in case, those two chemicals are safe to mix. You should avoid doing so, but an accident wouldn’t hurt you.”
Alastor offers his basket, and you drop the bottle along with the other hazardous substances. “You sound certain.”
“That is because I am.”
Fate has granted you a humorous shopping companion, and you decide to stop fighting it. Alastor follows you to the bread aisle.
You point to the top shelf. “Can you…?”
He drops the bread into your basket, and stares at you with what you think is curious tenacity.
“My father works as a butcher,” you say, sighing. “He prides himself on catching the venison he sells. We don’t believe in wasting a precious body, so we use it until there is nothing left to give. He came back from his own hunt and wanted to add another antler to his display
Alastor hums. “Won’t you need these then?”
“There’s still a bit leftover sitting in his workshop. I just came to get an extra bottle.”
Alastor continues to follow. “Do you often aid your father in his work?”
“Not as frequent as when I was a teen, but I still aid him when I have the time to do so,” you say. “It’s how I got to be so normal around a knife —the sharp ones are the best, they cut right through the skin, and with enough force, the bones as well. I keep a little collection of bones at home.”
“Such interesting hobbies you have.”
You pick up two coffee bags and hum. “Thank you.”
His bowtie is crooked. You point to inform him and reach out to straighten it. Alastor jerks away and spins to reach into the shelf behind you. “I rather detest owing favors, and you have done me two,” he says, offering you an entirely different brand of coffee beans. “I suggest you try this one. It’s flavors are far richer.”
You offer your basket and Alastor drops it right in.
You eye his basket once more. “Will that be all you’re purchasing?”
He nods, smiling at you.
You smile back.
Well, isn’t this just lovely? Well-dressed gentlemen really are your favorite.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
Charlie whips her head, mouth wide as she stares at you and then at Alastor. Angel Dust has an arm on his hips, his brows furrowed and mouth quirked to the side an awkward but rather cute frown. Sir Pentious’ hat squints at you with what you assume is confusion—you can’t really tell. Sir Pentious’s tongue sticks out of his bewildered and crooked frown. “Oh! How nice,” Charlie says after a beat. “So, you two know each other?”
“Partners,” you say
“Friends,” Alastor says
Your smile strains as you say, “To be called a friend by the Radio Demon is quite the honor.” Alastor wipes his monocle with a proud puff.
Angel Dust whistles, leaning on the railing with the first set of arms crossed, and the second propped on his hip. “Didn’t think Freak would be the type to have friends.”
“Neither did I!” You say with a loud laugh. “Well, that’s what I am – a f̵̼̎r̴͔̃i̶̦̍e̶͕͠ṋ̸̀d̶͚̋.” You smoothen your puffed-up feathers. “Apologies.”
More introductions are done. Charlie insists on giving Sir Pentious his first lesson on apology. It goes about as well as you think.
Charlie winces a bit “….Ooooookay,” she says and inhales to plaster a huge smile. “Why don’t we… uh… take a look at the kitchen!”
Angel Dust takes one look at Charlie’s enthusiasm, winces, and says he’s getting a drink.
Charlie’s death grip on Sir Pentious stays firm as you trudge to the kitchen. She stalls at every painting to explain its history, and introduces every crack on the wall, showing it off with an enthusiastic glee. Even the water-stained wallpaper gets its own special moment during the tour. (Where is that ill-mannered girl when you need her?)
You lag a few steps behind. “Alastor…”, you say as a greeting.
Alastor matches your pace, using his microphone as a cane. With the very tip of his fingers, he plucks a stray feather off your hair with a coy smile that reaches from ear to ear. “I’m sure you’ve been wondering how I’ve been fairing these last few years,” he says, spinning that microphone of his and waving his hand like some kind of street performer.
“Has it really been that long?”
“Yes, I know I’ve been absent for some time,” he starts. “It’s nothing serious; I assure you. It’s nothing I cannot handle as well.”
“My goodness, and here I thought you were occupied at work.” Your teeth flash when you smile. “But in any case, it’s quite… kind… of you to soothe what little worry this friend might have for you.” Alastor and his microphone laugh at you, but you hum with satisfaction when his eyes narrow into a glare.
Charlie and Sir Pentious wave their hands, calling you from across the hall, and you hasten your steps.
The kitchen intimidates you. So many large and metallic machines. You’re sure it would be a living hell should you ever need to operate such an unorthodox set of appliances.
Copper-red tables fill the space, and similar colored cabinets stick to the wall. Such peculiar stoves they have in this establishment. There seems to be no space for the gas tank, nor a gas burner, just some flat glass with weird markings. You prefer the appliances stashed at your home.
“This…,” Charlie starts, winding her arms to a point, “…is the kitchen!”
Sir Pentious’ flaps extend, his arms rocking with excitement. “Such lovely metallic inventions.” He slithers to counter with a dip that appears to mimic some kind of skin. There’s some type of yellow liquid. “This bubbly torture deviccceeee is my favorite.”
“Uhhhhhh…I love that you love the kitchen appliance,” she says with an honestly gentle smile. “But that’s actually an oil fryer.” Charlie crosses her arm into a big ‘x’. “But no torturing is done here, no siree.”
“What a peculiar shape for an oil fryer to be,” you say, taking a look. Alastor glances over your shoulder to take a peek as well. “And there’s so much metal around—did you run out of paint, perhaps?”
Charlie frowns, her shoulder dropping low. “I’d love to add different colors to the machine, but Vaggie says it would take up too much money and time.”
Her frown lasts a second before she’s smiling again.
“Oh oh oh! You should take a look around. See if there’s anything you might want to add.” Charlie drags you towards one of the cabinets at the back. “We each have a shelf dedicated to our own snacks, but I always love to leave cookies on the communal snack pantry.”
Charlie prattles on, introducing each section of the cabinet. You watch Alastor warily when he shows his teeth. He wiggles his fingers across the air, reaching towards the shelf where Charlie just mentioned Vaggie storing her personal snacks. You slam the cabinet door before he reaches them.
Soft static fills the kitchen air.
“Go on,” Charlie urges. “Take a look around – I know some species of Sinners have specific dietary needs.” She props a hand on her chin. “Like Angel! He can’t seem to be able to have any milk—I wonder why? But he just keeps drinking it anyway for some reason.”
Does the Princess of Hell not know what Lactose Intolerance is? Maybe because she’s never lived as a human. It’s quite humorous, you suppose. A hell-born trying to guide a human, with little to no insight about humanity. Could this be the reason why she’s so naively optimistic?
Sir Pentious’ smile widens, and so does his flap. “You’re… giving…me permission to poke around?”
“Er…yes?”
You open a random cabinet door, and huh…
On the shelf, towards the back, you have the same set of spices in your own kitchen. One of the bottles here has its label stained and fraying at the edges. Another bottle is nearing empty, and the corner of the cap has been chipped off. There was a time, when your own set of spices was stained with oil, and its label frayed because of the constant picking to the edges.
Yesterday, you threw out a set of unopened bottles of spices, its seal still clinging to the caps and brimming with unused flavor, and replaced it with the same set of sealed spices. It’s a waste of your money to keep throwing out something that you never use, but…but…you find it in your grocery basket every single time.
Alastor closes the cabinet with a gentle click.
Your smile fades, and he holds your gaze.
“You are shedding all over my kitchen floors.” Alastor presents you with a bundle of your feathers bunched up on his palm. His grin mocks you.
You turn away, heading where Charlie and Sir Pentious converse. You do not shed.
Alastor pops out of your shadow, towering over you as he inches closer. “Long day?” he says with a hum, that smile still on his face. “You don’t usually start molting until the mid-summer.”
“Oh yes,” you say with a hum, that frown still on your face. “This day has been quite long. How very generous of you to check up on this friend of yours.”
He holds the feathers he’s collected, examining them with a careful eye. “With this rate, you’ll be able to gift a whole pillow.”
Your frown deepens. “Lovely,” you murmur. “I’ll make sure to do so.”
Alastor twirls his microphone and lands it with a soft thunk. He studies you for a second. “Rosie’s last husband got eaten by a shark,” he says. “Not even a loan shark—just a proper dead shark. She swore vengeance on the creature for taking a bite before she had a chance to.”
“What?” you say, and you can’t help but chuckle. “Is that what happened to him? She would be so vague about it when I ask.”
Alastor draws a line along his face, mimicking a smile with his fingers. “Much better, indeed.”
Charlie insists on showing the view from the top of the Hotel. Her arms cross around your own as she chatters about everyone and everything. It’s refreshing to meet a soul as honest as hers.
The elevator ride is painfully slow. The music strains your ears, and this battered metal death box jerks with every floor.
Sir Pentious and his hat scowl at the ‘absolutely inferior ssssmmelting of this handle, Charlie’ and ‘this piss poor wiring. The endsss are not aligned to the proper sssssafety guidelineeeesss’ or something.
Charlie listens in on every word, nodding to indicate that she hears each and everyone. It makes you smile. Alastor picks at your stray feathers with the tip of his fingers, preening the areas you have difficulty reaching.
Moments too late, the elevator doors open with that heavenly ding.
“The view up here is helltastically a-mazing!” Charlie informs the group. “Alastor, you often hide up here or inside the radio tower. It’s really good, right?”
Alastor switches his hold on the microphone, swinging to catch it. “Quite helltastic indeed!” he says. “ I get to see the whole city underneath my very feet.”
Sir Pentious nods. “I, too, would love to sssseee the city underneath me!”
Alastor swings a door open, gesturing for the group to enter like a gentleman. Charlie whispers an audible ‘awww’ at the sight and saunters right in. Sir Pentious follows along, slithering behind her.
He shuts the door when you take a step forward, separating you from Charlie and Sir Pentious.
There’s still that never ending smile on his lips as Alastor strides to the other end of the hallway, playing with his microphone. You follow behind in silence. Alastor opens a different door, and this time, you step through.
Alastor closes the door, leaving you and him together, alone, on this flimsy balcony. He beams at you, taking a step forward—
You slap him.
Radio static glitches from his microphone. There, on the corner of his cheek, you see the strain in his smile. His eyes harden into a glare, his nostrils flare, and his smile takes on the appearance of a snarl.
The air around you starts to gray with static. Symbols carve themselves into the space.
You slap him again, staring down at him.
“Is that all you came to do?” Alastor says to you with a low snarl, but the symbols dissolve and his antlers shrink.
You turn towards the view, propping a hand on your chin. “Such harsh words for a friend,” you say with a sarcastic smile. “It’s a wonder why you don’t have more with such a dazzling personality. At any rate, it’ll be impossible to find yourself a wife.”
His eyes twitch, and Alastor strikes the ground with his microphone. “Well, consider it an honor,” he says, inching closer, mimicking your smile. “Not many can say such words to me, much less be able to strike my flesh
“Maybe they should—someone certainly has to.”
Alastor still has a smile—he always has a smile. You watch as his eyes morph into radio dials, and the absolute audacity of that man to look at you like that.
Your feathers sharpen and crack at the sight. “D̷̝̈́o̷̞͊n̷̟̂'̷̗̏ť̵͔ ̴̱̀f̷̳̓u̴͍̓c̷̛͕ḳ̵͝ ̴̲̽w̸̞̑í̵̞t̴̼̐ḥ̷͝ ̵̫͌m̸̻̔e̸̡͘!— you never have, so don’t start. Don’t test me—not today, my deerest,” you say, hissing at him.
“What is it that you want, exactly?” he says, glancing down at you. “Unless you are a child, I expect you to use your words.”
“You know I’m not just some friend — you do not allow yourself to make such connections. We’re partners,” you tell him, and you don’t know why you remind him when he should already know. Was it in fear that he forgot? “But you left without as much as a word.”
“Was it that I left? Or was it that I left you?” Alastor says with casualty as if to show you such dismissal, and oh…yes, your husband can be a cruel man, indeed. Time and sweet smiles made you forget.
You rub your hands on your face, taking one deep breath. “I want what I deserve—an explanation,” you say. “That’s all I need as your wife.”
It’s his silence that makes you turn away.
“I see…” Your face falls. “Perhaps, it was a mistake to seek you out. A fool’s errand.”
You study the sinners below. The whole city really can be seen from underneath your very feet. (You ignore the trembling of your fists. You’re a doctor, for fucks sake. Your hands don’t tremble…at least, they never have before.)
Hesitant, but gentle touches pick at your feathers. Alastor preens you with warm hands. “You are not a fool, my love,” he says. “I would not be yours if such were the case.”
You harden your heart for you cannot let this man see the cracks. “This is not what I wish to hear,” you say, voice steady.
Alastor does not answer you.
“Will you just stay silent every time?”
“Yes.”
Finally, you meet his gaze. You hold it as much as he holds yours. “ There is not a thing in this world that you do not do without reason,” you say slowly. “However, I’m not sure if your silence is because you cannot or if it’s because you will not explain yourself to me. Which is it?”
There is nothing on his face that you can read, just a small steady smile that tells you nothing. “I will not.”
“I know you, my deerest, and I know that you’ve never once led me astray.” Your grip on the railing tightens painfully. This day has been long. “Then all I need is your word that you will return to me with that smile of yours when you’ve accomplished what you need to do.”
Alastor smiles at you, twirling his microphone. “We can even shake on it.”
You shake your head. “This is not a deal,” you say. “This is your wife demanding that you do so.”
“Then it shall be done,” Alastor says, inching close enough for his warmth to spread. He turns to you and pokes his cheeks to indicate a smile. "You look much more radiant with one."
You bare your teeth at him, giving a dry smile. “Much better?”
“Indeed.”
You study the sinners below once more, but this time your hands stay steady next to Alastor’s own. Well, Charlie was correct, the view is helltastic. The entertainment district blinds you, but only for a second. And when you sharpen your vision, you can faintly make out acid clouds forming on the outskirts of the city. You should have grabbed an umbrella on your way out.
“I heard you on the radio today,” you say.
He glances at you, his smile widening ever so slightly with smugness. “And you came all this way for me?”
“Well, that is what good friends do for each other.”
Alastor points his nose to the air with a huff.
“I only jest, my deerest,” you say, chuckling at him. “ I came all the way here to see if I’ve been widowed a second time, or just dumped like a common rag.”
“Is that so?”Alastor hums with dissatisfaction. “I’m sure you mentioned something about not noticing such a long disappearance.”
You hold his gaze, inching your hand to cup his cheek. You stop inches above his skin, and your palm hovers enough for Alastor to feel the warmness you hold on your hands. “Don’t pout, my deer,” you tell him, softly, oh so very soft as you caress the air. “Of course, I noticed your absence.”
You clap your hands together with the brightest and most innocent smile you can muster.
“But if I told you that, my deerest,” you start, “I feared that big head of yours would implode if I fed your ego.”
Alastor laughs, and his real voice bleeds in as he does. “That humor of yours has been my most wonderful companion all these years.”
You smile with satisfaction. “My, my, you make such fine compliments.”
His smile relaxes. “I do, indeed!”
“Just as you say that my humor makes a fine companion,” you say as you laugh, bright and heavy, “that smile of yours has been mine.”
A knock breaks the moment.
The door swings open, slow and hesitant. Charlie pokes her head, and her hair droops to the sideways. Behind her, Sir Pentious waves at you. You wave back.
“Oooooooohhhh….yikes,” Charlie says, shrinking deeper into the door. “Am I interrupting? I could just go an—”
“Not at all my dear,” you say. “Come right in. You have such a lovely view, and things like this are better when shared.”
Charlie swings the door wider, sauntering right in, and grabs your hand, squeezing it. “You could live here as well!” she says. Behind her, Sir Pentious nods with the sweetest smile you’ve ever seen. “We accept everyone.”
You flicker your gaze to Alastor. “I already have a home,” you find yourself saying. “And this place is far too close to the city. So much honking and blasting aren’t good for my ears.”
Charlie pouts, but she doesn’t press you.
The view is better when shared. Charlie points at every detail and explains everything you see. The sky darkens to a red, and too soon, it’s time to leave.
There’s a warm, but firm, hand resting on your back when you walk out the door, down the hall, and into the elevator. Alastor keeps his hands steady, even when you reach the common room.
Vaggie is the first to greet your group—well, it’s more appropriate to say she greets Charlie, and you just happen to be there. There’s a bag by her feet. “I was able to find the costumes you need for the exercise,” she says. “Even the giant lollipop is here.”
Charlie squeals. “Thank you thank you thank you!” Her excited gaze filters to you. “I have this wonderful game in mind, and then we could fo a bit of some of that good ol’ roleplay.” Angel Dust quirks a smile from the couch. “You should totally sta—”
“I’m afraid not,” Alastor says, drumming his fingers on his microphone. “I think it’s time for our visitor to head home. She’s had quite a long day.”
“Oh, of course. No worries!” Charlie says, giving you a bright smile—a real genuine and honest smile. “Feel free to come by anytime. The Hazbin Hotel’s doors will always be open should you change your mind.”
Vaggie scratches her face. “Before you go, I want to apologize for this afternoon,” she says. “It wasn’t right of me to be so hostile—I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, my dear. I understand,” you say quickly, ignoring the static behind you. “You were protecting something you cared about. I find great value in those who do.”
Vaggie smiles, and maybe she’s not too bad after all. “Thank you.”
From the couch, Angel Dust props his legs and waves at you. “And you’re welcome to open these doors any day.”
Alastor leads you to the door. You wave back at Niffty and Sir Pentious, whose eyes water as he frowns. Alastor’s hand stays firm as you trudge down the hill, past the rusted gate, into the city, and to the correct bust stop.
“You sure know how to find the most interesting groups of people, my deer,” you say. “Charlie and that hotel of hers are wonderful.”
Alastor adjusts his monocle. “Well, you know me. I see potential, and I follow it wherever it leads.”
“Should I be worried?” you say, chuckling. “The last time you saw potential, it ended with us married.”
“Not at all, my love.”
“You should continue to stay at the hotel,” you find yourself saying. “There’s just something about it—I think you’ll pick up quite a lot from your time there.”
His bowtie is crooked. You point to inform him, and reach out to straighten it. Alastor inches closer. The fabric is smooth underneath your touch. There’s stray lint on the shoulder of his coat, and you brush that away. You grab the lapes and adjust its fit, smoothing the fabric beneath your fingers.
“Much better?” he asks.
“Indeed,” you say, softly.
“I will see you soon,” he says, and you hear the unspoken promise and question hidden beneath his words.
“Good.”
Alastor tilts your chin with the tips of fingers. (And oh…oh. His gloves are off, and his hands are warmer than ever) He presses his lips on your cheek.
That blasted bus arrives too soon. You step inside, but turn to your husband and say, “Next time, when you disappear for several years, I expect to be informed and not just left with a vague note,” you say with a huff. “And when you return, I also expect to be the first to be informed.”
“Of course.”
“See to it that you keep your word.”
The bus door closes, and you take your seat. You smile to yourself and lean back on the crusty bus fabric. Patting your pocket, you take out a single gold band, slipping it on your finger.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
That habit of recklessness in moments of excitement was something your father hoped you’d grow out of. Thinking things through never really was one of your many strengths when such an exhilarating opportunity presents itself.
You scold yourself for not double-checking for gloves. Measure twice, cut one, and all that. But no matter, you’ll push through as always, clawing and digging to unearth the treasure left behind.
Your scalpel fits into your palms. Throughout this Earth, no… not just Earth, but Heaven and Hell as well, nothing will ever be as perfect.
You sigh, breathy and exhilarated, and begin.
‘First, do no harm’
But this…this does not harm a single living being.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
If you guys know who Olivia and Stolar are, that's what I imagine when I think about the reader's hair.
Also, maybe some of you noticed, but I'm very relaxed when it comes to formatting my writing. Its why I use quite a lot of ellipses and em dashes and utilize italics and spaces. But the one thing I was very strict about was not to use the word, "miss". So there are no "You miss..." and "I miss..."
But the words are there and spoken beneath actions and thoughts, hidden and unspoken, but known.
My inbox is always open because I'd like to know what your favorite unspoken "I miss you" is/are. I have my own favorite ones as well.
#alastor x reader#Alastor x wife!reader#hazbin hotel x you#alastor x you#alastor the radio demon#alastor hazbin hotel#hazbin hotel#hazbin alastor#Hazbin x reader#Hazbin Hotel imagines#Hazbin imagines#Hazbin Hotel x reader#alastor#alastor x wife reader
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just how many official tumblr blogs are there? i just recently found out that this one and changes exists which seems less than ideal
Hey, @limelocked!
Great question! We have, we hope, a great answer for you. First up is a comprehensive list of all of current active staff blogs.
You can find ’em by simply searching each name, + @, in the search bar. (i.e., @action)
@action: Highlighting Tumblr’s long-standing social justice priorities of racial justice, mental health, equality, and beyond.
@art Exploring and featuring original artists on Tumblr.
@artistalley: Supporting local artists on Tumblr by buying directly from their storefronts.
@artistpicks: Monthly curated experience by artists and creators on Tumblr.
@best-of-reblogs: A curated collection of some of the best reblog threads on Tumblr.
@bigweekon: Tumblr’s beloved podcast highlighting recent trends, memes, and more.
@blackexcellence: A showcase of things all Black, all excellent, past and present—literature, fashion, music, historical spotlights, and beyond.
@books: Exclusive interviews and curated content from authors, publishers, and book fans.
@changes: Your go-to for new Tumblr launches, bug fixes, and updates on platform.
@creatrs: A network that connects artists, makers, and builders with brands.
@emporium: The Official Blog of the Tumblr Shop™, run by Brick Whartley back from the Island.
@entertainment: Exclusive content and features from across TV, film, and streaming.
@engineering: Behind-the-scenes work on how Tumblr engineers build Tumblr.
@fandom: Home of Fandometrics, Tumblr’s weekly ranking of entertainment properties.
@fashion: Runways to streetwear and every style in between.
@featured: Featuring exclusive content from Tumblr’s many good, good blogs.
@gaming: Exclusive and curated content across mainstream and indie games.
@getloudr An in-kind ad donation program dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices.
@happytuesday: A blog dedicated to all our Tumblr Tuesdays, posts featuring users based on a weekly theme.
@humans: A blog we use so we can reply in the notes of various posts.
@kpop: Exclusive content and a curated experience of K-Pop on Tumblr.
@labs: A way for engineers at Tumblr to experiment in public.
@music: Exclusive content and features on all your favorite musical artists.
@postitforward: Supporting the community with resources for mental health, self-care, and wellness.
@prideplus: Your home for all things LGBTQIA+ on Tumblr.
@radar: Sharing four pieces of original posts from Tumblr artists per day, hand-curated by our team from across the globe.
@staff: The ultimate source for big news, platform updates, and everything that makes Tumblr, Tumblr.
@support: News, tips, and nerdy details from Tumblr Support.
@tee: A blog from your friendly neighborhood Tumblr user, Tee.
@todayontumblr: Daily curated content around trending topics on Tumblr.
@wip: Dedicated to feedback and questions from Tumblr users to Tumblr staff.
There’s more. For our global audiences, you can find all the localized Staff blogs. They’re linked here!
We also have a carousel in the feed somewhere called “Official Blogs,” but it might be that we need to make that more obvious or provide a dedicated feed or page somewhere.
Leave that last point with us, but we hope that helps! Thanks for your question, and have a good day.
(And a tip of the hat to you, @lizzieonka! Consider them tagged)
Best,
—Caragh, Cates, and Cyle
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Worth the prolonged wait. "New" content of Solène from Paris, France. Second "fresh" content since her flood of videos ended in July. From YouTube. Great to see her smoking in an up-to-date clip!
WELCOME BACK TO
OUR PAGES, SOLÈNE,
DEAR | GREAT TO
SEE YOU AGAIN !
Solène was named by our network as the 2023 SF Newcomer of The Year. She is lovely. Might not be a passionate smoker; might not be an "outstanding" smoker. But smoking cigarettes is a habit for her. She is addicted. Solène understands how smoking enhances how sexy and beautiful she looks (as though she needed any assistance in that regard)! "Bonjour, mademoiselle!"
Dual-Media 35-Post,
161-Pack Ultra-Megapost!
"Je suis contente que tu sois revenue
fumer des cigarettes, ma chère!"
("Glad you have returned,
smoking cigarettes, my dear!")
This video is from YouTube's "kingxhan" webpage and was downloaded on January 27, 2024. It is the 25th most recent video uploaded on to "kingxhan" and has collected more than 3,800 views, ranking it as the most watched among the 25 most recently-added posts on the page, and that list features such SF stars as Skittlez Cano, IG@ale_smoke21, "New Italian Stunner"/"Amazing Italian Beauty" added on lostlighter23 on 012724 (link: https://lostlighter23.tumblr.com/post/740679782775373825/shes-back-in-black-resurfacing-on-yt-as-lovely), Belle from USA Smokers (Arizona, U.S.A.) and Bonnie from Germany, which constitutes a grand selection of new posts on "kingxhan!"
Previous Post on Our Network of Solène!
From lostlighter23 (vs120shound re-blog) on November 6, 2023 (QUICK HITTER #9) . . .
From vs120shound-2 on October 6, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on September 6, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on July 31, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on July 8, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on July 5, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on June 9, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on May 29, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on May 24, 2023 . . .
From vs120shound on April 13, 2023 (Solène's debut) . . .
Post of Solène on Our Network in 2024
as the 2023 SF Newcomer of The Year!
From vs120shound on January 6, 2024 . . .
(Not a link-directed post but here is the URL address: https://vs120shound.tumblr.com/post/738829597811081216/sf-newcomers-of-the-year-for-2023)
Those she beat out on the 25 most-
recent "kingxhan" videos on YouTube . . .
Skittlez Cano
IG@ale_smoke21
"New Italian Stunner"/"Amazing Italian Beauty"
Belle from USA Smokers (Arizona, U.S.A.)
Bonnie from Germany
Post of Solène on Instagram!
From IG@smoking_pleasure_ on January 26, 2024 . . .
instagram
ANCHOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF SOLÈNE!
An assortment of avatars and such!
#SF#Hot women who love smoking#Smoking cigarettes#Smoking#Solène of Paris -- France!#YouTube “kingxhan” webpage!#Instagram@smoking_pleasure_!
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One of the things that I really appreciate about this blog is that now, every now and then, when I hear about some new awful thing in the world, it will be in the context of "and this is what people are doing to fight it". That's so much less paralyzing.
(If you have any sources to recommend for experiencing more of that, me and my mental health would be further indebted.)
Ahhh, I forgot about this message, sorry! Been a hectic couple of months.
I absolutely have more sources!
One of the biggest is the media collaboration The Solutions Journalism Network, which focuses on just that: closing the massive gap between people reporting on problems and people reporting solutions.
I have a giant bookmark list of sources for this blog, for good news stories and hope, so here's a bunch of links! Roughly in order of how good I think they are (in terms of size of stories, previously uncovered stories, good editorial standards, accuracy, detail, number of stories, etc. etc.)
We're gonna start with the ones that do good news ONLY, because sometimes you fucking need that, and then below I'll link some excellent sources that have a higher than average number of quality pieces on good news, even though they also publish other stuff too.
Good and hopeful news sources:
Future Crunch - If you only read one of these sites, read this one!!! It's a MASSIVE biweekly roundup of international good news stories with really high quality reporting--a lot of UN and WHO and major NGO reports as their sources. I cry from hope at LEAST 30% of the times I read this, and tbh it used to be like 100%, about a year ago when I started realizing that hope for the planet and for humanity was something that was REASONABLE TO HAVE.
Reasons to Be Cheerful - Fewer stories, but FANTASTIC quality of reporting, especially on fantastic local stories, many of them in international communities, that you've definitely never heard of before
Positive.News - Good coverage and especially roundups, mostly Europe-focused.
Good News Network - This one is awesome for the high number and approachability of its stories, but unfortunately also includes more "That's not news that's just a heartwarming anecdote" and "That's not good news it's actually dystopian" pieces than I'd like.
Jane Goodall's Good For All News - Really awesome focus on international issues, a lot of news from Africa, a lot of news about youth organizers and youth-led projects, and a lot of focus on how helping the environment and helping communities are inextricably connected. Yall Jane Goodall is doing SO MUCH amazing work out there even at her age, and most people also have no idea.
Good Black News - Mostly posts on music and entertainment, and doesn't post all that often, but they're great.
Good Good Good
The Good News Hub
Only Good News Daily
( ) for Tomorrow - Directory of grassroots solutions to all types of issues and "proof that no solution is too small to have an impact"
A Plus - Dedicated to uplifting stories in video form. I'm sure they're awesome, I just don't rly use them bc videos can set off my sensory issues
The Happy Broadcast - Illustrated good news tidbits! I haven't been using them much but it looks like they've (recently?) added more text and sources to each image, so I might change that. Illustrations are pretty cute tbh
Sources that publish a lot of good news, but also other not good stuff:
Euronews.Green - Environmental section of European news org
Yes! Magazine - Excellent solutions-focused journalism, excellent focus on BIPOC content and underrepresented communities
TheMayor.EU - EU-focused, discusses a lot of good projects and cool local developments/programs
Grist - Solutions journalism, fantastic corage especially on environmental issues
Mongabay - Billed as "News & Inspiration from Nature's Frontline," they are amazing and have some of the best goddamn reporting I've ever seen. They mean "frontline" very literally: there's a TON of pieces about and by and interviewing communities on the front lines of environmental conflict, especially developing nations and Indigenous communities world wide. That said there's also a lot of bad news on nature's frontline still, while they report a lot of amazing and powerful good news, make sure you're in a resilient mood when you visit this site, because some of the stories are also pretty upsetting.
Indian Country Today and Native News Online - two of the leading news orgs for Indigenous communities in the United States. Kind of like Mongabay in that they have a lot of good news stories from Indigenous communities that often no one else is reporting on, but also plenty of coverage of things that are definitely not good, so better to read when you're in a resilient mood.
If you have any good news sites/sources you'd like to add, please drop them in the replies or comments! I'm always looking for new good news sources (though I def don't always have time to use all of them, rip!). Plus, let's support these sites by giving them some traffic!
We could all use more ways to get some more good news.
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The "Rusty Quill Article" from the perspective of a journalism student.
So there has been a lot of stuff going around about an article made by someone that lays out some possible/probable/whatever misconduct. And there are some ways that people have been discussing it that I want to weigh in.
My Credentials: I'm in my senior year as a Journalism and Media Production major (I won't say which university because this is the internet). I've taken a lot of courses about journalism, including its ethics and writing conventions.
The Writer
"Who's Afraid of Alex J. Newall?" was written by Newt Schottelkotte on Medium and edited by Tal Minear and Wil Williams. The article extensively details possible misconduct
Possible bias: Upon publishing the article, Schottelkotte made no note of being the Director of Marketing at the podcast network Fables & Folly. When this was pointed out online, Schottelkotte added an editor's note to the bottom of the article that reads
Newt Schottelkotte is currently the Marketing Director for Fable & Folly Network, but has worked as an independent creator and journalist for longer. This information was not disclosed; a disclosure has been added.
So what gives? That's pretty biased, right? Surely F&F stands to gain a lot if Rusty Quill were to shut down or lose public favor, and the author hid that fact. I, however, would take that with a heavy grain of salt. As noted Schottelkotte has worked independently in podcasting since 2016 and got their position at F&F this year. Furthermore, they've actually worked for a lot of podcast networks, also available in that link, and the emphasis on F&F made by some people may be a bit overzealous. Yes, F&F could stand to gain from RQ experiencing troubles (though more of the nebulous way that a lot of podcast networks would), but Schottelkotte overall is an independent contractor and that's probably the reason they didn't mention it in the article originally. Minear and Williams are unaffiliated with F&F.
Something else about journalistic bias: No article is ever truly unbiased. There is no way for it to be. There are some cases where bias is so blatant that the person shouldn't be put on the story, but most of the time the best people are able to do is manage their bias.
The Purpose
Some people have disparaged the article for trying to "cancel" RQ. To this I would merely like to point out that the article is not addressed to podcast consumers, but to podcast creators.
They do address the possible consumers later towards the end, where they attempt to dissuade people from harassing former/current employees and projects
In the final section, they do ask readers to think about supporting The Magnus Protocol Kickstarter with the clear bent of "Supporting the Kickstarter could mean that you're supporting abusive industry practices." There is clearly some biased language here, and a call to action such as this could definitely be considered "iffy" journalism, so take that as you will.
The Sources
Oooooooooh the sources. Schottelkotte's article uses a few external sources, and then a number of anonymous sources that are ex-employees of RQ or people who were offered a position there. All interviewees are anonymous, and people have raised some eyebrows at this.
In journalism you are generally supposed to avoid confidential sources. They cause an obvious verification issue. If people don't know who your sources are, how do they know that you're not just making everything up?
That being said. The audio drama podcast industry is rather small. RQ itself is somewhat of a household name, and is even more of a juggernaut in a place like Britain. I can absolutely understand why these people would feel nervous about speaking publicly for fear of being blacklisted due to being considered "hard to work with" or "disloyal" or fear of backlash from RQ themselves. Take these sources with a grain of salt, but also understand that there are reasonable grounds for these sources being confidential.
Conclusion
I encourage people to go read the article, hence why I linked it at the beginning. Something that I would ask for people who point out the issues with sources is to demand accountability from RQ. Demand that they respond (As Schottelkotte asked them to do at least once, possibly several times. It's a bit unclear in the article). Look at the facts that we do know and ask yourself that even if they don't directly verify claims do they at least line up with them? Journalism is meant to inform, but there can also be more beyond a dichotomy "this article is can be trusted" vs. "this article cannot be trusted." Use this as an opportunity to ask questions.
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Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining support for Ukraine in Europe have grown significantly in scope, skill, and stealth, reports the Financial Times.
Ralf Beste, head of the German Federal Foreign Office's culture and communication department, informed reporters that the Russian Federation is now combining greater sophistication and believability in its messages with automation to make information attacks more effective and harder to combat. Beste notes that "there's probably a lot going on that we don't even see."
"More and more conversations are taking place in private Telegram and WhatsApp channels. It is very difficult to understand what is happening there," the official says.
He added that in Germany, for example, the Russians target sensitive issues concerning the local population (such as the expansion of aid to Ukraine, the cessation of Russian gas supplies, doubts about further support from the United States within NATO, economic growth, etc.) and attempt to spread manipulative narratives on these topics.
This year, Beste's department uncovered one of the largest attempts to manipulate German public opinion on the X social network.
A network of over 50,000 fake accounts, posting up to 200,000 posts a day, sought to convince Germans that government aid to Ukraine undermined German prosperity and posed a threat of nuclear war. The network attempted to "launder" such statements by presenting them as if they had been published by Der Spiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Last week, the Czech government, in collaboration with other European states, exposed a network linked to oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, which also disseminated pro-Russian and anti-Ukrainian narratives in Europe.
https://t.me/United24media/20328
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What Russia can't win on the battlefield it will try to accomplish with disinformation, propaganda, and plain old bribery.
A Russian cabal operated a propaganda site masquerading as a news site called the Voice of Europe. In addition to publishing items designed to undermine confidence in various European governments, it outright made payoffs to various EU politicians.
Investigators claimed it used the popular Voice of Europe website as a vehicle to pay politicians.
The Czech Republic and Poland said the network aimed to influence European politics.
Voice of Europe did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.
Czech media, citing intelligence sources, reported that politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hungary were paid by Voice of Europe in order to influence upcoming elections for the European Parliament.
The German newspaper Der Spiegel said the money was either handed over in cash in covert meetings in Prague or through cryptocurrency exchanges.
Pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk is alleged by the Czech Republic to be behind the network.
Mr Medvedchuk was arrested in Ukraine soon after the Russian invasion, but later transferred to Russia with about 50 prisoners of war in exchange for 215 Ukrainians. '
Czech authorities also named Artyom Marchevsky, alleging he managed the day-to-day business of the website. Both men were sanctioned by Czech authorities.
Poland's intelligence agency said it had conducted searches in the Warsaw and Tychy regions and seized €48,500 (£41,500) and $36,000 (£28,500).
"Money from Moscow has been used to pay some political actors who spread Russian propaganda," BIS said in a statement.
It added that the sums amounted to "millions" of Czech crowns (tens of thousands of pounds).
I went looking for the Voice of Europe site but it is now missing (Hmm. We’re having trouble finding that site). So I held my nose and visited their Twitter account and nothing new has been posted since the scandal broke.
We need to be careful when looking at news online. Recently a series of fake sites pretending to be legit US news sources was uncovered.
Russia-Backed ‘Fake News Organizations’ Revealed Across the U.S. in Bombshell New York Times Report
The fake news sites have names that sound like they are legit but aren't. Examples: D.C. Weekly, the New York News Daily, the Chicago Chronicle, and the Miami Chronicle. There is a legit New York Daily News – note the different word order from the fake. There once was a newspaper called the Chicago Chronicle but it folded during the Theodore Roosevelt administration.
Google News searches spew a lot of crap. In a lot of cases the "news" sources on Google are just the proverbial guy in his underwear in his mom's basement posting bullshit. They may not be Russian but they are often dubious.
It's best to create a bookmark folder of known legit news sources. There are still numerous good sources not behind paywalls. And many countries have public broadcasters who post news in English. Just a few: NPR, BBC, DW, CBC, ABC (Australia), RFI, YLE, Radio Sweden | Sveriges Radio, NHK-World, and even EER in Estonia.
When running across a news story which sounds peculiar, check to see if it's being reported in known legit media before posting or sharing it.
There are national elections this year in a number of countries including India, the US, and (probably) the UK. Don't inadvertently assist Putin's effort to spread disinformation and sow chaos.
#russian disinformation#russia#propaganda#fake news organizations#voice of europe#bezpečnostní informační služba#agencja bezpieczeństwa wewnętrznego#polska#česko#viktor medvedchuk#artyom marchevsky#дезинформация#артем марчевский#виктор медведчук#россия#владимир путин#путин хуйло#україна переможе#stand with ukraine
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Recently I went into the files for all the books I’ve published, in order to get wordcounts to add to my author website and selfpub platform. Both my files and my selfpub-platform Lulu’s entire deal are the very definition of Hot Mess, but at least both seem to be a semi-solvable hot mess. Half my books don’t have ISBNs or consistent formatting, but I do have copies of everything I’d need to redo them. ISBNs can be purchased, covers redesigned, prices can be standardized. It’d be work, but doable.
I also looked into alternatives to Lulu, since it takes a large cut of revenue and might not be the smoothest operation. It’s hard to find unbiased information about selfpub because the industry is full of scam artists and predators, but I’m a researcher, so I did my due diligence and finally dug into some reasonably accurate data. That only annoyed me further because I think Lulu might actually be the best of a bad lot of options for me.
The most cost-effective option is KDP, but KDP is Amazon’s selfpub arm and I would rather chew nails. You can’t live on the internet without Amazon, even if you don’t shop there half the internet is hosted on their cloud, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to make them my primary platform. They still haven’t unfucked my author page, either.
The gold standard for self-publishing, pre-pandemic at least, was IngramSpark, but I disqualified them years ago because they require a $49 per-book “setup” fee. What are they setting up? Nothing, that’s the point of selfpub, you do it all yourself. I sell enough books that I could pay the fee, but I struggle to justify paying $50 simply for access to their distribution network, especially since they are also reportedly user-hostile, with poor customer service, and lately with poor print quality. Reports on that vary, but it seems to be that you really roll the dice with IngramSpark these days over whether your book will be printed with any kind of speed and if it is, whether the pages will fall out.
Two that I had never encountered are BookBaby and Blurb, but Bookbaby requires you to purchase 25 copies of your book on top of a FOUR HUNDRED DOLLAR setup fee, which strikes me as genuinely somewhere on the scam spectrum. Like, Lulu tries to sell you a lot of nonsense when you publish a book, editing services and design services and ad packages and whatnot, but at least they only make you buy a proof copy. Meanwhile, Blurb seems...fine, it goes through IngramSpark for distribution, and while they don’t charge the $50 “setup” fee, they do take a larger cut to make up for it. Again, whatever, but it pretty much equalizes them with Lulu. There are also a million tiny companies that are all visibly just reskinned IngramSpark and do similar, but none of them have quite the prominence yet that Blurb and Lulu do. So...might as well stick with Lulu, at least for now.
I mean, in a way it’s a good thing. I already keep all my stuff at Lulu, so not changing my publishing platform at least makes life easier in that sense. But man, it’s a bummer that Lulu is the best thing going, at least in my particular position.
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Hi Etta! Sorry if you already mentioned this, but where/how did you find your editors? (If you don't mind sharing)
Don't mind at all!
I know there are companies like Reedsy and the Writers Digest which have databases of editors, but that seemed really overwhelming. At the end of the day, the best way to get resources is to network (make friends, and hope their mutuals like you too).
Last year, I did an interview for Amanda Auler on Instagram and she boosted my account, so months later I ended up doing an interview for Addison Horner. He does editing for indie authors, so I asked him for a sample edit and liked it, but I wanted to get other points of comparison first, so I asked around and came up with a short list of editors. I contacted them, and when I had enough to compare, I ended up deciding I liked Addison best and drew up a contract with him. God moment that I found him so quickly.
But if I had to give this advice to someone else I'd recommend following these steps:
Read books in your genre. Read INDIE AUTHORS in your genre. Review their books. Follow them on social media. Be a friendly fan but don't make it weird.
Indie authors are one person publishing teams desperate for engagement and positive attention. They will thank you for your help and be willing to pay it forward when the time comes.
Once you have a handful of books you like that have similar vibes to your book, flip to the acknowledgements and find the editors name.
Google the editor, find their site, submit your inquiry, email works better than a form.
If you can't find the editor online, DM the indie author and ask "hey I really liked your book and it's a good comp title for my WIP. Who's your editor and what was your experience with them like? Do you mind pointing me their way?" Follow the author's advice. Repeat as needed.
(I've only ever received nice responses to this, don't be anxious. If they don't reply they're probably just busy, not annoyed).
When you contact editors, ask about their availability, rates, and be specific about what type of editing you need. Ask for a free sample edit. Mine were 250-2500 words.
Supply details about your WIP. Mine looked like this:
Title: Runaways
Genre: Middle Grade Portal Fantasy. I'm not labeling it as "Christian Fiction" as religion isn't a focus point of the story, but there are significant underlying Catholic themes.
Premise: When Cecelia goes missing one stormy Halloween night, her older sister, Hannah, must venture into the faerie courts to learn the truth about their past and bring her home. (Linked WIP Page with additional information)
Length: About 86,000 words, 180 pages (Times New Roman, 12pt, double spaced, standard 1in margins formatting). 21 chapters with an epilogue
Style: 3rd person limited, present tense. 3 POV characters: primarily Hannah at first, and then Cecelia and the third added later, alternating.
Status/Timeline/Availability: Currently with a 2nd round of beta readers, and I'll be getting feedback by March 31st. After editing the draft to reflect their feedback and doing my own line edits, I'll be looking for a line/copy edit around April/May or early summer.
Types of edits needed: As I understand, every editor uses "line" and "copy" edit slightly differently, but I'm looking for a combination of both styles if possible: checking for internal consistency, logical choreography, adequate descriptions, minor plot or worldbuilding errors, as well as language concerns like cutting crutch words, making sentence structure more dynamic, choosing the right verbs, etc. Developmental editing not needed. Waiting to do proofreading at the moment
When perusing at the editors site, look for credentials/certifications, their backlog of works, and testimonials
If you don't have enough options following this method, join some discord servers! I'm in a local NaNoWriMo group and a Catholic Writers Guild called Inkwells and Anvils which were both useful. I think there might be some writeblr ones as well. Find the critiques channel and send the same information there^^
Compare sample edits. Who respects your voice? Who supplied the most insightful comments? Do you vibe over email? Are they willing to do a stylesheet? Do they like your book? Can you set up a 15 minute zoom call to see if you vibe and discuss details?
Look at prices. My rate is $.015 a word but that's pretty cheap for the industry. Most of the rates I saw publicly were between $.02-.03/word for line editing.
Pray/sleep on it
Once you pick your best option, set a date to send them the manuscript, sign contracts, and make payment.
Send a polite email to the other editors and say "I regret to say you're not quite the right fit for this book, but I appreciate all your time, help, and advice! I hope to work with you in the future" or something along those lines. Don't burn your bridges.
Celebrate!
This whole process took me a couple weeks, everyone was very punctual and professional and friendly. I ended up going with Addison not only because he was the cheapest but also because he made 3X the number of comments as any other writer, and his comments were specific and useful. He understood my characters immediately, I think in part because his writing style is similar to mine, based on his debut novel, Marrow and Soul. We're both Christians who like YA dark fantasy. It's a good match. He's still taking clients for later in the year if that's your vibes. I also worked with Amber Burdett and Sariah Solomon, who were both lovely.
I wish you the best of luck finding an editor who fits your story! I hope this was helpful and not overly long.
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how did you come up with some of the words for Starspeak (kalimépos ei Vaýtita)? are they based off any current languages?? and is there any chance we could have a sortof.. pseudo-dictionary of what you've come up with so far?
the process i use for generating my 'starter points' for words is detailed a little more in this post here, but as a general rule starter points are based predominantly on modern greek, with the occasional arabic or ancient greek thrown in.
i try my best not to use any direct translations or words that might be words in any earth languages, but that's a very steep order and i can't always guarantee it and sometimes they remain fairly close to the original!
tbh the most creative elements of my starspeak are probably not in the words themselves but the choices of what sort of phrasing they'd use for what. such as using 'gravity' as a term of endearment/commitment (as opposed to phrases we might use, like 'treasure' or 'heart'; those things don't matter to Celestials), or describing a network of relationships as a 'star system'.
i'd be happy to make a pseudo-dictionary at some point! i have one that i use for my own writing and development, but i could polish up parts of it and try publishing it sometime and perhaps just adding to it over time!
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Ayoo guess who did some reading today for no particular reason whatsoever? It would be me, the Kamari333. So now I'm gonna tell you about the thing I saw and thought was pretty cool.
I binged through all 19 (did i count that right?) of the currently published comic posts of:
@insanelyadd 's SkeleChara AU
It's a post-pacifist technically canon-compliant AU, but in a, "I'm complying with Canon, but Canon is saying 'no, not like that!'" sorta way (which I say as a complement). It all seems to be comics posted on Tumblr. The art is pretty, colorful, and executed with commendable technical skill (i admire such consistent proportions, and keeping so 'on model' across so many panals -- as someone who has also tried doing comics, that shit's hard yo). The characterization is done in broad strokes, with what I would describe as "minimalist" narrative techniques that I think work fabulously for the medium. It adds to the lore without ret-coning anything canonical, and leaves space for several interpretations to make themselves comfortable.
Most of all, I think it's really neat that Addy made their AU with such a generous interpretation of Chara's character. I've always seen them as a very different kind of person, with a more... calculating and cynical personality, purposefully so. Addy's interpretation of Chara is softer, more vulnerable, and more emotionally open than I expected. To clarify: this isn't a bad thing. I find this take to be perfect for the narrative in which it has been implemented, executed in a way that makes the story not only work, but work well.
I am also rather charmed by the familial dynamics implied: not only is Papyrus the primary progenitor and parent of Charakterny (which is the name of a font, and seems to be a polish-language colloquialism for "full of character"), but there are implications of multi-parental unit networks involving at least Toriel (Chara's last parent).
The story is currently on Hiatus, as of now, but if you want a fluffy literally-found family story, i can happily recommend the SkeleChara AU.
The posts don't have previous and next link-buttons for reading in order, so I'm going to do my best to put a comprehensive link net here. Hope I didnt miss anything:
[Post 1] [Post 2] [Post 3] [Post 4] [Post 5] [Post 6] [Post 7] [Post 8] [Post 9] [Post 10] [Post 11] [Post 12] [Post 13] [Post 14] [Post 15] [Post 16] [Post 17] [Post 18] [Post 19]
edit: adding a link to the [Ambassador Papyrus] post with extra features.
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Stuff I'm noticing about alt-ac career advice:
-It assumes that the inability to get an alt-ac job is because the candidate just simply doesn't know what's out there or doesn't recognize their own strengths. Therefore, a lot of advice is centered around you discovering what kinds of careers you want and how to identify transferrable skills. My problem with this focus is it assumes that you always have a choice in what job you get; it does not account for ebbs and flows in individual markets, job availability by region, etc. It also doesn't account for the fact that simply wanting a job doesn't mean you get it; I can want to get into book publishing all I want, but that doesn't mean an employer is hiring or will let me in if there are no openings.
-It assumes PhDs don't know how to write a resume. The resume tips can be fair advice if the candidate needs them, but the problem is that often, the best written resume doesn't get the job.
If I had to give actual advice (based on my own experience), it would be:
-Sometimes you just have to take jobs you don't like and learn to detach. Some people find very fulfilling alt-ac careers; some people take jobs because the money is good. It's ok if you find a job and you're not filled with enthusiasm about it.
-Alt-ac career advice makes things like UX research and project management sound akin to graduate work. In reality, alt-ac careers may make use of your skills, but they are NOT the same as graduate work. Furthermore, these sites will make alt-ac careers sound emotionally fulfilling. The truth is that some people will love project management and some people will absolutely hate it. A particular alt-ac job is not one-size-fits-all for all former PhDs.
-All sectors have the capacity to be toxic. Academia is not uniquely toxic and you're not morally superior for leaving academia.
-The single best way to get into a career field you like is to network. Sometimes, a resume will stand out and get your foot in the door, but most companies will hire someone on recommendation over a well-qualified cold application.
-Don't trust sites that make it seem like oversaturated markets like library science, museum studies, etc are viable options. These are just as bad as the academic job market, so if you try your hand at them, you need to go in fully aware.
-The bias against humanities degrees is real. Even if you have a lot of transferable skills, some employers will still pass you over if they don't value your major. You can try to get around this by showcasing your job experiences and/or any volunteer work, putting your education towards the end of your resume.
-Some panel speakers have said that in order to get a job, you just need to apply, even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications. This can work, but if the company gets 200 applications, they're going to go with people who will most likely fit what they want. You're basically rolling the dice and seeing what happens. Again, it can work. But most people won't sift through 200 applications and will instead narrow the pool by comparing against the job ad.
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