Stories of joy and hope. A collection to celebrate community.
Latest Updates from Our Project:
A Walk Around Ferndale!
over 4 years ago
– Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 04:24:03 PM
Will you join us on a walk?
You get it. The book will be so fun, the project is important, we love writers and their art, and we've got no coins to do it. And share the link. (This one! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/magicpens/) Good, with that out of the way for today and moving into the last two weeks, I decided we'd just have some fun together and trust that the spirits of art will see us and let our magic be noticed. I hope you enjoy!
So one of the things about not having selected authors yet is that there aren't a ton of exciting updates to make. Like, no new authors, no new stories. The money is meant to make all that magic happen in a really open and unexpected way. So, Vera and I talked about what to do and we decided to invite you on a walk with us. Right. That has nothing to do with magic pens. And this project isn't about the editor, it's about the writers, who your pre-orders will allow us to select and let shine. But this was our idea - and hey, we trudged two hours to demonstrate our passion for this project. A book walk-a-thon! I hope you will enjoy it.
No crops, no filters - this is it.
First, I will note that it was sunny and the ground was icy and so it was like the worst lighting conditions for photos. Or the best if you like dramatic lighting! We started by appreciating this metal dragonfly I bought from an artist with spoon-handle wings, in the shadow of our house. Like, it probably should be brought in seasonally but it seems to sort of dig it.
And we took one picture of us, just to like prove we actually did this.
First, we noticed that the block next to ours is sporting this new bling. Hmm. Ok, got some brags. Hey, we won in 2008. And our sign has a huge fern frond on it. So. Oh, wait, theirs has a rainbow? Eh.
One of the things I love the most about Ferndale is the number of original houses still preserved. Ferndale boasts a thing called the Michigan Bungalow, which is a small house. But, according to Wikipedia: "There are numerous examples of Arts and Crafts bungalows built from 1910 to 1925 in the metro-Detroit area, including Royal Oak, Pleasant Ridge, Hazel Park, Highland Park and Ferndale. Keeping in line with the principles of the Arts and Crafts movement, the bungalows were constructed using local building materials."
And my favorite things about these is tiny windows. New construction rarely has them, for cost and heat efficiency, but I love tiny windows. Like, look at this one, on top of a nearby house. (I tried not to creep on people's private property too much, but I figured a zoomed in tiny window shot was acceptable.)
We also wanted to point out this tree, which had holiday lights on it last year when it was like half the size. We just like it.
This is our fire station, from across Livernois Avenue.
I recognize that this was part of this "plaza" the city added during road construction, but it's been a running joke why Joe's Liquor needs this much bike parking. I mean, I've used it. (Hi, Randy, Kyle, and Dad!) [Side note: Chris was concerned you would think my dad works at Joe's Liquor. Um, no. But that's how we think of their dad.]
It's sort of an odd day, as the snow dumped down prior to leaf collection. We'll get back to this soon.
At this point, I should explain that Ferndale is divided into four quadrants, by Woodward Avenue and 9 Mile Road. We're in the quadrant with the high school, so a fair amount of families living in very small houses. Then there is the quadrant with the railroad tracks - as you'd expect it's loud and industrial but with it's own charm. Above it is the quadrant by the Interstate. Also awesome, and with great businesses like Urbanrest Brewing Company. However, a tour of all of Ferndale would probably require a bike or definitely a much longer day, so Vera and I walked up north to show you the dragon fountain, in what is unambiguously the wealthy part of Ferndale.
So at first sight we were like, oh yeah, great choice. People are going to love this. Look, the fountain is even still on, and all that ice. ROAR!
And then we... OH NO. Vera, let's get out of here.
How? Why? It's Ferndale. Ok, that's it, next time we're walking to the train tracks.
Changing subjects or perhaps not, now we know what this person is concerned about:
We thought this hedge was pretty:
So remember that leaf/snow thing? A really interesting side effect is that when the leaves and snow are co-trodden, they make, well, yellow snow. Hmm. We'll call it...copper snow.
We actually walked all the way to the end of Livernois, since I remembered there was a little park there. Turns out the little Garden Club park doesn't have much to photograph when covered in copper snow (though there was a cute memorial bench) but I will note that the fancy side of Ferndale sure is fancy.
So we started moving back toward Woodward, and ok, oof.
Turns out, we walked so far we made it to the very edge of Ferndale. Don't @ me about some of the sketchy signage, but I do love that Ferndale sign, both because of the odd single quotes as well as the conversational greeting.
'HELLO'
Welcome to Ferndale.
Wait. 1927? You mean my house is older than Ferndale? That explains a lot. Let's talk about houses older than Ferndale. They:
Are cold for six months a year. (hoodies in the house)
Have the bathroom right in the middle. (everyone hears everyone pee)
Have a whole lot of story, if you ask around.
But back to our walk.
We're back at Woodward, all the way at the top of town.
And past the car repair place.
Vera wanted an angel pic at Detroit Cookie Company.
I love the Detroit-style bricks and old buildings. I love when people preserve architecture rather than remove it, when they're able.
Me: "You know, it's interesting walking this way you see we have so many stories I had no idea about. Like that big uniform store."
Vera: "WHAT?!"
Me: "Over there. That big uniform store."
Vera: "Oh, I thought you said unicorn store."
While there are dozens of Ferndale businesses I'd love to promote, since we're sticking to the walk theme, I'll just shout out the Magic Bag - and also remember that recently someone posted to the community Facebook group an old photo of when it was the porno theater and everyone was just like, solemn, about it. Ah, yes, the times have changed.
And then we made it to downtown Ferndale. I could do ten posts just about downtown, but here we are.
Worth pointing out that there is an art sculpture of the traffic semaphore (a predecessor to traffic lights) that used to operate at Woodward & 9. I love this so much.
Looking down Woodward. Of note, the teeny tiny shapes at the end are the skyline of Detroit. Detroit does border Ferndale (at 8 Mile Road, one mile from here at 9 Mile Road) but Detroit is huge, so the downtown is around 11 miles away.
And here's 9 Mile Road. Vera and I decided to swing through The Rust Belt Market, which is an amazing collection of small artistic shops. A great place to visit if you're in the area!
It's hard to get a good picture, since the place is round and windy, but it's just like a glitter burst of sensory joy, art, and community. This is the best open shot, which you may recognize from my awkward Diamondsong campaign video.
There is also this super cool outdoor bar, and when it's been open, Chris and I have sat here and enjoyed a Michigan beer and watched the traffic on Woodward. In fact, I worked a significant portion of the Diamondsong Part 06 Proofread here. Also, people leave winter wear hung over this fence all winter for anyone to take who is cold.
The rainbow crosswalk has taken some wear, but its colors are a symbol of the love Ferndale has for the LGBTQIA+ community, and those colors are always vibrant.
After all that walking, Vera and I treated ourselves to brunch at the vegan restaurant. This cost admittedly more than we have to spend, so hopefully this update brings in a few backers. But still...that avocado benedict with shiitake bacon...
I hope you enjoyed our walk! I have to thank you, again, for the love you've shown to independent publishing, to short fiction, and to the writing community. I appreciate it, and the writers will as well.
As I post this, the sun is already setting in Ferndale, and oh, wow, I need to get to some editing. Thank you all for your time as well as your friendship, whether it be we actually know each other, or you are a friend of art from afar. I appreciate you all, and this book will shine will all that love.
Getting ready to click that Magic Pen, ♥ Your devoted editor - Emily.
Quick Update! (And not-a-bot pledge.)
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Nov 12, 2019 at 07:16:32 AM
MAGIC PENS! WE WILL DO IT!
Hi, everyone. I am so truly excited about this collection. (And a lot of writers are, too - I'm seeing the buzz.) Thank you so deeply for being here.
I wish I had more dazzle to offer right now, but I've been a bit down. Just a lot of things - you know how sometimes it feels like it piles on and you can't get a break? I will get through it - and I have these amazing stories to look forward to. (Knowing how everyone is going to play with the theme as well as put their own experiences into it really is exciting for me.)
I do also want to say that I am not-a-bot! I send thank you messages when people back the project, because I really am grateful. As I say, all pledges bring momentum and visibility. So if I thank you really quickly after you back, it's because I saw the notification and got excited. Also, I tend to be a hasty ent. But there is no auto-reply. (Not how I roll.)
Being here is more than plenty, but it's clear to me the biggest obstacles we're facing are the lack of big names and lack of a more specific theme. I have important reasons for both of these! There is nothing wrong with publishing notable authors - I mean, it's sort of the point and we love, love those voices. But I like to think we're offering a different slice - a wider opportunity for new and unexpected voices. I really think that's important, so I'm sticking with it for this year. If I can't financially do it in the future, we'll see. But I'm committed to making this anthology awesome and committed to finding a way to pay for it. And as for the theme, I know that if I did a specifically genre-based theme (a popular character type and/or a queer theme, etc) that it would get more attention and support. But I think a multi-genre theme ends up just as big and exciting (and still delightfully queer, as Hotel Stormcove proved), but it opens doors to, again, more unexpected stories. So, I know I'm not so sexy at marketing, but I think the end product is important and different and you need lots of different types of collections. I really don't want to say, ok, I guess I have to do what people are already doing. If you're here, you get that. So thank you for believing. I do too.
This is, however, making it harder to gain notice. Ways to help: (only if you want to!)
If you know anyone with another crowdfunding campaign, please ask if they'll share this out in an update. That can really help.
Continue to let people know, including in-person recommendations or posts to your friends.
Remember, I'm looking for project praise and collecting it on the page.
It all helps! (the link is: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/magicpens/)
I am going to try and think of a fun update soon, just for us to have some fun together - I have a few ideas.
In the meantime, I just want to say thank you - I appreciate you - we are going to make this collection happen and it's going to be super. I feel it.
Love from Snowy Ferndale, ♥ Emily.
Campaign Updates
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Oct 29, 2019 at 08:41:41 AM
Campaign Updates - with extra fun
Hello!
Thanks again for backing our story project. I'm really excited to see where it goes.
I experimented with something a little different for this campaign. Because I knew that I'm real busy this fall, writing posts for every medium when you're not seeing the results from it gets really tiring, and there are so many distractions for people right now, I did something that isn't normally advised: I ran the campaign for ~45 days. You aren't supposed to do this - you're recommended to stay under 30. The bad news is that means my friends will be putting up with an extended period of seeing my posts (you know, for those trying to ignore me, that's too bad!) but the good news is we're just reaching what would normally be the start of a campaign. So there is plenty of time for people to share the link and get others excited. It also gave me time to get feedback and adjust, so we should be a little more sparkly now. Look, marketing isn't my strength - we know this. But the stories will be so super - I know that!
A few things that I've done:
I got some really good insider advice (thank you!), and I did my best to take it. So I've reworked and reorganized the campaign descriptions, and added what I hope are some cute graphics so it wasn't all text.
I also added a "praise" section not like I'm trying to brag, but maybe other people can sell it better than I can. I'll keep pulling quotes from tweets and project shares.
I've posted it about all the places I could think to (without being spammy). I admit, this hasn't done much, but I'm still trying.
I think we should be able to get to minimum funding, which is the reason I set it so low. None of us need that stress. The issue is, I really need $10K of sales to cover the costs. If we don't get close I'll keep hustling to try and pay for it, I guess myself if I have to. I believe that much in this. (Though at some point I really won't be able to keep doing it, I'm all in.) On the other hand, I'm still hopeful that this will catch. That we'll get the right promotion, or the right bump.
At some point, we need other people talking about the project. I'll do my best to make that happen, but will take anyone's help!
And in the meantime, I hope people enjoy the weather, enjoy their Halloween however they celebrate it. (Vera of magic pen video fame is going to be a unicorn.) And I know a lot of things are rough out there. Be kind. Take care of each other. Please keep smiling. People really are good - like you!
Thanks again, so much, for your support.
Awesome Projects
Now, I want to talk about a few really awesome projects. None of these need my promotion, but more pledges always help good art and these are all so great. Please give them a look!
Rebuilding Tomorrow
First, a great press out of Australia is doing an anthology of hopeful stories with disabled and/or chronically ill protagonists, set a significant time after an apocalyptic disaster: Rebuilding Tomorrow. These stories will show society getting back on its feet and people moving past subsistence-level existence into a new, sustainable world, even though it’s one that has been irrevocably changed by an apocalypse. They are funding the campaign on an Australian crowdfunding site, Pozible:
Next, if you saw the cover to our all ages, sci-fi novella, A Spatial Surprise, the amazing, amazing illustrator Geneva / GDBee has an enamel pin (and foil accented prints!) campaign for Astro Ladies. Yes, I had to have one. They are all so good.
And lastly, Cantina Publishing in Seattle is creating a story collection: Silk & Steel of femme swordmasters and their damsels. As for violence level (I know that's a concern to some of us) I've been told the focus is more fun and romance and refreshing tropes, so it's shouldn't be too violent - but no promises since you never know what might get added.
That's all for now. Thanks again for backing our campaign - I'll be back soon with more!
♥ Emily.
Getting Pretty!
over 4 years ago
– Sun, Oct 20, 2019 at 03:23:52 PM
My Glamour
As you all know, glamour is my strength. Ok, it's not.
I was fortunate enough to receive some really thoughtful advice from the Kickstarter team last week on how to better word this campaign, and I've tried to do my best to adjust accordingly. Since the early backers mostly know me by now, let's just say I was, er, letting some despair show through. Hey, money is serious!
I have tried to better emphasize the genuine joy I feel about being able to create this project. I am hearing from writers all over that they are spinning on more and more angles for stories, and that's what I wanted. I wanted this to be so unexpected and so awesome. And I think that's what we're going to do.
Back to the glamour. So, I was also told that my campaign is a wall of text (hey, I'm a fantasy writer, just be glad I didn't diverge into a lengthy description of embroidered fabric) and needs more images. Cat photos, whatever.
I thought I'd ask your advice - what images do you think would make sense to insert? What would you like to see. This face? Pictures of the last anthologies? Mura, our scruffy, 1.5 earred cat friend? Please let me know. Otherwise, I'll come up with something. : )
As for the campaign, I'm still really hoping that this will take off. Let's do five figures! (One of the reasons I gave myself a little more time on the campaign than is normally advised.) I'll keep working it, but I'm also working Diamondsong edits and trying to freelance for coins - so it's a lot! My point is, anything you're willing to do to spread the word is so appreciated. If you tag me (@edebellauthor) or Atthis Arts (@atthisarts) on Twitter I'll be liking and retweeting. Sharing the Facebook or other posts helps also. And one thing I've learned is that nothing helps like in-person (including online) recommendations. Look, I'm not trying to put you to work. Just being here and wanting a copy of this project is awesome. (Thank you!) But if you are willing to let others know, I'm just making sure you know how much that helps. ♥
Another Project
And in the meantime, I want to tell you about one of our backer's campaigns that's on now. Eleven stories explore what happens when girls come into contact with mythical objects. How would they impact the girls' lives, and even the rest of the world? For much more, see the campaign:
Good morning from Detroit!
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Oct 15, 2019 at 06:22:55 AM
It's a chilly morning in Ferndale, and I need to go make that rice latte and hope this icky cold goes away soon. But first, I wanted to drop you a quick note thanking you for your early support to this project. Joining in early really helps, because it shows Kickstarter as well as potential backers that the project is serious and that we're going to do this.
We need to get to $2K to fund, and with the attention that we got from Hotel Stormcove (our last collection) I'm feeling better this time that we won't stall out and we'll get there. (Though - sharing out the link will help prevent or delay any stalls.)
I put kind of a long lead on this because I want time to get it out there - I'll take whatever we can get, but I would be thrilled to get to about $10K total (eternal optimist but I can't stop), so we could have the money to pay the writers up front - oh, I can't even tell you how much stress that would take away, rather than me scraping for freelancing scraps here and there trying to earn money to pay the royalties. (I really need any money I can earn to pay my mortgage and feed my kids...seriously, it's been tough. These pre-orders help so much.)
I genuinely appreciate you for being here and believing in us - again! If you're willing to spread the word, the best two things to do are:
1) Post the link with a recommendation. People don't always know what crowdfunding means (yes, even in 2019) so a post could be like: (go ahead and edit - just wanted to provide examples to make it easier)
I hope you'll check out this short story collection by a Detroit small press, which will feature authors from all over the world. Their collections are really fun, and the stories are very short so they are easy to read. By ordering a copy now, it raises the money so they can pay the writers. They are paying professionally qualifying rates to a diverse set of authors, so I hope you'll consider supporting them. Plus, the stories are great!
I hope you'll check out this short story collection - this small press is taking orders now so they can pay the writers fairly for their work, which I think is really important. I got my copy, and I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of stories are included. It sounds really fun.
2) Tell people in person (including private message) - if you know someone who likes diverse short fiction or would just want to support what we're doing, please tell them about it. I have personally found that the most effective way to bring people to a project is through one-on-one interaction. Which I simply can't all do myself. (Hey, I've got four Diamondsong books to finish!) Also, I'm getting a bit overwhelmed. And again, I'll be way too blunt - you backing this project is helping me emotionally too, like, ok, people are here for this. Community, you know. ♥
