Small Market Radio was kind of similar, in that people thought you were a celebrity, but you were well-known while earning minimum wage. Before the internet, when no one knew what you looked like, people would sometimes impersonate you. I remember finally meeting one local musician who I only knew by reputation, only to have him tell me a guy had introduced himself as me a couple of months earlier… and told them they sucked…
Yeah, even cartoonists have impersonators, it's bizarre. I don't know where people got the idea that most people in the arts you have heard of are rich, but here we are. And because the current zeitgeist is to make every argument/relationship/issue about layers of privilege, because middle class creative people are seen as super privileged even though they're just, you know, middle class schmucks, they get targeted for a lot of crap the average middle class schmuck doesn't get.
Nicely written essay about a sadly increasingly important topic - I know you've written previously about a particularly nasty stalker who targeted you -
And the comment on the QAnon allegory almost made me think this is very typical of the behaviour, and disdain for reality and truth, of the current incumbent of the formerly-White-House....which therefore sets a tone for an emboldens those who similarly don't care about anyone but themselves.
I also observe that female creators (as in most walks of life, sadly) tend to be targeted much more than male, reflecting the loud misogyny we all are increasingly familiar with.
Well, it was more than a tweet it was a series of messages over about a 15 minute period, and a friendly hi, I like your work once in awhile, but no, no friendship. Didn't know her name, where she lived, anything. She tried to get me to talk to her privately and sent me contact info, but I didn't take the bait, and I think that's what set her off.
I’ve wanted to contact you privately but have never dared request a way to do that because after all you do not know me beyond some online exchanges on one platform or another.
To make you smile I had an artist refer to me as a friend in an email and my reaction was “awwwww XXXXX called me his friend awwww” and this was somebody I interacted at, had lengthy conversations with, at SDCC for a few years before that email. Took a few more minutes before the rest of what he had written in the email sunk in and yes I ended up drawn into an issue of his comicbook.
That's really nice. I do have friends in fandom, have made wonderful friendships there. But...over years, many thousands of letters and online interactions, in person meetings, and even group zoom chats for my patrons. Over the course of YEARS and some pretty deep online interactions and emails. I never had that kind of relationship with this woman, never more than a few sentences of encouragement about something I tweeted or some art, not until that last message exchange. Otherwise, nothing.
I wonder if early 20th or 19th century cartoonist had to deal with such lunacy?
It might have been the opposite, if we go by a quote was once reported: "Only a suicidal fool would admit to being Thomas Nast when wandering the streets of New York City!"
Stay strong Colleen. Creeps may try to crib but they'll never have your skills or style.
I’m so glad I did not choose a career that would lead to the loss of my privacy. For all the good the Internet has brought to the world, it unfortunately also brought out the worst in people.
My amazing and talented wife is a religious worship leader, so I have a very, very small understanding of what you’re talking about here through watching and living with her. The down parts of stuff like this are just brutal and stressful and awful, and I’m sorry that y’all have to live through it.
Honest to goodness, she’s amazing. Starting work as a chaplain in a couple months, which is such a challenging thing! I’m happy playing support for her, driving the boys around & cleaning the house so she has an easier time.
Some of those old writers (e.g. Gardner Fox, Edmond Hamilton, Alfred Bester) were used to being shafted by publishers, seeing as they had some of the same problems as freelance science fiction writers. But the ones who were trying to make a living from it alone fared worse...
Small Market Radio was kind of similar, in that people thought you were a celebrity, but you were well-known while earning minimum wage. Before the internet, when no one knew what you looked like, people would sometimes impersonate you. I remember finally meeting one local musician who I only knew by reputation, only to have him tell me a guy had introduced himself as me a couple of months earlier… and told them they sucked…
Yeah, even cartoonists have impersonators, it's bizarre. I don't know where people got the idea that most people in the arts you have heard of are rich, but here we are. And because the current zeitgeist is to make every argument/relationship/issue about layers of privilege, because middle class creative people are seen as super privileged even though they're just, you know, middle class schmucks, they get targeted for a lot of crap the average middle class schmuck doesn't get.
Nicely written essay about a sadly increasingly important topic - I know you've written previously about a particularly nasty stalker who targeted you -
And the comment on the QAnon allegory almost made me think this is very typical of the behaviour, and disdain for reality and truth, of the current incumbent of the formerly-White-House....which therefore sets a tone for an emboldens those who similarly don't care about anyone but themselves.
I also observe that female creators (as in most walks of life, sadly) tend to be targeted much more than male, reflecting the loud misogyny we all are increasingly familiar with.
And women are also more likely to be targeted by women.
Some people don't know the real-world meaning of “friend” I blame FB for that.
Acquaintance! Bring back Acquaintance!
One tweet response does not even an acquaintance make 😋
Well, it was more than a tweet it was a series of messages over about a 15 minute period, and a friendly hi, I like your work once in awhile, but no, no friendship. Didn't know her name, where she lived, anything. She tried to get me to talk to her privately and sent me contact info, but I didn't take the bait, and I think that's what set her off.
Some people 🤪
I’ve wanted to contact you privately but have never dared request a way to do that because after all you do not know me beyond some online exchanges on one platform or another.
To make you smile I had an artist refer to me as a friend in an email and my reaction was “awwwww XXXXX called me his friend awwww” and this was somebody I interacted at, had lengthy conversations with, at SDCC for a few years before that email. Took a few more minutes before the rest of what he had written in the email sunk in and yes I ended up drawn into an issue of his comicbook.
That's really nice. I do have friends in fandom, have made wonderful friendships there. But...over years, many thousands of letters and online interactions, in person meetings, and even group zoom chats for my patrons. Over the course of YEARS and some pretty deep online interactions and emails. I never had that kind of relationship with this woman, never more than a few sentences of encouragement about something I tweeted or some art, not until that last message exchange. Otherwise, nothing.
I wonder if early 20th or 19th century cartoonist had to deal with such lunacy?
It might have been the opposite, if we go by a quote was once reported: "Only a suicidal fool would admit to being Thomas Nast when wandering the streets of New York City!"
Stay strong Colleen. Creeps may try to crib but they'll never have your skills or style.
Man, rough stuff this life. I hope it won't rain everyday.
Hey, that's one of my best friends in the picture with you!
Small world!
I’m so glad I did not choose a career that would lead to the loss of my privacy. For all the good the Internet has brought to the world, it unfortunately also brought out the worst in people.
My amazing and talented wife is a religious worship leader, so I have a very, very small understanding of what you’re talking about here through watching and living with her. The down parts of stuff like this are just brutal and stressful and awful, and I’m sorry that y’all have to live through it.
That...must be rough. Anyone who is in a position to deal with people in emotional crises is also very vulnerable.
Honest to goodness, she’s amazing. Starting work as a chaplain in a couple months, which is such a challenging thing! I’m happy playing support for her, driving the boys around & cleaning the house so she has an easier time.
Wonderful!
Some of those old writers (e.g. Gardner Fox, Edmond Hamilton, Alfred Bester) were used to being shafted by publishers, seeing as they had some of the same problems as freelance science fiction writers. But the ones who were trying to make a living from it alone fared worse...
OMG, Colleen liked my comment! We’re best friends now! 🤣🤣
Between a Substack subscription and the tip jar (last I know?) Colleen’s Patreon.