Given your use of "Tom" as a pseudonym for that guy, I'm amused by his trying to use you to get Neil's info. Because I sort of did the opposite; there was a time Neil was coming out to speak at my then workplace. I reminded him we'd talked about him bringing someone with him who'd shortly be in the job market. Neil brought them, and I did what I'd do for any guest*; give his companion the good tour of the place, with an emphasis on what it was like to actually work there, made sure some of the people at lunch were recent hires from similar backgrounds for them to talk to, etc. Just treating a company guest well and doing some recruiting of someone who'd hopefully be a good hire. Turned out it got down to their deciding between offers from us and a well known rival, and they decided on us, which Neil was pleased about.
*I'm pretty sure this'd be the case; previously I'd done something similar for Dave Barry who I'd never met until he was a performing guest (as part of the Rock Bottom Remainders authors rock band; slogan "We play rock and roll as well as Metallica writes books") at a company event and we'd gotten to talking and it came up that he knew someone who might want to apply...
I was not prepared for the amount of unmitigated gall on display at that lunch meeting! I wonder, how many people have asked you if Tom ever got involved in politics? XD
I’m starting my comics writing career in earnest in my mid-forties and friends ask if I’m worried about ageism, but I think it’s more likely publishers would pass on my work because they see me as less exploitable than someone younger. Thanks again for sharing all you’ve been through!
I love you more and more with each post, Colleen! Those rat bastards. So much 80s nostalgia in general, even though I was just one of the fans buying the books and discussing them in the back room of the local comic shop while gaming after hours.
I'm settled in for the next installment with my cocoa and a blanket!
Those yearly amounts are criminal, my god. As a consumer, it infuriates me that you didn't get any of my money. I might as well have pirated it, for as much as you ever saw from it.
Which reminds me, when I get my finances settled and back on track, I'm totally upgrading this substack in addition to the other one I had to temporarily pause.
And!!! TYVM for the sneak peeks of the GO GN at TIC4 last October! ❤️
I love your writing here so much that I've had to sign up so I could like your post, despite being severely allergic to new things. I'm so sorry about your experiences though. I can relate in a very small way as I was a freelance photographer and writer, predominantly on the music scene, for around a decade, until my health let me down. Specifically, being squeezed for my contacts! I suffered terribly with imposter syndrome because I had no formal training and almost stumbled into freelancing, with a lot of "right place, right time, right attitude" combined with some incredible people supporting me along the way. I spent the first few years introducing myself as "Hi. I'm Alli. I'm working for XYZ, but I'm not a REAL photographer. I'm teaching myself", until some of those incredible people I mentioned ganged up on me at a festival and told me to pack that nonsense in. So, I just wish I'd had your confidence to handle the sleaze n squeeze with such élan!
Anyway, thank you for turning such an awful experience into such a wonderful read.
(Sorry for turning "Wow! That was great to read. Thanks" into a novella... it's a thing I do apparently. Cheers.)
Thank you. And I hope I phrased that correctly so it didn't sound like my support system did the sleaze n squeeze. I was very tired when I wrote that haha.
I definitely didn't experience anything as awful as you wrote about. But I actually cheered and fist-pumped the air while reading how you handled it. I think, at the age of 49, I want to be like you when I grow up!
I'm looking forward to reading more of your previous posts over the weekend and can't wait for the Ineffable GO. I just know it's going to be glorious. Thanks for taking the time to read & reply. It means a lot. All the best :)
Nope, nekkid dudes. The art has been passed among a group of hard core slash fans for decades, bought and sold like contraband diamonds. Even I don't have copies of any of it.
Again, wonderful storytelling about what must have been an absolutely infuriating time. I had a lot of similar experiences when I started out as a standup comedian. I sometimes think there are more charlatans with incomprehensible business plans than there are creatives. The berserk level of privilege is astounding.
So so many. So much money to be made apparently, but we just don't have any for you right now. Nor will you be included in any kind of profit participation, should this thing go gangbusters. Just be funny for free, and let us take care of everything else.
Colleen you are a queen!! And I'm sorry you didn't awaken your inner Jean Grey, it would be lovely to see heads exploding, I really love horror stories^^
I really, really want to have the chance to buy A Distant Soil directly from you, but my current financial conditions barely pay for my Apartment and basic living, even so, I will move heaven and earth to get what I want, as always.
Thank you for the great learnings, waiting for the next chapter of this magnificent Saga ^^
I always wished for pyrokinesis. I think I probably spent some vulnerable formative years looking distinctly constipated every time I was really mad at someone haha
Tom reminds me of an old joke:
How many narcissists does it take to change a lightbulb?
None. They all use gaslighting.
⛳👏
Given your use of "Tom" as a pseudonym for that guy, I'm amused by his trying to use you to get Neil's info. Because I sort of did the opposite; there was a time Neil was coming out to speak at my then workplace. I reminded him we'd talked about him bringing someone with him who'd shortly be in the job market. Neil brought them, and I did what I'd do for any guest*; give his companion the good tour of the place, with an emphasis on what it was like to actually work there, made sure some of the people at lunch were recent hires from similar backgrounds for them to talk to, etc. Just treating a company guest well and doing some recruiting of someone who'd hopefully be a good hire. Turned out it got down to their deciding between offers from us and a well known rival, and they decided on us, which Neil was pleased about.
*I'm pretty sure this'd be the case; previously I'd done something similar for Dave Barry who I'd never met until he was a performing guest (as part of the Rock Bottom Remainders authors rock band; slogan "We play rock and roll as well as Metallica writes books") at a company event and we'd gotten to talking and it came up that he knew someone who might want to apply...
That sounds nice, I'm glad it worked out.
I was not prepared for the amount of unmitigated gall on display at that lunch meeting! I wonder, how many people have asked you if Tom ever got involved in politics? XD
I’m starting my comics writing career in earnest in my mid-forties and friends ask if I’m worried about ageism, but I think it’s more likely publishers would pass on my work because they see me as less exploitable than someone younger. Thanks again for sharing all you’ve been through!
This is an amazing read, I love all the "behind the scenes" stuff - also, "polonium" is spelled wrong.
Thank you!
I love you more and more with each post, Colleen! Those rat bastards. So much 80s nostalgia in general, even though I was just one of the fans buying the books and discussing them in the back room of the local comic shop while gaming after hours.
I'm settled in for the next installment with my cocoa and a blanket!
Those yearly amounts are criminal, my god. As a consumer, it infuriates me that you didn't get any of my money. I might as well have pirated it, for as much as you ever saw from it.
Which reminds me, when I get my finances settled and back on track, I'm totally upgrading this substack in addition to the other one I had to temporarily pause.
And!!! TYVM for the sneak peeks of the GO GN at TIC4 last October! ❤️
I love your writing here so much that I've had to sign up so I could like your post, despite being severely allergic to new things. I'm so sorry about your experiences though. I can relate in a very small way as I was a freelance photographer and writer, predominantly on the music scene, for around a decade, until my health let me down. Specifically, being squeezed for my contacts! I suffered terribly with imposter syndrome because I had no formal training and almost stumbled into freelancing, with a lot of "right place, right time, right attitude" combined with some incredible people supporting me along the way. I spent the first few years introducing myself as "Hi. I'm Alli. I'm working for XYZ, but I'm not a REAL photographer. I'm teaching myself", until some of those incredible people I mentioned ganged up on me at a festival and told me to pack that nonsense in. So, I just wish I'd had your confidence to handle the sleaze n squeeze with such élan!
Anyway, thank you for turning such an awful experience into such a wonderful read.
(Sorry for turning "Wow! That was great to read. Thanks" into a novella... it's a thing I do apparently. Cheers.)
So great to hear from you, that sounds like a familiar experience! I'm so sorry you were treated this way!
Thank you. And I hope I phrased that correctly so it didn't sound like my support system did the sleaze n squeeze. I was very tired when I wrote that haha.
I definitely didn't experience anything as awful as you wrote about. But I actually cheered and fist-pumped the air while reading how you handled it. I think, at the age of 49, I want to be like you when I grow up!
I'm looking forward to reading more of your previous posts over the weekend and can't wait for the Ineffable GO. I just know it's going to be glorious. Thanks for taking the time to read & reply. It means a lot. All the best :)
"I think I’m too good for you."
You are too good for them.
Both as a creator and as a human being.
And the slash wank... Was that the Moorish GN, or do I need to go hunting so my collection is complete? 🤓
Nope, nekkid dudes. The art has been passed among a group of hard core slash fans for decades, bought and sold like contraband diamonds. Even I don't have copies of any of it.
Again, wonderful storytelling about what must have been an absolutely infuriating time. I had a lot of similar experiences when I started out as a standup comedian. I sometimes think there are more charlatans with incomprehensible business plans than there are creatives. The berserk level of privilege is astounding.
Thank you! These stories are just days with Y's in 'em for creatives!
I bet you have some doozies!
So so many. So much money to be made apparently, but we just don't have any for you right now. Nor will you be included in any kind of profit participation, should this thing go gangbusters. Just be funny for free, and let us take care of everything else.
Isn't it great to be loved?
I mean, isn't the work the reward? And the adulation? We can all pay our mortgages with adulation and rewarding work.
Colleen you are a queen!! And I'm sorry you didn't awaken your inner Jean Grey, it would be lovely to see heads exploding, I really love horror stories^^
I really, really want to have the chance to buy A Distant Soil directly from you, but my current financial conditions barely pay for my Apartment and basic living, even so, I will move heaven and earth to get what I want, as always.
Thank you for the great learnings, waiting for the next chapter of this magnificent Saga ^^
OMG! LOL!
I always wished for pyrokinesis. I think I probably spent some vulnerable formative years looking distinctly constipated every time I was really mad at someone haha