*
Is this where some things are best left to the reader’s imagination?
*
On another note: I could use your help.
This experiment is a wonderful success already, for me personally. I’ve gotten to meet you—some of you I hear from, some not. I’m thrilled by the discussions we’ve been having, and that alone has been beyond my hopes. Plus the research contributions, the reflections, the ideas, the historical bits, the poetry, the wit and buona conversazione coming in from everywhere. It’s amazing.
As far as the publishing house I work at, the jury is still out on the web serial. Is this a worthwhile gamble? A naïve venture? Will it help or hurt the book’s sales? Time will tell. I’m trying this without ads or subscriptions for a number of reasons, some lofty, some pragmatic. Mainly it’s the spirit of “The Gift
You know the invitations you can send to friends, to discover Sailor Twain? I think it’s time to redesign them.
A few hundred of these have gone out, mostly the second one, the ticket.
What would you suggest, for inviting new friends aboard the Lorelei? I may end up having two or three different styles to choose from.
So questions:
a) Who for?
b) What should it invite them to? To come aboard the Lorelei? To read a story? To join a happening thing with others of kind?
c) What visuals? What would be most appetizing? Alluring? Irresistible?
d) Invite them where? To the current page? Or the beginning?
Thanks for the use of your good minds!
—m.
Personally, I think the web serial concept “caught” me in a way that probably wouldn’t have worked as well in straight book form. I don’t read many graphic novels, but I do read webcomics, and by finding a link to this beautiful story on the internet I was hooked much more than if I had wandered into a bookstore and happened upon it. I’ll definitely want to buy the finished version. (So it works with at least one person!) Also, the interactive commentary and historical behind-the-scenes details add so much to the experience of following Twain that I can’t imagine not having.
I make the trip past the Del Water Gap quite often, and each time I do, I can’t help but look up at the towering cliff-face, and at the scars which run down its side. And each time I see a road-sign for it, it is this comic which comes to mind, more vividly and fondly as the gap approaches and towers over me. I must have made the trip countless times before having read this comic, but now I seem feel a sense of familiarity and comfort from the rushing river and the sagging willows and the reaching trees on the hillside. And if all I were to get from this synthesis of beautiful artwork and mesmerizing characters was this feeling, I would be eternally grateful. Thank you.
But as to the invitations-
Though one new to the site and story will come to the main page first, an alternate link to the first page seems advisable, so they can get into the story as quickly as possible
Also, the invitations themselves aren’t terribly specific about what is being offered. Though well intentioned, I don’t really think that the invitation is very direct to the fact that this is a serial webcomic. However, to counter myself, that may destroy the sort of mystique or authenticity that you’re attempting here. I hope I’ve not been too utterly confusing!
Ooh, that themed invitation is a totally awesome idea which I will be stealing when I get my own comic back up and running. Might I ask what you’re using to make it happen?
Hm, that IS tricky.
On the one hand, I love the invitation that you have now. The feel of an old-timey ticket, and the spirit of being invited aboard are perfect. But maybe you can allude a little further to the mystery and adventure that will unfold. The present ticket refers to “mysterious Hudson river creatures” the way P.T. Barnum might announce his circus hoaxes. I think it would help to let those invited know that they are not merely joining us on-board for a spectacle, they are invited to discover a mystery.
You’re on the right track with “read a story”, but as Aaron Diaz says these are two mediums (visual and verbal) coming together to form a visual narrative. They aren’t just reading, they are watching the mysteries of the Hudson play out before them. So, maybe the ticket should suggest that by accepting this invitation and venturing onto the Lorelei they may uncover some of the Hudson’s secrets. That way they know this is something you actively engage in, not just something you sit back and regard.
And trust me Mark, this is definitely an engaging story.
You can count on me buying the completed work.
Anjuli
Post Script: For the same general reasons, a slightly darker more mysterious look about the invitation might be effective. It looks great now, I wouldn’t change it much, but it’s so innocent. And while your typical Lorelei patron may be innocent and oblivious to the magic of what takes place, we the readers are privy to a little more than say, Mrs. Vanderbilt.
And finally, I agree with Ross, I’d invite them to the first page. Hook ‘em right away.
i love it when the overheard word bubbles of sex creep in from the other room. it’s so interesting to see different incarnations of sex talk. so you had ‘m’s or ‘n’s? throw a ‘gh’ in the mix?
i swear, if there were a collected sex bubbles book full of comics sex talk. i’d get that!
wait, MY IDEA! MINE!
Hi! I believe this is my first time commenting, but I’ve been reading since the beginning.
I sent a few invites out, but I agree with the other commentators about giving hints of what they will be joining. I sent the first option out because of the artwork. That was the first thing that drew me into this story; more of your b/w imagery would be wonderful to see in future invites. And maybe hint that this it is a story of the Hudson. I added my own comments to my invitees telling them a little more about it.
Also, if the invites didn’t already, linking to the very first page of the story rather than the homepage that gives away some of the mystery would be nice.
Thank you for the beautiful work! If I can get it internationally, I would buy the book. Also if it was available through my favorite locally-owned American bookstores I would definitely buy it!
Thank you for the book suggestion. I just downloaded “The Gift” to my Kindle and very much look forward to reading it.
Oh. Ah. Oooh!
Ahh, piston power.
Mark – Tatsuya Ishida (Sinfest) and Mark Tatulli (Lio) have both sold books to me on the power of their web presence alone. The plural of anecdote is not “data”, but the balance of it is this. Promoting ST – or anything else – will create interest, buzz, and revenue.
People who might otherwise never have heard of ST will be drawn in. People who do not in turn buy hardcopy of it, after having seen it online, likely never would have anyway, because they’re just probably not the kinds of people who buy much hardcopy of anything.
Anent Courtney’s comment – for the hardcopy edition, have you considered packaging this site, possibly with edited comments, on a CD included in the book?
What Anjuli and Jessica said about the invites: Yes.
Depending on how compartmentalized or stratified the ST readership “”community” is, would it make sense to tailor different invites to suit different “classes” or perhaps areas of interest? I’m thinking tourist, or traveler, or peregrine dilettante, or crew member … or possibly it can be ballroom dancing versus saloon socializing … or maybe I can just go somewhere else and create work for other people who don’t deserve the harassment either.
Sssssssssssteam heat. Yes, the dialogue works better than images, indeed.
Something you might find interesting, Mark: Friends who are the recipients of the hard-copy missives from the Lorelei seem more likely to explore Sailor Twain online. Friends who have received emailed invitations don’t seem to understand what it is. Ah, the power of paper and ink! Would you PM me if you have questions? This isn’t the correct forum, I think (gosh, that sounds far more ominous than intended!). For example, I think the invitations would work well as gift certificates for the hard-cover Twain.
As for me, I would not have entered this world had Twain been available only in book form. As it is, you can be sure I will be buying copies not just for myself but for friends as well. I hope that becomes clear to The House very soon! Another plus – the online format has also led me to explore other First Second publications.
So intriguing that Captain Twain reveals this lurking, slightly voyeuristic aspect of his personality.
Hello there everyone! THANK YOU for these precious notes—very very helpful.
Welcome new commenters.
Jessica:
I don’t know what country you’re in, but Gallimard is going to be the French publisher for Twain (you heard it first!) which is great news, as that is one of the most prestigious houses in all of publishing… There’s interest from Italy and Poland, and other places, I hear.
Ross:
Well there you have it. Finding a comment like the one you left today… I need no other confirmation about this whole experiment. Thank you.
Egypt:
I don’t know the mechanics. I just ask our Kelly to do impossible things with WordPress, and she bangs on it till it does what we ask. Kelly? Perhaps you can give away some of your magic tricks?
Warren, Anjuli: thanks for excellent thoughts and suggestions. The CD idea is a possibility. Or backmatter in the printed piece, or even a separate little companion volume are also possibilities.
Anne: Thank you for so often bringing us back into the story, no matter how far we wander… I’m not sure I understand—you mean notes on the Lorelei stationery? And hard-cover, you mean the finished printed book..? I’m still getting from your comment that the online custom invites aren’t quite clear. Enigmatic is nice . . . up to a point!
All this is turning the cogs!
Hi Mark – yes, sorry for asking you to read my mind.
Notes: Yes, I do mean notes on Lorelei stationery. I think Ross’s comments address the online invitations well. During my online stint with the advertising department of my previous employer, I learned that simplicity is best – and for online ads (which the invitation is, in a sense), keep it as direct as possible: I.E. don’t make people search for links or a message. (The way I unintentionally made you search for the “link” to what I meant.)
“Hardcover”: Yes, I will absolutely be purchasing the printed Twain! And of course, I really meant “hard copy.” Silly me. I was a bit distracted by the steamy machinations in the engine room.
Frankly, I don’t use such invitations on principle, as I don’t want to give other people’s email address to someone else without their consent (even if there were a privacy statement). I’ll just send them a direct mail with the link and an explanation.
Hi Egypt –
We use the GD image library to generate the invitations on the fly.
Kelly – I just stopped by your Everything Tiny page (www.everythingtiny.com); your productions are charming and fascinating. Such exquisite detail!
The invitations: They are little works of art themselves. I’m serious about wishing to see them in a hard-copy form as well. I honestly do think they would be excellent gift cards to accompany – or even herald – the arrival of the Sailor Twain book. I’m not sure what you would have to charge for an individualized piece, but it would add yet another delicious layer of art-meets-life.
Oh, I am full of wonderful Ideas that cost lots of money and are of no help.
You should plan a day cruise, we’ll all come dressed as our favorite characters (Aye, of course, would come as meself). Leave the seaport at 8am ,when happy hour at Jeremy’s is in full bloom, traverse the Hudson to the Tappan Zee, standabout and return at dusk full of yarns, ditties and a swig or two of Manhattan mermaid juice!
Aye, inPhobos, understood, and perhaps many share your concern. But good point too: I need to add a note to say I won’t use any emails for any other purpose.
Thank you all for these excellent notes!
And Salty: working on it.
It figures, ol’Salty’s behind the boom again as the wind’s chopping about. Eye be trimmin’ me sails Capt’
And Twain’s shocked face makes its triumphant return!