Chairman's Blog 11-12-2008

[nic carcieri]

For discussion purposes, I've re-posted the blog here...


Hey Gang!

Let me start by apologizing for taking this long to respond... honestly, I've
just been trying to gather my thoughts after John's e-mail and decide what I wanted to say. The bottom line is this... the UFO has had a long,
great tradition for over 30 years. 3 DECADES!!! I don't want to see it die.
Not now. But one thing's for sure, it can't go on like this.
John,

I'm sorry you feel the way you do. For the last 2 years, you've been one of the most vocal supporters of the group, trying to get everyone motivated. I completely understand your frustrations. You brought up 5 points in your e-mail, but I can only address the last 2.

As far as TF goes... yes, I am the chairman so it ultimately falls to me to get it together and maybe I should just put together issues of 8 or 10 pages on a more regular basis than trying to wait until I have a decent sized issue. And yes TF 204 has been done for 2 months and no one has received it in the mail, however a pdf version has been posted and available on our Box site for the last 2 months. I'm not going ot give you any excuses other than to say part of the reason was I sent it to a new printer in Houston, Texas because they gave me a good price but when the hurricane went through there it basically put them out of business... however, that is no excuse for not taking it back to the printer that did 203 and doing it there.

And speaking of TF 204... have you, John, read the pdf version? Because I just re-read it and while you're right, no one reviewed The Adventurers, there were at least 3 acknowledgements from other members about your work and both Jim and I in our columns responded to the points you brought up in TF 203. In fact, based on some of the things you mentioned in your column for TF 204, you and I agree on many issues. In case you or anyone else has lost the Box info... here it is:

www.box.net
username: unitedfanzineorg
password: tfragments

it's very easy to use, you can download a pdf version of TF 204 there.

Yes, the website has been stagnant.... and that is also on me, but I am more than happy to share that responsibility with anyone who wants to volunteer to help out. This website is extremely user-friendly to use.

Look, I don't want the UFO to die, but we all need to seriously look at ourselves and decide whether we want to be part of it or not for 2009.

[nic carcieri]

and Sam's response....

Nic,

I read your blog and would have responded through there but didn't see any way to do so.

I know, better than most, that a co-op survives via the newsletter. When too much time goes by, people lose interest or just forget. I'd suggest that even if you only get 2 or 3 columns that you publish an issue without waiting for more. That's a lesson I learned the hard way with the BPP.

I don't think anyone wants the UFO to end. What we should do is to look at how the group fits everyone's needs. The topic of web-comics has been raised and, I think, should be discussed. Not everyone can or wants to produce a hard copy zine anymore. I don't think we should necessarily just discount this new medium. However, in order to incorporate it, a stronger online presence will be necessary for the UFO. I notice that my name isn't even on the roster on the website. I think it needs an overhaul and redesign. Perhaps one of us should be named 'webmaster' and given the responsibility for updating it regularly?

Just some thoughts on a cold, dreary Wednesday.

sam!

[nic carcieri]

Sam,

those are some very good points you raise, I agree that webcomics as well as pdf or other electronic versions of books should be considered part of the UFO, in fact it is something I talked about in my column in TF 204.

it is too much to retype here, so please refer to my Portal Thoughts column for TF 204 for further elaboration...

;D

but both of those tie directly into something you brought up... a better, up to date web presence and current checklists...

[marc s haines]

-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Haines <[e-mail]>
To: Alan Evans <[e-mail]>; Nic Carcieri <[e-mail]>; Steve Keeter <[e-mail]>; Tim Kelly <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; Jim Main <[e-mail]>; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; JohnYeo <[e-mail]>
Sent: Sat, 8 Nov 2008 7:21 am
Subject: RE: John, Alan, et al


My fellow aliens
Looking at all the projects, points of view, situations, etc. I believe that we have all reached points in our lives that have determined our paths. I feel with Alan, as I have gone through two moves and job transfers/promotions in the past two years, and that has severely affected my time available to produce comics. Not that I don't want to draw, I just don't have the time. I know the changes in the indie comic world, as well as the proliferation of webcomics has changed what we do individually; I believe, along with JK and Alan, that the web is the place to go for cheapest cost/maximum exposure. If there is a group of younger ne'er do wells that want to produce the Kinko's mini comic, their place is with the UFO. I think age and life changes is the biggest factor in the state of the UFO union, not disdain or contempt or laziness. I know Nic is working on writing, I mentioned Al & JK's web comics, Steve is very busy with a multitude of projects, Jim Main is a publishing giant, and John is busting at the seams to go-go-gadget make comics.

I am very saddened to see John go, but in light of his letter, I can honestly say that there are times that I didn't exactly feel 'welcome' by some of you as well. If I have a lot of energy, passion, enthusiasm, and my 'type' of humor/comics don't suit you, well...can't help you. We don't all make the same product. I only ever wanted to see this group grow and flourish, so find me guilty of that.

Where we go from here is in your collective court; I say, in all fairness to the involved, look at your projects and see if they are conduscive to the group's directive and agenda. Maybe the UFO needs to morph with the times. Perhaps the UFO becomes a subscriber-online collective for our webcomics so we can accumulate funds via subscribers yet maximize our visibility. Give a monthly 'free look' at a project, and we can update monthly or as projects come in. That way, there's a 'relaxed' approach to deadlines and I believe, with a counter, we can all see the fruits of our labors and rewards fro creation. Heck, we can even have viewers vote on our work just to inspire you to keep creating.
If that sounds dumb to you or you think I'm out of line, let me know and I'll get the heck out of your way. I'm just trying to help.
Best of luck

Marc
Dr. Ink!
www.xanga.com/deadlyworld

[samgafford]

Ok, I went back and re-read Nic's Chairman column from TF #204 and I pretty much agree with everything he says there.

I think that webcomics should be accepted as UFO contributions PROVIDED that there is a link to the UFO website on the page. Preferably near the comic itself and not buried at the bottom of the page. And I agree that once a month or so, webcomics should put up the current Checklist.

I also agree that electronic forms of zines should be accepted. As long as they adhere to the standards of the UFO and include the Checklist (as well as the symbol on the cover), I see no reason not to include them.

The major point that Nic made in TF #204 AND above is that the UFO desperately needs a new, up-to-date website. It does no good for someone to link to the group through their webcomic only to have the reader find some dusty, old listing. Everyone seems to agree that this is needed so who can stand up among us and make it happen?

sam!

[storyteller John Yeo]

Hey everyone---since I'm the center of the debate, I just wanted to join in on the discussion for a second.

Nic, I did read the last T-Frags on-line.....and it was certainly the most robust issue we've had in awhile---you did a great job putting it together. I just wanted to concede the point that yes, you and a few others were commenting on points I brought up in TF 203. Never said you didn't. But if no one else in the UFO is taking any steps to help promote my book, or telling their readers that I'm out there, or commenting on my books, or no mention of my current books are on the UFO website.....well, that's what ultimately made me feel that the UFO just doesn't benefit me at this time.

Nothing is forever, ya'al. If the UFO can turn itself around, it will attract dynamic voices and ambitious artists...... perhaps even me.

Once again, I have no ill will towards you or anyone else in the UFO---I hope we can stay in touch, and I STILL hope that some of us can support each other in the future by means of trading website banners, or ads within each others books.

Stay in touch, and keep drawing!

- john