Advice

Promoting Professional Geekery #43 – Cooperate On A Book

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(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

So you’re really not up for writing a book on your particular progeeky subject.  Fine, that gives me a room to sell more.

But still you might have knowledge that’ll help on a book.  You may have editing skills that would come in handy.  You may be able to do cover art (and of course pick up a credit).  You may pen an introduction, you may . . .

. . . well you get the idea.  You could be a big help in getting out that progeeky book on careers, or skills, or whatever your friends, family, or co-workers are working on.

Go for it.

  1. You probably have something to contribute to a book of some kind, even if it’s a viewpoint.  Ask just what that something or somethings are.
  2. You likely know people who want to write a book, or people that do want to write a book; probably they’ve already talked to you about it.
  3. If you don’t, mention to people that you’ve got an interest in helping people on certain subjects.  They may know someone or have advice (or point you in other directions).
  4. If you help one person, they may know others you can help.

This may sound simplistic, but as a writer of books, let me note a few things:

  • Putting out a book is pretty bloody hard.  Any support is appreciated.
  • Almost no one is able to do a book on their own, and those who can do a book on their own probably shouldn’t (usually there’s a need for editing).
  • Authors need all the support they can get – sometimes it’s that extra person that gets the book out.

So, you’re not up for a book.  You can just help make others possible in the realm of progeekery.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

Fandom, Critique, and Art

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In order to criticize a movie, you have to make another movie.

– Jean-Luc Godard (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000419/bio)

Fellow blogger Serdar turned me on to the above quote, which speaks volumes really about media, culture, and profans (and fans doing pro-activity as fans).

I’m a great believer in people practicing an art, be it writing, or music, or drawing.  Some form of communication is worth practicing and even mastering, for the sake of expressing ourselves, understanding how others communicate, understanding how others manipulate, and to create a dialogue.  To have an art is to engage other people.

This is one of the reasons I love fandom, geeks, nerds, otaku, and more.  Many of them are engaged in their art, from fanfic to fanart to fan games.  They are practicing their creativity and communication.

Godard’s quote made me realize that in a way, they’re really engaging other creators in a dialogue and in a critique.

Think of many fanfics go down paths that authors avoided.  Yes at times there were damn good reasons for that.  But still, the dialogue is there, even if it’s more telling about a fans desires or a misinterpretation or a wish fulfillment.

Think of the artists who show characters in new light, from the humorous to the deep to the bizarre.  Each piece of art is a glimpse into an opinion, and analysis, and/or an artists ideas.  Even if it’s just pandering or a simple piece for fun it tells you something.

Fan creations are a kind of dialogue.  Often about the fans themselves and among the fans themselves, but it is a dialogue.  So many of us are following Godard’s advice in writing, art, music videos and more.

In some cases however it breaks into the larger world (even if not always well received). Hasbro’s engagement with the Bronies.  50 Shades of Gray bringing fanfic and taboo subjects to the fore.  User-created content being encouraged by gaming companies.  There are moments the fan/otaku/nerd/geek dialogue breaks out – and it’s magic when it does.

In a way, I think that’s part of what I’m trying to do in my work here and elsewhere – connect people up and expand the horizons of what they do and who they reach.  I want to see the dialogue expand.

Of course I also want to see you make money at it too.  That’s a given.  Seeing what it can be can help.

The fanart, fanfic, games, RPGs, and more are all, in a way, a form of dialogue.  We’re all doing a critique or commentary on previous art, even if we never go as far as Godard and make a movie to critique another film.  It’s powerful and amazing, and it should be appreciated as such.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

Promoting Professional Geekery #42 – Be Interviewed

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(The Promoting Professional Geekery Roundup Is Here)

A big way to promote the ideal of the professional geek, the fan-to-pro dream, is to be that dream.  However people actually have to see it in action, and there’s more to do after the usual blogging, books, con speeches, and so forth.

That is to be available for interviews – and to get interviewed.

See you’re testimony to the Power of Progeek.  Also you’re probably good-looking and charismatic.  So we need you out there sharing your wisdom and experiences, and if nothing else your bad examples.

So first, be available for interviews:

  • Make sure there’s contact information on your site, blogs, cards, etc.
  • Make sure that if you are interviewed, you list it on your website with contact information, so people know you can and will be reached.
  • Respond to any contact requests on interviews promptly.
  • If anyone contacts you about information, note your availability for said interviews.

Secondly, go get interviewed.  No, this isn’t arrogant, this is about you sharing your knowledge in a format that people like.  If you’re uncomfortable then reconsider or tone it down, but you need to seek out changes to share you and what you do.

  • Join groups like Help A Reporter Out (http://www.helpareporter.com/) and respond to the posts for information and interviews.  Yes, journalists and researchers are seeking people like you, so go get involved.
  • If you hear about calls for research, information, and interviews go for it!
  • If you’re helping out people with a website or other form of communication, offer to do an interview as a way to share information.  It’s a pretty efficient format, actually.

You’ve got a lot of wisdom to share.  This is just one method to do it – and one that’s pretty efficient when you do it right.

– Steven Savage

Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/