Mmmmm, collaborative book project March 31, 2011 8:58 AM   Subscribe

Wanted: 4 writers, a couple of editors and a designer/artist or two to finish up a collaborative zombie love story novel. Let's have some creative fun.

Previously, Mefites collaborated on a novel, Visitor's Day (final PDF here, cover art here), back in 2009.

A second project was announced later in 2009 and spawned so much interest that a third project was started, with the plot being a zombie love story. 4 chapters were written in early 2010, then real life intruded and the project died. Life went on.

But now, medical and editorial technology has advanced to the point where the project is being resurrected! So we need a few writers to volunteer to write a chapter and continue the story, a few editors to pitch with editing and designer and/or artist to layout the book and/or produce cover or chapter art. This is strictly for fun, there is no explicit or implicit promise of monetary rewards, fame or drug carrying groupies.

Interested? Read the already completed first four chapters. Slots are on a first come, first served basis. Here's the current breakdown:

Chapter 1: Iridic
Chapter 2: prbartel
Chapter 3: Turgid Dahlia
Chapter 4: Brandon Blatcher
Chapter 5: ?
Chapter 6: From Bklyn
Chapter 7: ?
Chapter 8: ?
Chapter 9: ?
Chatper 10: burnmp3s
Chapter 11 allkindsoftime

Want to write a chapter? Edit a chapter or the book? Do some book design or cover art? Hit me up via email (it's in the profile) and mention how you want to get your zombie groove on.

Note: This project is not officially affiliated with, endorsed, overseen or moderated by the owner and/or administers and/or that swell programmer guy of the Metafilter website or company.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) to MetaFilter-Related at 8:58 AM (73 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite

post under jobs or projects?
does it pay scale if successful?
brains
posted by clavdivs at 9:00 AM on March 31, 2011


I'm interested, but "zombie love story" is so damn close to the novel I wrote in '07, and that I'm currently editing in a frenzy thanks to the Hocking and other self-publishing threads, that I'd be better off recusing myself and not looking at it, or anything associated with it.

Very into the idea in a general sense for the next go-round, though.
posted by Shepherd at 9:15 AM on March 31, 2011


You know, I missed this on the first go round, and don't know how. I think I have to participate. How long are the chapters supposed to be?
posted by Astro Zombie at 9:26 AM on March 31, 2011


come clavdivs, join us, write a delicious chapter and free your romantic zombie. You know you want to, I can tell by that spot of blood on your collar.

Projects is for completed works and we're still chewing on this one.

Success is defined as "we finish the damn thing" and are able to either make PDF and post it online and make a small website with the chapters. Whatever works for some bright and eager designer in having a lot of creative freedom and a bit of fun.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2011


Am reading the chapters now; I'd like to write one myself if I can count on my dear e-spouse Brandon Blatcher to hold me to it.

My inner copy-editor may also want a crack at this thing; so far, though, I've only caught one error.
posted by brina at 9:38 AM on March 31, 2011


How long are the chapters supposed to be?

As long as they need to be, as long as it works in context of the story.

But if you're looking for hard limits, lets keep it to 2-3 thousand words.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:39 AM on March 31, 2011


Am reading the chapters now; I'd like to write one myself if I can count on my dear e-spouse Brandon Blatcher to hold me to it.

I'm a bossy production manager, if you're for that, is there a particular chapter you want to write?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:42 AM on March 31, 2011


I've been getting my InDesign geek on lately, I'd be game to help on layout.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 9:53 AM on March 31, 2011


I will provide moral support. And brains. For eating.
posted by desjardins at 10:01 AM on March 31, 2011


Zombie love story?

(sorry)


(NSFW)
posted by edgeways at 10:02 AM on March 31, 2011


I've been getting my InDesign geek on lately, I'd be game to help on layout.

What version and OS are you running it on?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:08 AM on March 31, 2011


Which chapters are written? If it's 1-4 I'll do #5 - I need a kickstart and deadlines and collaborators are a great way to do that. If someone has dibs I'll take a later chapter like 9.
posted by Mister_A at 10:13 AM on March 31, 2011


Mister A is in for Chapter 5.

It's due April 30th, so you can grab a plate and dig into it right now..

Expect emails or mefimails or telepathic phone calls wondering how you're progressing.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:16 AM on March 31, 2011


Been a while since I got my fiction on, count me for chapter 7 if you like.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:21 AM on March 31, 2011


Count me in if there are slots left.
posted by empath at 10:21 AM on March 31, 2011


Miss Lapin for Chap 7 and Empath for Chapter 8.

One chapter left.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:23 AM on March 31, 2011


April 30 should be no problem. I will walk around and straighten things up til the 27th, then I will freak out a little, then get some beer, then come up with a great idea and forget about it while drinking the beer. And THEN I'll write it.
posted by Mister_A at 10:23 AM on March 31, 2011


I'll take the last one.
posted by Astro Zombie at 10:24 AM on March 31, 2011


and the writing slots are filled!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:26 AM on March 31, 2011


So I'm guess I'm waiting for Chapter 6 to finish before I write my chapter? Is there an outline?
posted by empath at 10:28 AM on March 31, 2011


Ok, here's the authors and due dates:


Chapter 5: Mister A: April 1-29th.
Chapter 6: From Bklyn: May 1-30th
Chapter 7: Miss Lapin: June 1-29th
Chapter 8: Empath: July 1- 30th
Chapter 9: Astro Zombie: August 1-30th
Chatper 10: burnmp3s: September 1-29th
Chapter 11 allkindsoftime: October 1st-30th

When you're done with your chapter, email it to me@brandonblatcher.com.

Note that the deadlines are one day before the month ends, to give me time to put your chapter in a Google document and for the others to read it.

So I'm guess I'm waiting for Chapter 6 to finish before I write my chapter? Is there an outline?

Nah, just read the previous chapters so you're caught up with the story, so you'll have to wait for Mister A to finish before you can really get started. You can't ignore the previous chapters or invalidate them in any way (oh it was all a dream or some such). If that happens your chapter will be dropped and we'll either pick up another writer or move on to the next one.

Thanks to all the writers who volunteered!

An editor or two, along with a cover artist would nice please!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:38 AM on March 31, 2011 [2 favorites]


Sounds like fun; I'll offer my editing powers. We should agree upon a stylebook, though. I'd hate to spend a bunch of time stripping out Oxford commas, only to have someone else shove them back in.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 10:53 AM on March 31, 2011


What stylebook do ya'll suggest?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:54 AM on March 31, 2011


Just read the chapters and would like to offer up a pen and ink drawing of a very sad zombie that may be useful, perhaps as a cover. I'm an artist, my website is at my profile page, and, I also really like drawing zombies and have done so since my teens. In no way shape or form however do I understand myself as graphics type, just saying. And, the sad zombie is winging it's way to your inbox as I write this.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:16 AM on March 31, 2011


Yeah, got it, it's good! We should definitely talk, you have a really good style.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:25 AM on March 31, 2011


How many artists do you need? I have experience drawing...things.
posted by hellojed at 11:38 AM on March 31, 2011


Phelegmco(tm)'s piece and style fit well with zombie apocalyptic horror love story, so I think we're good. Can I keep you in mind though, in case something happens?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:54 AM on March 31, 2011


I'd like to volunteer for any tasks needed in the editing, proofreading, design and/or layout arenas. With Phlegmco(tm)'s or hellojed's art, I bet I could put together a nice-looking cover. (I've always wanted to design a book cover.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:01 PM on March 31, 2011


Faint of Butt,
What software would you be using to do layout, what version and what OS are you on?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:11 PM on March 31, 2011


Well BB, Sailormom and I are trying to get a project or two off the ground. Could we co-write a chapter? If he wants?
If there is a zombie spy chapter, sure. My advice is to get The Whelk in on this.

Re. Sailormom


posted by clavdivs at 12:13 PM on March 31, 2011


I'd be using Adobe CS5 Illustrator and InDesign, on OSX.
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:23 PM on March 31, 2011


Clav, sorry all the writing slots are filled up now. They went way quicker than I thought they would.

Faint of Butt, that sounds good, I'll keep you in mind as I sort out who's doing what. I'll down tonight or tomorrow and compose a list.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:26 PM on March 31, 2011


Sweet!
posted by Faint of Butt at 12:28 PM on March 31, 2011


Can I keep you in mind though, in case something happens?

Yeah sure brandon, meMail me if you need anything.
posted by hellojed at 1:12 PM on March 31, 2011


Oops, memailed before I saw this thread. I'd also like to volunteer myself for writing, if anything should open up, and I'm happy to help beta read or edit, etc.
posted by lhall at 1:14 PM on March 31, 2011


May I suggest not only cover art but engravings (or what have you) for the start of each chaper?

I would love to contribute something along those lines (seeing as all the book layout, cover art, editing is gone, gone, gone.)

Or I'd like to design (some of) the first letters in each chapter - the dropped capital?

Or even possibly a tiny image in the bottom right hand corner of every odd page so that if it's printed and flipped through, you have an animation occurring.
posted by b33j at 1:39 PM on March 31, 2011


Want to throw me in as a back-up author for if someone misses a deadline? I'm also a pretty swell copy editor.
posted by NoraReed at 1:42 PM on March 31, 2011


can chapter 3 have like an ancient minoan fresco and also a minotaur in it and zombies too? that would be awesome
posted by tumid dahlia at 2:42 PM on March 31, 2011


I love the idea of an engraving/plate/illustration for each chapter.
posted by Mister_A at 3:31 PM on March 31, 2011


Can I write the Epilogue?
posted by jabberjaw at 6:04 PM on March 31, 2011


I'd be happy to help edit, if needed. A style guide is probably a good idea, otherwise I WILL be the person shoving Oxford commas back into Terminal Verbosity's edits. Seriously. :(
posted by jess at 6:46 PM on March 31, 2011


What do you all think of Chicago style?
posted by brina at 6:49 PM on March 31, 2011


Somber greys and dark blues? It could work!
posted by tumid dahlia at 8:02 PM on March 31, 2011


What do you all think of Chicago style?
posted by brina at 6:49 PM on March 31 [+] [!]


A little broad in the shoulders.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:16 AM on April 1, 2011


Can I write the Epilogue?

No, allkindsoftime will finish things up.

What do you all think of Chicago style?

What are the benefits of Chicago over other styles?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:32 AM on April 1, 2011


Chicago is very comprehensive, but may be overkill for this project. I use a modified* version of MLA. I'd have to scrounge for an AP, but I'm sure I've got one. But really, I'm happy with whatever.

*"Modified" includes removing Oxford commas. Christ people, they're not apple seeds to be blithely tossed about as you saunter through the countryside.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 7:14 AM on April 1, 2011


How about the colophon?
posted by jabberjaw at 8:23 AM on April 1, 2011


Hmm, what do you think should go in a colophon?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:31 AM on April 1, 2011


Wow, Brandon, thanks for picking this project back up. I figured it was dead and buried and had lost track of it somewhere after chapter three...Nice to know it's lurching back to life and looking for fresh brains. Writing the second chapter was fun.

Let me know if I can help with something.
posted by never used baby shoes at 9:18 AM on April 1, 2011


The colophon in this case would probably have technical details on how the book was assembled, I would think. Maybe what software was used by each person. The hardware used. Details about the font chosen. If it is ever printed, then we could include a more common colophon that would include technical printing data.

I just like colophons.
posted by jabberjaw at 10:15 AM on April 1, 2011


Let me know if I can help with something.

Suggestions for stylebook, please. Chicago? AP? New York? AMA? Brandon's Wing It And Hope It All Works Out?

Fiction novel industry people, what say you?


I just like colophons.

FINE, if you're going to send threatening emails, you can write a colophon.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:18 AM on April 1, 2011


I would suggest Chicago, but am a long ways away from being in the fiction industry.
posted by never used baby shoes at 10:39 AM on April 1, 2011


You've read Dead Beautiful, yes?

Because it's a zombie love novel.
posted by whimsicalnymph at 12:03 PM on April 1, 2011


You've read Dead Beautiful, yes?

Needs more zombie apocalypse.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:31 PM on April 1, 2011


Crap. Too late. All the fun jobs are taken. Need to visit MetaTalk more often.

Or join another club.

Good luck!
posted by notyou at 9:14 AM on April 2, 2011


Soooo, Chicago Manual of Style it is? Seems to be what book publishers use a lot.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:47 AM on April 4, 2011


So I have to lower myself to this to get my spouse to call me, I see. And that not until October. funny, I was due to wrap the original up in October of LY. Ah well, it should be a Zombie's favorite weather by then, perfect for writing...

cold and raaaaaaiiiiny.

posted by allkindsoftime at 1:20 PM on April 4, 2011


Chicago is fine with me. I'll even (grudgingly) abide by its rules regarding serial commas.
posted by Terminal Verbosity at 9:28 AM on April 7, 2011


Now that y'all are using a particular style manual, y'all are gonna need a copy editor.

Not volunteering.
posted by jabberjaw at 3:14 PM on April 7, 2011


If Chicago style doesn't have Oxford commas, why is there an inch-deep layer of them on my pizza?

˙ʎɹǝqıɹq :ɐ

P.S. Who's prbartel?
posted by Sys Rq at 8:25 PM on April 9, 2011


He's that guy, who's username got mangled in writing and needs to be fixed. Yooohooo, burnnnnnnnnmp333333333333s.....
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:55 AM on April 10, 2011


Who's prbartel?

Yeah sorry about that, I listed his email name rather than his username. That would be never used baby shoes.
posted by burnmp3s at 7:07 AM on April 12, 2011


So I'm sick and took some theraflu last night and ended up dreaming about the zombie apocalypse. It was this epic dream with groups of survivors in different places (Miami and Paris to name 2 places), strangely lots of beautiful images. Seems like my subconscious just can't wait until June.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:30 AM on April 19, 2011


miss-lapin,

Stuffy head? Sinuses acting up? Flu symptoms are the same symptoms that foretell the onset of zombie-ism. The hallucinations of a "beautiful" zombie apocalypse only further verifies this diagnosis.

Theraflu will not cure it.

Tell me, who was the last person to bite you? I'd like to see if we can zero in on the vector ASAP.

Yikes! Your message was 9 hours ago! It may be too late, although there should still be some control of motor function and cognition, just enough to use a keyboard (but unfortunately not a touchscreen). In any case, I'll start stocking up on canned food and shotgun shells.

Thanks,
posted by jabberjaw at 7:07 PM on April 19, 2011 [1 favorite]


miss-lapin has not responded in nearly 24 hours. I fear widespread contagion is imminent. I will begin the fortifications forthwith. Pity, the east coast will be the first to go.
posted by jabberjaw at 8:38 AM on April 20, 2011


Thank God, I run faster than everyone around me.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:42 AM on April 20, 2011


Good to know. When convenient, please advise if they are standard zombies, or if they are "fast" zombies. I'd like to ensure that I have arrived at the appropriate level of panic. Kudos.
posted by jabberjaw at 6:12 PM on April 20, 2011


Oh they're slow zombies, no need to worry. Take your time, I'll scout on ahead for stuff.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:57 PM on April 20, 2011


Well since I'm already mobility impaired, I'll be even SLOWER as a zombie, which, you know, means all of you should WALK FOR YOUR LIVES.

Actually, don't worry about the zombie contagion. Apparently large doses of martinis have a neutralizing effect on the spread of the contagion. I bravely sacrificed myself for the experiments that prove it.
posted by miss-lapin at 7:03 AM on April 21, 2011 [1 favorite]


Ah. Hence the strategic gin shortage here on the coast -- we tend to panic over these types of things. Tell me, do vodka martinis have the same effect? If so, I have some trendy nightclubs to raid.

Glad to hear from you though, miss-lapin!
posted by jabberjaw at 9:40 AM on April 21, 2011


Ah, I see that my preliminary research wasn't detailed enough. I shall set out to rectify that immediately and get back to you once I have thoroughly compiled the data.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:58 AM on April 21, 2011 [1 favorite]


Brandon -- before braining any of those slow zombies, you may want to conduct sobriety tests. They may simply be people drunk on martinis, or just inebriated fast zombies. It's probably an important distinction.

Of course, better safe than sorry.
posted by jabberjaw at 11:12 AM on April 21, 2011 [1 favorite]


You know I'm going to side with Cillian Murphy on this one and say don't bother with the sobriety tests. Err on the side of caution, you know? Well except when it's me. Then just assume I'm prophylactically drunken. You know, for strictly medicinal and scientific reasons.
posted by miss-lapin at 9:10 PM on April 21, 2011 [1 favorite]


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