Squidworks Pin-up book call for entries

[g Kaaihue]

In today's meeting (06/14/09) John Peters and Paul Niemiec brought up putting together a general anthology book showcasing members most stunning art. Details to be discussed in next month's meeting. Themes and restrictions, if any, are open for discussion. Goal for live product: Spring 2010.

However, with Nan Desu Kan on the horizon John and Paul has also brought up the Pin-up project we have discussed in the past. So without further ado,
We would like to present the "Cheesecake" pin-up project. We are looking for the most sensual, evocative images coupled with your favorite cheesecake recipe. Image must show a cheesecake (slice or whole pie). Pieces should be black&white linework, Portrait, will print at 8"x10".
 
Goal for live product is early September.
Please have submissions ready by the next meeting (July 12). Questions or comments please post here at the forums.

[joshm]

How sensual or evocative are you talking here? I'm not interested in pornography or nude books. However, I'm game if this is for the general public.

Thanks,

Josh

[Stan Yan]

Should we do it as a calendar?  I'd love to do a pumpkin cheesecake recipe along with the pin-up.

[john peters]

Basic feel I'm going for is the old school Pinup re: Gil Elvgren. Or bomber nose art. But with Cheesecake in the piece. A parody of pinup art, as it were. I don't believe soft/hard-core porn would benefit the humor. Teasing rather than prurient. Plan is for x amount of black&white pages [based on interest] and a color cardstock cover. Plan, for now, is to print Kinkos/Signal Graphics style, short run. Probably 100 for a start, more based on interest. A few comp copies for participants and at-cost option for more. Guaranteed x amount for Squidworks site. Cover price depends on cost of printing.

Participation = anyone who wants in within the time constraint [August], editor has right of refusal.

Still haven't decided on how to place the cheesecake recipes. Recipes aren't necessary to accompany Pinups. If the recipe is pulled from a source does it need to be cited?

The idea of a calendar was posed [and liked], but limiting the participants and the brief window of sales made it less attractive than the book. Not saying a calendar isn't possible, but it changes the format of the drawing [portrait to landscape], and probably need a shorter print run and higher cost.

A title has not been decided on yet. I asked Lonnie if he'd be interested in doing the color cover. There should be room on the back for more color art, probably a floating half-page spot Illustration.

Anyway, open for discussion. Please, discuss.

[john peters]

Another question brought up at the meeting was if someone could submit multiple entries. I see no problem with that - mostly depends on level of interest. The book should be thick enough to have value for the money.

[comixink]

Awesome Idea guys, I'm super down. Do you have to be a paying member (which at some point I'd like to talk to Stan about) to participate?

-H

[Stan Yan]

Likely it'd just be a pay-to-play situation where we all contribute to pay for the printing.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[john peters]

That depends on amount of interest. If the print run gets pretty big I would be forced to ask for some help, but I think this will be small enough to give one or two comp copies to each contributor and ask for cost for copies beyond that. Cost will depend on the size of the book and of the run, but with a color cover and trim I imagine it'll still be at or over $1. At this time I have no idea of how much interest there is - around 7-10 are [assumed] confirmed.

And yes, this is open to anyone. No style restrictions - looking for the spirit of those old pinup artists but not necessarily their style. A good range of realistic to cartoon would be fun.

[joshm]

You'd be better off printing through Ka Blam. I think I printed my 24 page sketchbook for 1.23 each and they don't care how much you print. Check out there site, but I really liked how they do it. Plus, you can get discounts as a group, they do for Ronin Studios, by putting ads in the back of the book for Ka Blam. I think I got 20% off with two adds for the back and inside back cover. Plus, the front and inside front cover can be used for color.

[g Kaaihue]

Josh,

What was the Turnaround time for Ka Blam?

[Stan Yan]

No matter who we use, I'd give them no less than 1 month turnaround.  CreateSpace has been less, and Comixpress has been more.

[john peters]

The order would be placed after SDCC, but it is still the busy season for most/all POD's. SO, yeh, a full month would be necessary, meaning the book would have to be 100% done and ready to transmit by August 1st. I may have to go with a local option if the book can't be ready by then.

If only 12 people are interested in contributing then the POD route would not be cost effective. It would probably be best to go with the Calendar or a loose-sheet portfolio option.

Time to get as many people on board as we can...

[Stan Yan]

We going full color or b&w?

[comixink]

Yeah, I'm most definitely down. I got some awesome Vegan Cheesecake recipes! Haha.

[john peters]

There was some talk of doing a limited run of color and a general run of black&white, but that sounds like a bit much in the time allotted. I'm thinking black&white inside only to keep the cost/selling price down. Also for speed.

At this point I believe there are 8-10 interested, 4 committed. We may have to borrow Stan's email list to get the word out.

6-8 weeks and counting...

gg