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Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista



The recent UT's got me looking though back issues, and then the Who's Who, and all of that. In doing so I not only enjoyed revisiting stories of old, I also came across some great art by poster Visionary in the process.

I thought it was high time for a thread of appreciation of the possibly fake man's contribution over the years. I don't know about you but think it's all excellent! Here's a selection of my favourites.

The EEE! crew:

Let's start with Kinki...just because.



Remember when Al B. mutated a spider called Babs? (1)



Ms. Muffy Framlicker



Amy Aston



Remember when Al B. turned Hallie blue? (2)





Lair Legion Line Up!



Hatman!



Goldeneyed!



Citizen Z!



Hamboy!



Silicone Sally!



Yuki Shiro!



Trickshot!



Alcheman!



(Okay okay Alcheman was never in the LL, bit he fits the style art-wise so I'm putting him here)

Liu Xi Xian!



Hallie!



Tandi the sex-bot come administrator! Robosapien lives matter!





Remember when everybody(3.1) went to the Mythlands? (3)

Mythlands Visionary. Still possibly fake.



Ruby Weaver



George Gedney - we hardly knew ya!



You're not in Parodiopolis anymore Asil.



Con Jonstantine! Note the Brownie by his feet? Some say he's still mimicking Con in the Mythlands to this day.



Mythlands Dancer is the best Dancer!



Zebulon



Mythlands Tanner! Let's be honest, I'll take any Tanner.



Hallie (I'm not looking Hallie, no honest, well okay maybe a little).



Even Fleabot!



Mythlands Miiri or regular Miiri?





Who doesn't love Miiri?



Remember when poster Hatman made some action cards from Visionary art? Wish I had the original for this pic of Yuki!




A detonator hippo, just because.




Velcro Vixen. You may continue.




Is he not...The Hooded Hood?




Thanks Visionary, for all of it and more.

Got more Visonary art to share? Post it here.

Al B.


1. It happened. Not sure where, but it happened.
2. See #1 above.
3. UT #274. You're welcome.
3.1 everybody didn't go to the Mythlands, just a select few.
























HH



Posted with Mozilla Firefox 43.0 on Windows XP



This one got shortlisted for Best Pulp Cover Art 2011 (ish)






Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista


    Quote:


    This one got shortlisted for Best Pulp Cover Art 2011 (ish)



It should have won! One of your books I do have sitting on my bookshelf. If I ever have an opportunity to go to the States or back to the UK I'm going to pop it in my suitcase to request both of you to sign it. I remember at the time thinking I would make a lady Sorceress in an online role-playing game I was enjoying, just so I could use this as her avatar.

Al B.




HH



Posted with Mozilla Firefox 43.0 on Windows XP

This one got shortlisted for Best Pulp Cover Art 2011 (ish)



    Quote:

    It should have won! One of your books I do have sitting on my bookshelf. If I ever have an opportunity to go to the States or back to the UK I'm going to pop it in my suitcase to request both of you to sign it. I remember at the time thinking I would make a lady Sorceress in an online role-playing game I was enjoying, just so I could use this as her avatar.


Two years ago I completed a full-length sequel novel for that. Rhiannon edited it. A final finished manuscript went off to White Rocket and - nothing. No progress since. I suspect none likely to occur.





L!


Location: Seattle, Washington
Member Since: Sun Jan 04, 2004
Posts: 1,038

Posted with Apple Safari 9.0.2 on MacOS X






Yo

I tried to post Yo woman pict..but failded


Posted with Mozilla 11.0 on Windows 7

I have others in my old computer, will have to look for them: rabito, Yerk, .and more..And loving all of them..but it is late here
I don´t keep my old stories, but his drawings I do




Yo

got funny looks from people at the metro


Posted with Mozilla 11.0 on Windows 7

;\-\) not too much clothes can be seen in these por women..must be getting lot of cold... \(beret\)




Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista

blutwyche[at]gmail[dot]com






Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista


    Quote:
    Two years ago I completed a full-length sequel novel for that. Rhiannon edited it. A final finished manuscript went off to White Rocket and - nothing. No progress since. I suspect none likely to occur.


Pity. Can you re-use it for something else?






Visionary



Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7

Admittedly, many of those images make me cringe these days, but that's always the way when it comes to looking at older work.

I probably have other PV images, if there's an easy way to share them. I may have to break out the portable hard drive that has all of my old files.

As for some recent stuff, here are some robots I drew for a Transformers game that I found online:









They're at least more interesting to look at than a lot of the work I get to do.




Visionary



Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7

I've so far only written stories for the PV though. So I'm loyal there.

Of course, that might be because I can't seem to write any more at all, but still...




Visionary



Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7


    Quote:
    Admittedly, many of those images make me cringe these days, but that's always the way when it comes to looking at older work.


I feel the same way about most everything I've ever written, including replies.

But I'll always be a fan of your Parodyverse style as demonstrated here.


    Quote:
    I probably have other PV images, if there's an easy way to share them. I may have to break out the portable hard drive that has all of my old files.


I've just bunged them all into an imgur account, but kept them private. Can still hotlink here, but it hasn't shared the album generally. Though I'm sure if I shared it I'd get lots of fake internet points. Might even make front page!


    Quote:
    As for some recent stuff, here are some robots I drew for a Transformers game that I found online:


Heh, look at those things! They look a bit like if Modok and Optimus Prime had kids. \:\)


    Quote:
    They're at least more interesting to look at than a lot of the work I get to do.


I found this guy too, I think he was one of yours from a game you were working on - if I recall there were some others but I couldn't find them.








HH sees this as a helpful sign of recovery



Posted with Mozilla Firefox 43.0 on Windows XP





HH



Posted with Mozilla Firefox 43.0 on Windows XP


    Quote:

      Quote:
      Two years ago I completed a full-length sequel novel for that. Rhiannon edited it. A final finished manuscript went off to White Rocket and - nothing. No progress since. I suspect none likely to occur.



    Quote:
    Pity. Can you re-use it for something else?


No, it's a very specific storyline and piece of world-building, actually first written straight after the original novel. I may hassle the editor one day but since White Rocket Books is really a one-man-band it feels mean to pressure him. Plus, either Blackthorn was my worst-selling book or I got screwed, since I still haven't received a single penny royalty for it yet.

It does mean that the planned third part of the trilogy probably won't ever happen.

In the same really-slow-getting-to-print stuff, about three years back an editor pitched me doing an ongoing monthly novella e-book series. So I dusted off an old idea and wrote the first four-volume arc of my Byzantium series, on the understanding that this would be put out on a regular schedule to build up reader loyalty and buying habits (the e-books were $2.99, I think). #1 came out in 2013. #2 came out in 2014. #3 has had five release dates so far, the last of which passed last November.

Such is ther world of small-press publishing.









Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista


    Quote:
    No, it's a very specific storyline and piece of world-building, actually first written straight after the original novel. I may hassle the editor one day but since White Rocket Books is really a one-man-band it feels mean to pressure him. Plus, either Blackthorn was my worst-selling book or I got screwed, since I still haven't received a single penny royalty for it yet.


Well, you know one was sold at least because it's sitting on my bookshelf alongside the Robin Hood series (and in-between Lovecraft's Necronomicon and Tolkien - good company Ian). I even paid full postage for it!


    Quote:
    It does mean that the planned third part of the trilogy probably won't ever happen.
    In the same really-slow-getting-to-print stuff, about three years back an editor pitched me doing an ongoing monthly novella e-book series. So I dusted off an old idea and wrote the first four-volume arc of my Byzantium series, on the understanding that this would be put out on a regular schedule to build up reader loyalty and buying habits (the e-books were $2.99, I think). #1 came out in 2013. #2 came out in 2014. #3 has had five release dates so far, the last of which passed last November.


    Quote:
    Such is ther world of small-press publishing.


Yikes. Well, I don't know what to say that is in anyway reassuring other than - hey you have stuff in print! But I'm sure you've already acknowledged that part. It is a great thing to see all your output though.

Have you found the self self-publishing you are doing with the "Watsarverse" series is a better reward, or at the very least, you're able to track it better?




Anime Jason 

Owner

Location: Here
Member Since: Sun Sep 12, 2004
Posts: 2,834


anime.mangacool.net (10.0.255.1)
using Apple Safari 9.0.2 on MacOS X (0 points)





Visionary



Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7

I actually did draw one that was a cross-over with GI Joe apparently... one of the Cobra planes as a robot:




However, a while back Hasbro did produce some Marvel characters crossed with Transformers, and that had some unfortunate results:



So maybe they learned their lesson.




Visionary



Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows 7


    Quote:
    I feel the same way about most everything I've ever written, including replies.

    But I'll always be a fan of your Parodyverse style as demonstrated here.


My affection is all for the characters... and I admit, there are a few character designs that I do like. Donar was always a favorite of mine... all of the Regulars were fun to draw. And obviously I liked Al and Friends...


    Quote:
    I've just bunged them all into an imgur account, but kept them private. Can still hotlink here, but it hasn't shared the album generally. Though I'm sure if I shared it I'd get lots of fake internet points. Might even make front page!


I'm afraid that the only online gallery I have any more is the pony stuff... My other ones have gradually gone down. I had to google search for images of those robots that were released by the company who made the game in order to post those.


    Quote:
    Heh, look at those things! They look a bit like if Modok and Optimus Prime had kids. \:\)


Ha! That is both frighteningly accurate and quite terrifying to imagine. I am not going to search for any evidence of that ship online...






Yo



Posted with Mozilla 11.0 on Windows 7

The funniest stuff came from comments from posters and made others to get ideas...IMO..

In any case in this weeks there are many stories that I cdidn´t read the first time, so I am Reading yours and others stories as they were new. And that is great!
Yo getting asleep...busy week
night night




Yo



Posted with Mozilla 11.0 on Windows 7





WGMY 104.1


Member Since: Thu Nov 18, 2010
Posts: 281

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.83 on Linux





WGMY 104.1

doesn't know much about art, but etc.

Member Since: Thu Nov 18, 2010
Posts: 281

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.83 on Linux





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista





Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.106 on Windows Vista


    Quote:
    My affection is all for the characters... and I admit, there are a few character designs that I do like. Donar was always a favorite of mine... all of the Regulars were fun to draw. And obviously I liked Al and Friends...


And Hallie. You liked drawing her a lot. And Miiri.


    Quote:
    I'm afraid that the only online gallery I have any more is the pony stuff... My other ones have gradually gone down. I had to google search for images of those robots that were released by the company who made the game in order to post those.


Well then, these are rare gold!


    Quote:
    Ha! That is both frighteningly accurate and quite terrifying to imagine. I am not going to search for any evidence of that ship online...


Me either.





HH



Posted with Mozilla Firefox 43.0 on Windows XP


    Quote:
    Well, you know one [copy of Blacktorn] was sold at least because it's sitting on my bookshelf alongside the Robin Hood series (and in-between Lovecraft's Necronomicon and Tolkien - good company Ian). I even paid full postage for it!


I've had to learn the had way that aithors royalties come from net profits. A book can sell hundreds of copies and still be in net loss. Publishers can deduct various expenses before tallying proceeds, including but not limited to marketing, admin, accounting, tax, free copies distributed, proofing and editing costs, ISBN registration, copyright enforcement, and legal costs.

Most of my publishers (I've had eight) have been pretty good at being fair about these. The others won't be seeing me again. But it does mean for some books where publishers have shelled out up-front for print runs or publicity launches there is sometimes simply no net profit for the author to get 60% of.



    Quote:
    Such is ther world of small-press publishing.



    Quote:
    Yikes. Well, I don't know what to say that is in anyway reassuring other than - hey you have stuff in print! But I'm sure you've already acknowledged that part. It is a great thing to see all your output though.


Generally speaking most of the stuff I get published is either "work for hire" (hey, can you do us a Spider story of 15,000 words") or "licenced first use" ("hey, if you write a Sherlock Holmes story of 15,000 words we'll put it out first but afterwards the copyright stays with you").

The exceptions are the Chillwater Press books like Mumph, TTC, and Vinnie, where I get to write what I want without any brief at all. The whole point of that deal was to have an outlet for stuff I didn't think would get past a conventional editor. Rhiannon edited most of the Chillwater volumes and did a more rigorous and testing job than almost anyone else I've experienced.

Payment is either by fixed fee (or sometimed fee per word), by advance and royalty, or by back-end royalty. Back-end royalties are always at-risk and as I said there are several books I've never had any for (there's often a clause saying they won't bother issuing anything under $200 or something because the admin costs are disproportionate).

I have had to go to great lengths to get breakdowns of what amounts I'm sent actually represent, even to know which books they are payments for. Publishers always seem surprised that I would ask such things. When I ask for sales figures and breakdowns of overhead costs they get very evasive. At first I thought this was because of commercial sensitivity or fear that I might challenghe expense items. Now I think its mostly because small press companies just don't keep their records that tightly.

The exception is the publisher who charged a couple of thousand dollars of him attending ComicCon or similar to the marketing costs for a book. Nope.



    Quote:
    Have you found the self self-publishing you are doing with the "Watsarverse" series is a better reward, or at the very least, you're able to track it better?


Sales on those books are consistently low, even though I think they have the best production values of any of my works and the stories are quite good too. That's down to three things:

1. Almost no marketing is done, so they don't penetrate the marketplace. I don't Twitter or Facebook about them, or do "blog tours", or any of the things writers are supposed to do these days to develop their "author platform".

2. I don't generally do conventions where I sit behind a stall and sign my books so that people notice me and the works. I've been to a convention once now, and I enjoyed it, but it was very clear to me that doing that stuff is a lifestyle choice.

3. The actual purpose of those books (apart from the fun of writing them) is to bulk out my portfolio. I get more offers and better fees because I can point to nine published novels and about thirty-five other credits. I was surprised at the convention I mentioned that I was getting better rates than lots of the creators there (because I thought my rates were pathetic) and that I had one of the largest published bodies of work apart from the top-rank bestselling pros.







Al B. Harper


Member Since: Mon Jan 04, 2016
Posts: 485

Posted with Google Chrome 47.0.2526.111 on Windows Vista


    Quote:
    I've had to learn the had way that aithors royalties come from net profits. A book can sell hundreds of copies and still be in net loss. Publishers can deduct various expenses before tallying proceeds, including but not limited to marketing, admin, accounting, tax, free copies distributed, proofing and editing costs, ISBN registration, copyright enforcement, and legal costs.


I'm always happy to proof anything for you for free. I really enjoyed reading the drafts to Mumph and TTC.


    Quote:
    Most of my publishers (I've had eight) have been pretty good at being fair about these. The others won't be seeing me again. But it does mean for some books where publishers have shelled out up-front for print runs or publicity launches there is sometimes simply no net profit for the author to get 60% of.


Mon-Mathra had her/his way with numbers. Surely an evilest of villains!


    Quote:
    Generally speaking most of the stuff I get published is either "work for hire" (hey, can you do us a Spider story of 15,000 words") or "licenced first use" ("hey, if you write a Sherlock Holmes story of 15,000 words we'll put it out first but afterwards the copyright stays with you").


That sounds cool. Do you have a preference? Or is the work the same in either case?


    Quote:
    The exceptions are the Chillwater Press books like Mumph, TTC, and Vinnie, where I get to write what I want without any brief at all. The whole point of that deal was to have an outlet for stuff I didn't think would get past a conventional editor. Rhiannon edited most of the Chillwater volumes and did a more rigorous and testing job than almost anyone else I've experienced.


Yep. I bet this was more enjoyable as well?


    Quote:
    Payment is either by fixed fee (or sometimed fee per word), by advance and royalty, or by back-end royalty. Back-end royalties are always at-risk and as I said there are several books I've never had any for (there's often a clause saying they won't bother issuing anything under $200 or something because the admin costs are disproportionate).


Always ask for a bit up front - noted.


    Quote:
    I have had to go to great lengths to get breakdowns of what amounts I'm sent actually represent, even to know which books they are payments for. Publishers always seem surprised that I would ask such things. When I ask for sales figures and breakdowns of overhead costs they get very evasive. At first I thought this was because of commercial sensitivity or fear that I might challenghe expense items. Now I think its mostly because small press companies just don't keep their records that tightly.


I recall you mentioning this previously. It seems so strange to me, but what would I know.


    Quote:
    The exception is the publisher who charged a couple of thousand dollars of him attending ComicCon or similar to the marketing costs for a book. Nope.


Yikes, what a rotter! I hope you gave him a good serve!


    Quote:

      Quote:
      Have you found the self self-publishing you are doing with the "Watsarverse" series is a better reward, or at the very least, you're able to track it better?



    Quote:
    Sales on those books are consistently low, even though I think they have the best production values of any of my works and the stories are quite good too. That's down to three things:


    Quote:
    1. Almost no marketing is done, so they don't penetrate the marketplace. I don't Twitter or Facebook about them, or do "blog tours", or any of the things writers are supposed to do these days to develop their "author platform".


You know, social media is a fickle thing, but there is a means to it. I could try to get some hits for you? It may or may not work...but if you permit it I'd be happy to give it a go?

One thing I have also seen which has worked is offering a teaser - the first chapter (or book in a series) for free at the Kindle store - or something like that. Get them in. Rope them up.


    Quote:
    2. I don't generally do conventions where I sit behind a stall and sign my books so that people notice me and the works. I've been to a convention once now, and I enjoyed it, but it was very clear to me that doing that stuff is a lifestyle choice.


I can only imagine.


    Quote:
    3. The actual purpose of those books (apart from the fun of writing them) is to bulk out my portfolio. I get more offers and better fees because I can point to nine published novels and about thirty-five other credits. I was surprised at the convention I mentioned that I was getting better rates than lots of the creators there (because I thought my rates were pathetic) and that I had one of the largest published bodies of work apart from the top-rank bestselling pros.


Makes sense. Thanks for sharing these behind-the-scenes stories. It's interesting to see.





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