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Rant post#2 - Doujinshi Event
🕑 Added 2018-07-29 15:21:28 +0000 UTC So.. It’s been a while I do this… Honestly this month is probably my worst month of 2018 so far, and I bet it won’t be the only bad month coming… As I thought it can’t get worst with the whole parents thing 2-3weeks ago, then there were quite a few people keep disappointing me.. It really makes me demotivated on drawing and I am truly sorry for my slow progress and being emotional.As the title suggest, this is about my first ever doujinshi experience happen this past few months, it is quite a lot of negative feeling so if you don’t want to read it is fine.
So… It has been for years since I wanted to make and sell a doujinshi of my art, after so many argument with mum I finally did it with my own money (thanks to you guys). As I finally able to do it I really want this to be the best, best quality book I can deliver. I got all the drawings ready at mid-June and is pretty much ready to make into a book, and that’s what I believed…
First problem I encounter was to find a software to make a book. I never did this kind of thing before so I have no idea where to start. I heard people use PDF to print and so I shifted onto looking for a software to create high quality PDF file. Over spending a day trails and error, with a friend’s help I finally got this free software which allows me to make a High quality PDF file, after sending it they say I will need to have AI (Adobe Illustrator) file instead… spend so long trying to find a workable version of the software, and finally manage to make a file… then there was a lot of problem with bleed out area as I have no idea how to do it, follow some picture tutorial online but it was still not what they are looking for, it was very frustrating.
Another problem I encounter is the size. Normally doujinshi size is B5, but they say doing small batch with B5 is expensive so after a long conversion I accepted to do A4 size. Originally since this is a small batch, they say the book doesn’t have to limit the page numbers to multiple of 8. After receiving the payment suddenly print shop say I get charge for 32page due to it not being multiple of 8……….. After that apparently my file’s bleed out still has problem, and so I asked another artist in the same group to help out.
Finally after all that BS, the book is printed out, but then it was realize the book has 1 HUGE problem, and it was that the double page is wrong way round. I was really confused since my AI file is planned from right to left (Chinese way of reading), but instead the book is printed western style with left flipping. Not only this isn’t how I originally requested it, it also mess up this double page as well as some other pages! If these guys are truly professional, don’t they usually print 1 book to have a test first? But instead they printed all 100 books to find out there is an error?? Then the guy say most Taiwan books read from left to right, which is a complete lie! Worst of worst, is that even I follow exactly how the other artist taught me, there is a HUGE FUKIN white outline around every page of the book, seriously?! At this point I just give up on whatever BS they throw at me, just sell these 100 books away and get this misery over with…….
So… FF32 event starts yesterday, I wasn't there though since I cannot afford a random trip to Taiwan lol... At evening time my Taiwan friend message me informing me that he sold half of my books. I was surprised that my books actually got sold (as most of you might know, I lack confidence on my works and myself…), I was actually quite happy at the result. He told me he only brought so many which is why I only sold half, and there was people who couldn’t get my book because it was sold out on first day.
But an hour later I found out the sad truth with a picture which tagged me on Facebook. The photo shows the sales of us 3 artists in the same group: artist A-100books sold, B-38, me-30. I thought I sold 50, so I got really confused, he say he accidentally left 20 books at home……..
My friend didn’t help promote my book much, Artist A has been promoted few times separately, artist B has also promoted alone by this friend once, but none for me. (is this because I am the last to actually get my book printed? Is this because my book is R18? Or is it because I suck?) Then there was this group promotion, I was the last on the promotion page as well, makes me feel like I am just a +1 artist, someone just handing there like a clown… I was happy it sold half yesterday (what I originally believe), but to see the sale number posted publicly on facebook, I only sold 30. Everyone on my friend list includes my friends and parents, will think that this is the most I can sale, being bottom of the 3 artist. Judging by the number it means both artist has more books brought to the event, why? Is it because he thinks my books can’t sale? Or is this an actual mistake?
Either way, as I always been regretting with my life choices – Is drawing a wrong choice for me… Now it makes me question more, if making doujinshi was also the wrong choices…
Ultimately I can only blame my powerlessness, leads to all my failures. The Lack of skill and courage is what leads to all my problems. If only I can find a way to end this all… and peace…
Anyway, to those who support me, and also buy my book, I am truly thankful to your support, believing me such me, even when I don’t…
Comments
I thought about selling it online, but I am not sure how to do the pricing, as well as the image size etc… I will think about it more in future!
Tbh, I have been away from HK for so long, I don’t even know how HK’ers act like… honestly it is because I don’t know HK much, I am a bit scare on what HK anime fans will be like, and so I didn’t consider to sell in HK… but then it was later I found out, that HK doesn’t allow selling of R18 doujinshi… Yes… he promised he will help a lot (as he takes 30% of income), but in the end he barely help as well as fair to even deliver simple tasks like bringing the book etc… but what annoys me most is when he post the sells chart online… Orz Ye, Patreon is way better option for now tbh. I am going to try pick myself up again and focus patreon for now!!
Doujinshi is quite time consuming and also require quite a bit money to do, the final income is so little it isn’t really worth it tbh… I got to try do doujinshi once already and to be honest I am already quite happy on that… Now I am just a bit sad due to how much trouble I went through on this whole situation.. anyway, thank you very much for your support!
I don’t know… the Taiwan “friend” guy really do want to help me though (despite his mistake), after all he does take 30% of total sale income.. What is a proofing page? Well I asked if they can print 1 out as sample for me to check, but I guess the time was too limited they just ignore the request and rushed it.. Trouble with selling over mail is that, I might have to print a batch first, and if no one buys it, then I will have a huge box in my room… and if I print it after someone orders it, the individual printing cost will be really high. As for the depression issue… I have been like this for quite some time, my cousin and my guardian also suggest I should seek help, but I just didn’t like the idea of completely open myself to someone I don’t know…
It's pretty fine for the first time. And maybe you should try to sell it as digital book online, like DLsite instead?
Frank Leo
Please don't blame this on yourself ... Taiwanese don't think nor act in the same way as HK'ers. Besides, "your friend" didn't help you much ... I suggest you focus on the Patreon for now.
Nomake Wan
Don't let these initial stumbling blocks stop you from doing this. You said it yourself--you've never done this before. We all stumble when we try something new. We can't always be perfect. And people around us aren't always supportive when we try. That doesn't mean we should just give up if we can't be 100% perfect the first time. I'm with NHOrus on this one; just don't use that printer again next time. Use the lessons you learned from making this first book to inspire the second. Please don't give up! We're here for you!
NHOrus
Half of the stuff with printer seems like trying to scam inexperienced artist. Had you asked for proofing page? Either way, don't return to same printer, find new one next time! You can try to sell the books over mail, shipping costs included. Also, maybe go see psychotherapist? You sounds depressed, and not due to a random event, that's need fixing.
