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craftercat · 2 months ago

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A Discussion of the Events Surrounding the Death of Tuoba Gui (1/?)

The events surrounding Tuoba Gui are rather vague in the Weishu, and the Songshu presents a different account. In this series, I'm going to do a line-by-line analysis of the events from early 409 to Tuoba Si's ascension to the throne in Northern Wei.

The first thing to be covered is Tuoba Gui's insanity, which is described in detail by the Weishu. For the purposes of this, we will discuss it line by line:

Weishu volume 2: 六年夏，帝不豫。初，帝服寒食散，自太醫令陰羌死後，藥數動發，至此逾甚。

"In summer of the sixth year [of Tianzi] [409 CE], the emperor [Tuoba Gui] was not at ease. Earlier, the emperor took Cold Food Powder, and since the commander of the imperial physicians, Yin Qiang, died, the medicine had frequently flared up [in him], until now [this point] more and more excessive."

What was Cold Food Powder, and how was it poisoning Tuoba Gui? Cold Food Powder was a popular drug of the era that was widely taken in the Eastern Jin dynasty. The drug's recipe had then become known by northerners at some point before this, and they also started to take Cold Food Powder. Cold Food Powder was popular because it was said to heal illnesses and bring joy to the person taking it.

Why did Tuoba Gui take it? Probably because he had been suffering from headaches. He then took the powder in the hopes that it would heal his mistakes. And why was it having adverse effects? Cold Food Powder actually contained both mercury and arsenic, which we now know to be toxic. They were contained in salts in powder, but if the powder were not prepared properly, then the user could be exposed to more dangerous forms of mercury and arsenic. As well, the powder would sometime be heated, which would also expose the user to more dangerous forms of the two elements.

And who is Yin Qiang? Perhaps he is the same person as the physician Yin Guang:

Weishu volume 14: 帝以太醫令陰光為視療不盡術，伏法。

"The emperor because the leader of the imperial physicians, Yin Guang, had not treated [Tuoba Ti] with his full skill, executed him."

Tuoba Ti was a distant cousin of Tuoba Gui who had been hit by a stray arrow when attacking Murong Lin, which was in 397. If Yin Guang and Yin Qiang were the same person, it would make sense, because it would be unusual for Tuoba Gui to have two commanders of the imperial physicians with such similar names. As well, the timing of Yin Qiang's death would be in late 397, which fits with Tuoba Gui's mental instability, as his growing paranoia was already apparent by 400:

Weishu volume 2: 已而慮羣下疑惑，心謗腹非

"From this [Tuoba Gui] worried his subordinates were uncertain [about him], and they were slanderous in their hearts and contrary in their bellies."

Weishu volume 28: 於是威嚴始厲，制勒羣下盡卑謙之禮，自栗始也。

"Thereupon [from Li Li's death in 400] the emperor started to sharpen, controlling his subordinates [to be] thoroughly humble in their etiquette, and this started with [Li] Li's [execution]."

This means that Tuoba Gui's flare-ups from Cold Food Powder intake must have started by 400, perhaps even 399, given his execution of Cui Cheng for minor infractions. I find it unlikely that Tuoba Gui would execute Yin Guang, then hire Yin Qiang, and then for Yin Qiang to die in 398 or 399. I think it's more likely they're the same person but transcribed differently.

After Yin Guang died, it is likely that either the replacement physician was not so good at administering the powder, or that Tuoba Gui was self-medicating. This meant that Tuoba Gui was being exposed to more toxic forms of mercury and arsenic, which worsened his health and his sanity.

Throughout the years of his final reign, Tuoba Gui engaged in harsh political purges against those who had contributed to his reign, becoming suspicious that they might overthrow him. The Weishu portrays this as being a part of Tuoba Gui's wider insanity, but it was common for a founding emperor to execute his contributors to prevent them from overthrowing him. These purges were aimed to remove political rivals and consolidate power in the hands of one person - him. However, it does appear that he did become excessively paranoid in his later years.

而災變屢見，憂懣不安，或數日不��，或不寢達旦。歸咎羣下，喜怒乖常，謂百僚左右人不可信，慮如天文之占，或有肘腋之虞。

"And because strange and ominous phenomena were often see, he was worried and not at peace, and he might for several days not eat, or not sleep for the whole night. He returned to blame his subordinates, and his anger and joy were unusual, saying that the officials and attendants could not be trusted, and worried about the divination of astrology, or would be concerned for things close to him."

From here, Tuoba Gui's paranoia can be said to have a secondary cause: not only was he under the influence of Cold Food Powder, but he was also worried about bad omens. These bad omens often signaled there would be a rebellion, and this increased his paranoia, as he was worried the prediction would come true.

As well, that he wouldn't eat for days or sleep for the night suggests that Tuoba Gui was undergoing a mental decline, likely brought on from neurological symptoms of chronic mercury and arsenic poisoning. This means that as well as Tuoba Gui wanting to preserve his power, mental instability was also playing a role.

追思既往成敗得失，終日竟夜獨語不止，若旁有鬼物對揚者。朝臣至前，追其舊惡皆見殺害，其餘或以顏色變動，或以喘息不調，或以行步乖節，或以言辭失措，帝皆以為懷惡在心，變見於外，乃手自毆擊，死者皆陳天安殿前。

"He pursued and thought of the past's successes and failures, and would day and night talk alone without stopping, as if there were ghosts that responded to him. When the officials arrived before him, he would think of some old sin of theirs and always kill them, and the others, perhaps because their facial expression changes, or because their breathing was not harmonious, or because their movement was unusual, or because they made mistakes in speech, the emperor would always consider them to resent him in their carts, their changes showing this to the outside, and would thus personally beat [and kill] them, and the dead were displayed in front of the Tian'an Hall."

This passage demonstrates Tuoba Gui's growing paranoia, harshness and insanity. Again, the description that he would talk day and night to himself, as if there were ghosts replying, suggests that Tuoba Gui underwent a mental decline in his later years. He simply wasn't all there mentally, and could perhaps be considered insane by this point. Again, this is likely due to poisoning.

The description of him killing officials for things that were supposed to be long forgiven, or for acting in ways he deemed suspicious, shows how harsh and tyrannical he had become. This must be considered when we evaluate Tuoba Si's childhood environment and his decision to flee from the palace.

於是朝野人情各懷危懼，有司懈怠，莫相督攝，百工偷劫，盜賊公��，巷里之間人為希少。帝亦聞之，曰：「朕縱之使然，待過災年，當更清治之爾。」

"Thereupon all levels of society in their minds were afraid, and the officials were lazy and idle, and did not help to supervise, the many officials robbed and plundered, and thieves were everywhere, and there were very few people mingling in alleys. The emperor also heard this and said: "It is my relaxation of them that has made it so, and to pass the calamitous era, we should further cleanse and punish them in this way.""

This shows the negative impact of Tuoba Gui's later years. Due to his insanity, society has essentially been shut down. People are too afraid to even go outside, crime is everywhere, and officials do not do their jobs and even rob the people. The Weishu treatise on criminal punishment also comments on Tuoba Gui's late reign:

Weishu volume 111: 季年災異屢見，太祖不豫，綱紀褫頓，刑罰頗為濫酷。

"In his later years bad omens were frequently seen, and Tuoba Gui was not at peace. The laws were abandoned and damaged, and punishments were rather excessively cruel."

This clearly shows the impact of Tuoba Gui's later years. In his later years, the laws were in a state of non-enforcement. This allowed criminals to be everywhere and for society to grind to a halt. When the laws were enforced, the punishments would be excessively cruel, which created instability within the state.

So why didn't the people rebel? The first reason is good harvests. In Tuoba Gui's reign, the people enjoyed abundant harvests, and although this still couldn't sustain the treasury for Tuoba Gui's heavy-handed later years, it did mean that the people weren't starving. The second reason is that people were too afraid to rebel. If people were too afraid to even leave their homes, then they couldn't gather together to rebel. Though there were many criminals, these criminals never seemed to have gathered into open rebellion, perhaps because they were happy taking advantage of the chaos to be bandits. It was a fragile balance, and one that completely fell apart upon Tuoba Gui's death, as Tuoba Si's early years were plagued by rebellion.

The first event after this that will be discussed is the escape of the Murong clan, which happened shortly before Tuoba Si's escape.

Weishu volume 2: 秋七月，慕容支屬百餘家，謀欲外奔，發覺，伏誅，死者三百餘人。

"In autumn, the seventh month [of 409], the Murong relatives of more than one hundred families plotted to flee to outside. The matter leaked and they were executed, and the dead were more than three hundred people."

The Murong clan were the imperial clan of Later Yan, which Tuoba Gui conquered much of in 396-8. They likely fled because they feared that they would become a target. It's possible that Tuoba Gui's wife Empress Murong was executed as a part of this plot, as her death year is not recorded and she never received a posthumous title. Alternatively, she could have been executed in 411 as part of another Murong-led plot against Northern Wei.

This plot shows that even if there were no rebellions, there were likely defections to other states during this time. This could be because defecting to another state was safer than launching a full-on rebellion against him. It is also important to note that after 404, no other tribe submitted to Northern Wei, while in the years prior to 404, there had been tribes that submitted to Northern Wei due to both their military power and structured governance.

404 was also the year that Tuoba Gui conducted his last act of what could be considered capable governance. In the ninth month, Tuoba Gui examined candidates to create many new officials, employing them according to their talent, and created four noble ranks. In the eleventh month, he created 2,000 Xianbei aristocrats as titled nobility according to their talent and the honours of their clan. After 404, the records mainly consist of his imperial tours and construction projects, and of his execution of ministers.

Now we've discussed the political background, let's introduce ourselves to Tuoba Si.

Tuoba Si's position in his family is clear in the Weishu:

Weishu volume 3: 太宗明元皇帝，諱嗣，太祖長子也，母曰劉貴人，登國七年生於雲中宮。

"Emperor Taizong Mingyuan's naming taboo was Si, Tuoba Gui's eldest son. His mother was named Honoured Lady Liu. He was born in the seventh year of Dengguo [392] in Yunzhong Palace."

However, the Songshu records a different position:

Songshu volume 95: 開次子齊王嗣字木末

"Kai [Tuoba Gui]'s second son was the Prince of Qi, Si, with the courtesy name [actually should be Xianbei name] of Mumo."

So which one is correct? Doubt has been casted over the Weishu version, but I find it unfounded. Lady Liu had fled to Northern Wei along with her brother likely in 388-9, which gives her time to give birth to Princess Huayin and then Tuoba Si. She was not really a trophy wife but more in the same position as the sister of Liu Nuzhen, who had surrendered to Northern Wei around the same time - she had been taken as a concubine to form ties between Tuoba Gui and these surrendered Tiefu.

As well, that Tuoba Gui wanted Tuoba Si to succeed him is pretty clear in the Weishu.

Weishu volume 3: 天興六年，封齊王，拜相國，加車騎大將軍。

"In the sixth year of Tianxing [403] Tuoba Si was honoured as Prince of Qi, prime minister, and Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry."

The position of prime minister that Tuoba Gui gave to Tuoba Si showed Tuoba Si's intent for Tuoba Gui to make him his heir as early as 403. The titles of Prince of Qi and Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry are also the highest amongst his siblings, which again points to him being the eldest and preferred heir. Most of the time, when a ruler changes historical records, it's not as well covered as this. And considering that Tuoba Si didn't restart the official history project that was abandoned in 403, it was not logically feasible for him to change the official record in such a major way, and then cover it up so well.

I also don't really see the point in Tuoba Si changing his birth order. In Liu Song, when Liu Jun executed his two older brothers, he didn't need to change the birth order for legitimacy, even though he raised a military insurrection against them. This is because Liu Shao had already invalidated himself as legitimate when he murdered their father Liu Yilong, as patricide was an especially heinous crime. Northern Wei had a similar view of patricide to Liu Song, and since Tuoba Shao killed Tuoba Gui, Tuoba Si did not need to put so much effort into altering history in such a major way to make himself legitimate.

Tuoba Si, like most emperors of the target dynasty, is portrayed positively in the Weishu:

Weishu volume 3: 帝明叡寬毅，非禮不動，太祖甚奇之。

"The emperor [Tuoba Si] was intelligent, shrewd, lenient and resolute, and did not act without propriety, and Tuoba Gui extremely valued him."

This passage makes it seem as if Tuoba Si was the favourite son of Tuoba Gui. But in fact the favoured son of Tuoba Gui was Tuoba Shao:

Weishu volume 108: 初清河王紹有寵於太祖

"Earlier, the Prince of Qinghe, Shao, was favoured by Tuoba Gui"

But why did Tuoba Gui favour Tuoba Shao? Tuoba Si was the eldest son and born to his favourite concubine Lady Liu? It could be that Tuoba Gui favoured Tuoba Shao as he was the son of a woman from the noble Helan tribe, which had long intermarried with the Tuobas, and because Tuoba Shao was favoured by the old tribes, Tuoba Gui therefore favoured him. Alternately, Tuoba Shao had something - perhaps military talent, that was later erased after his downfall but that Tuoba Gui valued.

Tuoba Shao, of course, is depicted in a very unflattering light:

Weishu volume 16: 兇佷險悖，不遵教訓。好輕遊里巷，劫剝行人，斫射犬豕，以為戲樂。

"Shao's character was vicious, contrary, dangerous and conflictful, and did not obey moral instruction. He enjoyed frivolously wandering alleys and robbing pedestrians, chopping and shooting dogs and pigs, and considered this entertainment."

Given Tuoba Shao's patricide and eventual defeat, it is likely that some of this was exaggerated by either Tuoba Si or later historians who wanted to emphasise Tuoba Shao's lack of suitability to the throne. However, Tuoba Shao managed to lose his support base and the support of the people within less than a month, and he did kill his father and try to kill his brother, so he probably wasn't the nicest guy around, even if his description is exaggerated.

And even before Tuoba Shao's patricide, the brothers had a poor relationship:

Weishu volume 16: 太宗常以義方責之，遂與不協，恒懼其為變。

"Tuoba Si often used righteous teachings to rebuke [Tuoba Shao] and thereupon their relationship was not harmonious, and [Tuoba Si] constantly feared Tuoba Shao's upheaval."

Weishu volume 108: 初清河王紹有寵於太祖，性凶悍，帝每以義責之，弗從。帝懼其變，乃於山上祈福於天地神祇。

"Earlier the Prince of Qinghe, Shao, was favoured by Tuoba Gui, and his character was vicious. The emperor used righteousness to rebuke him, but Tuoba Shao did not obey. The emperor feared his upheaval, thus prayed for blessings from the gods of heaven and earth in the mountains."

This shows that Tuoba Shao and Tuoba Si had long had a poor relationship. It also shows that Tuoba Shao used his favour from Tuoba Gui and support amongst the old tribes to suppress Tuoba Si, to the point that he was praying for protection. How exactly Tuoba Shao tried to suppress him is unknown, but it is likely not recorded because it could show that Tuoba Shao had considerable support amongst the old tribes before his ascension. And if he did have support from the old tribes, then there must have been a reason. I feel like there's something about Tuoba Shao missing from historical records, but I'm not sure what. Maybe it's his support from the tribes, or some kind of actual talent, or both. It seems too one-sided.

Looking at the tension between Tuoba Shao and Tuoba Si, I think that Tuoba Shao was likely seen as a representative of the old tribes, while Tuoba Si was likely seen as a representative of the interests of the conquered peoples and more reformist Xianbei.

Weishu volume 3: 帝禮愛儒生，好覽史傳，以劉向所撰新序、說苑於經典正義多有所闕，乃撰新集三十篇，採諸經史，該洽古義，兼資文武焉。

"The emperor [Tuoba Si] revered and loved Confucian scholars, was fond of reading historical biographies, and because the "Garden of Stories" and "New Prefaces" compiled by Liu Xiang were lacking in traditional interpretations, he thus compiled 30 chapters of "New Collections", selecting the various classics, combining and discussing ancient meanings, and his combination of civil and military talent was there."

This passage showed that Tuoba Si favoured scholarship and education, which set him apart from many young nobles in Northern Wei at the time who honoured martial ability above all. These more martial-minded nobles could have looked to Tuoba Shao, who was perhaps more skilled in military matters, and whose mother was from the old tribes, as a representative. They could then have collaborated with Tuoba Shao to try and convince Tuoba Gui that Tuoba Si was unsuitable as heir, so that Tuoba Gui would remove him and train Tuoba Shao as heir. Dai succession was not rigid and an earlier Dai ruler could select anyone he liked to be his successor, and they could try and convince Tuoba Gui that Tuoba Si was too weak to tule, that he was collaborating with the Han, or that it would be more appropriate to make Tuoba Shao heir as the son of the old tribes than Tuoba Si, who was the son of a Xiongnu woman.

Another thing of note is that both Tuoba Si's Weishu biography and the biographies of the sons of Tuoba Si in the Weishu were both lost. I don't think this is a coincidence. This would have been lost in the Sui and Tang dynasties, so what is it from these biographies that the Sui and Tang historians didn't like?

Perhaps it's because, due to the Xianbei succession where it was often brother-to-brother, Tuoba Tao's succession wasn't as smooth as they wanted to believe. Or Tuoba Si had a perspective on traditional Chinese succession they didn't like (he was relatively Sinicised for that time of Northern Wei, as the Taiping Yulan based on the original Weishu records his scholarly interests, but he was still Xianbei). Or the Xianbei had a perspective on Chinese succession they wanted to hide, as the Sui and Tang ruling group were Sinicised Xianbei. The biographies of Tuoba Tao's sons were also lost by the Weishu, perhaps for the same reason. Two of the sons died shortly after Tuoba Jun came to the throne - perhaps they were executed after questioning Tuoba Jun's succession to the throne using traditional Xianbei horizontal succession, and this was hidden because it didn't fit with Sui-Tang succession views?

The next event is the death of Tuoba SI's mother, Consort Liu:

Weishu volume 3: 初，帝母劉貴人賜死，太祖告帝曰：「昔漢武帝將立其��而殺其母，不令婦人後與國政，使外家為亂。汝當繼統，故吾遠同漢武，為長久之計。」

"Earlier, the emperor's mother Honoured Lady Liu was forced to commit suicide, and Tuoba Gui told Tuoba Si: "In the past, Emperor Wu of Han when establishing a son would kill his mother, to not allow women to later partake in politics, causing consort-kin to create rebellion. You are to succeed me, and thus I am far-thinking like Wu of Han, creating long-term plans.""

This event is dated to the seventh month of the sixth year of Tianci {409) by the treatises on omens. So why did Tuoba Gui do this? I think he wanted to end brother-brother succession for good. And I think this is why the biographies of Tuoba Si, Tuoba Si's sons, and Tuoba Tao's sons were all lost: they revealed the prevalence of brother-brother succession in Xianbei culture. The Sui and Tang ruling group didn't want the brothers of the emperor or important nobles getting any ideas, and so they removed this facet of succession from Xianbei culture.

In 407, Tuoba Gui had executed his cousin Tuoba Zun, and in 409, he executed another cousin Tuoba Yi. He also removed Tuoba Shun from power and executed Tuoba Suyan. This shows a pattern of suppressing and eliminating his relatives. Tuoba Gui had no living brothers (according to official history... but we'll get to that later) and so his cousins would logically be the ones to succeed him under a traditional Xianbei system. The motive behind this execution of relatives was to force a father-son succession to the throne, using traditional Chinese customs rather than Xianbei customs.

The events after the birth of Tuoba Tao also show this intention from Tuoba Gui:

Weishu volume 15: 世祖之初育也，太祖喜，夜召儀入。太祖曰：「卿聞夜喚，乃不怪懼乎？」儀曰：「臣推誠以事陛下，陛下明察，臣輒自安。忽奉夜詔，怪有之，懼實無也。」太祖告以世祖生，儀起拜而歌舞，遂對飲申旦。召羣臣入，賜儀御馬、御帶、縑錦等。

"When Tuoba Tao was born, Tuoba Gui was pleased and at night summoned Tuoba Yi to enter. Tuoba Gui said: "When you hear of a night summon, are you thus afraid?" Tuoba Yi said: "I push honesty in serving Your Majesty. Your Majesty is perceptive, and I am always at peace. When I suddenly hear a night summon, my surprise is this, but I have no fear." Tuoba Gui told him of Tuoba Tao's birth, and Tuoba Yi rose up to sing and dance, thereupon drinking together until dawn. Tuoba Gui summoned the ministers to enter, and bestowed Tuoba Yi with imperial horses, imperial clothing, silk and other things."

What is the significance of this? Tuoba Yi was both an important general of Northern Wei and the next in line to the throne after Tuoba Gui's sons. Tuoba Gui summoned Tuoba Yi at night to test his loyalty to Tuoba Si's line. When Tuoba Yi expressed his pleasure, Tuoba Gui calmed his suspicions, and he therefore summoned the ministers as well to show Tuoba Yi's loyalty to his preferred heir.

It has also been speculated that Consort Liu was actually just a victim of Tuoba Gui's late-reign insanity, and that Tuoba Si framed her death as such for political legitimacy, which would be a smart move. Not only would it make Tuoba Si look like the heir all along, but it would also promote the traditional Chinese system of primogeniture, and there was likely a debate surrounding adopting Chinese succession practices all the way until 452. This claim would position Tuoba Si as being a supporter of the Chinese system.

However, given the records, I don't really see a problem with the official narrative. The narrative being changed by Tuoba Si is more speculative than anything, as there is no real evidence to back it up. The Songshu doesn't indicate Tuoba Gui having an heir, but he likely didn't have a crown prince anyway, as the system of a crown prince was likely not a thing in Northern Wei until 432. Instead, Tuoba Gui aimed to use things such as creating Tuoba Si an important general and prime minister, celebrating Tuoba Tao's birth, the night summon to Tuoba Yi, and the death of Lady Liu to provide a base for Tuoba Si to build on and to remove any challenges to his rule, such as another Tuoba relative. Tuoba Gui likely didn't kill Tuoba Yi at first because of Tuoba Yi's military talent; he wanted Tuoba Si to continue to use Tuoba Yi as a major general to expand Northern Wei's borders.

There has been recent theories about there being a conflict between the ministers from the old tribes and the pro-Han faction. I do agree with the premise, but I don't think Tuoba Gui was specifically weakening the pro-Han faction. The only two ministers who he trusted, Cui Hong and Cui Hao, were Han aristocrats, and it doesn't make sense they would be trusted if the pro-Han faction were suppressed. As well, though Tuoba Qian may have been an early traditionalist figurehead, he had been dead for 13 years by 409, and so was certainly not still leading the faction. Instead, I think that Tuoba Gui aimed to suppress both factions in order to transfer power from the factions to him and his lineage.

So why did Tuoba Si leave? Here's the official version

Weishu volume 3: 帝素純孝，哀泣不能自勝，太祖怒之。帝還宮，哀不自止，日夜號泣。太祖知而又召之。帝欲入，左右曰：「孝子事父，小杖則受，大杖避之。今陛下怒盛，入或不測，陷帝於不義。不如且出，待怒解而進，不晚也。」帝懼，從之，乃遊行逃於外。

"The emperor was always sincerely filial, and he could not stop his wailing, and Tuoba Gui was angry with him. The emperor returned to the palace, and he did not stop mourning, wailing day and night. Tuoba Gui knew and again summoned him. The emperor wanted to go, but his attendants said: "When a filial son serves his father, he accepts a small beating and avoids a large beating. Now His Majesty is filled with anger, and entering might have unforeseen circumstances, plunging the emperor into injustice. It is not as good as temporarily leaving, waiting for the anger to subside and entering. It is not too late." The emperor was afraid, followed this, and thus escaped to outside."

Tuoba Gui being furious with Tuoba Si for mourning his mother (who he murdered) is basically emotionally abusive, no matter what century this is. Add to this his mood swings and paranoia, and the conflict with Tuoba Shao, and it is clear that Tuoba Si was growing up in a very unstable and dysfunctional household. Why was Tuoba Gui angry with Tuoba Si for mourning? Perhaps he perceived Tuoba Si to be loyal to his mother's clan rather than to him? The Weishu doesn't explain why.

As well, Tuoba Si had earlier wanted to enter, likely as he thought that not entering was unthinkable, as it was an imperial summon. It was his attendants' words that made Tuoba Si afraid that his father had summoned him to punish or execute him, and so he fled. As running away from an imperial summon would be considered treason, I don't think that Tuoba Si would ever have been able to come back, and he didn't until after Tuoba Gui had died. Tuoba Si fled in the seventh month, and Tuoba Gui died in the tenth month.

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thisdiscontentedwinter · 2 years ago

Text

TLDR: Some bullshit drama

Well then. This has been a long time coming.

Some of you might have noticed that we removed the three cowritten fics we’d posted with Twisted Mind, aka Queerfictionwriter. Without getting too much into the reasons behind that, except to say that we’re both much happier without such toxic behaviours in our lives, the fallout has unfortunately been public.

Because Twist then reuploaded those three fics, without our permission. She has made no attempt to contact us to gain that permission, even though she has both our emails.

Here’s the author’s note from one of the fics. It’s the same author’s note on all three.

Let’s leave aside the fact that posting someone else’s words without their permission (and attribution is not the same as permission) is an incredibly shitty thing to do. For a moment, let’s look at the “recreating what was lost to the best of my ability.”

Fact check: When you delete a fic, AO3 sends every contributor a copy. There’s no “recreation” involved.

As you can see, when Bunnywest deleted A Stranger Comes to Town, Winter received a notification and the downloaded fic.

Likewise, nobody has to remember what collections they were in... because they’re right there?

As an aside, we have to admit we found it strange that Twist was so concerned about putting the fics back into any collections, given this is her policy on collections:

Interesting.

Anyway, please disregard all that nonsense about recreation, but please do enjoy the awkward moment when a helpful commenter suggested the Wayback Machine and Twist had to admit that “luckily” she had copies:

So lucky. Moving on.

In addition to our words being posted without permission, so was the artwork that Winter made for the stories. Is it good artwork? Hell, no, but it’s still Winter’s.

For the record, we would have zero problem if Twist wanted to repost these fics with Bunny and Winter’s contributions removed. Google Docs records all edits made in docs, and we have offered to provide her with her sections if she doesn’t remember which ones she is responsible for. Now while legally Twist might be in the clear to repost our words without our permission, thanks to Joint Copyright, we think we can all agree it’s against all fandom etiquette—and just generally a shitty thing to do, even with attribution.

Please enjoy reading this post of Winter’s that Twist reblogged, where a fic writer had posted someone else’s words and thought it was okay because they attributed the original author.

https://queerfictionwriter.tumblr.com/post/190597784626/and-we-have-some-plagiarism

And feel free to note the tags she added:

We can only assume the same rules of fandom etiquette don’t apply to her.

Okay, so this is all fandom bullshit, right? You’re saying it, and trust us, we’re saying it too. Who the fuck even cares about this, or the performative theatre taking place in Twist’s comments section? It’s so fucking stupid, and yes, you’re right! We had zero intent of getting involved in this bullshit, trust us. We were done. But that was before Twist took it beyond fandom.

So here’s where we look at the end note that Twist added to the reuploaded fics:

No dogpiling, huh? Well, since it’s a sensible social media policy for professional authors not to call out reviews, we won’t mention exactly what Twist did, but we’re sure you can guess. And yes, there are screenshots that tie those Amazon reviews to at least two of Twist’s close friends. But we won’t be posting them publicly since, unlike some people, we don’t just say “no dogpiling” and then point people in the direction to do it, we actually mean it.

They know who they are. Which is honestly probably punishment enough.

So no, Bunny and Winter will not be sharing the details of Twist’s toxic behaviour that took place over a long period of time in private spaces (but boy does Winter have a funny story about a computer keyboard!). But we will leave you to make up your own mind about someone who would take some irrelevant fandom bullshit and use it as the motivation to launch a spiteful attack on someone’s actual career.

And for those of you who are currently friends with Twist and can’t even recognise the person we’ve written about here, we know. We’ve been where you are now. Reach out in a few years, because that’s how long it seems to take everyone for the penny to drop. When someone mentions that they can’t maintain a friendship and that in the past people have ghosted her, it pays to remember that there might be a very good reason for that, and you’re only getting half of the story.

To the flying monkeys who are posting spite reviews on Amazon though, please don’t ever reach out. You are all allegedly adults—two of you are teachers—and here you are playing middle school games with someone’s career. We wish you nothing but karma.

In the meantime, and somewhat ironically, we’ve met a lot of lovely people through Twist. We’re leaving her toxicity in the past, but we’re keeping them.

Thanks for them, at least, Twist. They make it worth it.

#fandom bullshit

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amukmuk · 9 months ago

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Hi amukmuk, I'm very excited for the Chiss Ascendancy zine and would be willing to help mod, but I haven't worked in a zine before - what's the expected time commitment and actual tasks of the mods? I do have a busy schedule and wouldn't want to be forced to back out on you if I can't meet that commitment!

Heyo!

Full disclosure, I also have a crazy busy schedule so I plan to have long timeframes just so nobody feels like they have to crank something out in a week.

I've also separated out tasks below. Hopefully we'll have enough mods to do something like this!!

1. Social Media

In charge of posting informational and promotional material(s) to the zine's social media accounts, responding to asks/messages as well as keeping all pages up to date.

Should have experience and knowledge in posting on Tumblr/Instagram/Twitter as well as the common practice of tagging and etiquettes in Star Wars fandom spaces.

2. Shipping

Will survey the costs and suitability of plans for physical items and receive samples and final products from the manufacturers, repack for our buyers and then ship the packages.

Must have current residence in the USA.

Experience in shipping domestic and international packages from the USA is a huge asset.

Must have a printer.

You will work closely with Finance Mod.

3. Finance

Will receive and keep money from preorders and overstock sales in a bank account until it is donated.

Will purchase all products and pay all site and transaction fees out of the money received (you will not be spending your own money up front) and will track all income and expenses and keep digital receipts accessible.

Must have a debit card, a credit card, a PayPal business account (or a PayPal that you are willing to upgrade to a business account), a valid billing address and a social security number from the country of your residence.

You will work closely with shipping mod.

4. Layout

Will design the layout for the zine, how many pages, size of pieces, word count etc.

Will be communicating with the other mods and contributors to reconfirm the suitability of pieces, do readjustments where necessary etc.

Will also work with Graphics Mod where necessary.

5. Writing

Will moderate writer applications and the progress of written pieces for the zine.

Must be open to checking out contributors' progress and help them stay on schedule.

Might also become a default second copy editor.

Will also work with Copy Editor where necessary.

6. Copy Editing

Will help writers with their written pieces and become their beta readers once their work is ready -- especially for the writers who do not have beta readers.

Must have experience in writing and editing fiction -- must have a strong grasp of spelling, grammar, pacing techniques etc.

Will work with Writing Mod where necessary.

7. Art

Will moderate art pieces from applications and the progress of art pieces for the zine.

Must be open to checking out contributors' progress and help them stay on schedule.

Must be polite when giving out suggestions/criticism (only when sought by the artist) -- help the artist focus on their strengths etc.

8. Discord Server

Will be moderating and supervising the zine server, answering questions from contributors, enforcing rules and regulations, mediating conflict between server members, bring up questions or attention on certain issues to mods where necessary.

Must remain rational, objective and professional while communicating with contributors or while mediating conflicts -- regardless of differences in views/opinions.

Experience in moderating servers is a huge asset.

#ascendancy zine

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fragmentsoffatezine · 1 year ago

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Hey this is kinda related, but do you know what the etiquette is for fanbook PDFs? Like is it okay for you to have it and also send it as a gift to a friend? My sister was asking me that earlier today and I wasn't sure

Hello! So we can't speak for every zine out there, but this is our view.

Since digital zines are sent through email, it's perfectly fine to purchase the zine and put in your friends email to be sent to them. If it's past purchasing date, sharing is generally acceptable since contributors usually post their own pieces anyway. Some zine storefronts have a TOS with different policies so make sure to always double check.

We hope that makes sense. Thank you for reaching out!

#anon #faq

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milgramcf · 1 year ago

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Can we pitch more than 1 drawing? We are confident that we can submit at least 3 illustrations of different characters but we are grossly unaware of etiquette in zines.

Only one pitch per contributor is allowed.

#milgram #milgram fanzine

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commanderfloppy · 2 years ago

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🍑🎂🍕For Laurence!

Thanks for the ask! A nice mix for my little guy!

🍑: What sort of traits does your OC look for in a Significant Other?

I’m gonna be honest, Laurence is kind of terrified of the idea of an actual committed relationship. I guess someone who wouldn’t judge him, someone who he didn’t have to worry about being his ‘best self’ for.

🎂: Has your OC have any contradictory interests or traits to the first preception people have of them? How do they surprise people?

In some ways related to the first question, Laurence is the type of person who tries to hold a strong control over his perception. Any outward presentation is often some type of a performance for him, and there’s a certain ‘formal, witty, and dapper,’ mask he puts on when at most occasions.

So that being said there’s a lot of contradictions, (Good luck actually getting close enough to him to not see him donning some type of mask).

A few of his most notable ones (aka ones I can remember to write about).

First off he is actually awful when it comes to regular social interactions, the second stuff starts to become more intimate, or veers off some sort of predetermined track of social etiquette he is so lost. (Another one of the contributors to his fear of relationships).

Second (a more funny one), he really likes junk food and street food. Yeah sometimes fancy meals can be good, but once you get to a certain level of pompousness the food becomes more abstract, it’s now about showing off wealth rather than actually eating something good. Which is why he honestly really likes simple ‘low brow’ food. He will enjoy a random stick of cooked meat more than any fancy ‘artisanal’ meal.

Last one (a more deep oc thought). He really tries to be selfish, be someone who is focused on himself, his own endeavors, and isn’t caring about the stupid trials of others. But as soon as he sees someone going through hard times, someone he can help, god he cares so much. He wants to be able to not care, he already has a bit going on but..he just can’t.

🍕: How does an OC spend a lazy day?

This took me a bit of thinking because honestly he’s the type of person who is usually pretty busy, and turns any free time into time to do some other form of work or doing something he’s been meaning to do.

But on a rare ‘Lazy day’ where he has nothing to do and nowhere to go…

He’d probably spend time on personal skills and hobbies, play a little violin (try to improvise for once instead of playing some predetermined song), maybe attempt some cooking (He’s bad at it but wants to be better). Maybe have a bit of a ‘spa day’, make sure he’s taking care of his skin and hair, maybe paint his nails.

#ask game answers #Laurence Bellamy #shout out to elf for giving me a lot of extra laurence thoguhts recently #love thinkin about him and wakeland and all the shit they go through #(and how stupid they are)#a bit of a deep look into laurence's personality here..#you might've gotten a few glimpses of 'awkward laurence' at the Rp event when certain things caught him off guard #again once he can't figure out a role to play his social abilities go down the toilet #He has two modes #'formal mode' where he is doing his best to be confident and suave #and then 'disaster mode' which is what happens when he isn't out of the house or on business

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dxisiesdukes · 1 year ago

Text

introducing our resident mean girl/bad bitch...well re-introducing. it’s me kip again (friendly reminder, they/them), this is miss deiji and her updated intro and sorts. i’ve realized i’ll have to go update some of their profiles too. but here is her profile, kprofile, and pinterest! bellow is her organized info!

—— welcome to infinite entertainment! it's HWANG ‘DAISY’ DEIJI, who is the LEADER of BRAVEHEART. i’ve heard whispers that the 27 year old is pretty INDEPENDENT but lowkey HEDONISTIC. also, doesn’t he remind you of SEO SOOJIN ?

pre-debut

she was born april 11th, 1997 to hwang song-dok and choi nanseolheon in seoul, south korea

while her parents were very successful (her mother a surgeon and her father a high merit professor/author and a big active contributor to academia). she comes from chaebol old money as well that dates back to her family's original settlement in the centralized and urban area of seoul.

she’s the oldest of four, and very much treated like so. her parents put a lot of emphasis on her role as the eldest daughter. she learned a lot of her ‘homemaking skills’ early.

she and her parents have a tumultuous relationship, they can be a bit over bearing even now on wanting her to be successful. once ‘the littles’ were born, deiji was casted off, left to meet high expectations. her mother seemed to be in competition with her girls while doting on the youngest and only boy. leaving daisy to make sure they had their basic needs. at times even his, her parents so caught up with spoiling that actual parenting took a back seat.

this pushed her need for successful rebellion. she became her own woman and going by her own rules while her parents struggled to reign her in. sneaking out a lot and engaging in things much too high above her age level.

she grew up fast taking care of them and herself, and in turn lost a lot of having a childhood making sure her siblings had theirs.

from a young age she was forced to be a role model and the pinnacle of perfection, even when she was slightly mediocre in a lot of things. this led to strenuous schedules and constant practice, deiji pushing for a perfection in things she couldn’t exactly reach.

she was enrolled in ballet, voice lessons as well as some instrumental lessons (guitar, piano, and violin) around the age of 5 or 6 or so. there were often etiquette lessons as well

her time in ballet led to a lot of issues with her body image, even worse when she was continuing the practice abroad. she developed body dysmorphia and bulimia early on in her ballet career, though over her years as an idol she’s been working on a better weight image and relationship with food. while she found so many issues wrong with her coming from ballet, she did adore it and found it as an escape from the constant competition her mom had her placed under

when she entered her last few years of middle school she was sent to study at brighton college in brighton, england. at brighton she began a lot of healthy and unhealthy habits. she found a love of theater and and singing, and even gaming (now becoming her favorite past times), but also other things like taking drugs to cram for school, and smoking cigarettes (a habit she’s working on quitting)

she graduated brighton at age seventeen, her parents instantly pushed for her to do something to ‘make them proud’ bc they were tired of her sitting on her ass after graduating and college wasn’t an option, she did well in academia but had no desire to continue it.

in her need to become better than ‘them’ (her parents) and prove them wrong she went for the thing that would sate her needs to be desired and yearned for, while keeping her in a fast pace life style of scheduling that she’d grown used to growing up. coming across a national audition video for vibe productions on youtube, deiji submitted a video of her doing ballet, a performance from her dance days, and a small clip of her singing. she ultimately was asked to come audition for the company and landed a spot as a trainee.

her trainee days she fell into the natural routine of taking over being ‘the top spot’ she was ‘good’ at everything but all the other girls excelled in those categories. and yet they seemed cower beneath her, leaving daisy to take on the ‘regina george’ persona early on. she pushed to be SEEN by the company

a big issue with deiji during her trainee days is that she was ‘good’ at everything, but not outwardly phenomenal, something she dealt with growing up.

at debut

debuted at 19 (trained for a little less than a year and has the shortest trainee period out of the group which adds to fans distastes to her as leader and center as they don’t feel like she’s worked as long or as hard as the other girls, her pretty face being the reason she made her positions in the group.)

she’s a lead vocalist and lead rapper, visual and center in the group, official place holders would be jennie, onda/aisha and karina roles, mostly center just for visual effect

while she won them over with her striking visuals, often deiji was painted as the ‘mean girl’ before she ever really opened her mouth. netizens often commented on her rbf or the way she walked or talked, and in most moments she was the target of ridicule, fake bullying scandals and the works

despite that, she gained a quick crown for being a good leader over all, and quickly after was well known for her brother also joining the industry following her own debut

during career

she often did and still does get ridiculed for the family she came from. often said that she’s a shit idol and only debuted bc she was pretty and rich

one thing about deiji is that she is a PERFORMER, this comes from her theater background and is essentially why she ended up in her spot in braveheart as her ability to put on a show with more hip hoppy moves (due to bravehearts concept and ballet/contemporary/lyrical being her only dance experience) overshadowed her lack of skills.

her expressions and sensualness when performing is what she’s known for today as an idol. as well as being extremely poised and ‘naturally idol’ trained. this meaning her a ability to connect with fans, cameras, staffs etc. she’s also notated for her perfect posture and the way she holds herself in schedules.

but the constant spotlight that came with more negatives than positives daisy found herself in the secret party scene. there have been multiple instances where blurry photos of her in some dim seoul night club has surfaced and her slight addiction to c*caine began to emerge.

even still daisy put up a brave face, just as before with her family, even if she had to squeeze bl*od from her palms in order to make it through.

over time she’s grown to be very vocal about any mistreatment and things that her group gets, will address a hate comment and will not let hosts/mcs ask inappropriate questions, speak up about inappropriate styling for younger members etc etc.

during her career as her friendship with michelle became public she had been dubbed the dragon princess to her ice queen, and boy does she live up to that title

infinite tour

key moments of the infinite tour could include a big scandal that was narrowly avoided, deiji was photographed dancing proactively with another woman at a club on tour, and while the photos didn’t get much of a chance to circulate, she ended up in the hotseat with company and truthfully still slightly is.

this lead to her having doubts about herself and the group, feeling as if her insidious need to not feel anything and run away from her problems through booze, sex and drugs was ruining the group’s reputation.

there were many attempts to get sober on tour, but most if not all fell through. she’s still working on it.

during the tour she debuted in her first official subunit v!olet with a groupmate and a tidal member, the group has a rebellious, creepy, rock sound and allows her to explore her other talents when it comes to her ability to play instruments.

she also released two solo eps both on her birthday each year of the tour xoxo and lowlife princess

canons/personality tidbits & quirks

she’s an aries (sun), sagittarius (moon), and leo (rising) (i am not sorry for this full fire big three)

27 years of age

often the english fronter and mom of the band, fans love her british accent.

she’s gonna take care of you, no one is sick or sad around her.

she can come off as a bit cold, or head strong but the independence she has is the reason for it, she’ll be a softie for the right people. often goes viral for when she goes off on staff/stands up for the treatment of her members and other female idols.

super active on the braveheart socials and often does vlives just vibing to music, cooking/eating and gaming

bisexual, liberal, feminist queen, openly supportive to all demographics out loud.

she cares a LOT a LOT about her image, not in a pristine and perfect way, but the perception of herself to others. she’s often well dressed/put together and is rarely seen outside with a hair out of place even if dressed down, poised when sitting, eats “prettily” etc etc.

when things get mad mentally she tends to go on benders especially when touring as foreigners may not know her, i apologize she sucks. thought like i said before, she was working on this. she’s already known as infinites party girl and sometimes it does bother her.

her favorite games are fortnite, animal crossing, cod and valorant (very original i know) she also has a segment where she plays scary games on console and pc. she travels constantly with her switch and laptop and headset.

as much as ballet was traumatizing to her she still finds it as a place of comfort and often practices new and old routines if she has time

she is currently in some form of relationship thing with her best friend

she is the global brand ambassador for porsche, tiffany & co. and chanel , is the only foreign ambassador of porche

fans find her british accent endearing but notes that her demeanor changes drastically if she’s speaking in english

overall deiji is a very cher horowitz type of girl. call it a coping mechanism or her true evil she doesnt care as long as she wins the game. she struggles a lot internally but it takes a special type of person to see that underneath her mask. its when the mask slips that she turns to other means of gratification but she is trying hard to move forward with out the opinions of others weighing so heavily on how she lives her life. in truth she loves being an idol but is on a long bus to self destruction. picture her as your hedonistic socialite. the smile is always gleaming but there’s a sinister glint in her eye, if you don’t hold a special place in her heart. she’s known to have a knack for treating others like they’re beneath her even if she doesn’t intend to which pays homage to how deeply ingrained her socialite life is into her.

updates post tour

deiji is now working on some more solo work that is going to be a big deal for her.

she’s begun working on her relationship with food as well as drugs somewhat seriously.

she plans on doing more twitch streams for the fans and getting back into gaming on her channel now that she has the time and her set up back

diligently preparing for v!olet’s next comeback.

she actually kind of finds the reality tv aspect kind of cool and is wondering what type of interest this will bring for her groups and the others.

more updates as the post tour plot goes on!

connections/wanted plots

♡ almost is never enough; this an ex-situationship plot, (m/f/nb) they were on their way to really being something but it just never quite got there, very much the one that got away.

♡ needy; growing up deiji was very much unable to be a child or person with ‘needs’, this included affection and things due to her parents neglect, it kind of made her suck in a way, but she does /can be needy and you allow her to be comfy enough to do that for her, this causes her to be attached to you.

♡ popular; your muse takes their craft seriously, and the idea that someone slipped through the cracks possibly for their connections makes you wary of deiji as an artist and idol. It’s led to some tension that’s starting to pour into the public world more and more as it festers

♡ when the party’s over; deiji knows when she spirals i can be a bit hard, not only on her but on you as her friend as well, and yet you’re always there to pick her up when she’s past out over a toilet. (seonhwa)

♡ god is a woman; daisy has a number of destructive coping mechanisms and you are one of them. whenever the going gets tough she finds herself at your door, in your bed, in your head. its all sweet nothings off course, and maybe you hang on every word she says, only for you to become nothing more than a simple acquaintance when its all done. but beneath it all she appreciates you being there, being and option and though she may not show it she considers you a backbone for her when hers begins to waver.

♡ industry bff/childhood bff

♡ teacher/mentor that helps her hone in her skills

♡ mother figure (since her mother was barely one at all)

♡ a frenemy that see right through her ‘perfect’ bs

muse overviews and analysis

♡. character study #1 - 'the trouble of youth'♡. character study #2 - 'the stage' ♡. the muse as zodiac signs ♡. favorite stage outfits: blackpink / everglow / aespa ♡. general task #1 ♡. character study #3 - 'the idol': photoset 1 / 2 / 3 / analysis & viral moments ♡. through the eras - hwang ‘daisy’ deiji ♡. playlist #1 - diary of a mad ballerina (subject to be replaced/updated) ♡. muse tag+

#infinite:intro #incase you were wondering #she's still the worst^tm #as i said on kai's everyone's profiles will be getting the necessary updates too!#tw: bulimia mention #tw: blood mention #tw: body image issues #tw: body dismorphia

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moneeb0930 · 2 years ago

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The date of birth for Julia Ringwood Coston, one of the first black women to edit a magazine, is unknown. We do know that she was named after Ringwood farm in Warrenton, Virginia, where she was born. While she was still an infant, Ringwood moved to Washington D.C. with her family and attended public schools there. She had almost completed school when her mother died and she was forced to withdraw.

In the spring of 1886, Ringwood married William Hilary Coston, a student at Yale University who eventually became a minister and writer. They had two children, a daughter, Julia R. in 1888, and a son, W.H. in 1890. The family settled in Cleveland, Ohio where William Coston was pastor of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church. William Coston was especially encouraging of Julia’s writing interests and gave her advice based on his experience as a writer.

In 1891, Julia Coston, realizing that white journals ignored black interests and themes, decided to create her own journal: Ringwood’s Afro-American Journal of Fashion. Concerned with the suffering and hopelessness of black women in the South, she believed that press editorials could be effective in protesting their inhumane treatment. The twelve-page journal, which had a yearly subscription fee of $1.25, provided advice on homemaking, etiquette, and fashion.

Ringwood’s Afro-American Journal of Fashion carried illustrations of the latest Paris fashions along with articles, biographical compositions of outstanding black women and promising young ladies, instructive articles for women and their daughters, as well as love stories. At the time, it was the only fashion magazine for blacks in the world.

The journal received tremendous praise from its readers and other noted publications. In 1892, Rev. Theodore Holly, then living in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, wrote that Ringwood’s Afro-American Journal of Fashion was already the leading magazine in that nation while the Philadelphia Recorder declared the magazine a welcome addition to any home, white or black. Victoria Earle (later Matthews), a black New York society leader, wrote that the magazine was a major source for instruction and guidance in home organization.

Julia Coston strongly supported and encouraged women writers through her journal and allowed younger contributors to gain publication experience there. She also believed these writers were good role models for the journal’s target audience.

For two years, from 1893 to 1895, Coston published a second journal: Ringwood’s Home Magazine. It was not as successful as her fashion magazine though, and she eventually stopped publishing it.

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literaticat · 2 years ago

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Hi Jenn! I’m the one who asked about fanzines. I DO think contributors will get paid for their work, which is why I’m a little scared. Would that cause any legal issues?

OK I literally still DO NOT KNOW what you are talking about. Legal issues about WHAT? You aren't planning to publish YOUR BOOK in a Fanzine, right? (Don't! That would be a problem!) You are, as I understand it, thinking of just writing an article or something about your fandom, and then linking to your own website/work/whatever so that if people like your article, they can find out more about you and your work? Right? That sounds fine to me unless I'm missing something?

In your original question, you asked: Would it be bad to apply for a fanzine to write a piece about another media (one I genuinely love) and link it to myself and maybe my own work?

As I said in my original answer, I have no idea why that would possibly be a bad idea, unless it is just not the done thing in the fanzine world? Like, they would think it was "bad etiquette" or something? (I am not saying they WOULD think that -- just, that's the only even potential problem I can think of?)

Somebody else in the comments said: I think this is basically asking whether publishing in an unpaid zine would count as a "debut," for publishing (which afaik it would not, since it's unpaid?). Or else it's asking whether it would be bad to connect their professional name to their fannish activities.

If either of those is your question --

1) absolutely not, writing for magazines (paid or unpaid) is not the same as writing a book, and would in NO WAY make you no longer a "debut" author.

2) I don't see why it would be a problem unless, like, your fandom is uh.... weird? And inappropriate for the audience of your book? Like ... if you are super into explicit sexual fanfic about Blues Clues, and you've written a children's book... maybe DON'T connect those two worlds? Otherwise, I don't see an issue.

If NONE of these are your question.... then either you need to figure out a different way to word your actual question, or ask somebody who knows more than I do! :-)

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dearestaeneas · 2 years ago

Text

ceo of Feeling Weird has logged on, boys!

here’s part 1 of what i expect to be at least 3 parts? maybe more? i want to play with how i do world building and go even harder into how i tend to mess around with tenses and narrators. this was meant to be a vent piece, but we haven’t even gotten there yet, babey! who knows if that’s what this’ll even evolve into. take this for now!

word count: 1056

---

Listen: Mara has been replaced.

You know it, I know it, everyone here knows it.

We do not know where Mara is, but the woman in front of us is definitively not her.

She doesn’t even look like her, but no one here seems to care. I certainly don’t.

Not-Mara stepped out of her car and knocked on the front door, beaming with pride as she handed our host an expensive bottle of white wine. Mara does not drink wine. Not-Mara wore her hair up, collarbones exposed and pale cleavage concealed just enough by her gown’s neckline. She possessed a traditional femininity that would never even whisper in Mara’s mind to present itself as an option.

She smiles and chats, polite and boring, as demanded of all dinner party guests. She even says a handful of words to me, although I could not for the life of me recall them. They are forgettable and unnecessary and she says them with a conviction foreign to Mara. Mara does not care about appearances. Mara does not care about etiquette. I do not remember if it was her the invitation was addressed to, or if Not-Mara was the intended guest. Surely it must have been the former.

I believe she’d been excited for the party, or at least tried to be. Although Mara did not care for appearances, she at least understands that a certain level of face must be presented in social niceties. Politeness and attempts at conformity are well within her wheelhouse, and I do believe she truly wanted to want to come.

That does not matter, however.

Our host has summoned us to the dining room, and Not-Mara sits across from me. She sips her own wine, swirling it in the glass and making comments as to its quality in terms I barely understand. The man beside her, who is fat and mustachioed, laughs heartily and responds conspiratorially, leaning in so only she can hear him. She laughs in turn, a delicate, tinkling affair. Mara’s laugh is not like that. Mara’s laugh alternates between high and squeaking and bark-like.

I do not know the man Not-Mara reacts to. I know and do not know everyone in this room, all faces familiar and foreign to me. I imagine they feel the same.

Food is placed before me, and I eat. It is good. I do not know what it is. Different shellfish have been placed in front of my fellow guests, and I assume that is what lies before me as well, although all I can see is gray sludge. Edges of the sludge crack, and juice spurts out, as if I were cracking a claw. I am sure that is what it is, although I cannot confirm this.

I fear I make myself sound a prude. I was not simply an observer in this affair, but a raucous contributor. I laughed with my mouth full, responding to queries and comments with the appropriate politeness and charm. I was the picture of a perfect dinner guest. We all were.

“I’m glad to see you, my dear,” our hostess said, addressing Not-Mara. “Considering the alternative.” She enunciated the word, her ‘t’s’ lethal. The guests murmur their agreement, my own voice mumbling its assent. Not-Mara shrugs mid-sip before grinning brightly as the wine glass leaves her lips. A red kiss sits on the rim.

“As if that were an option,” she replies coyly. The hosts laugh. Their laughs are fake, practiced.

A thin wire of a woman huffs into her own lobster-shaped sludge. Her blonde hair is as wiry as her body and frames her gaunt face in a haunting manner. Everything about her seems the same pale shade, but which color that shade belongs to I cannot tell. “I do not know why you tolerate her.” Her voice is tinged with an accent I cannot place. “No reasonable person should have to.”

Murmurs of agreement ring out again. Our light conversation is steadily replaced with the sounds of silverware clinking on plates and chewing.

It isn’t that I dislike Mara. That certainly is not the case. She has her own charm, misplaced though it may be. Her eyes are dark and inviting, playful and fiery. It is inappropriate and I perceive it with the necessary distaste. I would like to believe that she could find her own people and be loved in the way humans deserve, but such a thing requires someone willing to give that love in the first place. I do not think Mara has that. Certainly not from me.

Not-Mara is lovable. Even as she eats silently all eyes in the room fall on her, mine included. She is charming in the way one should be. It is appropriate.

“Who says I tolerate her?” Not-Mara asks suddenly. She speaks with an accent Mara does not possess. There is no influence of the city tinting her words.

“How could you not?” The host asks. He dabs at his mouth, removing invisible crumbs.

“Darling,” her voice drips with the polite condescension of the upper class. “I don’t even speak of her unless I’m forced to.”

The fat man chortles. “Starving a memory is one way to kill someone.”

“Is she dead?” The wire woman pipes.

He rolls his eyes theatrically. “Do you even listen?”

Not-Mara smiles with the air of one accustomed to addressing fights between children. “Not literally,” she says kindly to the woman, while placing a hand gingerly on the mustachioed man’s forearm. “Although, who can really say?” She smiles again, as if she has a secret. I am entranced.

Dessert is served. I do not know what it is. I eat it and it is good. My fellow guests have custards and cakes in front of them, and I assume that is what lies before me as well. The sludge crunches and crackles between my teeth.

We retire to the sitting room and the men smoke, the scents of tobacco rising from our pipes and settling into our clothing. Not-Mara taps her cigarette on its case, looking expectantly at me. Her eyes are inviting, but not dark. They are not playful; they are hard. I lean forward and light it for her, the match pinched between my thumb and forefinger. She thanks me with those hard eyes and leans back in her armchair, smiling.

#original writing #writing #original story #original character #original characters #fantasy #fiction #fantasy writing #fiction writing #writeblr #writers on tumblr #dinner party #unreality #repost #also if you point out that that's my name you're homophobic<3 #something something complexities of identity etc

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ddelline · 8 months ago

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apart from the fact that being of the opinion ‘contributing to fandom at 30 is embarrassing’ is embarrassing only for the people (guaranteed to be aged 12-20 almost exclusively) who actually think that

man, I’m turning 30 next year; I’ve been in fandom since I was 12. If there’s one thing I’m happy about it’s that I will still be contributing to fandom at 30—I’m churning out my best fic/discourse/version of myself yet, so imagine what another year is gonna bring.

full disclosure I likely was of the same (loser) opinion when I was….. 12. but I also had a lot of loser opinions when I was 12. bc I was 12. the people who taught me the ropes as a snot nosed child were mostly older than 20. they taught me fandom etiquette, history, and brought me into the fold. I’m absolutely a better contributor for those people.

tl;dr shading fandom contributors bc they’ve lived longer than yr 14-18 years on earth is embarrassing, but if you’re nice some cool fandom elder is gonna teach u that! so thank f*ck for all ‘older’ fandom contributors—countless corners of the internet are all the better for them. entering my personal fandom elder!era fresh unbothered moisturized and in my lane

Reblog for a larger sample size!

No "show results", if you're not a fanfic writer just be patient.

I saw a post about an anon saying it was embarrasing to have an ao3 account in your 30s (it's absolutely not), so I want to do a poll and see what the age range actually is.

#whichever loser fandom kid made me want to write ‘respect yr elders’ for the first time ever #I will find you #and I will look fwd to hearing yr opinion on the same subject #when u turn 30 #fr tho y’all respect yr fandom elders #they’re braver than the troops #also #if I left fandom earlier than early 20s #when I became a decent writer #and left my moots w only my cringiest writing to remember me by?#that would have come back to haunt me #hashtag Fandom Discourse #ddelline’s fandom elder blog

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freenewsreport · 1 month ago

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Write for Us Casino: Contribute to the Growing Online Casino Industry

Welcome to FreeNewsReport! If you’re passionate about the exciting world of online casinos, gaming trends, and entertainment, we invite you to contribute to our platform. In this blog, we’ll cover what it means to “write for us casino” in the casino industry, the benefits, and how to create content that captivates readers. We aim to help prospective writers, business enthusiasts, and casino experts bring valuable insights to our readers, showcasing their expertise while expanding their online presence.

Why Write for Us? Unlocking Benefits for Contributors

1. Boost Your Online Authority

Guest writing for a reputable site like FreeNewsReport allows you to showcase your knowledge and insights on gaming and casino trends.

Establishing yourself as an expert in the casino niche builds credibility with readers, creating a foundation of trust.

2. Drive Traffic to Your Business

By contributing casino-related content, you’ll have the chance to reach a targeted audience of gaming enthusiasts, potentially directing traffic back to your own website.

Link back to your business, blog, or profile, increasing visibility within the online gaming community.

3. Engage with Like-minded Professionals

Contributing to FreeNewsReport lets you network with a community of writers and professionals with shared interests, fostering potential collaboration and learning opportunities.

4. Enhance Writing Skills in a Unique Niche

Writing about casino topics provides an opportunity to refine your writing for a specialized audience, developing a tone and style that resonates with online casino readers.

Casino Topics to Consider for Your Guest Post

The online casino industry covers a wide range of themes that offer fresh perspectives to engage readers. Here are some popular topics we encourage you to explore:

1. Casino Game Guides and Tips

FreeNewsReport readers are always looking for guidance on playing different casino games. Consider writing in-depth guides for games like poker, blackjack, roulette, or slots.

Share your best strategies or secrets for winning, while keeping the content fun, informative, and easy to follow.

2. Gaming Trends and Industry Insights

Research and write about emerging trends in the casino world, such as virtual reality casinos, cryptocurrency gambling, or mobile casino apps.

Explore technological advancements and innovations reshaping the gambling experience.

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Compare online casinos by evaluating their features, bonuses, game selection, customer service, and more.

Provide honest, unbiased insights to help readers make informed decisions on where to play.

4. Casino Etiquette and Responsible Gambling

Discuss the importance of responsible gambling and the ethical practices players should adopt.

Include tips for budgeting, managing emotions, and spotting the warning signs of addiction.

Problem-Solving Content: Tips for Writing Engaging Casino Articles

Creating compelling, problem-solving content that addresses common questions and concerns in the casino industry is a great way to connect with readers. Here are some ways to make your casino articles engaging and valuable:

1. Understand Your Audience’s Challenges

The typical casino enthusiast has questions about improving their chances, selecting reliable casinos, and making the most of bonuses.

Address their needs by identifying challenges, like understanding bonus terms or choosing the right games for their skill level.

2. Present Clear Solutions with Step-by-Step Guidance

For casino guides, structure your content so that readers can easily follow your advice. If you’re discussing how to play a game, break down the rules in easy-to-digest steps.

For example, a “Beginners’ Guide to Blackjack” could include sections like “Basic Rules,” “Hand Signals,” and “Top Strategies to Improve Odds.”

3. Incorporate Real-Life Examples and Case Studies

Give your audience practical examples they can relate to. For instance, you could use real-life scenarios to illustrate responsible gambling strategies.

Case studies from online casinos can also show how specific strategies, such as bankroll management, positively impact the gaming experience.

4. Make Use of Lists, Tables, and Visuals

Readers love content that’s easy to skim, especially when browsing for casino guides. Use numbered lists, bullet points, or tables to make key points stand out.

Visual elements, like screenshots of game interfaces or tables comparing bonuses, improve clarity and reader engagement.

Submission Guidelines for FreeNewsReport

If you’re ready to contribute, please adhere to the following guidelines to ensure your content meets our quality standards and resonates with our audience:

1. Original Content Only

Submit unique, high-quality articles that haven’t been published elsewhere. We take plagiarism seriously and only publish original work.

Your content should be fact-checked, with sources cited if necessary.

2. Adopt an Informal, Conversational Tone

At FreeNewsReport, we believe in presenting content that’s accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Use a friendly, conversational style and avoid overly technical language.

This approach works well for casino content, making it more engaging and enjoyable.

3. Focus on Problem-Solving and Practicality

Remember, our readers are looking for actionable tips and guidance. Structure your content to solve common problems or answer frequently asked questions about online casinos.

Articles with a clear problem-solving approach perform best.

4. Keyword Usage

Incorporate the keywords provided (“write for us casino”) naturally within the content, ensuring they flow seamlessly with the overall message.

Avoid keyword stuffing, which can hurt readability and search engine optimization.

5. Word Count and Structure

Aim for articles between 800-1,200 words. Break up your content with subheadings, bullet points, or numbered lists.

Include an introduction that hooks readers and a conclusion that reinforces the main takeaway.

6. Submit in Readable Format

Send your completed article as a Google Doc or Word file with accessible sharing permissions.

Ensure you’ve proofread for grammar and spelling errors to keep your writing polished and professional.

How to Get Started: Join the FreeNewsReport Contributor Community

Pitch Your IdeaSend us a brief overview of your proposed topic. Let us know the main points you’ll cover and how you’ll make it unique to our platform.

Write and Submit Your ArticleOnce your pitch is approved, craft your content with attention to quality and readability. Submit it by following our formatting guidelines.

Promote and EngageOnce your article is published, feel free to share it across your social media channels. Engage with readers through comments, helping answer questions or expand on points covered.

Build Your PortfolioWriting for FreeNewsReport is an excellent way to build a professional portfolio in online casino content. Take this opportunity to establish your name in the industry.

Conclusion

The world of online casinos is expanding, with new trends, games, and challenges emerging regularly. By writing for FreeNewsReport, you have the chance to be part of this dynamic field. Whether you’re an experienced casino enthusiast or new to the gaming world, we welcome your insights, ideas, and creativity. Start your journey with us, share your expertise, and connect with an audience that shares your passion. Happy writing!

#Write for Us Casino #business #casino

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manchesterislamic · 2 months ago

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Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls: A Nurturing and Empowering Environment

Education is a key pillar in the development of individuals, and for Muslim girls, it’s essential to have institutions that provide not only academic excellence but also an environment that nurtures their Islamic values. In Manchester, the Muslim Prep School for Girls has become a beacon of quality education tailored to meet the needs of young Muslim girls. This blog explores the significance, environment, and holistic approach taken by the school to empower the next generation of Muslim women.

1. A Brief Overview of Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls

Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls is a dedicated institution that provides primary and preparatory education to young Muslim girls. The school, founded with the aim of offering a balanced curriculum that combines both secular and Islamic education, strives to create an environment where students can thrive academically while maintaining their religious identity. With a focus on building character, the school has become a trusted institution among the Muslim community in Manchester.

2. Vision and Mission of the School

The vision of Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls is to provide a space where young Muslim girls can receive an excellent education, grow in their faith, and become positive contributors to society. The school’s mission emphasizes producing well-rounded students who not only excel academically but also embody strong Islamic morals and values. It seeks to create a learning environment that instills confidence, self-discipline, and a love for lifelong learning.

3. Curriculum: Balancing Secular and Islamic Education

One of the key aspects that sets Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls apart is its balanced curriculum. The school offers a comprehensive academic program that aligns with the UK national curriculum while incorporating Islamic studies. Subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies are taught alongside Quranic studies, Arabic language, and Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh). This dual curriculum ensures that students are well-prepared academically while also having a strong foundation in their religious knowledge.

4. Islamic Environment: Preserving Faith and Identity

For many Muslim families, ensuring that their daughters maintain their Islamic values and identity is of utmost importance. Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls provides an Islamic environment where faith is an integral part of daily life. The school encourages students to observe Islamic practices, such as regular prayers (Salah), modest dress (hijab), and proper etiquette. Islamic morals, such as honesty, respect, and compassion, are reinforced in the classroom and during extracurricular activities.

5. Extracurricular Activities: Beyond the Classroom

In addition to its strong academic program, Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls offers a variety of extracurricular activities that contribute to the holistic development of its students. These activities range from sports and physical education to creative arts, debates, and community service projects. The school encourages students to develop their talents and skills outside of the classroom, fostering teamwork, leadership, and social responsibility. These extracurricular opportunities ensure that students are well-rounded and prepared for challenges beyond school life.

6. Fostering Confidence and Leadership in Young Girls

One of the primary goals of Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls is to empower its students by building confidence and leadership skills. The school encourages girls to take on leadership roles, participate in public speaking, and engage in community service initiatives. Through these activities, students learn to be articulate, confident, and empathetic leaders who are capable of making meaningful contributions to their communities. The school’s emphasis on personal growth and leadership development has earned it a reputation for producing strong, self-assured young women.

7. Parental Involvement and Community Engagement

The success of Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls is due in large part to the involvement of parents and the wider Muslim community in Manchester. The school places a strong emphasis on building a partnership between teachers, parents, and students to ensure that the educational experience is as enriching as possible. Regular parent-teacher meetings, community events, and workshops are held to engage parents in their daughters’ learning journey. The sense of community fosters a supportive and collaborative atmosphere, ensuring that each child receives the guidance and encouragement they need to succeed.

8. Achievements and Success Stories

Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls has consistently produced high-achieving students who go on to succeed in secondary school and beyond. Many of the school’s alumni have excelled academically and pursued careers in fields such as medicine, law, education, and business. The school’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals is reflected in the success stories of its former students. These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of the school’s holistic approach, which combines academic rigor with Islamic values and personal growth.

Conclusion: Nurturing the Future of Muslim Women

Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls plays a vital role in shaping the future of young Muslim girls by providing them with a strong foundation in both academic and Islamic education. The school’s nurturing environment, balanced curriculum, and focus on personal development make it an ideal choice for parents who seek a comprehensive educational experience for their daughters. As the school continues to grow, it will undoubtedly remain a cornerstone of the Muslim community in Manchester, empowering the next generation of confident, educated, and faith-centered women.

By creating an environment where academic excellence and Islamic values go hand in hand, Manchester Muslim Prep School for Girls is not only preparing students for the challenges of today but also for the opportunities of tomorrow. These young women will carry forward the lessons learned, both in their faith and education, as they contribute to the broader society with confidence and integrity.

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