Damn, some ideas are just too silly to resist. Via Neil Gaiman’s journal, a site called DearInter.net. You ask a question and the internet tells you what to do.
Being in a particular silly mood and not having anything else on my mind, I asked it the most perplexing question of our time. I am very curious to see how it pans out. My money’s on the last option.
As you were.
So my follow-up to the Pig is called The Crow Who Could Fly… and while I work on the art and text and all the other fiddly things that go into making one of these suckers, I thought I’d post a preview. The words may change a bit, but this is basically what you’re in for. Hope y’all like it!
”I INVENTED FLYING!” yelled the crow, “and if you want to keep on flying, you had better be nice to me! If you don’t, I will fly after you no matter where you go, and gobble you up!”This scared the butterfly so much she lost three spots on her wings.
Just then the crow’s tummy grumbled like this: WAKAWAKA-BIDDLY-DOO-DAH!
So he said: “I have an idea, little miss butterfly… if you bring me a snack every Monday at noon, I will not eat you at all, and you can keep on flying.”
The Show is always a great way to start my day, but today’s Wal-Mart bit made me spew coffee all over my computer. (Poor computer, always taking hot caffeinated baths. Actually, that doesn’t sound half bad…)
I mean, just seeing the video from the Wal-Mart corporate video folks was funny enough, but the commentary added a whole new level of stupid to the enterprise. If teh internets folk were cohesive enough to run an Emmy-type awards show, this man would walk away with a bunch of statues.
Whenever I think I’m turning into a soulless sell-out after a quick buck, I will remember this post and know I’ve got a long way to go.
I have just decided that for the not-really-going-to-happen audiobook of the Crow book, Ze Frank should narrate. I mostly want to hear him say “BADABADA-PLIPPER-PLONG-PLOOP!”
So here’s the deal. The license to The Pig and the Box is currently CC-NC-SA, which prohibits folks from selling whatever derivative works they make. It has been argued that these terms will stifle creativity, and that by using it instead of CC-SA is a half-assed statement on the importance of free culture.
So to remedy the situation, I am going to try out a theory that many have tried before: after-the-fact patronage. I have set up a group action at Fundable.org which aims to switch the license of the book to CC-SA, making it free for all. If I raise the required amount within 25 days, I’ll re-release all the translations under the new license*, culture as a whole will triumph, and angels will sing in the heavens. Or, well, something.
So what does it cost to Free the Pig? 100 people pledging $20 each. It’s not much, but I know it’s a lot.
To make it a better deal for y’all, I’m offering a secondary incentive: if you pledge your money and help free the wee piggie, I will send you a signed copy of the book. (Note: the value of my signature on a limited-run book has been estimated at anywhere from $0.0003 to $0.05, depending on the kind of pen I use). You’ll have to pay shipping, but only because sending stuff to places like Australia costs half a million dollars.
As always, half the profits go to Oxfam, so you’re doing good while doing good.
Relatedly, I’m very close to being able to offer my book for sale via Lulu.com, and I intend to keep selling it that way if and when the Pig is Freed. Those books should cost about $13 plus shipping, based on current estimates. And you can frighten people with a Lolipop Jones shirt at the Spreadshirt store (click the bunny above).
I don’t know if this is going to go anywhere, but I want to give it a try. If it fails, I don’t think CC-NC-SA is all that bad… but I do agree it feels right for the swine to be as free as he can be.
Thanks to all, and have a Merry Christmas.
* Update: The ever-clever Crosbie has pointed out that the translations will remain CC-NC-SA until the translators decide to re-license their text. At the moment that includes Chinese, Danish, French, German, Italian and Spanish. [list will be revised as I get confirmation from the various translators]. Thanks, Crosbie!
Updated again: It’s pledging, not donating. Thanks again, Crosbie 
Minor Update: It’s been said in a few places that I’m trying to raise $2,000 to change the license… but when you consider each book I print will cost me about $10 and about $1 to prep and package, I’m actually only trying to raise $900, half of which I’m giving to charity. $2,000 for a picture book comes off as a bit loony, I thought. Just wanted to clarify that
Better late than never. I’m going to try and get each new episode out by Tuesday from now on. Arbitrary day, but it’s good to have a schedule.
So the two answers from last time were stinkers. 1842 as a year to jump to, and he’s being chased by “Wizzling”?! What’s WIZZLING? Actually, I was wondering if there’s some kind of spambot mistaking the submission page for a mailto form. Some of the entries are just wacky.
To thank whoever-you-are for “1842″, I set the scene in a very specific time and place, with a very specific person, and I will now use those elements to frame the entire story. I won’t say anything more, so you all have to go look up what I’m talking about. Nyah, nyah, nyah.
I’ve gotta say my drawing skills are slipping as time goes on. My art practice is actually making me WORSE. Not a good sign. Luckily, the extra shadows and smoke covered a lot of the crappiness up
The questions and their answers from the 250-some pairs (yay Pig!) were:
What is making the hissing noise?: Wizzling.
What year does Merc jump to?: 1842.
HELP SHAPE THE NEXT EPISODE… FILL IN TWO TEXT FIELDS AND MAKE MY LIFE HARDER!
To help shape the next episode, click here.
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