Status Report (About illustrations, explanatory text, etc.) [Let's Start a Publishing Company 17]

I no longer remember how much I have written on note. So, I think I will give a general status report.

■ The website is finished

It is a great era where you can whip up a website like this in no time (that's a lie, I struggled to death).

■ The cover is almost done

...but I am currently considering the color scheme for the cover. Well, the leading candidate is the color scheme of the top image.

The person who created the wonderful illustration is A-ko (did I introduce her here already?).

She was participating in the community and was always posting wonderful illustrations on note, so when I asked her, she readily agreed.

And she finished it with a gloomy expression that depicts the sense of stagnation in society. I think many people will feel as if this expression is a reflection of themselves (I am one of them).

I think I gave a very difficult order. It was an abstract order like, 'I don't want a lounging pose that just gives the impression of being lazy, but I want you to draw an atmosphere of being oppressed by society, without it being obviously oppressed.'

However, within just a few days, she understood my intentions 100% and added 300% of her own creativity to finish this illustration. 'Ah, this is going to work,' I thought. She is also drawing various other illustrations for me, and she is participating in meetings regarding printing (or rather, I am such an amateur at printing that she is helping me a lot). Thank goodness...

■ I also had explanatory text written

(...did I write about this here too?)

The person who handled this is Philosophy Channel.

They mainly upload videos on YouTube that explain philosophy in an easy-to-understand way. I was originally a fan of his and watched his YouTube often, but one day, news caught my eye that Philosophy Channel was starting a project to launch a reading cafe.

Moreover, it was said that anyone could freely participate in that launch project on Discord (*recruitment is currently closed). I participated out of curiosity, and I was saying whatever I wanted within it.

To tell the truth, the reason I decided to turn the publishing company launch into a community was because I witnessed the reading cafe community being operated successfully. There are no fees. There are no restrictions. Even though it is a community with doors open to everyone, it is filled with productive discussions, manners are maintained, and it is operated pleasantly. So, I thought, couldn't I do something similar? (As a result, the community on my end is also doing well! This is a world without labor, based on the theory of human goodness!).

And, fortunately, Philosophy Channel also came to my community. He offered to help with something.

I have always thought that anti-work philosophy needs an objective commentator. Because from my own self-centered perspective, I cannot view it objectively.

The philosophy channel, which has deep knowledge of philosophy and basically shares information about it from a neutral standpoint, was perfect for that position. So, I asked him to write the commentary. The result was a ready acceptance.

However, there were conditions. Conditions such as "I don't completely agree with anti-work philosophy" and "I will write that honestly." For me, that was actually exactly what I wanted to achieve the goal of objectivity. There is not a shred of persuasiveness in mutual praise among insiders. Then, by the next day, he had finished a masterpiece that couldn't be better (I want you to look forward to this until publication).

■ PV created

It's a simple piece quickly whipped up with the image materials I had on hand, but it looks surprisingly decent.

■ Business cards, flyers, and nameplates are also done

It's a good era where you can make things quickly.

■ Searching for a printing company

I am currently contacting various places.

■ Community management

Before I knew it, the number of members exceeded 40. I feel like it's starting to run in a good way. I still don't refuse those who come and don't chase those who leave (I do write things here that I can't write on note. I think it would be interesting if you took a peek).

■ Applied for crowdfunding

■ Still haven't established the company

Negotiations with my current employer are hitting a bit of a snag. I can't just go ahead and set things up before I've sorted out the situation, so I'm letting it sit for a while.

■ Current impressions

If you rush into things too much, it doesn't end well. I'm trying to keep in mind that I should slow down a little.

However, as things start to take shape like this, I find myself getting excited. The thrill of moving a large project forward. And it's not just through my own efforts, but by coordinating with a team. I'm getting help from the members with various things outside of the explanations and illustrations as well. I think everyone is probably enjoying it.

That's all from the field. I'll continue to do my best to make it work.