Issue 1000 Discussion

[Duke Pikachu]

So, are we going to start discussing the upcoming Issue 1000?

I've just begun working on an article (a "sequel" to my 700th issue article looking back at past collabs & special issues, but while that one only went back 100 issues, this new one is spanning 300 issues).

[Twillie]

I don't have any specific ideas for Issue 1000, but I have a feeling my previous strategy of running a comic series through milestone issues won't work this time, considering their stricter criteria for themed issues. Still debating how hard I want to try for this issue, because on the one hand it's a big milestone and I'd love to be a part of it as a huge NT fan. But on the other, I've got tons of publications already, two of them milestone issues, and I've just got a feeling there'll be drama around this issue no matter what on who does and doesn't get in. Maybe it's still worth trying for it and seeing what happens; ultimately it's on the Editors for what gets in and how smoothly everything goes.

That being said, I'd need to brainstorm a good comic idea. My immediate thought is to celebrate iconic comic series throughout the years (something similar in cameo level to this comic), but for older characters especially I don't have a way to contacting their creators and getting permission, and I don't know if it'd be in bad taste to cameo them without. If not that, maybe some kind of crossover with current comic creators who'd be interested? I feel like those don't happen as much in general these days, and that used to be a classic way of celebrating milestones, so it could be fun to bring back for this issue.

[Stephanie (swordlilly)]

Oct 27, 2023 21:43:30 GMT -5 Twillie said:

Still debating how hard I want to try for this issue, because on the one hand it's a big milestone and I'd love to be a part of it as a huge NT fan. But on the other, I've got tons of publications already, two of them milestone issues, and I've just got a feeling there'll be drama around this issue no matter what on who does and doesn't get in.

I feel the same way. Part of it too is that since I've returned to teaching, I am more aware now of the age gap between myself and the students, and I realize that a lot of the people currently struggling to get in are in their early twenties. Getting in would mean a great deal to them, just like it once meant a great deal to me when I was that young. It just feels kind of wrong to constantly be taking up space when the new generation also deserves a chance, you know? And in many ways the game is already much harder for them than it was for me. Back when I completed my sea shell album, the total price I paid for the whole page was about 10 million NPs. Now it's nearly twenty times that.

I guess I just have a hard time seeing the frustration and the struggle as "drama" when it's clearly a need that's not being met.

Anyway, here's hoping that our new community ambassador is able to pass on the feedback and that issue 1000 will go more smoothly than issue 975.

[downrightdude]

I need some inspiration! *sets somebody's house on fire*

Since I haven't done much this year, I would like to be in Issue 1000. I've been dreaming of being in Issue 1000 since the big bang occurred, so I need to think up a story/article/something else ASAP.

[Duke Pikachu]

Considering this is a HUGE milestone being reached, not only am I sure they'll allow more people than usual (even compared to past anniversary issues), they'll maybe also make some exceptions to rules.

Obviously the stuff they accept have to be good quality, but maybe they'll allow for bigger than usual collab articles, stories, & comics. A lot of people, especially those who previously gotten something into the NT, are going to want to be part of the 1000th issue and I'm sure TNT also would want it to be a super special issue. So, if you're having problems of thinking something by yourself, maybe consider collabing with some people. Brainstorm a big idea, each member takes (a) part(s) of that idea or their own interpretation of it, and combine it into one project. Doesn't even need to be restrained to a single article/story/comic, I can see there being multiple stories and comics (maybe articles) which connect to one another in ways like sharing story beats or characters from one making cameos somewhere. This is a time to not only think big but think with having a group. Maybe also the time to have people who simply do the job of editors & artists who don't submit their own work but offer to make illustrations for multiple works, which of course they'll get credit.

Like, if I was TNT, I'd very much make the 1000th issue of the TNT a big deal and dedicate at least a day to it (maybe asking for an event is too much, but maybe do a pseudo trick-or-treating thing and have characters give out NT-related items so everyone can join in this big achievement; maybe something Herdy could suggest as the Community Ambassador for Games & Site Events).

[Breakingchains]

I've been eyeballing this issue for like. A year lol.

I've really only submitted for the times on rare occasions, but hey, I got into issue 500, I gotta get into issue 1000. I'm still brainstorming for an idea that matches the theme, since I assume those will get priority.

Assuming the NT launches on schedule, it'll also be the first issue of the new year, so you could probably do something with that. First day submissions open up is likely to be December 29th, the day issue 999 comes out. So I intend to have something to submit on that date in the hopes of getting ahead of the rush.

[Kat]

I have a series in the system entitled A Hero's Journey: Squire which I had hoped would run into issue 1000 (it's 12 parts) but it has not been responded to in over a month. I've been in my share of milestone issues but it's just that...for one thing, this is THE 1000, and I don't even know if they will finally rerelease an NT prize I missed during my long hiatus. Not to mention, I missed issue 500 - I went on hiatus shortly before that. Perhaps if this were issue 1025 and I was informed ahead of time that it would issue a Neopian Times Coin like before I probably would've shrugged and moved on.

But issue 1000 is the perfect time to whip out an old prize for the occasion. (And then it turns out to be one I already have whoops.)

Should my series kind of...continue sitting in the system for another month, I have Plan B and C.

Plan B: A sequel to Farewell, Mister Bananeopian from the April Fool's issue. Andler, the main character, takes up writing and is nervous about the launching of their first book and feels like no one's reading their work - except maybe their roommate, Loisse. Klaudet, a seasoned author who first appeared in A Hero's Journey: How to Meet Your Heroes, shows up to reassure Andler that just because they don't get fanmail doesn't mean no one reads their work - and even shows them his latest novel, which has a foreword from Klaudet's most famous fan.

Plan C: A Hero's Journey: Journey of 1000 Pages. In which Rohane just can't finish a 1000-page novel because something always, always comes up. All bets are off when his book is caught in the crossfire.

One is serious and is sort of also my pep talk to myself. The other is typical, nonsensical Kat fare.

shrugs

[Stephanie (swordlilly)]

Oct 28, 2023 0:36:55 GMT -5 Duke Pikachu said:

Considering this is a HUGE milestone being reached, not only am I sure they'll allow more people than usual (even compared to past anniversary issues), they'll maybe also make some exceptions to rules.

Obviously the stuff they accept have to be good quality, but maybe they'll allow for bigger than usual collab articles, stories, & comics. A lot of people, especially those who previously gotten something into the NT, are going to want to be part of the 1000th issue and I'm sure TNT also would want it to be a super special issue.

I really hope so. I guess I'd feel better about participating if these words of reassurance came from TNT themselves or at least from one of their current ambassadors. The memory of issue 975 is still just really fresh in my mind and I still feel sad about the many people who submitted good work early but were kept in limbo. The protest board was up for several days afterwards and never received any acknowledgement from TNT. The more recent Halloween issue wasn't handled well either - in that case, it was the late submissions that were kept in limbo instead.

I get that there's a shortage of paid staff hours but it's just saddening and frustrating from the perspective of a player to have these kinds of experiences. If TNT held a gofundme or something to hire a dedicated, full-time editor like we used to have in the past, I'd contribute, but as of right now I just don't feel good scrabbling for what feels like very scarce in-game resources.

[Themeguy]

I know some people feel that the vets taking spaces from newcomers is bad, but this is a once in a lifetime milestone (Especially now that we're on a bi-weekly format, it will take a little over 38 years to hit the next 1000 issue assuming the site even lasts that long), and I'm 100% going to try my hardest to be in this one. The NT is SO important to me and my plan is to make a very sentimental comic about how the NT has basically followed me for most of my life.

I am really hoping that they end up letting this issue be as huge as its milestone. I would love to see as many people as possible be a part of this one.

[Lex]

Figure I'll carry this over from the discord.

I think I'll be sitting this one out. I have no plans for a personal entry BUT I am open to collabs if anyone wants to. Would be fun to do something with other people.

[June Scarlet]

Kind of torn about Issue 1000, honestly. I would really love to be in it, but I also worry about things going bad like 975.

I'm considering doing a collab for it, seems like a good compromise and a good chance to do something fun as well.

[Kengplant]

Part of the feedback gathering Lex and I have been doing (see neopets general here on the NTWF and Writers Chat on the Neoboards) has been to hopefully smooth things out before 1k hits.

Our reasons for wanting to get into 1k are no less valid than those who want in for the avatar. (insert zuko joke here). If it was any other milestone I'd sit out, but the NT was a huge part on my path as an artist, and I was excited when I got back into neopets that 1k was going to be coming up soon!

I'm hoping we're able to find solutions so everyone gets a chance to compete and participate AND lots of people get the avatar.

Some feedback I'd like to add to the list for the Ambassdor is a section specifically with suggestions for NT1k.

Everything from taking a break before the NT to give more time to make the issue bigger, or as a special case for 1k, also awarding the avatar for NT 1001 so people have a chance to resubmit what doesn't get in. (I would not recommend this for every milestone, but 1k should be special! And it would help ease the pressure of trying to fit it all into one issue).

If anyone has any other ideas I'd love to hear them! Nothing is guaranteed, but I'm hopefull with the ambassador's program we can at least be heard and TNT can brace for impact next year one way or the other.

I'm sad to see so many people discouraged from participating in such a big milestone for our community, and I spent a lot of time considering if I would compete even in 975 because I know the avatar means so much to collectors but didn't want to miss my chance too incase I wasn't able to make it into 1k. And now that 1k is coming I'm also haunted by the drama of 975 and don't want to see a repeat and considered sitting out.

But 1k is too big to not at least try! There's no guarantee we'll get in if we even submit. And that's ok too. I'd prefer an equal competition of everyone trying their best, and will be trying to help best I can on the boards for anyone who's looking for advice about submitting comics.

[Moni]

I haven't really touched the NT in a few hot minutes but tbh, I don't think people who are like, really into the NT and who like it on its own are wrong to want to be in special issues. Like yeah, there's an avatar, but nobody is owed a spot on such a milestone just because they really just want the pixels. Just wait until next year or try anyways if the 50x50 pixels is really that important. Don't cry because the people who are actually consistently engaged in that part of the site and contribute regularly to it want to participate in it. The avatar is a nice bonus for people who get in, not *the* reason for the special issues existing.

Like it's okay to give more slack for newbies or w/e. I'm not going to be like "the Neopian Times is the holy grail of literature," but I don't think people who are the most invested in that feature should feel bad about wanting to get in.

[Stephanie (swordlilly)]

Oct 30, 2023 20:03:07 GMT -5 Moni said:

I haven't really touched the NT in a few hot minutes but tbh, I don't think people who are like, really into the NT and who like it on its own are wrong to want to be in special issues. Like yeah, there's an avatar, but nobody is owed a spot on such a milestone just because they really just want the pixels. Just wait until next year or try anyways if the 50x50 pixels is really that important. Don't cry because the people who are actually consistently engaged in that part of the site and contribute regularly to it want to participate in it. The avatar is a nice bonus for people who get in, not *the* reason for the special issues existing.

Like it's okay to give more slack for newbies or w/e. I'm not going to be like "the Neopian Times is the holy grail of literature," but I don't think people who are the most invested in that feature should feel bad about wanting to get in.

For sure, I'm more just pointing out that there is scarcity. There is not an infinite amount of resources and space available for everyone. A lot of people don't experience the NT as a friendly, welcoming, wholesome showcase of creative work. They experience it as a cut-throat, competitive, even arbitrary competition where they try and try and try and don't get heard. I think it should be okay to talk about how cut-throat it is.

[Lex]

Oct 30, 2023 23:06:51 GMT -5 Stephanie (swordlilly) said:

I think it should be okay to talk about how cut-throat it is.

I don't think cut-throat is the word I would use to describe it.

Competitive, but there's no malice... from TNT or from the submitters. Every single regular that I've seen interreacting with people who are trying to get in do everything they can to help and encourage. No one is deliberately trying to sabotage anyone else by entering stories about their blorbos/etc.

At the end of the day, it is still a contest and a competition. Not everyone will get in. But the nice thing about the NT is that you can just keep trying, most submissions can be reused.

Big, important issues like 1000 are going to be very competitive, sure. But I think the solution to that is for TNT to be better about communicating deadlines and for accepting as many submissions as is reasonably possible. Not for people who want to participate to sit out so people can get the avatar.