How you can help

Does the scene need help? Yes, of course! Because the scene is more than just authors and publishers, it’s really composed of all the fiction enthusiasts out there. This is one of the few times that you, as a consumer, can have a say. So get involved—if not with RDSP, then with some other publisher that you admire. The tips below will work to support any author or publisher. And, the more you help one of us, the more the rest of us benefit. That’s because the more people get excited about books the more all of indie publishing will make inroads. Thanks for taking the time to check it all out!

Simply mention RDSP and its titles as you go about your business. For instance, if books come up in conversation.Let a friend borrow your book after you’ve read it, resell it to a used bookstore, or donate it to organizations in need of reading materials. If you want to take it a step further you could add quotes from your favorite RDSP titles to your sig, post them on your site, or even mention RDSP books at message boards or newsgroups.

We don’t condone reprehensible activities like spray painting our name on walls, or streaking with our logo on your back at the Super Bowl…but we can’t stop you from doing such things either, now can we?

Hey, this one is easy. Since it’s hard to do this day in and day out authors, editors, and publishers are highly motivated by correspondence with those interested in their work. Simply join our Livejournal community and begin posting away! You’ll find all kinds of helpful insights about publishing there.

Also, you can join RDSP on MySpace, or one of the groups dedicated to our individual authors. Visit their websites for info about joining these groups, signing up for their newsletters (including the award-winning Goreletter!), or how to contact them directly. If you can’t find their contact info simply send mail to the author care of RDSP, 5103 72nd Place, Landover Hills, MD 20784, USA—or send e-mail to editor@rawdogscreaming.com.

We all look forward to hearing from you and sharing our thoughts. Oh, another cool thing: if you live in the Washington, D.C. area you can actually meet with the editors and even some of the authors!

Care to chain yourself to a flayed canine howling at the top of its lungs? There are no weak links in this chain—we all benefit. You can just do a text link on your site, or use one of the many banners we keep handy for such occassions. Either way let us know so we can provide a link back to you. And, feel free to use our LJ community to reach out to like-minded folks who might want to exchange links.

If you find any articles, essays, or other media related to RDSP either in print or on the Internet, let us know if you don’t see it on our site. Sometimes these things fall through the cracks.

And, if you or someone you know is interested in writing a school paper on our books, interviewing our authors, having our authors as guests on your show or site, simply contact us and we’ll make it as painless as possible…honest…[insert evil laughter here].

One of the most important things for books is reviews, so if you have some thoughts on our books you might consider contacting one of the publications that publishes reviews. Many of them are starved for reviewers and welcome fresh faces.

One of the great things about the computer age is how empowered visual artists have become. And while we can do a lot, we still need help from our friends every now and then. If you have RDSP-oriented avatars, icons, banners, cartoons, or random art, spread them around through your site, or friend’s site, or newsgroups. Better yet, send them our way and we’ll make sure all RDSP fans have access to your cool creations via our downloads section and fan art gallery. Your art will be shared worldwide instantaneously. Again, you can use our LJ community to swap with others.

Sure, our titles are sold through a plethora of online outlets, but only a few of them distinguish themselves by featuring customer reviews. These are especially helpful. Take five minutes and let others know what you really think about our books—either good or bad.

Reviews can be posted at Project Pulp, Barnes&Noble, and Amazon. And last but not least is the Shocklines message board where you can discuss our titles with other readers of dark and bizarre literature. Plus, you can talk directly with a large number of authors there! Another cool feature available only at Amazon is their “recommend a book” program. Just find the Amazon product number of our titles and link them to similar books that you enjoy.

Okay, you probably live somewhere off the Internet, where brick-and-mortar book stores and libraries exist. Want instant gratification? Go to your local book source and pick up a copy. However, if they don’t happen to stock our titles, you can always get them to order the one you want. Sure, it involves talking to people and that can be icky, but our authors will sing your praises for making such a sacrifice.

Personally, I recommend getting your library to stock our books, because then your and your friends can all read RDSP titles for free.

Something that benefits not just RDSP, but the publishing community as a whole, is when more people read on a regular basis. Reading groups are a great way to motivate multiple people to do just that. We’re not just talking RDSP reading groups here—any kind of reading group is a good thing. it can be an informal get-together at residences of various group members, you can meet at your favorite coffee shop, you might even get a library or bookstore to sponsor it.

There are also a number of online reading groups if you can’t find enough people with similar interests in your area. To assist you in getting the most out of our titles we have developed a line of study guides, available for free in our reading guides section.

Every time you use your RDSP mug or shirt or bumper sticker you’re letting the people around you know about our titles and authors. You don’t even have to say a word. How cool is that?! Not to mention you’ll be on the cutting edge of hipness. Hey, it’s not just for you either—buy our unique products as gifts for friends and family who are interested in the same things you are. Spread the screams. We have a wide range of products available at http://www.cafepress.com/rawdog.

You’ve seen pics and descriptions of all our events on the site, and you said, “Golly! Wouldn’t it just be the tops if Raw Dog Screaming came to town?” No need to ask—you know it would!

So how does a thing like that happen, anyway? Well, it takes a ridiculous amount of work to manage all the details. With that in mind, there are four things you can do to help:

Spy for us.
We don’t know about stores in your town, so give us the name, address, and phone number if possible. If you can, please let us know who handles the events, too.

Spy on us.
Record our panel discussions or readings in either video or audio format so the whole world can benefit online. Or, take photos and share them.

Take part.
We can always use somebody “on the ground” to help communicate with the store, distribute fliers, or get regional reporters to attend.

Become a kennel master.
Yes, sometimes the Raw Dog needs a place to crash for the night. We promise not to howl too loud, or leave too many unsightly blood stains. Sofas and floors welcome.

Again, stay in contact with us. The RDSP authors and editors are always doing some kind of event in the continental United States, so it’s likely that we might be in your area. Come see the event and hang out with us too!

Think you’d like to carry out more than one of the above missions for RDSP? Maybe you should consider becoming a full-fledged member of the Raw Dog Screaming Street Pack. Holy mackerel, those Street Pack members have saved the day more than once.

Not only do you get to take a stand for the indie publishing scene, you get a nifty title and a write-up on our site, plus advance info and special offers from the company. Kids in your neighborhood will think you’re cooler than Mr. T and Godzilla combined. It won’t take too much time out of your schedule and you’ll be a part of the RDSP worldwide family of friends, authors, and nutty people.

To join up contact editor@rawdogscreaming.com.