Pitch post question

[clevermanka]

Hey, all! Elizabeth and Gav of The Rec Center took me up on my offer to write a guest post for Guardian. Yay! and also Eeek!

In addition to the basic sell, I want to compare the subs on Viki with the subs on YouTube (since I prefer the YouTube ones) but I haven't watched the entirety of the show on Viki. The episodes I did see on Viki used "undergrounders" and "demi-humans" instead of Dixing and Yashou. Is there a word they use for Haixingians or is it just "human," and does use of those words (undergrounders, demi-humans, whatever they use for Haixing) continue through the series?

I'd like to give an angst warning, too, just in case. Do you think this is sufficient without being spoilery or discouraging? "Please be aware, this show is an emotional roller-coaster and follows the model of a lot of other Chinese romances. If you are emotionally fragile in These Trying Times, you might consider spoiling yourself. I did (I am emotionally fragile so I spoil myself for everything), and it didn't diminish my enjoyment or feels in the slightest."

Still pondering which fics I'm gonna recommend, so if you don't want me to include one of your fics in the post, please let me know!

Lastly, is it cool if I put a link to this comm in the post? I don't have a clue how many people subscribe to The Rec Center newsletter, but I think they've got a fairly large audience.

Thank you for your advice/thoughts/suggestions. I love everyone in this bar!

Comments

[kimboo_york]

AAA so exciting!

I don't have much to contribute other than to comment re: angst warnings/spoilers. When I come into a new fandom that's the first thing I do and so I very much appreciate a "heads up" warning that lets me know that I should go find out what the issue and/or ending is before engaging. I think your warning as written works well for that. That said, if people don't know the "model for a lot of other Chinese romances" (as I did not) then it might just be confusing. I'm not sure how to rephrase that or what else to reference that might not be considered outright spoilery, though? :( sorry to be no help whatsoever!!!

BUT I'm excited to know you are getting this chance to spread the love!

[clevermanka]

That's actually very helpful, thank you!

[kimboo_york]

FYI if you haven't seen it yet, malimutan just did a great "starter pack" for Guardian here, that you might consider including? It's public:
https://heipaoshi.dreamwidth.org/23958.html

[clevermanka]

I don't think I'm comfortable linking to people's journals, even public entries, but I'm definitely including that in my own resources posts. Thank you!

[trobadora]

This sounds exciting! Yay for spreading the word. :)

And sorry I'm no help with the rest of it, but linking to the comm is absolutely fine. The more, the merrier! :)

[clevermanka]

Appreciate the nod on linking to the comm, thanks!

[asya_ana]

The spoiler thing is so hard. I was spoiled for the end in a very vague way, but I kind of wish I hadn't been. Still, the way things specifically unfolded still surprised and delighted me. I'd lean against warning because people could always find that out on their own if they are concerned. Maybe saying it's an emotional roller-coaster is enough to give people a heads up that this isn't the sweet fluff it appears to be at first <3

[clevermanka]

What do you think of this:
"Please be aware, this show is an emotional roller-coaster and may result in more Feels than expected."

[asya_ana]

I love that! It's fair warning but also tempting. And definitely true.

[clevermanka]

Yay! I knew I'd get good answers here. Thank you, bb!

[asya_ana]

BTW I'm *super excited* at your recruitment drive. Spread the Guardian love! \o/

[mekare]

Yes, great phrasing without giving too much away.

[clevermanka]

Thanks, bb!

[forestofglory]

That's so exciting! I get The Rec Center and I'm looking forward to getting this in my inbox! And for new people to learn about the fandom!

Are you going to talk about the censorship issue? There's lot of conversation about queerbaiting going around in my fandom spaces these days so maybe it would be good to mention why the drama can't be even queerer.

[clevermanka]

This is what I put re: censorship. "The book's overt romance was removed and magical aspects were transformed into "science" in order to accommodate Chinese censorship laws, but the show creators (and actors) managed to skate just under the edge of plausible deniability to keep the love story (codename #socialistbrotherhood)."

[forestofglory]

That seems good!

[clevermanka]

Thanks! I hope I don't leave anything out or wind up misleading people... part of me wants to post the whole thing here for approval and then I'm like Manka, get a fucking grip. *sigh*

[forestofglory]

I'm sure you'll do a great job. But if you are feeling nervous about it you could ask someone to beta it for you?

[clevermanka]

BRILLIANT.

[mekare]

Congratulations! And also thank you for introducing me to this site I had no idea existed? I just went back through entries and found a perfect rec list for 'characters who have to put themselves back together' which included 80% of my all time favourite fics? It was a great reminder to reread those (especially the Trek one, I remember it being SO FUCKING GOOD). <3

[clevermanka]

Yay! I subscribe to several weekly newsletters and The Rec Center is by far my favorite. So happy I could introduce you to something awesome this time!

[solo]

Oh, wonderful you're getting a chance to get more people into the fandom! I think the level of spoiler (emotional rollercoaster) is about right, I wouldn't go beyond that.

Do you think you could include a link to my subs in your post? Thing is, I know of people who were actively put off by the subs on the streaming services, so anyone willing to actually download stuff could get a much smoother (and more comprehensible) viewing experience. If there's anything I can do to make them more accessible, please just tell me.

More power to you!!!!

[naye]

I'm just seconding this - I have someone who was interested but almost gave up because of the poor subs, and was saved by solo's subs!

[clevermanka]

I was actually going to send you a message to ask about that. I will definitely include a link to your subs! To confirm: is this the URL you'd like me to use?

[solo]

Yes, that's a good one to use because it also has the options for downloading with or without Chinese hardsubs, and I hope to have enough room to put the HD Chinese hardsub versions there too.

[clevermanka]

Thank you!

[umadoshi]

Very cool! Looking forward to reading your post. ^_^

[clevermanka]

It's such a great newsletter! Happy to know there are other subscribers here.

[china_shop]

Woohoo, yay! *\o/* *\o/* *\o/*

(And seconding the yes, link to this comm, yesss! \o/)

[clevermanka]

😃