[arg_discuss] White Paper: ARGs in Publishing

[Evan Jones]

Sure thing Michael - it sounds like you're on the right path and keeping it
narrow to publishing will aid the project.  Just offering some suggestions
for historical touchpoints.

I'd agree that it's most appropriate that this whitepaper serve as a
practical guide.  With that in mind (and just to stir the pot a little), is
history the most helpful starting point?  I'd certainly argue that many
disciplines must begin with history (why did I learn chemistry with early
models of the atom?) - but it seems now that all of the popular books are
focused more on 'best practices' (ostensibly from some guru).  Is anyone on
the list able to offer themselves up as the intended audience?  It'd be
great to ask around to see what they are seeking as a reference tool.

Also - please consider all of this empty rhetoric since I feel I've
disqualified myself by not dedicating the time to write a section.  Keep up
the good work.

------------------
Evan Jones
Stitch Media

Halifax:  902.482.2157
Toronto: 647.477.1613
www.stitchmedia.ca


On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 10:18 AM, Michael Andersen <mandersen at argn.com>wrote:


> Evan: I've seen how contentious ARG Histories can be, and planned on using

> the bulk of my space to concentrate on the latter sections that focus more

> on implementation. Rather than presenting a definitive or comprehensive

> history, I was planning on presenting a brief paragraph or two recognizing

> that while there is some intensely innovative work going on in the space

> over the past few years, it didn't start with the publication of *Cathy's

> Book*.

>

> My intended focus is on methods of implementation and the potential

> benefits, as I assume the purpose of the white paper is less academic and

> more practical, with people seeking out information on what ARGs are, if

> they work, and how to do them. If I'm wrong in that assumption, I can

> adjust

> my writing and research accordingly. Have any of you on the listserv made

> use of the 2006 white paper? And if so, how? (Yes, I realize that may open

> up an entirely different line of discussion.)

>

> -Michael

>

> On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 9:03 AM, Evan Jones <evan at mysteryjones.com> wrote:

>

> > Hi Michael,

> >

> > ARG Histories are notoriously contentious - anyone visiting the ARG

> > Wikipedia revision page will see how challenging this curation has been.

> >

> > If you wanted to widen it out a little, you might want to toss in some

> > 'non-linear' book concepts like Tristram Shandy, or even allude to the

> > early

> > days of 'epistolary fiction' like Robinson Crusoe - I've been very

> > interested to see Adrian Hon's coverage in this area and how it may

> affect

> > the trajectory of ARGs in transmedia. My wife and I love the Griffin &

> > Sabine books as well, but as you can see it's the thin edge of the wedge.

> >  Pretty soon we're back to definitions again and spinning in circles.

> >

> > Looking forward to reading about it though!

> > ------------------

> > Evan Jones

> > Stitch Media

> >

> > Halifax:  902.482.2157

> > Toronto: 647.477.1613

> > www.stitchmedia.ca

> >

> >

> > On Tue, Aug 3, 2010 at 9:11 AM, Michael Andersen <mandersen at argn.com>

> > wrote:

> >

> > > Hey all,

> > >

> > > A while back, Brooke mentioned it might be a good idea for people

> writing

> > > sections of the upcoming white paper to post their ideas for feedback

> and

> > > suggestions.  That seems like a fairly awesome idea to me, so below is

> a

> > > rough sketch of what I intend to be discussing with the section on ARGs

> > in

> > > Publishing.  I figure we're more likely to provide thorough and

> (probably

> > > even more importantly) concise coverage if we're not operating in silos

> > > with

> > > this.

> > >

> > > *An ARGish History:* this section will serve as a brief look back at a

> > few

> > > projects that embraced the ARG aesthetic prior to *Cathy's Book*, where

> > the

> > > ARG term started getting used for it. This isn't intended to be a

> > > comprehensive history, but I'll refer to Dennis Wheatley's Murder

> > Dossiers

> > > from back in the '30s and armchair mysteries like Kit Williams'

> > > *Masquerade* (which

> > > I didn't read, but saw referenced in the NYTimes article on *We Lost

> Our

> > > Gold*).

> > > *

> > > *

> > > *ARGs as Storytelling: *this section will focus on the use of ARGs in

> the

> > > publishing world as an integral part of the storytelling experience.

> I'll

> > > be

> > > looking at implementing ARGs in publishing through the use of evidence

> > > packs

> > > (as previously mentioned, this idea goes at least back to the Murder

> > > Dossiers), along with the trend of utilizing paired media with a

> central

> > > social platform (Level 26).

> > >

> > > I'll also be discussing how the current trend skews for this type of

> > > storytelling working exceptionally well with children's literature / YA

> > > materials and as a franchise builder since the audience is a bit more

> > media

> > > savvy and the transmedia elements help bridge the publication gap

> between

> > > books.

> > >

> > > *ARGs as Promotion:* I'll also discuss how ARGs have been used as

> > > promotions

> > > for the book's release, looking at how ARGs can drive behavior, reward

> > > existing fans, and introduce the story.

> > >

> > > *Concluding Thoughts on Ownership: *this section will briefly describe

> a

> > > growing trend I've noticed (and analyzed in a bit more depth elsewhere)

> > > towards corporate ownership of these ARG/transmedia book projects.

> > >

> > > Each section will be discussed in light of particular properties, and I

> > > plan

> > > on referencing *Cathy's Book*, *Personal Effects*, *Skeleton Creek*,

> > *Level

> > > 26*, *Clock Without a Face*, *39 Clues*, *First Among Sequels*,

> > *Therapy*,

> > > and *The Whisperers*. When possible and as space allows, I plan on

> > > including

> > > a brief description of media used and a short walkthrough of how

> readers

> > > interact with the book ARG type projects, incorporating statements from

> > the

> > > people behind the projects (gleaned from past interviews, TED speeches,

> > and

> > > articles).

> > >

> > >

> > > So...any thoughts? Concerns? Glaring omissions? Praise? Recriminations?

> > >

> > > -Michael

> > > _______________________________________________

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