Would you buy a book on being a professional mer?

[AniaR]

Serious question, if I wrote a book with comprehensive details on becoming a professional mer, would you buy it? What would you like to see in a book like that? What kind of issues/questions would you like addressed?

[AniaR]

I posted this on my page too https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=510696292298452&id=183327321702019

[Blondie]

Personally I would not. I mean if you wanted to do an autobiography on being a professional mermaid. That's great. Go for it.

I feel like anyone can become a professional mermaid as long as they devote themselves to it. It's not exactly a "hard" thing to do. Just time consuming. It's like becoming an actor or singer. It normally does not happen over night. It takes years of practice and getting to know the right people.
I think that just about everyone has different ways they've started their professional mermaid career. From modeling, to parties, to being a tail maker themselves. I think it is what you make it. There's no sure fire way to get into the professional business. And I think it just takes your own time on testing the water and persistence.

[AniaR]

I think if it was that simple and obvious for everyone, I wouldn't get hundreads of emails a day on the topic ;) I'm also sure I could provide materials and resources that aren't online, and from judging from the immediate FB response I've gotten https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=510696292298452&id=183327321702019&notif_t=like I think it's safe to say there's a market for it.

[AniaR]

I mean if you wanted to do an autobiography on being a professional mermaid

I forgot to say, it would actually be both a mix of explaining how to do things from the very basic all the way up AND include biographical points along the way. I sent a rough sketch to a few mers so far of topics to be covered in detail, I forgot I didn't actually post that point here haha

[Ayla of Duluth]

The thing I need the most help with is the business aspect. I want to appear as professional as possible to clients, because when I'm in my tail I'm just goofing off. So if your book included tips on all the legalities and such, I would definitely buy it.

[AniaR]

I can't put specific legalities as they are different in every state/country/province etc, but I can point people in the direction of where to get information on the specifics, and also give them the most common things they need to know in that area. Yes, business is it's own section :D

[Mermaid Momo]

i would buy it if it had lots of pictures in it of say, best ways to keep someone's attention on your website (you only have 1 second to keep them there!) good ideas for business cards (how to make them interesting but not over worked) I know that there are books and what not out there about this, but i think it's a bit more "special" for mers because you want someone to really remember you and if they found your card a few days later, you want them to know who its from and not some shop or what ever.
I'd also like a bit on good business etiquette (when to accept payment, what kind of payment is best, the best way to plan your schedule around being a professional mer, any trends you may have noticed that brung in good business, Etc)

[Mermaid Momo]

also, a part about finding photographers would be nice :)

[Ashe]

^ took the words right out of my mouth, Draggersprez! Yes, I would totally buy that book if you created it one! I'm really needing info on booking gigs and appropriate payment. I really hope you will decide to carry this out! :)

[Mermaid Lorelei]

I think a book like this would be wonderful. There are books for every kind of business, but I feel like mermaiding is currently undocumented. I also like the topics that have so far been raised. I might ask to add something about fundraising and self-promotion though. Those seem to be two areas that people have trouble with. Good idea. :3

[AniaR]

Yes, every single one of those things is in my list of what to cover :) It's essentially broken up into several parts:

Fins- everything that goes into making or buying tails, tail swimming, tail safety, tail care, etc also will touch on aspects of community and meets

Your Image- Picking a business/persona name, creating your persona through costume, photography (including all the legal info)business cards (comprehensive guide to what should be on them), website (comprehensive guide to what should be on it), social networking,

The working mer- important things to consider before your first paid job, practice parties, volunteering, safety (including certification), insurance, finances, your goals, your causes, permits (if applicable), gigs and specific types of gigs and how to get them, preparing for a gig, deciding what you should charge, finances (taxes, invoices, receipts, credits, methods of payment etc) fees, venues, approaching prospective venues, undercutting, contracts, emails and record keeping, having a mertender, dealing with competition (and how to make competition work for everyone), Portfolio-(what goes in it, publicity, customer feedback)

Activism-Activism networks, choosing a cause, volunteering etc, how to get involved

Resource section-, Lists of magazines, books, articles, websites etc, online shops, stores for materials

There will be a running narrative that goes through all of these topics and shares my personal experiences and stories. If possible there will be images. Everything I am using for the time being would be my own personal materials and many things will be "never before seen" type stuff.

[AniaR]

fundraising and self-promotion though

Awesome, I'll add that to the list!

[Bellasea]

I really like the idea. I would also probably buy it if I saw it while just wandering in a store.

[telzey.amberdon]

Rania, if it was your Bio, then I would buy it.

[Ayla of Duluth]

Yes, every single one of those things is in my list of what to cover :) It's essentially broken up into several parts:

Fins- everything that goes into making or buying tails, tail swimming, tail safety, tail care, etc also will touch on aspects of community and meets

Your Image- Picking a business/persona name, creating your persona through costume, photography (including all the legal info)business cards (comprehensive guide to what should be on them), website (comprehensive guide to what should be on it), social networking,

The working mer- important things to consider before your first paid job, practice parties, volunteering, safety (including certification), insurance, finances, your goals, your causes, permits (if applicable), gigs and specific types of gigs and how to get them, preparing for a gig, deciding what you should charge, finances (taxes, invoices, receipts, credits, methods of payment etc) fees, venues, approaching prospective venues, undercutting, contracts, emails and record keeping, having a mertender, dealing with competition (and how to make competition work for everyone), Portfolio-(what goes in it, publicity, customer feedback)

Activism-Activism networks, choosing a cause, volunteering etc, how to get involved

Resource section-, Lists of magazines, books, articles, websites etc, online shops, stores for materials

There will be a running narrative that goes through all of these topics and shares my personal experiences and stories. If possible there will be images. Everything I am using for the time being would be my own personal materials and many things will be "never before seen" type stuff.
I would certainly buy a book with all that information, no matter how much it costs. Information like that is invaluable.

[spottedcatfish]

I would buy a mermaid autobiography (or biography, if that's the case) as soon as one was released. Another factor to add into your auto-biography would be the challenges of daily life and reality. I want to be able to relate to the person I am reading about, or be inspired by their story and hardships, and I'm sure many readers would want that too. So, intertwine the story of your life, which seems already very interesting with mermaiding and I think you'll have a very solid, and sell-able auto biography. Keep us updated!

[Nykur]

I would buy, only if there is a section about underwater moves, you know: tips for front- and back-flips, help with breath holding tricks, bubble heart kisses like Mermaid Melissa :/???
I'm not really in it for business I do it for fun, but it would be nice to do events for a bit of extra money:thinks:.

[roamingmer]

To be honest - consider the time you will take to invest in writing a good book and how much return of investment you might get? What new information do you want to provide which cannot be found freely; quickly; on the net? OK a lot of your pests are clearly not interested in reading free stuff; so why would they spend money to read a book?

Personally I think there is more merit in an auto-bio but then; how much unique stuff do you actually bring?. I would rather suggest you pitch to 'Travelers Tales' by the O'Reily brothers (http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Canyon-Stories-Below-Travelers/dp/1885211341/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355213134&sr=8-2&keywords=travelers+tales+grand+canyon)... with an under-water book. Various short stories from the various professional mermaids. From swimming with whale sharks (Hanna Mermaid) to being landlocked in a glass box (by Raven). Through to designing your first tale (from AniaR) to first gig. The fact finding information can be added at the end - as it is for their other books.

[AniaR]

Well, I've already started and sent a few pages out to a few mers to get feed back and it's been great so far, It's auto-bio with comprehensive information as well. I've had a HUGE response on my facebook. So even if it's not really mernetwork mers who want it, that's fine, because others seem to realllly want it. As far as investment return, I've actually looked into several ways of publishing that would require very little, I have a few professional writer friends who have already offered help, and really, I'm not looking to make money so if I don't make much that's fine ;) I'm really stoaked actually so I think at this point it's a do-it-anyway type of thing. I seem to be told the most people would prefer an e book and from reading several comprehensive articles online it looks like those are the things that sell easiest, and less impact on the planet. So it'll likely be ebook format and then printed from a company that only prints when people order.

[AniaR]

I just wanted to let people know I've got 2/5 of the first draft done. I'm really proud of the content. I've had a few people offer to help me edit which is great. I'm having a total ball doing this and been getting a huge amount of positive feedback on my FB page. I'm working my butt off to make sure the information is as comprehensive as possible so it's worth it for people to buy, and I'm sharing lots of personal stories that haven't been said publicly. I'm taking into consideration all the questions people have and all the material people want to see :)

I think I've settled on an publishing both e-reader style and paper back, maybe a handful of special edition signed hard copies through Create Space and I'll make an online livestream even for the release :)

[Spindrift]

^ I would like to "like" the above post.

[Coradion]

No. I would not. I think information like that should be free, and if I were going to buy a book I would want one from a real athlete or professional who has international bookings. Like a free diver, or real well known personality that has a strong portfolio where I actually think I could learn something about the performance industry. Like Mermaid Melissa got a job at Seaworld, that's so freaking hard to do, since she's a marine mammal trainer I'd want her autobiography. Or a book from Hannah about her tail designs would be cool, I haven't seen anyone who can make what she does, I love that she has her own artistic ability and the way she blends colors is incredible.

[Mermaid Petronella]

I would buy it! :)

[Mermaid Miel]

That would be an awesome and wonderful book Raina. I would buy two! One to read, one to give to the Library. XD

[Rain]

A book with that information would cut off a nice amount of trial and error parts that people suffer through. Future mistakes too. I'm sure it will be a beneficial guide, and I would definitely buy it if it's in ebook format.

[AniaR]

Coradion, you should probably take a look at my portfolio then... and I was one of the key people who helped mermaid melissa get started when she had no tail and all but given up on her mermaid dream. You say information should be free, but I already give out a lot of free information. I am a professional in the field of children and education. That's my edge in the mer-world. I have two degrees and 11 years of experience backing it up. I get paid to teach, so why shouldn't I get paid for writing a book that teaches people how to do something when I have a clear advantage over the average person when it comes to both teaching things in a coherent manner to a variety of learning styles, and my successful experiences becoming a mermaid professional? I actually think your comment is pretty ignorant, but you know what? That's fine. I'm not expecting you to change your mind. You wouldn't find it useful- so that's that. I'll just be extremely excited to prove your points very wrong ;) And I'm certainly not going to stop because of your points.

I'm curious though, what do you consider a "real" professional? I have degrees in my field. Additional training. I was awarded The Fisheries and Science award from the Bedford Institute of Oceanography for my personal (non related to my degree) studies and contributions in the field. In 2012 alone I did over 100 paid mermaid gigs, NOT including professional photos and video shoots I was hired for and commercial work. I do all that despite having only 2-4 months of suitable outside weather. The aquarium you live by? They contacted ME for consultation about their mermaids, and then for replacing their current tails. Ask them. I also co-run a successful online magazine for mermaids for free. Just because I don't post every detail of what I do on mernetwork or have the money to buy "likes" on FB like I know certain "professionals" have done (I taught them how to do it) doesn't mean you know all of my qualifications or my level of professionalism. Melissa went to school so she could work at Sea World, just like I went to schools so I could work with kids. You only hold one higher than the other because you're more interested in it and have a sense of what's required to do it. You have no idea how competitive it is to get into a bachelor of education in Canada and how only 60 individuals are given admittance each year into the program I took (Which I graduated with all A+s top of my class. Which by the way, my specific program is so advanced that I can move anywhere in the world and am ranked higher than the local teachers ). I've also been a successful professional model internationally and locally for 7 years commercial and fashion and 9 years art. I've done loads of acting and have never been anything short of a lead role for the past 15 years.

So, that's cool, you don't have to consider me a "professional" or someone whose information is worth squat. Because I've got over 200 people now invested in buying a book because they want to learn, and at least another 100 who are simply interested in reading... and I already have things lined up locally with book stores (oh, did I forget to mention all my professional experience in literacy and book distribution?). I feel that I deserve to be compensated for my very detailed knowledge and the teaching of that knowledge. I feel that many people take advantage of me and harass me so they can benefit from my hard work and get something for nothing. I also think sharing my personal biography will inspire a lot of people. So in the future, it would be really great if you opened your mind a bit to what exactly a "professional" is. Since by very definition it only requires a person be paid for their work.

[Alveric]

Information should be free, however, if you want to avoid the time and effort of research, writing, editing, compiling and printing the information yourself, you should be willing to pay for the convenience of having authors, publishers and printers to do it for you.

[AniaR]

Information should be free, however, if you want to avoid the time and effort of research, writing, editing, compiling and printing the information yourself, you should be willing to pay for the convenience of having authors, publishers and printers to do it for you.

I could kiss you. lol <3 Here, have an internet kiss!

[Alveric]

Awww. Seriously, I would walk to Halifax for the privilege! :$

[Coradion]

I'm glad you know that the Aquarium I work at/live by contacted you about mermaid tails. You know why? Cause my aquarium doesn't have mermaids. Pac Beach Hotel's oceanarium does. It's a restaurant in a hotel with one tank.

I did read your resume from your web site, and you posted saying this was a "serious question" and I said that I would not buy a book on the subject if written by you. I get that you may have done a lot, I just would not pay to read it. I doubt someone would buy a how to book about my life as a fish breeding, pole dancing, merman, marine biologist who dabbles in traditional hawai'ian herbal medicine, and wanders around the world.

It's hard not to get defensive when posting on this board, there have been some really mean posts directed at me in passive aggressive ways and I don't see why it needs to be that way. If there is a problem be upfront. My background is in Marine Bio, I don't just dabble in it for fun, my career will be in the field and when I offer information on it, I'm not competing for who has the best or knows the most, I'm just offering it. I think it's great when people share information, it helps everyone involved or who may come across it, it's just nice when information is accurate.

I guess I don't feel respected at all when you post comments directed at me, and it's really hard to respect you or anyone else involved when that type of thing happens. I think this is a great site and I have met fantastic people here that I get to go swim with every week and just enjoy being in the water with, so I'm not going anywhere. I would like you to talk to me directly, cause I don't like arguing about it. It's not fun, I just want to be happy and play in the ocean, swim with fishes and wear a tail. There's so much other crap to deal with in life and this is supposed to be fun, so please PM me if there's a problem you want to talk about.

[AniaR]

It's hard to not post something defensive when your posts suggest you don't consider me as professional as others based on your limited experience. I asked if you'd buy a book. Not who you did and did not consider a "real" professional. Hence asking you what a "real" professional is.
or real well known personality that has a strong portfolio where I actually think I could learn something about the performance industry suggests you couldn't actually learn something from me about the performance industry. A simple "that wouldn't interest me" would suffice, but it felt very personal the instant you threw in "...like a real professional" and that you'd want a book by someone you could actually learn something from. How is that NOT a direct slap in the face to me? So yeah, I don't need you to tell me it's a great and wonderful idea, but I could do without your ideas of who is professional and who isn't.

I assumed the aquarium (which is the way the hotel manager called it when he emailed me) was by you when you said you'd been there and saw the mertailor's tails were all damaged in another thread. I can't seem to find that post now, so if I got you confused with someone else and got that in error, than I apologize. My point in making that statement is that I'm a professional mermaid in Canada who has international aquariums call me up and email me for my consultation.


It's hard not to get defensive when posting on this board, there have been some really mean posts directed at me in passive aggressive ways and I don't see why it needs to be that way. If there is a problem be upfront.

Fine. I will. Many people have felt your tone in threads to be quite arrogant/ignorant and rude. I didn't see it that way originally but I could see how people came to that conclusion from reading the back and forth. I always strive to see both sides of an argument, but then again, this was the first time that tone was directed at me and since I felt it was directed at who I am as a professional as well as what I have to offer, I don't see how it's not personal? In other comments I see you say to people "I'm sorry if you thought I ______" or "I'm sorry if you feel_______" which really puts the ownance on the person who is upset. A lot of the times, that's all it is. But perhaps consider the way you word the things you say- and then people wont feel like they're being personally attacked. Because in all the threads that turn into what your complaining about, every time I read them it seems like a little change in the wording to show people you're not specifically going after them would go a long way. I didn't think I was being passive aggressive in my post. I thought I was being pretty blatantly obvious. I'd have stuck to PM's, but it's not like you PMed me first before you posted wanting to hear from a "real" professional or someone who's actually got something to teach you.

I'm not trying to say I know better or I have the most information, but your comments to me certainly came across like you were discrediting me as a professional with something to offer. So I felt the need to justify myself for doing the project to begin with. While people refrain from posting in the thread because they don't want to cause drama, I can tell you with confidence it came across that way to a big proportion of people who read it because they're validating my response.

And really, how do you know,
I doubt someone would buy a how to book about my life as a fish breeding, pole dancing, merman, marine biologist who dabbles in traditional hawai'ian herbal medicine, and wanders around the world. if the idea of doing it and asking people ever crossed your mind? Don't sell me short because you think it wouldn't work for you. There's entire books written on all of those topics, you'd be surprised how some people find ways to bridge them together for an interesting read, and just how many people would want to read it. That's what my experience has taught me anyway.

So, in conclusion, I don't care that you wouldn't buy my book, I expect the majority of the people in the world wouldn't. I'm writing it for a very limited market, and I feel by my own morals and values I have a right to charge for it. Your comments about real professionals and people you could learn from came across as specifically insulting to me and an anecdote I didn't ask for. I asked if people would buy it, and if they did buy it, what they wanted to see. Not what they considered professional, their thoughts on charging for information, and I didn't even ask why people wouldn't want to buy it. It crossed a line with me, so I put down my boundary. It wasn't my intention to be passive aggressive, I thought I was being pretty damn aggressive :p

That being said, this is the internet... and I get that communication isn't effective all the time, so I'll try to chalk the whole thing up to that and not hold a personal grudge or feel defensive with you in the future. Believe it or not, I actually actively work at not being overly defensive on the forum. It can be tricky sometimes since there's a few vocal people who really hate me and want to make sure everyone knows it, but I'm still always actively working on it, checking in with mods to be sure they feel my posts are appropriate, and asking others for feedback. I'd really appreciate if in the future you'd consider the wording of your posts. You don't have to by any means, you are you and it's really your decision if you change anything about yourself or not. But there's been a few instances where by my observation drama starts all due to simple wording that could be changed. In my case, had you said something like "different professionals" as opposed to "real", or said "or real well known personality that has a strong portfolio where I actually think I could learn something about the performance industry" in a way that didn't come across like I (or really anyone) wasn't a well known personality, with a strong portfolio, that you could learn something from... I probably would of a responded with a "that's cool" or not responded at all, instead of feeling the need to be defensive and define myself thus turning into a dramatic back and forth. You're right, this is supposed to be a fun place. but it's not fun for anyone when someone else, knowingly or not, disregards someone else's hard work. I think I really totally appreciate where Lexia is coming from now, when she says she get frustrated that people don't seem to appreciate fabric tails the way they do realistic ;) and I'm not even a tail maker, hah. Oh life.

[AniaR]

and now I see it all written there... and it's giant... and I feel the need to drop an animated gif to lighten the mood @_@

http://i55.tinypic.com/fjke37.gif

I seriously don't know how it is that I end up responding is such large ridiculous rants. Something else to work on I guess!

[Elle]

I think the book is a nice idea, provided your expanding from what's already on your FB and blog.
Have you considered making it a bit of a really big version of Tail Flip? While still keeping if about being a professional mer, maybe adding just recreational mermaiding?
While on here there may be more interest in the professional, I think there are some in the general public who would simply be looking at the subject from a "I have a pool/live next to the beach, that would be fun to do"

It's an idea. While I understand you wanting to strive to keep it centred around professional mermaiding, widening the audience may be something you'd like to think about?

[Mermaid Jessica]

I probably wouldn't buy it. There's already a lot of free information online. But I still have lots of unanswered questions so if I heard a lot of great things about the book, I'd definitely be interested in reading it. And if I really loved reading it and I felt like I learned a lot and didn't want to forget the things I learned, then I'd possibly buy it. But good luck to you, Raina!

[AniaR]

the feedback I've received so far has been pretty split between "I'd read it to learn more about you" and "I'd read it to learn more about being a mermaid" and I think the way I've written it so far is pretty much on par with that. I talk a lot about my personal experiences, and I do approach it from people wanting to be a mermaid for fun and people wanting to do it for business. A lot of the professional end that I write could be applied to other performing careers as well. It's certainly much more comprehensive than anything I've done to date, and I'm working hard to make sure the information is not simply a repeat of things I've put out there already. I'm hoping it will peak the interest of many people, though I totally appreciate that it's a limited market. Money isn't really the main focus here. This is something I've always wanted to do (publish a book), I think it would cut back on the amount of phone calls, emails, and messages I get from people wanting me to give them every single detail to becoming a mermaid, and if I'm lucky, I might be able to pay a few bills when it's all said and done.

To be honest, when it comes to Tail Flip, I don't think people really appreciate how much work it is. Sirena and I do the whole thing for free. Each issue probably takes us 100 hours of work if not more. I'm just not interesting in continuing to offer that level of my time and work for free. I'm scaling back what I do for tail flip and wont be submitting my own articles if I can help it. Up until now a huge amount of articles are written by me or in some way organized by me. The idea behind Tail Flip is that it would be community knowledge, community interest, etc and It's been my hope from the start that Sirena and I could get it off the ground and it would take on a life of it's own. We've been doing it for a year now, and as rewarding as it can be to know people like it, it leaves me feeling a little used up. I'll still continue to run it with Sirena and recruit people to submit articles and content... but I'll just be taking more of a back seat.

I have a panel of people giving me input. One of them is a wildlife photographer and activist, who has a published book under his belt similar to my idea. Prior to the book he also had a lot of articles and content out in the world, so he's helping me stay focused on trying it all together and presenting something new. Some people on my panel are mers from this community and they have given me way more positive feedback than I could have ever imagined considering they all only read a very small draft.

Really, I think I just need to get it out of my system haha! If it turns into something, catches on, and people love it that's great, but even if it doesn't do much, I've still published a book and that's pretty cool with me :)

[AniaR]

Honestly, the majority of what's in Doreen's book (http://www.amazon.com/Mermaids-101-Exploring-Underwater-Merpeople/dp/1401938841) can be found online, and people still buy it XD I do feel like a lot of what I've covered, and what I plan to cover, isn't really online at all. The things I cover that tend to be general knowledge aren't main focus points, but I still try to attack them with a unique perspective and my personal experiences and stories.

[telzey.amberdon]

Will I be able to buy the book online? Will there be autographed copies for sale? Do all the mermaids live happily ever after?

[Mermaid Momo]

Isn't Doreen's book a metaphysical book? I think that my be why people but the hard copy of it.for example: while I can find tons and tons of stuff online about paganism, I'd rather spend the money to buy a really WELL informed (I cap well because there are a lot of nonsense books too) book in hard copy because I'll always have it there for reference and I can mark all over it with notes and what not. Same goes for a book like yours rains, while I can find the info online, I'd rather have it all in one well informed place that I can mark all over to my hearts content (and maybe that's just me being a bibliophile that I am LOL)

[Odette]

i wouldn't buy the book.i feel comfortable with the knowledge i have and that can be found online from the business perspective, but i admire how open you are to sharing information on your experiences and all the mermaids you have helped. that's such an admirable trait about you,Raina. if you want to write it, write it. =) I wish you the best of luck! im pretty sure it will do well. everyone wants that information