The great news: with help from The Helpers all except two pieces are proofed and ready to be placed upon pages. I don't know about you but I'm excited. And scared. But mostly excited. Like the feeling you have before a big trip to visit with someone you haven't seen in a long time. But in this case, the person is a stranger that I've imagined for a long time and feel like I know.

...it isn't shameful, it isn't shameful, it isn't shameful...

I keep telling myself (with the help and kindness of Huzband) that knowing when to not push yourself into exhaustion is just as important as being willing to push yourself into such a state. I originally gave the completion date of Mindmeld Project's first issue as being the end of this month and though I don't want to admit it, I don't think I gave myself enough time to coordinate, layout and distribute everything.

What that means is that I'm still working on getting submissions to the Helpers of Mindmeld Project and I want to give them adequate time to get back to me. In addition, I have no idea how long it will take to get the book ready for submission and what the turn around time is at Lulu.com.

Please accept my apologies. I feel like I've let the contributors, other interested parties and myself down. The time I alloted for our very first issue (and subsequent experimentation) wasn't enough. However, this miscalculation doesn't mean the end of the project. It only means it will be done when we get done and I will tell you all more as I know more.

I've seen the contributions and know the people helping out. This project is a great one and it'll be well worth the wait.

The number and quality of entries already submitted is amazing. I may just be all a'glowing and a'happy because I didn't expect much participation this first issue but rather I think I'm feeling euphoric more because this a realization of a collaborative dream. It's pulling together. Building the book will be that much sweeter/angst-filled because of this feeling.

Alright, onto the announcements:

• Only a medium-large handful of hours left to submit your entry if you still want to participate. August 31st, midnight Central Time is the cut-off.
• Mindmeld Project- despite some funky capitalization from me, is spelled and capitalized like so: Mindmeld Project. Not MindMeld Project. Aesthetically, I think it looks nicer and will cut down on confusion later. Not a big deal, only clarifying.
• Helpers! Be prepared- this next month is when I'll need you. Editors, page layout, graphics and so on.
• Mindmeld Project, though blogging here on MindSay, is open to the whole internet. That means, anyone with e-mail can submit their contributions. That also means Mindmeld Project needs to stretch beyond MindSay. I've seen some mention of it trickle out to other parts, which is gratifying, but it still has further to go.
• Not so much as an announcement, but a recap: The overall goal of Mindmeld Project is to create a cross-section of the internet and document the amazing talents of its members. It's a pretty big goal but it's a personal one. Because of the frequent changes found throughout the internet, and the wonder and awe I feel toward that community, I want to document a given moment in time. A moment that anyone can participate. A moment where contributors focus on a theme and unleash their raw creativity and joy.
• If Mindmeld Project catches your imagination and you want to know how to help, spread Mindmeld Project around to others who may not have heard. We need readers/viewers as well as contributors. Your help is appreciated.
• Questions, thoughts, ideas, feedback, submissions, theme ideas- send to Mindmeld (dot) Project (at) GMail (dot) com
• To everyone that has already submitted, encouraged, given feedback/love/ideas, thank you.

Spread the word, share your ideas, encourage each other.

We're coming down to the wire. August 31st is our first issue's deadline. During this time, please take an opportunity to submit an entry- or if you've sent something already and want to submit something else, submit another. If you have the idea, we currently have the space.

Both writing and images are still being accepted, however there's more need for writing. Small or large, created just for MindMeld Project or found in an old journal; as long as they are your words, they are welcome.

If you want to contribute but don't feel up to a larger submission:

• you can e-mail an anonymous question to our MindMeld Project columnist. (Send questions to MindMeld.Project (at) Gmail (dot) com- I will strip your name and forward it to the columnist.)
• provide links to other people's writing or images that you feel fit the theme. You or I can garner their permission and see about getting them into the publication.
• smaller submissions are always welcome. Haikus, doodles, jokes, limericks... see what you can come up with...

I was recently asked:

I have my written MindMeld submission done (I finished it this morning), but I haven't submitted it yet because I have a question.  Should I submit it with my real name or my MindSay name?  My thoughts are to submit it with my real name as you've mentioned that your hopes for MMP are that it stretches beyond Mindsay.

Thoughts? Could I use both?

These were my thoughts:

I'm going to use my screen name, Nomad, as this project is closely integrated to that name and if I were to suddenly present my given name it would take half a second for a retarded monkey to figure it out. So, if you submit something, your anonymity would be safe by using your given name or your screen name. Either way, it's up to you.

 

The benefit of using your given name is the ability to quickly identify your work as your work. Likewise, for other people to recognize your work as yours. If you go this route, you needn't worry. You wouldn't be the only one using your given name.

 

A screen name- or pen name -has its own benefits; anonymity being perhaps the primary reason. As this is an internet based project, I think it appropriate and rather poetic when people use some other name to identify themselves. Like I mentioned, I'm going to be using my screen name. Others will be too. If ever my works authorship comes into question, I feel I am safe enough using my screen name as yet an extension of myself- due to copyright laws.

 

To some people, their screen name is just another facet of who they are and anonymity isn't necessary or important. To those people, using both names is fine. I have no reason to deny them that opportunity nor do I take it upon myself to sway anyone one way or another.

 

Personally, I would love to see my own name in print if I wasn't so integrally tied up in the process. Seeing one's name in print is a really-really cool feeling.

If you have questions about MindMeld Project send an e-mail or leave a message. Look to the links on the left for more details.

If submitting a full entry for publishing isn't your thing (or even if it is- hey, you can submit multiple times until we run out of room), you can still contribute.

Have a question on how to take that deep chat session based friendship to a different level safely?  Want to know if you should arrange an in person meeting?  Not comfortable in your own shoes when entering a room filled with people you do not know?  The Mindmeld Project's resident advice columnist, ArtSpiceLoveZen is here to help you in exploring your options...

Send your questions to mindmeld.project (at) gmail (dot) com or leave them in the reply section.