Happy Harvest Season to one and all!!! Fall is upon us here in Salem, Ma and we begin the festivities for the Season October 1, 2015 via a parade...and most of the Mystic Women will be there.
I want to take this time to update all of you on the status of the MWS project and exactly what our plans are in the near future.
Since I have been literally homebound for a year now and am recovering from the dreaded battle with the Demon Dragon, things have obviously been put on the back burner until I have the strength to move forward. I am able to do some things in short intervals. The surgeons say full recovery takes a year (dang). However, I am consistently working on strength and trying to enter the mundane world again, one activity at a time. I am limited to one activity per day. So far so good...baby steps, baby steps.
Now I know why I was so obsessed and driven to get not only the ladies' portraits done but also to complete the landscape/architectural/environmental shots of Salem. There will be over forty shots in the book. I must have sub consciencely known that my body would only hold up for a certain amount of time. That's exactly what happened too. I know one of my Professor's stated in a letter of recommendation, "no one deserves this more than Rebecca, besides if this project is not completed soon I fear it will kill her." I thought he was nuts at the time...not so much now.
Regardless of what the drs. say, these are our plans in moving to the next level with MWS project. In January 2016 all stories will be edited/completed and ready to print. Compilation and cover design will follow immediately after. We will begin printing prototypes as soon as possible (this will be another HUGE financial strain). Early spring will bring negotiations, meetings with agents and publishing houses, attending author/publishing/book conventions and fairs in NYC. We will also be interviewing agents and PR firms.
We want all of you to know that this project is still on track and according to stats we are 2-3 years ahead of schedule. It is important to assure you that the passion and determination regarding MWS has not waivered. The last few months we have been notified of grumblings from individuals who have used terms like "outdated", "harm to others", "exploitation", and the list goes on. What we say to those people... we are harming no one, MWS is ahead of schedule and is certainly NOT outdated. To those nay sayers about the future of MWS...the entire MWS TEAM is out thousands of dollars, years of grueling work, sacrifices that are GREAT and too personal to discuss. Do you really think we would go through all that for this long just because it's a "dream"? Would people in their right minds waste this much time, endure constant physical pain, ride an emotional roller coaster, and constantly go without the little pleasures in life due to financial constraints because we have nothing better to do? Please.
The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is achieved goals...end of story...period.
I hope this lets the haters/doubters and nay sayers know that we are extremely dedicated to MWS, will protect and honor the project, the subject matter and the subjects featured to the best of our ability...no matter what.
One thing that has happened is that the "buzz" about MWS has calmed. This is due to the fact that in the publishing world you must promote, get established on the internet with blogs and social media, etc., etc. if you plan on getting published. Otherwise it will never get off the ground. We knew this would happen, we just did not expect such impatience, doubt and negativity when MWS was not published after the first couple of years. Shooting was not even complete at that time and could not have been. Professionals knew that from the beginning, it was I that was naive and ignorant about this phase of the project. Now I have learned and learned well.
Anyway, we hope that this post updates everyone and that our position is clear.
Now...go out and enjoy the Season...we are!
