Proposal: DSHW for Dummies

Proposal for

Introduction

The For Dummies franchise has been a longstanding go-to how-to guide series on how to do just about anything under the sun. But for the longest time, they have not had much to offer on webcomics nor on that aspect of Internet culture. Fast forward to a more idyllic future not far from now, and the need for a Dummies book on the subject of webcomics is more in-demand than ever. With plenty of subtopics to go around, somebody at the company decides that it would be important to include a book that specializes on the subject of constructing a webcomic in the DVD-Storybook Hybrid Webcomic format (DSHW for short.)

Project Definition

As of 2010, very few comics on the Internet use the DSHW format, and even fewer have staying power. DSHW has evolved significantly since its inception in 2004 and 2005. Version 3 of the specification still is theoretical; but technology already exists to make it possible. Even so, version 2 exists; but is considerably more heavy-handed in its design than version 1.

Since Dozerfleet Productions’ own comics division, Dozerfleet Comics, is made primarily of DSHW-formatted comics, the founder of Dozerfleet is considered ideal to write on the subject of how to construct one. Likewise, whoever gets the bid for this project will be credited as the author for that book; and may be consulted later on related projects. This DSHW-themed book will be a must-read for anyone interested in using the format or in getting their work published to any webcomics-hosting service.

Assumptions

Wiley, owners of the For Dummies franchise, have enough capital invested to pay for most publishing. For Dummies will handle all major business in regards to publication of the book through Wiley. Dozerfleet Literature will have up to six months to write the book. For Dummies will also provide a spokesman to whom Dozerfleet staff may contact during regular business hours, so that any arising communication issues may be dealt with in a timely manner.

At the same time, Dozerfleet staff writing the book will be expected to adhere to style guidelines for how to write aspects of a For Dummies-title book. Books in this series on other, related topics are expected to be used as reference for how to arrange style elements.

The basic book will teach how to make DSHW 1-M, 1-S, 1-A, 2-M, 2-S, and 2-A, and will include history and other relevant information to those topics. DSHW flavors for version 3.0 will require that it first be brought out of theory and into development. Once this is true, then version 3 and its special considerations may be considered for an updated second edition release of the book.

Qualifications

As an independent co-inventor of the format, and prime codifier of its configuration rules and standard practices, Dozerfleet Comics and its founder are the default go-to source for information on the DSHW format. This creates a decided advantage over hiring third-party sources, many of whom will likely have only experienced DSHW second-hand.

Budgeting

Most books are marketed, according to Write4Kids.com, in such a way that publishers have a setup of either a royalty system or a flat fee system. Under the flat fee system, the publisher reviews a work and decides right away how much they will pay the author. If the publisher likes what it sees, a flat fee is negotiated with the author and that author is paid to give all proceeds of the work over. Given the nature of most For Dummies-series books, a flat fee is the expected system for payment. Therefore, efforts will be to make this book as authoritative as possible on its subject manner.

A good strategy would be to propagate the use of DSHW online first; so that it becomes a big enough trend to justify writing an instruction manual. This proposal assumes that when the book undergoes being written, there will be enough demand for knowledge on the subject matter to justify assembly of a manual.

Topics

Due to time constraints, a written list will not be provided here of the inner workings of DSHW, nor an outline provided of which chapters will be in which order concerning DSHW contents and topics of importance. For a brief view of what is involved in DSHW assembly, this proposal comes attached with a CD that has DSHW samples for demonstration. For more on DSHW components online, please read Comixpedia’s article on the format:

http://www.comixpedia.org/index.php?title=DVD-Storybook_Hybrid_Webcomic

An even more thorough glance at the format and its history may be found at DozerfleetWiki: http://dozerfleetwiki2-wiki-site.com/index.php/DSHW