okay people I created this monster so I reckon I need to make sure the villagers don't come after the monster with pitchforks.
or something.
one thing. I've set up a new 30 day cheat code for anyone among us who needs to gain entry.
the code is comeonpilgrim
should have unlimited uses, may have to re-up every month.
pass it on to any velvet refugees or writer pals who might want to get involved.

I don't want anyone paying for membership here especially contributors. unless they totally can afford it and just have an itch to keep the project afloat.

I had thought I'd be able to gift subscriptions to contributors but apparently that requires coins in the tip jar or wallet or some such.

I'm also realizing I need to keep the 9 separate from the workshop because once you become a contributor I consider you a collaborator not a student. so when the next workshop starts we'll be focusing exclusively on other work.

speaking of, if anyone is interested in the next workshop drop a note below. I'm thinking it will start first week of April. also willing to take on deep read slash line edit autopsy of first draft novels, with one to one zoom meets in lieu of workshops.

but again, I'm uneasy about having collaborators hire me to read / edit their manuscripts. anyway pass it on to your friends and writing groups and strangers outside the 9 family. or if you already have a publisher interested and they say hey you need an outside beta reader, that might be workable.

fees negotiable.

speaking of contributors and how the F is this going to work.

I'd like to keep it as egalitarian as possible but obviously I will be listed as the creator for good or ill. I've got Emil O riding shotgun as keeper of the 9 bible, bless him. it's a beast of a job but turns out he's the right sort of madman to take it on.

Clevenger has come on board as a coproducer so he and I will be pitching it to publishers and eventually places like netflix.

all contributors will come along for that ride in some capacity as part of the writing team, assuming they want to.

if not any future episode script based on your story will list you as co-author. by the way I am not an entertainment lawyer and don't know the relevant mumbo jumbo but I will always protect your byline like my own skin.

I may recruit another editor or two from inside or out of family as needed.

I want to get as many of you guys published as possible and paid, trickster gods willing and far as I'm concerned there will be at least three anthologies slash three seasons of the hotel 9.

so if a story doesn't get snatched up for the first collection don't despair.

and yeah it would be nice to have nine of them but trying to be realistic for now and I tend to think in trilogies.

meanwhile we have also got the hotel 9 substack going and will be publishing stories there in a bit more helter skelter fashion. finished stories but also excerpts of longer stuff. I'm hoping for another lockdown so we can lure a bunch of weird tiktocker kids over there and get them addicted to the 9.

so far I'm keeping an eye on everything posted here and when I see a story that I know is part of book one I'm reaching out to the writer to nudge it along or help steer and keep on track with other crisscrossing story threads as needed.

but also trying to stay as hands off as possible for a while.

I'm writing the Godfrey Evangeline Proprietor triangle and establishing the 8th floor storyline so I'm asking everyone to avoid the 8th until I get that done.

I'd also prefer that most contributors only take on one primary pov character for now. mainly for the sake of sanity. but everything is fast and loose and every primary is involved in some sort of triangle. so while I'm writing about Godfrey and Evangeline for instance, Ryan aka wrong D is writing about Malick and Evangeline. I may dip into her pov but may not. and obviously Godfrey has another triangle with Moxie and Miss Parker, so I'm coordinating that with CJ. not sure yet who is writing Moxie but have one possible in mind. communication is magic.

anyway if you have already staked a claim on one primary but have a cool idea for another character or one that's outside your immediate triangle pitch it to me.

speaking of there's a new writer joining the 401 family by the name of Amanda G aka mandajoon on the socials, she is taking the wheel on Tuesday and the Knife, the grifter brother and sister.

claimed. like that episode of walking dead where Daryl fell in with a bunch of sociopaths with simple rules.

I will be adding some more hotel staff and 9 regulars to the mix in the next week or so by the way

so if you haven't found one that twigs your fancy just hang on more to come and always feel free to bring in a character from the outside and check into the hotel as a stranger and see what happens. just make sure it's a character you don't mind killing off.
hah.

the hotel is an open sandbox. I want anyone who feels the itch to come roam around and see what sparks.

likewise I may reach out to ask various contributors to take on a second primary if needed, for reasons.

also if you have your own substack and want to post a 9 story there, please do. just link it back to the 9 stack.

stay tuned. now that the first workshop is winding down I will be posting here a bit more and teaching myself not to hate discord.

come on pilgrim.

fade.