APAcalypse's FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A list of the most commonly asked questions dealing with APAcalypse. If your question is not answered here in, please email it to us at rdowney at ketherian dot org
Table of Contents
- What is an APA?
- What is APAcalypse
- Is there room for new members?
- What is "Membership" in APAcalypse?
- Do I have to be/want to be a pro to join?
- What does it take to become a member?
- How many copies of my section must I make?
- How do I get my submissions in to the Central Mailer?
- Why do I need an Account with APAcalypse?
- How much do members pay for each issue?
- How can I get a sample copy of APAcalypse?
- And if I still have questions?
- Why are the rules for the APA called the Ten Commandments?
- Themes? Do I have to follow them?
- Who does/can do Cover art?
- What about Filler art?
- The war? What War? Do I have to be part of it?
- Do you take physical copies?
- How should I format my section?
- What is the House Organ?
- What is The Map of the Known World ?
- What are these abbreviations ?
- How do I notify the caretakers of an Address Change ?
- What's a Throg ?
- Missive? What’s that?
- So - as a new member - what's in it for me?
- What happens when you reach zero?
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What is an APA?
An APA is a grouping of like-minded people who write (or draw) on or about a specific topic. In this case, Role playing is the topic of choice. APA stands for Amateur Press Association. They have been going on for at least 50 years as a concerted effort to practice our writing (or drawing) skills, and supporting each other towards improvement.
An APA works as follows; each member contributes an article (or artwork) by the agreed upon deadline in sufficient copies so that each member will get a copy of each-others work. These copies are delivered to a Central Mailer (also called a Distribution Manager or CM or DM for short). The CM collates all the copies, indexes them, burns the CD and mails them off so that each member will receive one copy of every member's works (including a copy of their own work).
This Central Mailer is not in charge of the APA - rather they are the chairman of the group. They suggest topics for discussion, and call for votes on changes in the rule structure, or suggestions on how to deal with whatever is currently plaguing the APA. Each member gets a vote in any change, modification or update of the APA. The content of each member's section is suppose to meet with an agreed upon guideline of X pages on the general topic of the APA, and Y pages of commentary of other member's works. But the guidelines are intentionally vague as to what this can include. It is hoped, that by not limiting the contents, but only restricting it's size, members will be creative in their submissions, and diversify greatly one from another.
APAs are always nonprofit organizations. Funds from sold issues go towards defraying the costs of binding the next issue, and paying for cover printing. Each member has to pay for their own issue, but this cost is usually only the cost for binding and mailing out the issue. Exactly how much you have to pay per issue will depend on the APA in question.
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2. What is APAcalypse
APAcalypse is a quarterly (every three months) APA dedicated to the art of Role-playing. The subject matter included within the articles must, in one form or another, deal with Role-playing in some fashion. This includes anything that the author/artist can justify, in good conscious, to the members of this chronicle as gaming related material. Each issue is host to a different (usually holy-text related) theme that members are welcome to follow when writing their articles, but are not restricted to said theme. APAcalypse has been in print for almost six years.
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3. Is There Room for New Members?
Yes! APAcalypse was designed with a membership of 25 people as a maximum. Should that maximum ever again be reached, most APAs (us included) have the habit of forming a Waiting List. This list keeps track of all those people who want to be members, and they are inducted as space forms amongst our members for them. We have had members in Barrie, and Toronto (Ontario), Montreal (Quebec) and Vancover (British Columbia) and in Fairfield Ohio (USA). We are based in Montreal (Quebec), but members are welcome from any province (or territory) of Canada, or any other country that houses Role Playing enthusiasts.
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4. What is "Membership" in APAcalypse?
More than anything else, Membership means participation. To be a member, you must contribute writing or drawings on the topic of role play. Specifically, members must contribute five (5) pages of commentary on each others works, and ten (10) pages of role playing related material every three issues (six months). A Newsletter is sent by email on the odd month (one of the two months that the issue is not due) to help you remember when the deadline is, the themes of the next issue, as well as your account status. Covers are done by any member with an inkling of artistic skill, but they count only as two pages of role-playing related material.
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5. Do I Have to Be/Want to be a Pro to Join?
No. You can be a professional and still join us, but we do not pay for submissions. Everything is donated. The only requirement is that you share your thoughts and ideas about role playing (specific items, concepts, games or the medium in general or the industry at large) with the other members.
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6. What Does it Take to Become a Member?
You need to purchase the current issue for $5.00 Canadian, start an account with us, and have a submission ready for the next deadline. Yearly costs are $5.00 Canadian payable each May, and issues each cost between $1.00 and $3.00 Canadian, depending on the price for the issue. The APA is designed to allow feedback. People like to hear from one another, what was thought of their work by those that read it. Members must also keep track of upcoming deadlines. And finally, all submissions must be print-ready. The Central Mailer is not an editor and will not fix or modify your submission.
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7. How Many Copies of my Section Must I Make?
We've gone electronic! You now only need to send in your print-ready copy (contact the Central Mailer for a list of recognized formats). It will then be converted to PDF and put on a CD.
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8. How Do I Get my Submissions in to the Central Mailer?
You can either:
- Mail a CD with your submission.
- E-mail a copy of your submission in an accecptable format. Please compress the file if it is over 2 Megs in size. Contact the Central Mailer if your subscription is over 5 megs in size.
- Visit the Central Mailer and copy it to her computer.
In all cases, your submission must be ready to print. No editing or final cut-and-paste work will be done, and the article will be burned to CD as it is received.
Note: When mailing your submissions, simply state on the Customs Form that you are mailing 'Electronic Matter' worth $0 otherwise your package may end up being held back at customs!
Also: Mail service does not exist in Canada on Saturdays or Sundays. If you wish your package to arrive on the weekend, it must be couriered. Canadian Holidays are very close to, if not immediately following or preceding US holidays. Mail service does not exist on Canadian National Holidays. And finally, signatures do not necessarily mean we will receive it on time.
Deadlines are final. If it's not in the mailbox by deadline, it is not in the issue. Compensation will be given only in the most extreme of circumstances.
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9. Why do I need an Account with APAcalypse?
The costs of putting the APA together is passed down to its members (including the Central Mailers). Everyone pays for their issue to help pay back the Central Mailers for the costs of CDs, CD burners and postage. For, you see - the Central Mailers front the money to pay for the APA.
Yearly fees and purchases of older issues help offset these costs and allow us to reduce the cost per issue. If an account is negative, the member will not receive his/her issue.
You must have a positive account to receive an issue. Even for the first issue, you must have money on file with the APA.
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10. How much do members pay for each issue?
The cost of each issue is between $1.00 and $3.00 Canadian. For all out-of-towners, the accounts are kept by the Central Mailer and receipts are sent with each bi-montly newsletter as to how much remains in each account.
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11. How can I get a sample copy of APAcalypse?
Unfortunately, there are no free samples. To purchase an older issue, please send $5.00 Canadian to the address listed below, and we will gladly send you that issue.
Please, please, please, please! Send us a money order in Canadian funds or a check (in Canadian funds).
DO NOT EVER SEND CASH THROUGH THE MAIL!
For foreign rates of exchange, please refer to a bank or foreign-exchange office in your vicinity.
The address address is:
APAcalypse
ATTN: Sample Copy
1392 Beauvais St.
Ville St-Laurent,
Quebec, Canada,
H4N 1T8
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12. And if I still have questions?
Please, feel free to e-mail
your questions, or write to me at the above address.
Send your letters ATTN: Questions, instead of ATTN: Sample Copy.
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13. Why are the rules for the APA called the Ten Commandments?
Apocalypse is a very Biblical theme, and in keeping with that, we have named our eight rules "Commandments". They are loosely written rules that, hopefully, give the members a guideline as to what is permissible in our APA. We try to keep the number of rules down, and display them prominently each issue, to make it easier for everyone.
Like the Ten Commandments that are suppose to guide the life and activity of Christians, our "Commandments" are suppose to guide our members activity in this APA. They may sound strong, but - in truth they are guidelines. We ask that, should you become a member, you try to stay within these guidelines. They were designed so that it is difficult for a member to harm or insult another member without braking one of the commandments.
The Commandments also cover minimum activity and taxes (also known as membership dues).
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14. Themes? Do I have to follow them?
The themes, in keeping with the Biblical feel, are often from holy books (the Koran, and the Bible to name a few). We give a quote, and a general interpretation of the theme, each issue. If members so desires, they may write something on the theme - but it is not mandatory.
The theme gives the issue an overall feeling, and topic suggestion, but it's never enforced. A few times, members may take the quote and totally change the theme for their articles - finding the quote brings something else to mind. Other times the members write about the theme, but from a different aspect than what the quote provides. Both the quote and the theme only assist in providing the ever-elusive "topic" upon which our members may write. It also gives us (occasionally) an idea or two for the covers.
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15. Who does/can do Cover art?
Currently the cover counts as two pages of role-playing material. Any one can submit a cover - be it hand done, computer drawn or a series of clip art images from Public Domain libraries (in other words non-copyrighted art). We are charged by the amount of black on the cover, so the less solid black areas the better.
Covers are printed on card stock and the original is returned (if the owner so desires).
We can print two covers per issue. We ask that all covers be sent early (the earlier the better) so we can print them up ahead of time.
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16. What about Filler art?
Any art donated to APAcalypse will be used, if not as future covers, then as filler art. This will be art placed on blank pages at the end of member's sections, or to divide member's sections one from another. Any and all filler art (per one 8 1/2 y 11 1/2 sheet) will count as one page of role playing material towards that member's minimum activity count.
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17. The war? What War? Do I have to be part of it?
The rules of the war are as follows:
- Apacalype is a private land, therefore a writer can only successfully
enter another's land with that keeper's permission: Those not interested
in participating need not participate.
- Apacalypse is a land of writers, therefore combat should be written, there
are no real armies, fighters, victims, nor rules save those described in
the invasion: An invader attacks by giving a description of the armies,
characters, monsters, programs etc. that enter into the other's realm. The
strength of the combatants is measured by the description that is given
of them, thus 10 000 Orcs would easily be defeated, while a detailed description
of an espionage team sent with complete character description and motivations
and personalities would be much more difficult to eliminate.
- Apacalypse is a diverse land where magic technology and rules vary greatly
from land to land, what may work in your land may not work in another: You
must conform to other's description of their realm. If you send antagonists
to another land they must be able to exist in that other land, the rules
of the land always dominate and although your fighters may affect these
rules, they may not break them.
- Results of conflicts is determined by interaction, the more detailed the
interaction, the more effective the action. Only by communicating (combat
is communication) with the inhabitants of the realm an invader may affect
that realm, there are no die rolls nor strength comparisons, only stories
to be told.
- Once you have sent you combatants to another's realm, give that realm
a chance to respond in the next Apa. Although you may move and direct them,
realize that the response of the ruler of the realm may invalidate your
next move.
- Any soldiers sent to another's realm risk the chance of becoming something
completely different or even destroyed. That's all right, all realm have
infinite source of warriors limited only by your imagination and your realm's
description.
- The conventions of war exist at all time: You may not destroy another's
creation. You may play with the realm of another, provide it with difficulties,
but cannot destroy any major creation of another's realm.
- The rulers of the realm and their realm are absolute rulers of reality
in their realm: There is no way to achieve absolute victory in another realm
save if that realm Minacs out (even then the victory is only temporary).
- At anytime a ruler may expel all antagonists from his realm but should disband his own combatants from other's realms as well.
The idea of permitting conflict in the realm of Apacalypse is to encourage creative writing not to crush your opponents. Apacalypse is a gaming Apa and is a springboard to exercise our writing and designing abilities, with the consent of the various members of Apacalypse, we can generate an ongoing story/designing session. The war is an optional source of interaction, that may be considered gaming material for the purpose of Minac, whose goal is fun. Participating members risk the pleasure of seeing their creations mutated by other members, but retain full creative rights on their soldiers and inhabitants.
No member is forced to partake in the war if they do not wish to.
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18. Do you take physical copies?
Contact the CM directly. We can scan a few pages for you, but only in special circumstances (art subissions of a few pages, for example). However the maximum size the CM can scan is 8.5 by 11.5 inches (US Letter format).
19. How should I format my section?
Accepted Formats
The CM can accept the following formats:
- Adobe Acrobat (PDF) or device-independent post-script (ps)
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excell
- Open Office
- HTML, XHTML
- Adobe FrameMaker (7.0)
- Quark Express (6.0)
Note: The CM uses a PC. Some problems may occur if you send MAC-specific formats. The CM will contact you should a problem be found with your submission.
If your format choice is not to be converted to PDF - please tell the CM directly.
Your format choice must have a free viewer and be able to be printed to PDF to be accepted.
Headers/Footers/Page Numbers and Title Pages
We also ask that the first page of your section have some form of title, name or graphic that sets it apart from both the rest of your section, and the preceding section. This can be as simple as placing the name of our section on the first page (at the top, as a graphic banner, something different than just plain text), or as complex as a title page.
Again, no submission will be rejected if there is no demarcation between your section and the previous one, but without it - it becomes difficult for users to determine where your section begins, and you might not receive mailing comments if members can not find your section.
Page numbering, headers, footers, columns, and graphics are all very nice and dandy - but how you lay out your section is totally up to you, and are not required for accepted submissions. We ask only that the font-choice be readable, and all masters be as clear as you can make them.
Fonts, Sizes and Line Weights
The fonts you use, their sizes, the letter spacing and line weights (for graphics) are all up to you. All we ask is that it be easy to read. In the past members who submit articles with less than an 8 point type tend not to get comments on their works as the members feel this is too small to read. None the less, no submission will be rejected for this.
Multiple Files
If your submission consists of multiple files, you must tell the CM the order in which they are to appear. If you do not, the CM will take a best guess. Warning: Given that the CM does not read the submission while collating, a best guess is often wrong.
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20. What is the House Organ?
That's the first two (or three, or four) pages of each issue where we list the current theme, next theme, member activity list (how many pages you have yet to add to reach minimum activity), the "Ten Commandments" as well as notify you as to any changes or updates amongst the members. We also include the map of the Known World and a list of recommended abbreviations.
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21. What is The Map of the Known World ?
As a member of APAcalypse, you are given a piece of land on the known world. This is your kingdom to do with as you please. It is from this kingdom that you can play in the game of war (amongst other members who are playing). This also dictates where your section will be in the issue. We collate all sections from the highest number in the land, to the lowest. Our kingdoms are numbered are from 1 to 25 (our maximum membership).
Currently this is all of the known lands, but the map may, one day, expand beyond its current borders if ever the need arises.
What is the scale of the map? Do you have a better vector/color version?
Nope. The map isn't real. It's just a cute way of listing off the members and keeping track of the space we have left. No scale was ever written for the map. There have been a few attempts to turn the map into a game or at least an anything-goes type world, but the members may participate, detail their realm/country/space on the map - or not as they wish.
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22. What are these Abbreviations ?
As with any form of writing, there has developed, over time, a list of shorthand abbreviations to help us better express what we mean. While you don't have to use them, it is recommended. The list (with examples) is available on the Terminology Page.
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23. How Do I Notify the Caretakers of an Address Change ?
If you're moving, or would prefer your issue to be mailed elsewhere, please add a note in your email with the proper mailing address. If you bury it in amongst the submission, or place it in the mailing comments, it may not be noticed in time to change it for the current issue.
We also accept change of address notification by phone, but to assure we get it right, stick to sending us a note. Phone messages tend to get lost in the vortex we call an editing room. Or the Throgs eat them ... we're not too sure which.
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24. What's a Throg ?
A Throg is a creature with green skin, a wild hairdo, and prefers to dress in a three-piece suit (that never fits very well). Throgs are always running around (they wear sneakers BTW), nipping at your ankles (they are very short you see) if you get in their way. They tend to do the odd gopher jobs such as: verifying deadlines, and themes, collating issues and calling to make sure you got your issue in the mail (they are perfect mimics of the caretaker's voices. So you probably think we call you, when it's actually just a Throg calling). And if something goes wrong (a theme is omitted, the deadline is printed wrong, anything), it is, of course, always THE THROG'S FAULT!
Throgs are awful with phone messages, and even worse with loose money sent via the mail. Loose money is spent at the arcades, or buying candy during their time off. We think they eat phone messages (probably preferring the phone-message paper over the regular photocopy paper we give them to eat). All Throgs are volunteered (or volun-told!) into their current positions, and the caretakers are always looking for more Throgs to help with the making of APAcalypse.
The process of being turned into a Throg is very easy, and not too painful. If you have an urge to help make APAcalypse, and hope - someday to be a caretaker, apply as a Throg first. The process is reversible. ... or so we're told.
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25. Doin' the APAcalypso? What’s that?
"Doin' the APAcalypso" (also known as the APAcalypse News letter) is the current working title for our Bimonthly newsletter. It contains updates, notes as well as sending you an activity report (how close you are to minimum activity, or how far over ...), as well as accounting information.
"Doin' the APAcalypso" comes free - to your door every other month (usually one month before APAcalypse is due), to remind you also of deadlines and themes for the next issue.
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26. So - as a new member - what's in it for me?
As a new member, you get your first issue free. There are no charges attached. This is our way of minimizing your costs on your first attempt. You are, however - requested to purchase the following issue because it has mailing comments in it directed at your first submission - and they're always nice to read for $5 Canadian.
27. So what happens when you reach zero?
I don't know. None of us do. Why don't you join us and find out?
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2007
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