Tag: Robert Fleming

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Digital Monsters

Published on by Nadja MarilLeave a comment

By Robert Fleming

For Halloween what are digital graphic artists doing? Yours truly, is making digital images of monsters. Oops! Oh NO, I came out as a digital graphics artist. I will show you how, to make monsters.

My inspiration for monsters is the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley first published 1/1/1818. Since Mary died 2/1/1851 and Frankenstein sells 40,000 copies a year, who is collecting Mary’s royalties? Hmm?

Mary Shelley’s beautiful neckline     

                           

Frankenstein, Mary’s first monster child

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MONSTER

One of the computer software tools I use to create digital graphics is Canva which has a free and paid version.  Home – Canva.  To create a monster:

  1. access a device with www access
  2. choose your image which could be a photograph you took or an image which is free (in public domain) on the www
  3. cut away the parts you don’t want by cropping the image which is like using an electronic scissors
  4. if the image background has a border frame (like white) you don’t want, you can remove it by using computer software to remove background like Adobe Express Free Image Background Remover | Adobe Express
  5. on the www go to Canva
  6. in Canva create a Design
  7. upload your image(s) into Canva (toolbar to the left of your image)
  8. copy/move your uploaded image to your design page
  9. click on the image
  10. duplicate the image page (so you will have the original), toolbar on the top right of the image, click on the +
  11. move your curser to the duplicate image
  12. click on edit, toolbar above your image, left side
  13. on left side of image, click on apps “see all”
  14. click on Liquify (4th row, far right)
  15. click on Flow (2d row, far right)
  16. set the flow options: melt amount 1 / melt scale 1/ woble amount 1 /woble scale 1
  17. if you like the image, click on “save”
Original Image
Edited Monster Image

ADD COLOR

if you are confidant and feeling adventurous, then add color to the image
click on the image

click on edit

click on the app ColorMix

click on the parakeet (2nd row, far right)

if you like the image, click on save

Monster image with different color.

Another example: Transforming a photograph using a funhouse technique.

Original Image

       edited monster image like mirror in fun house
 

DIRECTIONS

return to Liquify

Click on Melt (1st row, 2nd column)

set the melt options: melt amount .5 / melt scale .5

if you like the image, click save

I send you courage to make your own digital graphics monsters.

Yours Truly is:

Robert Fleming, a contributing editor of Old Scratch Press

OLD SCRATCH PRESS – a poetry/short-form collective | estd. 2023

who published an Amazon best seller visual poetry book: White Noir

white noir: Fleming, Robert: 9781957224183: Amazon.com: Books

an editor of the digital magazine Instant Noodles

About – INSTANT NOODLES

the creator of an upcoming horrorthon banner for Oddball Magazine, to be released +-10/27/2024

The 2024 Horrorthon: A Call for Submissions – oddball magazine

and the creator of an upcoming magazine cover for Tell-Tale Inklings #7, to be released Autumn, 2024

(1) Tell-Tale Chapbooks | Facebook

THANK YOU FOR READING. Follow Old Scratch Press on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/OLDSCRATCHPRESS/      

Play a Game With Us and Win a Prize!

Published on by dianneP2 Comments

It’s the spooky season! Let’s play Exquisite Corpse!

“What,” you may ask, “is Exquisite Corpse, and how do I engage in such an outlandishly named game?”

Before we all get the vapors…

Exquisite Corpse is a collaborative poetry game that traces its roots to the Parisian Surrealist Movement. Exquisite Corpse is played by several people, each of whom writes a word on a sheet of paper, folds the paper to conceal it, and passes it on to the next player for his or her contribution.
In order to write a poem, participants should agree on a sentence structure beforehand. For example, each sentence in the poem could be structured “Adjective, Noun, Verb, Adjective, Noun.” Articles and verb tenses may be added later or adjusted after the poem has been written. The game was also adapted to drawing, where one participant would draw thehead of a figure, the next the torso, etc. The name “Exquisite Corpse” comes from a line of poetry created using the technique: “The exquisite corpse will drink the young wine.”
https://poets.org/text/play-exquisite-corpse

While we cannot share a piece of paper, we can, all the same, play the game. Please join us!

The rules for this game are as follows”

SUBMIT: one line of “poetry”

FORM: The line must be arranged to have these elements in THIS ORDER ONLY as the main elements:

Adjective, Noun, Verb, Verb, Adjective or Adverb (one only), Adjective, Noun

Punctuate (or not) as you see fit.

YES! You can add conjunctions, articles, etc., as needed, but the main words must be Adjective, Noun, Verb, Verb, Adjective or Adverb (one only), Adjective, Noun

So, this would work:

Happy frogs jumped and swam quickly, green sparks

Happy(adjective) frogs(noun) jumped(verb) and swam(verb) quickly(adverb), green(adjective) sparks(noun).

And this would not:

Frogs jumped happily and swam quickly making green sparks

Got it?

You do!

Send it to dianne@currentwords.com between now and October 29th at midnight PT, for publication on Halloween!

Make the email subject: Exquisite Corpse.

ONE entry per person!

PRIZES:

SUBMIT and you will be given a free digital copy of the OSP book of your choice!

Three lucky people, chosen at random by Robert Fleming and his random number generator, will be given a print (paperback) copy of the OSP book of his/her/their choice!

One Lucky Person (not publishing with CWP) will win a free 5-page edit from me!

OSP members and other people CWP publishes are welcome to join in, and can claim a free Kindle of their choice from OSP, but are not going to get one of the three free print books or the edit (so sorry! Let’s give those to our guests!).

YES, everyone who enters will be subscribed to OSP news through Current Words newsletter, which is sent out to email addresses one time almost every month. At the bottom of your first newsletter (and all the rest of them) is an unsubscribe button, and if you really don’t want to stay on the list, that will get you right off (Mailchimp don’t play.).Honestly, we’re not trying to bother you; we’re out to have fun!

So, let’s have fun!

Ooooo, you can already start dreaming of the OSP book you’re going to choose for your prize! Take a look at your options:

Catalog

Happy Fall, y’all, and Happy Halloween!

I cannot wait to read your exquisite corpse!

🙂 Dianne

FREE BOOK OF THE QUARTER: white noir

Published on by diannePLeave a comment

Where Art Meets Poetry: Fleming’s creative prowess knows no bounds. He’s a poet who wields images like a maestro conducts a symphony, infusing each verse with a visual narrative that ignites the imagination. Brace yourself for an electrifying literary experience that shatters the boundaries of storytelling.

A Feast for the Mind and the Eyes: white noir is more than poetry; it’s a a tapestry of emotions on paper. Featuring a striking cover designed by the author.

What They’re Saying:

“…you will see and think things you never did.”
Matt Wall, publisher of Poetic Anarchy Press

“Robert Fleming is outrageous and original in word and image.”
Michael Sindler, beat poet laureate of Colorado

“…a raw and curious visual journey through human history.”
Crystal Heidel, author of Still Life in Blood
Owner of Byzantium Sky Press

AND IF YOU WANT A FREE COPY… ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK. RIGHT HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GABBY and THANK YOU!

Published on by diannePLeave a comment

Hi All~

Today we celebrated the launch of Gabby Gilliam’s book: NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT with a reading on Zoom by Gabby and Robert and Alan.

I am going to guess that many of the guests were friends/family of the authors, and I am so grateful for their kindness as we navigated our first live event since 2020, in a different house, on different equipment, and on the opposite coast. I’m not going to say we were a well-oiled machine, but our hearts were in the right place. 😉

Within the coming week we will create a nice video of the event and post it here, as well as send it to the participants.

If you attended, or if you missed, please consider coming to future events. It meant so much to me to hear the authors read the books live that Dave and I often work on alone, in silence. I tend to read the books we publish a few times, but this is a whole different and rich experience.

So, if you were able to attend, I thank you for doing so, and being such a gracious guest.

If you were unable to attend, not to worry, as we will be posting the event here ASAP.

And don’t forget to visit the catalogue page and see what OSP books are available! The OSP authors keep 100% of their royalties, so help them earn a little coin at this writing game.

Also, next week, if you’re feeling game and supportive, join us again for the live reading of INSTANT NOODLES… VOLUME 4 (has it been 4 years???) ISSUE 1.

The writing for this issue, chosen by Gabby Gilliam, Anthony Doyle, Nadja Maril, and with visuals chosen by Robert Fleming and Alan Bern, is not to be missed!

Thank you for supporting indie authors.

Much love~

Dianne & David

LIVE READING EVENT via ZOOM

Published on by diannePLeave a comment

🌟 Get ready for an unforgettable evening! 🌟

Join us for an electrifying book reading event as the talented Gabby Gilliam unveils her latest masterpiece, No Ocean Spit Me Out!

But that’s not all! Friends and fellow literary stars Robert Fleming and Alan Bern will also be captivating us with their powerful readings. 🌟✨

Don’t miss this extraordinary event—it’s FREE and open to everyone! 🎉📚Register here for the ZOOM link.

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“NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT” IS LIVE!

PICK UP AN OLD SCRATCH PRESS BOOK TODAY!

New Poetry Collection by Gabby Gilliam; An Interview with the Author

Published on by Nadja MarilLeave a comment

No Ocean Spit Me Out. Gabby Gilliam’s first chapbook of poems, published by Old Scratch Press, is now available for purchase. Shipments will begin on September 15th.  Recently I had the opportunity to ask Gabby a few questions about her work and her newest book.

The poems in Gabby Gilliam’s new book, No Ocean Spit Me Out, explore the dynamics and evolution of family relationships.

A live reading zoom event is coming up, JUNE 15tth and you can register to hear Gabby read from her new book as well as hear poets Alan Bern and Robert Fleming read from their work as well. To register click here.

 What do you like best about writing poetry?

I love that you can use poetry to describe things in new ways––to make the familiar fresh and universal at the same time. It’s one of the things I like best about reading poetry as well.

Which is your favorite poem in this collection and why?

I think my favorite poem might be the one that gives the book its title, No Ocean Spit Me Out. It’s a tribute to my dad. In this poem, I compare my dad to the god Zeus, and Zeus fails to measure up. Since my dad passed away, most of my poems about him are darker and focus more on my grief. I like this poem because it focuses on some of the things that made me love him so much.

What would you like readers to know about you in connection to your work?

Many of my poems focus on aspects of family connection. From dealing with addiction to witnessing my dad’s complicated relationship with his faith (which had an influence on my own struggle with religion and faith), the poems in this collection are a collage of my childhood and gradual self-acceptance. I hope readers can connect with my personal experiences by reflecting on the nuances of their own familial relationships and the impact they have on shaping our identities. I think the power of shared experiences is what make poetry so resonant, and I hope readers find that within the pages of this collection.

More about Gabby

Fellow collective member Gabby Gilliam is a writer, an aspiring teacher, and a mom. Gabby’s poetry has appeared in One Art, Anti-Heroin Chic, Plant-Human Quarterly, The Ekphrastic Review, Vermillion, Deep Overstock, and Spank the Carp.

Not only is she a poet, but Gabby pens the Drumming for the Cure series of novels. Two thus far, Trouble in Tomsk and Chasing the Cure have been published by Black Hare Press. She lives in the DC metro area with her husband and son.

To purchase your own copy of No Ocean Spit Me Out, click here. Please remember to leave a review if you like it because customer rankings count. And please follow Old Scratch Press on Facebook.

LIVE READING EVENT via ZOOM

Published on by dianneP1 Comment

Come hear Gabby read from her new book!
Friends Robert Fleming and Alan Bern will also read!

Free and open to the public!

Register here for the ZOOM link.

1718492400

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~NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT~ IS LIVE!

PICK UP AN OLD SCRATCH PRESS BOOK TODAY!

No Ocean Spit Me Out Pre-order!

Published on by diannePLeave a comment

Dianne here, and I am so excited to tell you that, right now, Gabby Gilliam is brining us the fourth book from Old Scratch Press, NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT.

Gabby Gilliam’s verse preserves the feel of the summer farm, contrasting its fertile brightness with the struggle between grief and the sudden absence of connection to family and place. Belonging and the struggle to continue remembering clash on the page, while the passion for life’s diverse and tactile experiences dazzle the reader with tantalizing gasps of zucchini, crab apples, and blackberry wine. Each poem gives the reader their own lingering taste of her ghosts. -Kim Malinowski

NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT is a captivating debut collection of poetry that delves deep into the intricate tapestry of family dynamics and personal evolution. Within its 30 poems, the collection embarks on a profound journey through the stages of coming of age, navigating the complexities of familial bonds, grappling with organized religion, and ultimately, embracing the essence of self-acceptance.

Each poem in NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT serves as a poignant reflection of the human experience, capturing moments of vulnerability, resilience, and growth with eloquence. Through lyrical prose and emotive imagery, Gilliam paints a vivid portrait of the joys and struggles inherent in the process of self-discovery.

Whether you’re seeking solace in the shared experiences of family relationships or searching for introspective insights into the nuances of identity and faith, this collection offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.

NO OCEAN SPIT ME OUT is National Book Award nominee!

Pre-order your copy now!

PAPERBACK

eBOOK

Delaware OSP Founding Members Honored With Multiple Awards

Published on by DPP1 Comment

By Robert Fleming

Two OSP Founding Members, Morgan Golladay and yours truly Robert Fleming, won awards at the Delaware Press Association professional communications contest 5/1/2024 in Newark, DE. Escorting Morgan through the entrance, she answered my dress question: “my Old Scratch Press T-shirt is not fancy enough for a banquet, best black only.” I wore a tight shirt to accentuate my pecs, in-case there was anyone looking for a date. At a banquet, you must send the right signals.

Here is the low-down on who won which awards:

Morgan Galladay won first and second place in short stories: single story for “Under the Rhodendrons” published in Halloween Party ’23:
Halloween Party ’23: Keeten, Jeffrey, Heron, Robert Lewis, Goodridge, James, Golladay, Morgan, DeCicco, Kim, Dickerson, Marc, Howd, Eric Machan, Machan, Katharyn Howd, Paige, Michael, Cantu, Juan: 9781957224503: Amazon.com: Books

“Second Christmas” published in Solstice, volume 3:
Solstice: A Winter Anthology (The Solstice Winter Anthology Series): Pearce, Dianne, Doyle, Anthony, Golladay, Morgan, Watts, Virginia, Johnson, John, Fitzgerald, Christian, Aakaash, Buffy, Fulcher, R. David, Crandell, William F., Pearce, Dianne: 9781957224039: Amazon.com: Books
and honorable mention in creative verse: single poem for “March Wind” published in Instant Noodles: MARCH WIND – Morgan Golladay – INSTANT NOODLES (instantnoodleslitmag.com)

What’s next for Morgan: At the banquet Robert spilled ranch dressing on Morgan’s black skirt. Morgan screamed she will immediately send her suit to the dry cleaner. Robert agreed to pay for his stain. While Morgan is waiting to pick up her dry cleaning, she is promoting her upcoming book Song of North Mountain, published by Old Scratch Press:
DPP CATALOG – Devil’s Party Press, LLC (devilspartypress.com)


Robert Fleming won third place in creative verse: single poem for “Cheese Sonnet #263” published in Four Feathers Press: rhythms of Southern California


Honorable mention in Graphics and Design for “Timothy Gager is with Ellis Elliott at Boston Harbor with the Dire Literary Series.”

DPP CATALOG – Devil’s Party Press, LLC (devilspartypress.com

Robert Fleming won third place in creative verse: single poem for “Cheese Sonnet #263” published in Four Feathers Press: rhythms of Southern California

honorable mention in Graphics and Design for “Timothy Gager is with Ellis Elliott at Boston Harbor with the Dire Literary Series.”

(2) Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10223029934604316&set=gm.1347430896144791&idorvanity=518428889045000

What’s next for Robert?

At my club house gym yesterday, a neighbor approached me to purchase my book White Noir:

After showering, I delivered my book to my neighbor who invited me inside and paid me, after I signed my book. That was the end of the neighborly encounter because the neighbor’s husband, watching tv on the couch, sneered at me. I promptly departed my neighbor’s house, as the husband rose and walked toward his pistol.

Unwounded, I created three graphic images for Four Feather’s Press upcoming publication: Landmarks of Southern California. Learn more about the author here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOAb33t1NFc