This book varies in
usefulness from chapter to chapter. Each chapter includes interviews with nerds
working in the theme for each chapter. One general comment on the layout: for
an older reader like me, the typeface in some areas is almost unreadable. White
on black is difficult to read; white on orange is almost impossible to read.
I’ll proceed with a
chapter-by-chapter review, then end with a few general statements.
Chapter One is devoted
to blogging. I found this chapter inspirational. Due to that chapter, I have
committed myself to posting a blog entry once a week. This has been an
achievable goal.
Chapter Two is devoted
to video. This chapter, while interesting in points, confirmed that making
videos is not an avenue I wish to pursue. The effort and expense are not worth
it for me, at least not at this point in time.
Chapter Three is
devoted to cosplay. It was not quite what I was expecting, but it still had
useful information. For me, cosplay is something I do for fun, not something I
would try to do as a living. It’s been
years since I entered a costume contest, but I intend to do it with my Wonder
Woman as a 50’s teenage girl at MSP SpringCon 2019 in May.
Chapter Four is
devoted to crafting. While the specific examples in the chapter (e.g., blazers
and props, to name two) aren’t on my radar, there is some crafting I would like
to try. I want to make clay models of the members of P.U.R.R., our original
superhero cats.
Chapter Five is
devoted to gaming. I skipped this chapter on my first reading. I thought it
would be about creating video games. It also includes information on creating
board games. That is something I’d like to try. It would be a game based on
P.U.R.R., although I don’t have specifics at this time.
Chapter Six is devoted
to bringing nerdiness to conventional careers. This was a mixed bag – some good,
some not as good. All I can apply in my current full-time job is wearing nerdy
clothing or jewelry, or carrying a nerdy backpack. Your mileage may vary
depending upon your job.
Chapter Seven is
devoted to podcasting. At this time, a choice that is definitely not for me. It
requires equipment and expertise I do not have. Although, given the equipment
and training in the how-to’s, a weekly or monthly podcast may not be entirely
out of the realm of possibility.
Chapter Eight is
devoted to art and comics. This chapter wasn’t what I expected. The art is
digital art. The comics are webcomics, neither of which my husband and I do.
The P.U.R.R. comic will be a hard copy. My art is done by hand with paper, pen,
pencils, paint, etc. Those who create comics and art by hand will find little
useful information here. Those whose work is digital will find a load of useful
information here.
Chapter Nine is
devoted to writing books. The information in this chapter could be just as
easily be found in a magazine such as Writer’s Digest. (As a former subscriber,
I can vouch for its usefulness.) This chapter is a good stepping stone, but
books strictly about writing and publishing would be more useful for those
serious about writing.
Conclusion: We Stand
Together As Nerds. This was a few paragraphs about how nerds of all kinds need
to support each other. An excellent idea! When at conventions, I buy work from
creators whose work I like and will seek out.
The layout of the book
had some issues in addition to the typeface problems mentioned earlier. The end
of every chapter (except the last one, of course) had a “if you don’t like this,
try this instead” statement. This felt like a forced segue, as the theme of
each chapter doesn’t naturally flow into the next chapter.
All in all, it was a
good book. Definitely worth a read if you dream of being a professional
fanboy/fangirl or just want to pick up extra money through nerdy activities,
Final grade: B-
