Sorority anthology
 

Hi GCers!


I've always had a love of reading and a skill for writing. I was just thinking about how I've been missing doing both since I graduated from college (yeah, I know...I'm strange! :) ).

I also love reading the stories posted on GC about all the great times you folks have had in your organizations from rushing to being an alumni. I have done some work with sororities, but I never got to have all the great memories you all did. Anyway, the two thoughts merged and I thought it would be really cool to write, or edit really, an anthology of stories from sorority members.

Yes, an actual, published book. :)

The deal would be this, sorority members from ALL types, NPC, NPHC, multi-cultural, local etc would submit stories about their personal experiences. Topics would include: the rush experience, special times with the big/little, fun times at events/mixers, philanthropy achievements, life lessons learned (sisterhood, leadership...), lifetime/alumni committment and the like. Young and elderly members alike would be encouraged to submit. Yes, I would be contacting all of the national organizations to inform them and enlist assistance.

I would NOT NOT NOT encourage nor accept submissions regarding bad experiences, hazing or ritual. This book would be solely for the purpose to present a positive image of greek life and to inspire sorority members everywhere.

People whose stories or photos are selected for the anthology would have their name and affiliation listed with their story. (I would do my best to make sure that a good-cross section of people are selected so that it's not just one sorority overwhelming the entire thing). If possible, I would like to give each person selected a free copy of the book.


Soooooo....here are my questions:

1) If I proceeded with said project, would any of you be interested in sharing stories? no submissions = no book. :( Many submissions = great book. :)

2) It costs money to publish a book and I am not independently wealthy. :) In general, if you saw this 150-page, hardback book in a bookstore selling for $10-15, would you buy it?


I appreciate any feedback you all can provide - I know how vocal the GC community can get. ;)


......Kelly :)

Kelly, I think it sounds like a "Chicken Soup" book but for Greeks...and we all know how well those books sell. I don't think you'd have a problem marketing it. I think it would also be a great read for those considering Greek membership! :)

I agree with what HotDamGam said, good luck with it !

Personally, I would not feel comfortable sharing my memories and stories and putting a price on it - maybe that's just me.

Furthermore, as I see it, it would basically be "us" writing the book, (all you would need to do is some mild editing and compiling), so why should someone else who isn't Greek profit from it? If the money was going to charity, I would at least be able to comprehend it. It really doesn't make a difference to me that it's in a positive light, when I would have little/no control with how someone portrayed me/my experiences. I don't like the idea of Greek Life as an industry of profit.

I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but the idea really just put me off. I have nothing personal against you!

Thanks,
Carrie

Most definately. I'd be supportive of the book if I knew that the book profits (at least a large % of it) was going to various charities. That is part of what greek life is about ;)

How did your Miss Sorority 2002 pan out?
http://130.94.21.174/gcforums/showth...=&postid=98879

What other greek projects are you working on?

response
 

I understand your concern and there is no obligation to participate.

Wow! I'm amazed that you said that. Anthology or not, there is a LOT of work and investment involved in publishing any work - much more than just "mild editing" (!?)

Would you feel better if I was in a sorority? I was a member of a local at one point so I am not exactly a "non-greek".

As for making a profit, I highly doubt that the book would make the New York best-sellers list. :) I'm not in it for the money - I doubt much would be made really! (I'd be lucky to break even). It's more of a project/hobby really. And with the lack of positive press for greek life, it would be a shame to pass up an opportunity to share the good things.

Uhm... I'm not sure how you come to that conclusion. With an anthology such as this, an editor normally edits and proofreads the submission for conciseness and clarity and/or sends it back to the author and asks him/her to do so. Copies of submissions are always sent back to the author(s) for final approval. In short: you write it; I proof and edit; you approve; I compile; book prints.

I understand what you mean here as well. Though, aren't there a lot of ways that people profit off of greek life in general? Ever buy a lavalier or a t-shirt or Keychains? These companies don't know the special meaning behind the letters but they'll still slap them on a bumper sticker and sell it to members for $5. And the members will buy it.

Frankly, I didn't even consider the thought of making a profit until you brought it up. I guess I just knew that a small specialized run such as this wouldn't be profitable anyway. The reason I asked if anyone would buy one was really to see if anyone other than the contributors would want to read it.

The idea of contributing a percentage to charity is a great idea. The only problem I see with that is picking *which* charity to support. Obviously, most all of the national organizations have an official charity and I'd be hard-pressed to pick one without looking like I'm biased. It would be difficult, but not impossible.


When my mom died a few years ago, someone gave me a book called "Letters from Motherless Daughters - Words of Courage, Grief, and Healing" by Hope Edelman (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.). It is an anthology of stories all written by women who had lost their mothers. As I read, I realized that, though we're different people, we all have something in common.

It's that sense of connectedness that makes an anthology special - To be able to read inspiring stories about sisterhood, friendship and growth across decades, state lines and even organizations. There is something special about Greek life that the general public does not understand. I just felt like I wanted to capture that on paper. I did not mean to offend you or put you off.

If I get lots of feedback that says "your idea sucks"...then I guess it's a no-go! At least I'm making an attempt to solicit opinions from the people who matter the most.


......Kelly :)

I think it sounds like an interesting read, and I would buy it if I had the cash.

.
 

It was going great until September 11th. I cancelled it out of respect. I also wanted to retool it so it didn't sound so cheesy. I wanted it to be a scholarship for outstanding students more than anything else. Maybe I'll relaunch it later this year.

Other than alumnae affiliation with an NPC organization, nothing.

I guess I'm just a dork for trying to participate. :(

Re: response
 

If this was the case, why would any publisher want to publish this book? lol. Generally speaking, THEY are in it for the money.


One of my sisters pointed out that:
"You are not allowed to use your membership in AGD to make a profit for yourself. One AGD in Maryland sent out some flyers to alumnae chapters about some AGD stuff she had made that she was selling. IHQ sent her a letter about that really fast.

I think that the only way we would be able to participate (using our name) would be if profits were going to the Foundation or something like that."

While profits don't seem to be the reason you are going to do this project, it might be the concern of the IHQ's of the contributing members.

Because it would be self-published. Basically, *I* pay someone to print it and they print it without any rights to the material itself. No rights = no royalties.


That's a fair point - and, of course, since there are so many sororities, I have no way of knowing all of their policies without asking all of them. Again, a release would be sent to the national offices where applicable to inform them of the project. In this instance, I could just change my policy to state that no organization shall be named in the book.

If I may speak candidly, I *completely* understand this policy you mention. But, at the same time, I think that organizations shoot themselves in the foot by stopping positive projects because of fear.

I also know that some sororities, including mine -- Phi Mu, prohibit its members from talking to the media about the sorority. This may cross the media line and therefore keep some people from contributing.

I think the book is a great idea and I have had many great experiences since I rushed :) I would consider submiting something I also think that some of the profits should go to charities. I would definitly buy the book if I had the money though...good luck with it!!


Nichole

Re: response
 

Hi Kelly,


To answer your comments, I was simply commenting that the effort that goes into creating an anthology along the lines of "Chicken Soup for the Soul" (as an example) is much different than an original creative work. I wasn't trying to imply that you'd be sitting on your ass like a fat cat :), while "we" all did the work, but it probably came out wrong! :)

The only reason it matters to me whether you're Greek or not, is because I figure that if you were, you might understand why these stories are not something I would necessarily want floating around. Because I don't know you personally, I wouldn't take for granted what your approach would be. Don't think I'm assuming the worst of you or anything, it's just that not all editors actually come back and get approval from their informal contributors, - and perhaps the reason I'm a little sceptical is because I know cases where this has not happened and the person has been misquoted. I am also a little confused - first it seems that you want to print this book to improve the reputation of Greek Life, which is fine. But then you say that you assume that only the contributors would read it, and I would assume that the contributors already have a good impression of the System. Anyway, maybe you can see why I have questions here.

I understand that there is a lot of negative press the Greek System receives, but I don't think the answer is to publish a book. The way that Fraternities and Sororities are going to fight the negative stereotypes is by continuing to be active and visible in the community, become outstanding scholars and leaders, etc. Again, this is just my opinion.

For me, it's not about how much money is made, or that I want my cut or something -
I am fully aware that Greek Life is full of profit hounds - but that doesn't make me like it or accept it any more. In fact, I try to buy my paraphanalia directly from my own organization - whose intentions I trust. There are also companies that I've bought from in the past, when I've had to, that give part of their proceeds back to a charity. So, please don't assume that ALL members are stupid and buy things from anyone who slaps their letters on a shirt, etc.

As I tried to state in my first message, I'm not angry or trying to be bitchy, I am just expressing my opinion, which you solicited. I sincerely wish you the best, no matter what you do, because I'm sure you have the best of intentions. :)

Thanks,
Carrie

Frankly, I have to say I was really surprised to see that anybody is against this. I don't know that I would bother to submit to it, necessarily, but I can't see the harm.

This is not the sort of book, say, Random House would publish. We're puffing up our own importance if we think there's a market that big for it! The only way to do it would self publication, where basically the writer or editor pays for the printing services and then recoups his or her investment by book sales. And he or she rarely even makes back what he or she has shelled out. The hardest part is getting the book to stores. Your local B. Dalton won't pick up some random self-published book. Thanks to the internet, there is a bigger market today than 20 years ago, but it's still hard going.

No one would be obligated to contribute. But I can't believe that any national sorority would refuse to let members contribute IF the nationals were given the right to approve the material. Let's face it, Phi Mu HQ does not get excited when chapter X's rush chair tells the school newspaper, "We are so excited about meeting all the new girls this week." Non media-contact policies are designed to stop bad or inappropriate press, and if this was done correctly, it wouldn't be.

I am a writer and an editor professionally. Anyone who thinks the editor will just sit back on a divan and collect the profits without breaking a sweat is way off-base. Editing is hard work and involves a lot of boring administrative and fact-checking work. Given that this probably isn't going to be runaway bestseller, she probably won't be collecting any profits at all.

Now, Navane, I don't know you, so don't take this wrong when I say this is all true assuming you're on the up-and-up. I of course have no reason to believe you are not. If you got the support of national orgs, I think some people's fears would be allayed. If people are worried about the massive profits they think you'll be raking in, you could choose to divide any proceeds above an beyond publication costs equally among the NPC, NPHC, and Latino fraternity/sorority council (sorry, the name escapes me). Surely that's a philanthropy everyone could agree on. Well, it doesn't include locals, I suppose, but it's pretty broad.

I think you can see that there are differing opinions. As far as what I think it doesn't really matter,(but I'll tell ya anyway! LOL) What do YOU want to do?
Sometimes we limit ourselves because we fear rejection. Take what everyone is saying and weigh it against your own ideas.

Sometimes in books of this nature you have a mix of anonymous contributors along with people who allow their names to be used.
Also, many potential contributors might want to specify seeing the final draft prior to allowing their statements to appear. This would be in the individual releases.

I wouldn't have a problem with anyone making a profit from a book like this...it does indeed take a lot of time and effort to produce a quality project and since the motivation is stated to be positive for Greeks, I think it would be nice. Would I buy it? Maybe not for myself, but my daugter.

That's a good point, but there's only so much influence an individual person or chapter can have. A book would be able to reach a lot more people and give a lot more perspectives and experiences. Setting a positive example goes a long way, but in my opinion it would be foolish to ignore an opportunity to reach so many people.

I think it's a good idea. But I get the impression I'm seeing this differently then everyone else.

Currently, the only information that non-greeks can get on greek life are statistics, what is released by nationals/locals and panhel, and image destroying newspaper articles. I think it would be nice to have a resource where non greeks can find out about how amazing it is to share the bond of being greek. It may be a start in the right direction of having non greeks realize that there is more to being greek than partying. In addition, most non greeks don't seek out those personal stories unless they are looking to pledge somewhere. This book of sorority girls' experiences would open up a source for young girls, mothers, and anyone else to get a different perspective (and the one we all like a lot better) about what being greek is like.

If navane does make a profit (and I do agree that dividing among the different charities is the best idea), she can do what she wants with it, it's her idea and her hard work. That's why if you don't like what she's doing, then you don't contribute stories or buy the book. That's every consumers choice.

I would also like to mention that a lot of this decided on the trustworthiness of navane. I don't mean to insult you at all, Kelly, but I don't know you at all. If you wanted girls to submit stories, I would recommend using another means than to solicit stories over an interent forum, and I do understand you are only looking for advice right now, but in the future...
You should let the girls know more about you and let them know your intentions for how you will put the book together and what will happen with profits. That will increase your credibility and put a lot of people at ease.

Other than that I agree with justamom... what do you want to do?
:)

I have definite mixed emotions about this.
On one hand I can see how this would make greek life, especially sorority life, more positive. But, on the same hand I can see it totally backfiring and turning negative.
Something that needs to be addressed in this forum topic are things like rituals, significance of letters, and traditions. Those things are important to every sorority woman, however, we don't run around and talk about them. Sometimes we don't even talk about them to our own sisters if we weren't in the privacy of our chapter house. I wouldn't want anyone to have access to these kinds of things. This would take away from the bonds of sisterhood of all greek women.
And I can only imagine the amount of red tape a person who was not affiliated with that GLO would have to go through to get things like releases signed.
-Maggie

I would like to clarify that I am not against the idea at all. I just wanted to make it seem more than collecting a bunch of stories from GCers and then publishing it. I feel that it is more of a complex issue since we are not sharing our stories as individuals but rather members of our GLO's.

Great Idea!
 

I'm going with my gut, and it thinks this is a wonderful idea. I can see many people's concerns, But I agree with Pinkangel and JustAMom and say you should do it, no matter how others may feel. I think its positive that you even asked people what they think about it to begin with. Another person might have just went and did whatever anyways.
I would by the book for me or my daughter when/if I have one. I like hearing reminiscing over my sorority memories and hearing about the memories of other girls. $10-15 is actually pretty inexpensive for a book anyways. I will contact my IHQ and see what they say, and if its all good (and im about 90% sure it will be)Id be more than happy to lend stories and photos (of course with the permission of the girls in the pics). If we are one the ones handing in the stories, they only was I can see it back firing is if one of us sent in something that was uncalled for. And if people are worried about you tamering with the stories here is what I would do.....
Make a contract simply implying that you agree not to change the CONTENT/MEANING of the story. The only thing that gets changed is spelling or grammar, etc.. If anything is change that makes it negative, you will be held responsible for it. Also a certain percentage of the proceeds will go to XYZ charities or the NPC/NPHC/whoever elses Headquarters. You could also put a disclaimer in the book stating that this book is solely for the purpose of making ppl aware of the POSITIVE that comes from being greek from the work to the memories that they have.
You would send a copy to any not only any conference that wants to participate but also to any orgs. headquarters and also to individuals who share photos and/or stories. This could all be one contract so that you will not have to make up like 18 different ones. All you have to do is copy a bunch of one. You keep copies for yourself and those involved should keep a copy also.You send it to them with your sig., they sign theres and copy it and send it back to you. They should also keep a copy of the work they sent you. Or you after you have done what you needed to do to it, you could send it back with your signature stating that THAT was the story you used and not something you tampered with or something else.You could either make the contract yourself (you dont need it to be drawn up by a lawyer to hold it in a court of law) or have someone who is in an org draw it up, but that you also agree one. This not only keeps your butt protected, but ours too :). But I seriously think you have good intentions on this.
I think most orgs have rules for the media for the bad press, however if it was worthy I dont think most would mind. Then there is also a suggestion where you do not mention the org names and jsut leave it as so and so's memory or being in a sorority. :D (can anyone else see the lawyer that in me?)

I would be for the idea, but there are many things that I am against.

1. Many of my greek memories I'd like to keep for me and my brothers alone, some people might understand that, some might not, but my greek memories are just that, mine.

2. A book like this could be display serious distortion and bia simply by stating that it would be published with no negative experiences or memories. Not all my memories of greek life are great, but in the same sense, I think it would be in a way, "sugarcoating" by sharing only positive experiences, yet that is my opinion and a lot of people probably don't feel that way. My quam with that would be, if it were to become a NY bestseller, which it could, that could come under sever criticism.

3. Like tridelta4ever stated: the majority of the book would be written by the submitters of the memories. Of course you can factor in editing and rewording, maybe writing a preface and a few memories of your own, a glossary of greek slang words and such, but it is more of a collaboration, a collection, then being written by a single person.

4. I have had things published before, not big, but nevertheless. The start up costs to have something published can be relatively cheap. In fact, a publisher may pick up the entire cost and settle for a one sum amount, a percentage or royalties. If the book were to be published w/o the buyout of a publisher, it could be somewhat costly, but not extremly. Which brings me to my point, we all spend money to make money, and I don't think that anyone would just be willing to throw several thousand dollars away without a little return in mind. A book like this could very well be a great seller. Like the thread starter stated, buying it for 10-15 bucks, that could return quite a profit on a book, considering the printing charges for that one book would be a mere percentage of the 10-15 bucks.

Again, I don't really know, I guess i'd have to know and trust the person who was putting the collaboration together in order to understand if they are trying to profit off of other people and their memories.

I like the idea of the book. I guess as a local, I don't have all the rules and ties to a larger organization--just the pride in my own. So, just like all the national GCer's, I wouldn't want to submit anything too "revealing"--but do you really have to? I sincerely believe that every sorority girl has shared experiences with their sisters that don't give away secrets but still reflects the spirit of sisterhood--not that everyone would want to share them, but that there is a reason in all the symbols, and that the fact that we belong to a sorority indicates we believe in something intangible and organic behind the tangible symbolism. I think submitting stories that reflect the beauty in sisterhood is a great idea--not only would I buy a copy, but I'd get my anti-greek sister (biological) a copy too. I don't agree that leaving out the "bad" stuff is detrimentally biased--perhaps you can think of it as equal time. Of course, no one has to feel the same way I do, and in that case, don't submit. Navane, I wish you luck on your project--and though I couldn't possibly speak for all locals, if you do choose to donate a portion to charity, a philanthropy is cool, whatever the philanthropy.

My response to #1 is, if you don't want to share it, DON'T! No one is forcing you to submit anything.

My response to # 2 is, navane, why don't you put yourself as being an editor of the stories? I know of many college professors who have published books that included several essays from colleagues on a certain subject. On the cover it says Edited by........enter name here. Therefore you are not saying you are the autor, but instead you edited the work of these people related to the subject. I see nothing wrong with that since it is done al the time.

Navane, do what you want to do. It will probably take a lot of research and effort to get past all the tape, but I think it's worth it. I would definetely buy it.

At the time I made my original post, though I didn't say it, I implied that I would be the editor. I did clarify that in a later response to someone else. So yes, since people would submit their stories to me, I obviously would be an editor and not an author. :) I know there was a concern that I would somehow try to pass off the stories as my own.

At any rate, just to update everyone, I've decided to not go ahead with any efforts regarding the anthology at this time. I appreciate all of the pro and con feedback I've received from everyone. I apologize if I upset anyone with my ideas. At some time in the future, I may decide to attempt this project in partnership with a single national organization. Again, thanks for your feedback.


......Kelly

Navane-you had a pretty good idea. It would not surprise me to see someone pick up the ball and run with this concept.
Coming soon to a bookstore near you...

Kelly, if you feel strongly enuff about it go for IT!:)

When I graduated, I thought about writing a book on my experience as a Greek and my Brothers and the other Greeks on Campus!

My thought was who wants to hear about a bunch of Greeks in Clollege

Well I didnt and Animal House came out!

I love that movie and laff everytime i see it and recognize some in the movie as My Brothers!

D-Day-Spook, Flounder-Mex, Boone- Bone, Neidermeir- Bouser etc.

My loss was Mad Mag. gain!

It is an interesting thought tho!:D

I feel you should go for it to. JAM is right, someone will probably being scooping this idea up pretty soon. Another things is you can always just limit stories to those from Alums. I know for many orgs, they are pretty much free to say whatever they want and include their name and org in it. I emailed my org in inquirly about this and was told my involvement would be ok, if I did it. I even think they believed it was a good idea. Like someone said, if people dont feel comfortable doing it, than they dont have too. No one is forcing them too. I understand peoples feeling about want to keep their memories to themselves, but to me the memory is that I LIVED it and no one can take what actually happened away from me. They can distort it however they want, but I and those who also experienced it know the truth. Besides this would be no different then telling your friend what you did with your sisters/brothers or telling stories of your Spring Break. Its not like your telling secrets and rituals...your just saying, for example, how one night a sister was crying her eyes out over a guy breaking up with her and you all decided to go out for ice cream to cheer her up and you all sang songs the whole night, yada yada yada.

LOVE THE IDEA
 

HEY GREEK CHAT SISTERS!

Just wanted to say how much I love the idea. This past semester my sorority sisters and I found a book Sorority Sisters that reinforced the experiences that we as sisters share. It was so awesome to read a novel about pledging and sisterhood that I'm sure that an anthology would do just as well. We all have so many experiences both positive and negative (and don't we learn from each other pretty well?) Plus, any book on positive women and their relationships does well... just because it is written by members of greek letter organizations won't change that. People like to read books that pose a positive outlook on life, and I believe that this anthology would be not only suitable but in the end very profitable.... Please email me with any further details about this endeavor... I'm really interested and I'm sure my house would feel me on this!

In Eternal Love and Friendship,
Brown Suga

I think that it sounds like a good idea! Good luck! :D

The First Amendment has precedence over your GLO's policy about telling the world about your fraternity experiences. If you want to take out a full-page ad in the New York Times revealing the secret work and the mystical meanings, you could. (Or, to save money, you could post it on the Internet.) Your GLO would probably expel you, however.

A slender volume of warm, positive thoughts about sorority membership would make a nice gift for initiates or Founders Day favors.

BTW, other writers have published accounts of their fraternal life. M.E. Kerr in ME ME ME --she was an ADPi at the the University of Missouri; IIRC she writes that she fully counted on being a Kappa. In Blackberry Winter the renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead is bitter about her rush experience at DePauw. She, too, counted on being a Kappa--IIRC because of a hometown connection--and did not get a Kappa bid. She did not pledge anything. (When I read that in the early 70's she was still alive, and I wanted to write to say, "What about Alpha Gam?" and I later found out that the AGD chapter was inactive at the time she was at DePauw.) Just think what Kappa missed!

kelly---to me, this sounds like a wonderful idea! i like it a lot...although i can see some ppl's concerns, it still seems like you know all the legistics that need to be figured out and that you have a general respect for all GLO's...i'm just going on what you've written here b/c i don't know you, but whatever.
and for all you not sure how you feel about putting your personal stories out there...she's not forcing anyone to do anything. she's just someone merely asking for an opinion on the idea and if they would submit. nothing more. and you don't have to say what GLO you're involved with if you don't want to...it's just "story time"...

it's ok, i promise.

kelly, if you ever do decide to get this in gear, look me up!

:D monica

Doing it
 

Hey Girls!
Its great to hear that great minds think alike! The panhel phil. chair at my college is already trying to compile a group of writings, like said before, similar to the Chicken Soup books. As far as I know Sara (the phil. chair) is trying to work it out so the book would be called Chicken Soup for the (Panhellanic, Sorority, or Greek) Soul. Just a thought, but if everyone (meaning the people here and the people participating in it aready) got together we could make an even better book? I'll see if i can find some contact info around the school Panhel site to post back here. Just a suggestion, no offense ment in any way. And sorry about all the spelling errors :) I never did very well in that subject.
~Katy

I found the chair's e-mail but no info was up on the website.
Here it is though, just in case :sray1@bradley.edu

cute idea
 

Ambitious and good. Just don't make it too cheesy. Not too mushy, either. Have a good mix of stories. I would so buy the book if it ever came out.