pamphlet / leaflet

[More Fire for the People]

Alright, I'm in the process of writing a pamphlet about anti-capitalism and I need some assistance / advice.
Here's what I plan to cover
1. proletarian and student alienation from the world
2. abolishing alienation via revolution
3. the revolution as a unity and communism ("el pueblo unido jamás será vencido")

Now, one of my problems is how should I approach this project stylisticly? The targeted group is students and workers, especially poor and immigrant workers. The leaflet will also be under two pages.

The second problem I have is how should I distribute these leaflets? I want to make about 20-30 copies but I don't have a working printer. I don't think the library will let me make copies because of the content. Also, I want to maintain as much anonymity as possible. So where should I drop them off and what time should I drop them off?

[which doctor]

I'm actually in a very similar situation.

I was going to make a zine, but then I thought it would be better if it was just a pamplet. I plan on distributing mine throughout New Orleans. I plan on making mine a little bigger, it will be about 16-18 pages.

The actual publishing shouldn't be too difficult. Luckily I have a working printer. You should be able to use the printer at your library. I don't think they can control the content that you print. I know at my library you can copy things by yourself, you don't need the assistance of the librarian. If that doesn't work out for you you can try your local copy shop. They probaly won't care about the content, they just want your business.

As for distro, that shouldn't be too difficult either. Drop them off at places your target audience will frequent. Coffee shops and bookstores are popular with students. The working poor will be a bit tougher. They often visit the big box stores, a place that probaly won't allow you distribute a pamphlet. If you want to get access to the lumpen you can try going to soup kitchens and homeless shelters. They probaly won't care as they have so much on their hands already.

Now for style. Try to stick to a theme. For example, my theme is a bit militant. Themes aren't that important as long as you don't have all these crazy ideas that appear as if they don't go together. Make it look like something the average person would want to read. Don't sound too intellectual, make it something the average ignorant person can understand. Leave obscure historical references at home too. Get straight to your message. Make it legible too, no crazy hard to read fonts.

On to anonymity. This is understandable, it's something I want to keep too. Go to a part of town that you don't normally frequent. Stay away from areas where you might know people. Most people who see you with these flyers will forget your face by the next day. Don't worry about it too much.

Cheers.

[More Fire for the People]

Thanks for your advice Fist of Blood but other than your stylistic suggestions, they don't apply to me. I live in a semi-rural area. Population of 3,000 or so. We don't have coffee shops and bookstores, we have gas stations and more gas stations. I'm thinking about distributing that a grocery store, a gas station, and another place. But these places aren't all that good. Also, I need to be sure that distributing socialist material is legal.

[farleft]

Why does it have to be legal?

Why not set up an underground paper/booklet type thing?

I am in the middle of planning a similar project in London, maybe we can chat on MSN and discuss properly?

Cheers,

[anti-authoritarian]

Heh! A 21st Century 'Iskra'!

I'm also trying to make some pamphlets, however, I am a bit money tied. What's the cheapest way of publishing without the leaflet looking too tacky?

[More Fire for the People]

Why does it have to be legal?
Because that would really f things up for me. If the cops caught me, it isn't a slap on the wrist, and cops might be the least of my worries if people [KKK, National Alliance] found I wrote it.

[farleft]

Are you just one guy? don't you have people involved to help you in your local area? or are you the only lefty?

What you say sounds strange because I dont have those worries in the UK, most people are apolitical and no one will lynch anyone of you promote your views.

[More Fire for the People]

or are you the only lefty?
Yeah, it's a one man job. I know some pacifists and social democrats, but most people I know are cultural conservatives. It's an oozing, pulsating, tumor upon the South.

The way our cities are structured are absurd. We have hubs -- like Atlanta, Dallas, etc. -- and as you move away from these hubs you go into places that, on outward appearance, are half suburbs, half farmland. The political power alloted to petty-bourgeois in these outward areas creates a huge ammount of cultural conservatism, which makes life a real shithole for indigenous peoples, immigrants, and poor workers.

[farleft]

Sounds like a big task to tackle, especially for one man.

Support from rev-left is good but it will only take you so far, sometime syou need people on the ground.

I need writers (online people will do) at the moment and then after printing im going to be in desperate need for distributers (need to be in London) of this free publication to hit the streets and tube trains etc

[An archist]

Hey, if any of you guys write something that can apply to any situation, let me know and post it here, I'll be able to distribute it in Belgium (If I agree with what you've written of course ;) )

[farleft]

Originally posted by An [email protected] 17 2006, 08:32 PM
Hey, if any of you guys write something that can apply to any situation, let me know and post it here, I'll be able to distribute it in Belgium (If I agree with what you've written of course ;) )
Will it need to be in Flemish, French, Dutch or Germen?

Because I only know English.

[More Fire for the People]

Work so far,
(Alienation) Our everyday lives are monotonous readings of boring monologues — learn this, write that; work here, drive there; buy this, buy that. Specifically, our lives are alienated from ourselves. The products of our labor are not our own — we learn, but for who? Not ourselves. We produce crafts of all sorts, from the mundane to the astonishing, but for whom? Not ourselves.

Then who is that exploits our time and talents? You know the answer, I know the answer, and we feel it in our very being. That boss who shouts at us to work harder while he sits in his fancy office; that dean of admissions who says you’re not smart enough to go to college. Those pricks, they’re the capitalists and their little agents. Waiters and cashiers, fry-cooks and mechanics, students and teachers, we all face the same struggle against the capitalists, against alienation.

(Revolution) […]

(Socialism) The goal of our revolution is the political power of working people and a society based upon democracy, solidarity, and freedom; moreover, we don’t want democracy, solidarity, and freedom in their abstract forms. We want them as real bodies that realize our freedom.

This means we want the shops run by democratic workplace committees with representatives that are made up of the workers themselves. Each and every aspect of workers’ political power will be organized under democratic workplace committees.

Alright, I’m tired, sick, hungry, and I’ve got writer’s block. I need advice on what to write about revolution and I need to know what I should write about socialism. And does the opening paragraph sound a bit awkward to anyone else?

[pedro san pedro]

you may be able to find somewhere that will print for free..... in australia, offices of membres of parliment are obliged to provide free printing to charities.. the green party extends this to activists as well.

the social welfare officeis also a good place to try - tell them that you are printing off copies of our resume.

if these both fail, find the student copy shop on campus - these are generally the cheapest place to make copies

[farleft]

Originally posted by Hopscotch [email protected] 17 2006, 11:40 PM
Work so far,
(Alienation) Our everyday lives are monotonous readings of boring monologues — learn this, write that; work here, drive there; buy this, buy that. Specifically, our lives are alienated from ourselves. The products of our labor are not our own — we learn, but for who? Not ourselves. We produce crafts of all sorts, from the mundane to the astonishing, but for whom? Not ourselves.

Then who is that exploits our time and talents? You know the answer, I know the answer, and we feel it in our very being. That boss who shouts at us to work harder while he sits in his fancy office; that dean of admissions who says you’re not smart enough to go to college. Those pricks, they’re the capitalists and their little agents. Waiters and cashiers, fry-cooks and mechanics, students and teachers, we all face the same struggle against the capitalists, against alienation.

(Revolution) […]

(Socialism) The goal of our revolution is the political power of working people and a society based upon democracy, solidarity, and freedom; moreover, we don’t want democracy, solidarity, and freedom in their abstract forms. We want them as real bodies that realize our freedom.

This means we want the shops run by democratic workplace committees with representatives that are made up of the workers themselves. Each and every aspect of workers’ political power will be organized under democratic workplace committees.

Alright, I’m tired, sick, hungry, and I’ve got writer’s block. I need advice on what to write about revolution and I need to know what I should write about socialism. And does the opening paragraph sound a bit awkward to anyone else?
That's some good work but I feel that you/the publication will be ignored, it doesn't grab your attention and keep you interested in reading more.

For this reason I feel that you desperately need to get some comrades to help write. Ask people online to help you write, I find that chatting over MSN directly you can get together with a few people and come up with some good stuff.

[farleft]

Here is a little intro that I have done so far, the format hasnt pasted through but you get the jist of it.


Death!!!!!!! Oh no wait… Death!!!!!!! No stop it, it’s not all doom and gloom, some of it is but not all of it, the gloom will be on the other pages but first a word from our sponsors… No seriously now we don’t have any sponsors and not because we are too crap to be able to get any but because of principals.

What’s principals got to do with adverts in the paper I hear you say. Well sit down, put the kettle on and I’ll tell you…
Sponsors/adverts generate money and money will stop us being truly impartial as we would then consciously or otherwise twist our words to promote whatever our sponsors would prefer. Also as we are against the wage labour system we do not want to promote companies as they exploit workers by making a profit from their labour.

So, what isn’t all doom and gloom then?
Well there are a few things that show that we are heading in the right direction such as:

Linux
Open Source Software
Evo Morales rise to Bolivian president to help the poor
Hugo Chavez still Venezuelan president helping the poor and uniting Latin America
Fidel Castro working with Morales and Chavez in “axis of good”
P2P

Let’s review the 6 points, just in case you are not aware of what the fuck I’m babbling on about.
1.Linux is an operating system, like Mackintosh and Windows. Key differences are that Linux is free, you can download it as an .iso file, burn it as a .iso file to CD and then install from the CD these can be found at http://www.linuxiso.org (I recommend Linux distribution SuSE)
2.Open Source Software includes software like OpenOffice which is like MS Office except that OpenOffice is free from http://www.openoffice.org it includes 6 programs, writer, maths, calc, draw, impress and base. A google search for open source software will throw up loads of interesting legally free software that you might have otherwise had to pay for.
3.Evo Morales, first indigenous leader of Bolivia, nationalised the countries vast gas reserves that will generate money for the poor and to improve infrastructure that is in a dire situation. Deals have been struck with Venezuela and Cuba to share their strengths with each other so all can benefit e.g. Cuba sending doctors, Bolivia supplying gas and Venezuela supplying oil. An “axis of good” has begun to counteract the USA and it’s warmongering ways.
4.Hugo Chavez, came to power before Morales of Bolivia, nearly overthrown by an American backed coup and since won landslide election victories, pledged to work with Castro of Cuba and Morales of Bolivia to build stability in troubled South America and support the poor rather than forget them like his predecessors did.
5.Fidel Castro and Cuba are seen as shining examples of what can be achieved under such harsh conditions such as the ongoing trade blockade the USA has on it. Cuba in a poll last year in the Metro about conditions for mothers and children out shone the likes of Japan. Also has a medical research and development program and health care system to rival that of the richest countries in the world. Also has one of the lowest HIV rates in the world.
6.Peer to Peer or P2P as it’s more commonly known allows internet users to share their files with any other internet user around the world, these files can be music, games, software, videos and general information. This means that we no longer need to fork out £20.00 or whatever for a CD/DVD because we can have it for free!

Well wasn’t that fun reading and educational as well  great I know you’ll agree.

These things listed above are just a few of the signs that the planet is turning left, it’s easy to say that things are awful and isn’t today a terrible period but those people are unable to see the bigger picture from the wider perspective. It’s important to remember that mankind is continuously developing and improving and an end to poverty and starvation etc will not occur over night.
It is still vital that we all do what we can to speed up this process so that we can get to the stage where not just Linux, open office and P2P files are free but to a stage where everything is free from education to housing to food.

Well I feel I got a little side tracked on that intro but never mind and keep reading.



Yours in resistance,


The Red-Left Team

[farleft]

I have the layout of the free publication done in spreadsheet but took a screenprint so you can see though I had to make it a jpg file because of size restrictions, hope you can all see it properly.

You have the front and back there so the page will be folded in the middle, this is just the template so there will hopefully be many pages and stapled together in the middle.

[farleft]

Leftist underground leaflet/booklet

Ideas/Suggestions/Things to do

Print on red paper – looks better and saves ink costs
Try to use Linux to create the booklet
Buy a good printer
Buy extra long stapler
Buy spray cans
Advertise on www.gumtree.com for people to help out
Delete www.internationalweekly.tk and set up new website
Create name/identity for booklet/group
Incorporate/Link to graffiti and fly posting
Emphasise local issues as well as global issues
Add humour to keep people interested
Political funny comic strip
Publish on a weekly basis
Group gatherings should be as often as possible, min once a week
Take pictures of graphitised walls/fly posted walls
A section for “Who the corporations fucked this week”
This will be a free publication
Free Carbon/Silicon album with first weeks issue
Discuss funding with group
Keep back issues in case anyone requests one
Distribution – On seats on the tube (all lines)
Distribution – In holders in supermarkets
Distribution – Workplaces letterboxes
Distribution – Universities, colleges and schools
Steal resources from members current workplaces (A4 paper etc)
Content – Music review of left wing bands
Content – Review of products free alternatives (e.g. Linux and Open Office)
Set up a HQ, (details removed for security reasons)

[More Fire for the People]

Shit guys. If you only knew how bad a case of writer’s block I have. If you guys could make paragraphical suggestions or just leave some corrections on what I’ve already wrote that’d be great.

I’ve made an outline:
I. Alienation
1. The Alienation of our Everyday Lives
2. The Source of our Alienation
II. The Alternative to Alienation
1. Socialism as freedom / the end of alienation
2. Socialism as democratic
III. Revolution
1. Revolution towards socialism
2. Revolution as unity
3. What we can do now

[farleft]

Originally posted by Hopscotch [email protected] 19 2006, 10:05 PM
Shit guys. If you only knew how bad a case of writer’s block I have. If you guys could make paragraphical suggestions or just leave some corrections on what I’ve already wrote that’d be great.

I’ve made an outline:
I. Alienation
1. The Alienation of our Everyday Lives
2. The Source of our Alienation
II. The Alternative to Alienation
1. Socialism as freedom / the end of alienation
2. Socialism as democratic
III. Revolution
1. Revolution towards socialism
2. Revolution as unity
3. What we can do now
I see a theme here, think it might be alienation.

While that is definately a valid subject to write about you may want to think about diversifying(sp?) the subjects, I know alienation effects peoples day to day lives but also bring up up issues which are facing the people in your area as well as greater issues which involve the nation.
Not sure what those things may be in the USA but here things like pensions, extended retirement age. How your employer is screwing you over etc etc

I have some other ideas which I have already mentioned in my above posts.

[Gojo]

Originally posted by Hopscotch [email protected] 19 2006, 10:05 PM

I’ve made an outline:
I. Alienation
1. The Alienation of our Everyday Lives
2. The Source of our Alienation
II. The Alternative to Alienation
1. Socialism as freedom / the end of alienation
2. Socialism as democratic
III. Revolution
1. Revolution towards socialism
2. Revolution as unity
3. What we can do now
The stuff that you wrote is more than great, I'm currently gathering people and ideas about a simmilar "eye opening piece of paper" as I like to look at it-and that's because it HAS TO BE JUST THAT; a ONE PIECE of paper(I think that it's most important that it's written on just one paper side because it must be easy to read for ANYONE) from which the reader will be
1 informed about the things that he/she already knows(social and all other burning problems)

2 convinced that the cause for all the misery one is faced in every day life COMES FORM ONE SOURCE AND ONE SOURCE ONLY-THE capitalist ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM

3 assured that the ONLY SOLUTION is to vote for socialist workers party(or what ever you are promoting)

And that's it, it's simple and that's just how it should be if your aim is the majority of people

Also, My plan is to distribute these to at least 1/4 of homes in my city, besides gluing it to the walls and stuff like that. :ph34r:

[An archist]

Originally posted by [email protected] 20 2006, 09:02 AM
2 convinced that the cause for all the misery one is faced in every day life COMES FORM ONE SOURCE AND ONE SOURCE ONLY-THE capitalist ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SYSTEM

...and the state

[anti-authoritarian]

Hey, FarLeft, I'm busy at the moment but can we talk later?

Anyway, I've worked out that it will actually be cheaper just to design the leaflet then spend about £100 on getting around 1000 printed. This would be more professional and less expensive that your method. Thoughts?

[farleft]

Well MSN me to chat.

Though we are going to go down the route of buying our own printers but we can discuss this over MSN or something.

[farleft]

After I move (3 months? ish) I will buy the printers and get the systems all set up so I will need more people to write articles, columns whatevers.

If anyone on here wants to write something feel free, you can pm me your write up and the Red-Left Team will check it out and get back to you.

It can be whatever you want to write, whatever you want to say to, be it theory, local issues, international issues, DIY tips anything will be considered by the team.

Any further questions feel free to ask.


Thanks!

[fwft]

My advice about the original poster stuck in a 3,000 people shit-hole: MOVE. There is nothing revolutionary about a small town in the south, one drenched in the hiSStory or racism and oppression.

About printing: email it to yourself, and print it from the library. They cannot do anything to stop you (besides, your pamplet isn't all that radical anyways. Alienation isn't tantamount to a population on the verge of revolution. The threat of starvation/death with little viable legal recourse is.)

[Raj Radical]

When making pamphlets/flyers/literature, what is considered illegal?

Im working on a few flyers , and this would be my first time, just curious.

[Global_Justice]

Originally posted by [email protected] 29 2006, 05:50 PM
After I move (3 months? ish) I will buy the printers and get the systems all set up so I will need more people to write articles, columns whatevers.

If anyone on here wants to write something feel free, you can pm me your write up and the Red-Left Team will check it out and get back to you.

It can be whatever you want to write, whatever you want to say to, be it theory, local issues, international issues, DIY tips anything will be considered by the team.

Any further questions feel free to ask.


Thanks!
farleft mate, are you in london at the moment? just coz you said 'after i move'?

[farleft]

Originally posted by Raj [email protected] 6 2006, 03:10 AM
When making pamphlets/flyers/literature, what is considered illegal?

Im working on a few flyers , and this would be my first time, just curious.
Fly-posting is illegal.

As in terms of a leaflet or booklet some things you cant say like "you should kill blair" that would be illegal not sure on specifics though.

The Red-Left paper will be underground so it doesnt matter whats legal or illegal.

[farleft]

Originally posted by Global_Justice+Jul 7 2006, 05:19 PM--> (Global_Justice @ Jul 7 2006, 05:19 PM)
[email protected] 29 2006, 05:50 PM
After I move (3 months? ish) I will buy the printers and get the systems all set up so I will need more people to write articles, columns whatevers.

If anyone on here wants to write something feel free, you can pm me your write up and the Red-Left Team will check it out and get back to you.

It can be whatever you want to write, whatever you want to say to, be it theory, local issues, international issues, DIY tips anything will be considered by the team.

Any further questions feel free to ask.


Thanks!
farleft mate, are you in london at the moment? just coz you said 'after i move'? [/b]
I live in London now and I will be moving to another house in London.