Neil Clarke's Blog, page 37

House-full-o-books

NOTE: This sale will end at 10PM EST 3/10/2014. More details about why and how to get on a waiting list (if you missed it) can be found here. If the BUY button is gone from this page, the sale is closed.

As many of you know, I ran a bookstore for seven years. When it closed, I was left with a lot of inventory, which I occasionally lug to conventions and try to sell off. At the rate I’m currently going, it could be over a decade before that chore is done and since the heart attack, I’m a lot more reluctant to lug a carload of boxes anywhere.

I’ve decided to tackle the problem in stages, starting with the paperbacks. There are thousands of new/unread mass market paperbacks on these shelves and I’m starting with them.

I’m going to start boxing up lots of thirty new books (no-dups) by genre and selling them off for $30 shipped free via media mail (meaning US only). I’ll start by offering them direct and when that slows, move onto ebay.

All proceeds from the sale of these books will be placed into my special Clarkesworld Magazine issue #100 fund. It’s a big milestone and I feel the need to do something special with that issue.

So, anyone interested in buying some books?

[Sale temporarily over. See above.]

NOTE: Some people are reporting that PayPal is sending them back to Wyrm Publishing at the end. Must be something odd in my PayPal account. (I am Wyrm Publishing.) You can ignore that. The order is complete by the time you get there. I’m also emailing confirmations, so if you don’t hear from me, that’s when you should be concerned.

Three Months on Patreon – Pros and Cons

We launched our Clarkesworld Magazine Patreon page nearly three months ago. In that time, I’ve heard from a lot of authors and editors who were interested in their service, but not sure if it was right for them. The requests have been picking up, so…

 What is Patreon?

In their words:

Founded in May 2013 and based in San Francisco, California, Patreon was created to enable fans to support and engage with the artists and creators they love. Empowering a new generation of creators, Patreon is bringing patronage back to the 21st century.

In mine:

Patreon is a cross between subscriptions and Kickstarter. Unlike Kickstarter, Patreon doesn’t focus on a one-time project. It’s aimed at fundraising for long-term projects that include recurring creations, like issues of a magazine or episodes of a podcast. In our case, your Patreon pledge is a per-issue contribution to the magazine.

Why Patreon instead of PayPal?

Patreon’s Patron Manager provides a nice and reliable interface for me to manage, track, and communicate with our supporters. I could probably build something similar, but the amount of time I’d have to invest (programming and supporting) is too significant. My time is better spent on the magazine.
Yes, PayPal can collect recurring payments on set intervals. If you miss a month, PayPal still charges them. Not so with Patreon. This isn’t much of an issue for us, but I know it does impact others I’ve spoken to.
Not everyone likes PayPal. There are people out there that are violently opposed to using them in any way. Patreon supports credit cards and PayPal.
You can do both. We still take one-time donations via PayPal. Having choices is good.

What do you think so far?

Like any fundraising there are going to be pros and cons:

Cons:

Discoverability. My only major complaint. The odds of someone browsing Patreon’s site and discovering you are very slim. The search tools are very basic (and only work against the title of your project) and the featured creators and artists on their home page change rarely, if ever. They could learn a lot from Kickstarter’s approach when it comes to finding and featuring content.

Note: They are working on this. Recently creators were asked to select categories their projects fit into. The options are not as detailed as I would have liked, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.
Payment processing. I know I’m being picky on this one, but since Patreon pledges are processed per-creation and charges applied run at the end of the month, you can run into serious timing issues. For example. If we post new “paid” content on the first of the month, anyone signing up on the second will not be billed until the end of the following month. That means it could take up to two months for their rewards to kick in. That confuses people. To get around it, I made the final podcast of the month our paid content instead of the new issue announcement. This change causes the majority of new Patrons to have their reward start the next month. I suppose they could add something that would allow a Patreon to pledge support starting as of the first of the month or with the most recent paid creation, but that’s probably too confusing too. It’s the whole do I start a subscription with the current issue or next issue debate. If you aren’t providing rewards, this probably isn’t as big a deal.

Pros:

Support and service. They’ve been fantastic to work with and unlike many companies, they appear to be very open to customer feedback. Everyone I’ve spoken with there is on top of their game. There have been several software updates and each has been flawless. Heck, they even negotiated a better rate with their payment processor and passed along the savings.(My background is in technology. It takes a lot to impress me.)
Growing community. I’ve noticed a lot of new projects launch on Patreon in the last three months. As things move forward, I believe discoverability will eventually find its way to the Pros list and when that happens, there will be a marketing benefit for all of us as our Patrons discover what else is out there.
We’re getting paid. We currently have pledges of just over $200 per issue and we have been receiving payments. It may not sound like a lot (particular compared to some of the YouTube-based projects earning thousands per episode), but it does boost our bottom line and every bit helps. At this point, I remain optimistic about the service and it’s ability to become a significant source of revenue for the magazine.
Opportunity. I’ve said most of it above, but I also believe there is some benefit for the field. Literary projects are still a small percentage of what’s on Patreon. I think we’re on the leading edge of something that will only grow in size as more from the science fiction community discover it.

Closing Thoughts

It should be fairly obvious by now that I’m optimistic about Patreon and our future with them. While I do have some issues, I believe they can (or will be) worked resolved in timely manner. While I highly recommend their service, to see value from it, you will have to heavily market your presence there. It’s not all that different from tossing a book up on Amazon. This isn’t magic.

That said:

Visit patreon.com/clarkesworld and sign up to become one of Clarkesworld’s patrons today!

Questions? Comments?

Supporting Clarkesworld

One of the things I discovered from the results of the annual Clarkesworld Magazine reader’s poll was that nearly a quarter of the participants didn’t know we offer subscriptions. I had thought we were doing a satisfactory job of promoting them, but apparently not. This has me concerned. We rely heavily on subscription revenue to pay for everything (art, articles, hosting, staff, stories, etc.), so it’s time to do some marketing. If you are already subscribed, thank you and I hope you’ll excuse me for being a bit more aggressive about promoting subscriptions for a while. I hate this part of the job, but has to done.

If you feel so inclined, you can help us out by telling people about this post. Here is a complete list of the available subscription formats:

Electronic
Amazon

Kindle and Kindle Apps for Android, iPhone & iPad. Issues will automatically be delivered to your device as they are released. 30-day free trial available.

BUY HERE – Amazon.com (US, Canadian and International Subscribers not covered below)

BUY HERE – Amazon.co.uk

BUY HERE – Amazon.de

BUY HERE – Amazon.fr

Apple Newsstand

Use our free app for the iPad and iPhone to buy individual issues or monthly subscriptions!

DOWNLOAD HERE- iTunes.apple.com

Google Play App Store

Use our free app for your Android phone or tablet to buy individual issues or monthly subscriptions!

DOWNLOAD HERE – Play.Google.com

Patreon

Patrons that give at the $2.99 or above levels can opt-in to receive the EPUB and MOBI versions of each issue. Each month, they’ll receive an email informing them how to download the latest issue.

PLEDGE HERE

Weightless Books

Epub (Nook, Kobo, Sony, etc.) or Mobi (Kindle) format. You will be emailed about new issues as they become available for download. If you don’t have an ereader, you can use the files supplied by Weightless with the free Nook and Kindle apps for the Mac or PC.

Weightless is currently our only reseller than can offer gift subscriptions. More details in the comments section of our page there.

BUY HERE

Print
Patreon

Patrons that give at the $10 or above levels can opt-in to receive the print version of each new issue as they become available (typically mid-month). Aside from buying individual issues direct from Amazon or from us at conventions, this is the only way to get them.

PLEDGE HERE

March 2014 Issue of Clarkesworld

The March 2014 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine is now available. You can get the issue:

Online at www.clarkesworldmagazine.com
Via podcast subscription (free)

or help us pay the bills by purchasing Clarkesworld with a subscription at:

Amazon.com
Apple Newsstand (iPad/iPhone)
Google Play (Android Phones and Tablets)
Weightless Books
or as a single issue ebook from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Weightless, and direct from us at Wyrm Publishing

MARCH 2014 – ISSUE #90



FICTION

“Morrigan in the Sunglare” by Seth Dickinson

“Human Strandings and the Role of the Xenobiologist” by Thoraiya Dyer

“Suteta Mono de wa Nai” by Juliette Wade

“The Egg Man” by Mary Rosenblum

“Mountain Ways” by Ursula K.Le Guin

NONFICTION

A Sympathy of Light and Shadow: Science Fiction, Gothic Horror and How They Met by Mark Cole

Beyond the Boundary: A Conversation with James L. Cambias by Jeremy L. C. Jones

Another Word: The Words We Carry by Jason Heller

Editor’s Desk: Reader’s Poll Results and Other Award News by Neil Clarke

PODCAST

This month’s stories will be released in audio form over the course of the month. Read by Kate Baker.

COVER ART

Hollow by Matt Dixon

If you enjoy what we do, please consider supporting us by spreading the word about our subscription options or Patreon account on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. Your subscriptions make everything we do possible.

Thanks!

My Boskone Schedule

I’ll be attending Boskone from February 14-16. Here’s my schedule:

Editing Your Fiction: Tips From the Pros

Beth Meacham (M), Teresa Nielsen Hayden, Neil Clarke, Ginjer Buchanan

Friday 17:00 – 17:50

A discussion of how editing the manuscript can bring out the best in a story — even if it requires cutting or changing the characters and events you love most.

Reading by Kate Baker & Neil Clarke

Saturday 11:00 – 11:25

Great Podcasts and Where to Find Them

Scott H. Andrews (M), Mur Lafferty, Neil Clarke, Kate Baker, Julia Rios

Saturday 15:00 – 15:50

Podcasting is hotter than ever. It still includes short audio fiction — but now also recorded radio dramas, interviews, essays, and other commentary. With so many choices, where do you find the good stuff? Panelists discuss some of their favorite podcasts, sites, and stories.

From Pixels to Print: The Challenges of Running a Magazine

Carrie Cuinn (M), Shahid Mahmud, Scott H. Andrews, Neil Clarke

Saturday 16:00 – 16:50

Got a great idea for a online magazine or podcast that will feature exciting new content, authors, and artists? How do print versus online models compare? Figuring out what you want to do may be the easy part. Now let’s talk about funding, staffing, and managing your organization, and then printing (or enpixeling), distributing, and publicizing your precious products. Successful magazine and podcast veterans tell you how they do it all!

Autographing with Neil Clarke, Craig Shaw Gardner & Jill Shultz

Sunday 13:00 – 13:50

Kaffeeklatsche with Neil Clarke

Sunday 14:00 – 14:50

February 2014 Issue of Clarkesworld

The February 2014 issue of Clarkesworld Magazine is now available. You can get the issue:

Online at www.clarkesworldmagazine.com
Via podcast subscription (free)

or help us pay the bills by purchasing Clarkesworld with a subscription at:

Amazon.com
Apple Newsstand (iPad/iPhone)
Google Play (Android Phones and Tablets)
Weightless Books
or as a single issue ebook from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Weightless, Wizard’s Tower and direct from us at Wyrm Publishing

FEBRUARY 2014 – ISSUE #89



FICTION

“Tortoiseshell Cats Are Not Refundable” by Cat Rambo

“The Eleven Holy Numbers of the Mechanical Soul” by Natalia Theodoridou

“And Wash Out by Tides of War” by An Owomoyela

“Infinities” by Vandana Singh

“Martian Heart” by John Barnes

NONFICTION

Taught by the Moon: Oral Traditions in Speculative Fiction by Rhiannon Held

Dark Hearts & Brilliant Patches of Honor: A Tribute to Manly Wade Wellman by Jeremy L. C. Jones

Another Word: Debts by Daniel Abraham

Editor’s Desk: Support Jay Lake by Neil Clarke

PODCAST

This month’s stories will be released in audio form over the course of the month. Read by Kate Baker.

COVER ART

Space Sirens by Julie Dillon

If you enjoy what we do, please consider supporting us by spreading the word about our subscription options or Patreon account on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. Your subscriptions make everything we do possible.

Thanks!

Cyber-clothes

 

Ordered.

My first cyberversary

Exactly one year ago today, I became a cyborg. The mechanical-me hasn’t had to rescue meat-me and everything is operating according to standard specifications. I’ve successfully resisted all the urges to rise up and conquer humanity. I haven’t assimilated or upgraded anyone. There’s plenty of time for that later.

Clarkesworld Authors Eligible for the John W. Campbell Award

The following Clarkesworld authors are eligible for nomination for the 2014 John W. Campbell Award:

Vajra Chandrasekra

Pockets Full of Stones

Benjanun Sriduangkaew

Annex
Silent Bridge, Pale Cascade

Bonnie Jo Stufflebeam

The Wanderers

 

If I missed anyone, please let me know.

A More Worldly Semiprozine Hugo

After I announced that Clarkesworld was no longer eligible for the Best Semiprozine Hugo, someone emailed me to find out who I’d like to see replace us on the ballot. At first, I thought I’d just direct them to the Semiprozine Directory and relax a bit, but while looking over the list I realized that I had strong feelings about wanting a foreign market, particularly Interzone, making the cut this year.

Since it’s a UK publication, it’s always been a bit of a challenge to get their nice full-color print editions here, but they do have ebook editions for sale on Weightless Books and Amazon. Weightless even has PDFs for people who don’t like traditional ebooks. You can also order print copies direct from TTA Press on the Interzone website.

Interzone has been nominated for Best Semiprozine over twenty-five times and won in 1995. The current editor, Andy Cox, has yet to win. This year, they have a good chance of being nominees. With Worldcon in London, it stands to reason that more attendees than normal will be familiar and fond of their work. Check them out and decide for yourself.

If it’s not to your taste, check out some of the other magazines from outside the US (Albedo One, Andromeda Spaceways, Aurealis, Black Static, Neo-Opsis, On-Spec, etc.) and see if one of them would be a good fit. It’s past time to put some more of the world into this aspect of Worldcon.