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message 51:
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Michael
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Jan 31, 2016 05:44AM
Really keen on a YA syndicate.
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Okay, if I can get 10 people interested, I'll start a YA syndicate! If you're interested in joining or even know of projects (preferably one that you've heard of, but personal rec's are also okay) you'd like this syndicate to support, please email me at tcbbcfangirl@gmail.com
There seems to be a pretty good influx of YA writers with the latest contest. I'd say just bite the bullet and start it up!
Okay, calling all YA writers! I propose an alliance to make our voices and stories heard in Inkshares, and as the first step I started a syndicate: https://www.inkshares.com/syndicates/...
Hey Everybody,Thanks so much for getting the ball rolling with Syndicates. This is really great and we're going to build something awesome!
The GREAT SCIFI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE is now live on Inkshares and Goodreads! Come check us out! Just getting things started, so I expect this to take some time to grow and evolve. But very exciting!
Goodreads Discussion: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Inkshares Link: https://www.inkshares.com/syndicates/...
Hi, all. I was encouraged to post here when I decide to start a syndicate. Thanks to the input from many authors I'm moving forward with creating an LGBTQ syndicate (name to be determined) details yet to come on how is going to work. Before I launch though I'm planning to do work among my friends, acquaintances, and local LGBTQ organizations to encourage them to join Inkshares and join the syndicate. I think it is important that the members are not only people already sign up to Inkshare. with that said I have a couple of questions regarding specifics regarding Syndicates. I would appreciate if someone has the answers. The description in the FAQ section says that members pay $10 or $20, and they get an e-book or a physical book, then it adds "This can result in big savings for syndicate members, as often ebooks and print-books are more expensive than $10 and $20, respectively." are we talking here about books outside of Inkshares? because funding books are exactly those prices and books in production or already printed are cheaper. Also, I'm part of the CEO syndicate, and I noticed a couple of days ago I got credits labeled "as syndicate" do members of syndicates get credits every month? this would be a huge incentive so I would like to add it to my pitch as I go on the road talking about this. Thanks!
Ricardo wrote: "Hi, all. I was encouraged to post here when I decide to start a syndicate. Thanks to the input from many authors I'm moving forward with creating an LGBTQ syndicate (name to be determined) details ..."Hardcovers are $15 and $30 if I recall, so its a savings when ordering hardcovers.
Mod
Most of us are going for paperback, though, and mine is $16.99. The rationale for paying $20 during campaign time, as I understand it, is that you're paying for a signed copy.
It's still not saving money, though - if you get it during the book's campaign it's the same price. If you get it afterward, it's more expensive and you get no signature.
Hi AllI will be launching the Write Out Loud Syndicate this Friday at 6 PM. Eastern time.
I am also hosting a Facebook online event to inspired my friends and family (all of them already on Inkshares) to join,
During the week leading to the launch and the evening of the launch, I will be sharing links and featuring work from LGBTQ authors and allies on Inkshares. If you would like me to include you please let me know.
Friends the Write Out Loud Syndicate is open for business, please consider joining. https://www.inkshares.com/syndicates/...-
Hi Sarah,I feel a bit intimidated in replying to you since we're not in the same league or level as writers, but here goes.
While I agree that the Inkshares platform isn't perfect, I think there's a few things you may have misunderstood about the company. There's a lot to unwrap here. Keep in mind that I'm not an Inkshares employee nor do I speak for them. I have been working with Inkshares for a little over a year now hence where I come from.
Inkshares does have a lot of genre fiction but that's less about a specific direction by them and more a reflection of the state of publishing these days. The number of science fiction and fantasy authors is disproportionally large compared to the available avenues for them to get published. This makes a system like Inkshares very attractive to them. Geek culture is also very tight with the Internet, so finding popular blogs and new media outlets willing to sponsor a contest and collection is probably easier than say getting the Smithsonian to back a collection of historical biographies. However, if you look at the 'In Bookstores' section of the 'Browse' page, you'll see that the published books are a lot more varied than what's funding or the result of contests.
The Inkshares model isn't exactly built for writers who are detached from the promotional stages of book publishing. As someone who is terrible at getting an audience (and a Canadian dealing with the same shipping costs you are) I really wish I could list a book and have it fund on its own. Hopefully the ecosystem will grow to that point and I've mentioned in the past that there should be more effort attracting readers but I don't have all the data so it's easy for me to say that. Right now, the model is about the hustle. Proving not only that your book is worth publishing because there's interest in it, but that as a writer you're capable of putting yourself out there. As I mentioned; that is not something I'm very competent with myself.
Unfortunately, the company isn't very large. Jeremy can correct me if I'm off the mark but I think Inkshares counts what, eight? Nine employees? They're not yet in the position where they can pull someone out of the mail room to make phone calls to blogs and reviewers. This is probably the part that is the most difficult adjustment for someone coming from the traditional publishing model; having to take a hands on approach to your marketing. At least until the book is funded. The way the model works right now is that Inkshares promotes itself and its funded or published books. This is a way of getting attention to the platform and hopefully attracting readers to shop for books that are funding. It makes little business sense for them to individually push books that are still in the funding stages. There are too many of them and no guarantee that they are worth giving free support to yet. If it's any consolation though, I can tell you that Inkshares does put a lot of energy to promoting the books that do fund.
I'm not a traditionally published author. I don't have a vast following of readers. So I can't say that I understand where you come from on that level. I do understand your frustrations with the platform, especially if you were told that simply posting a book would get you the readers you needed to publish. I wish it were that easy. I'm at the tail end of a campaign myself and not feeling very optimistic. However, Inshares is a growing company and their goal, as far as I know, is to create a marketplace where books find a following on their own merit. There is definitely a place for established authors to publish with Inkshares but it will be a different experience than traditional publishing. I'm hoping that writers, both successful and aspiring, working with Inkshares, will build this platform up to be the democratization of publishing we want it to be.
Good luck with your book. I'm sure you'll figure out how to leverage your portfolio and readership in a way to reach your goal.
Thanks for this J-F. First, please don't apologize or think you can't call me out because of my past publication record - we all get to have opinions, no matter what we've got out there! Second, I was kind of on a late night rant and maybe making the wrong points, and coming off as a brat. Truly, I didn't come on Inkshares thinking I wouldn't have to self-promote. Self-promotion never ends, even when you're selling lots of books. I actually wrote a lot more about this in an earlier reply, and if you saw it, great. But I've actually decided to expunge everything from Inkshares, inc. forums. I don't think we're cut out for each other, though I love the idea. I just didn't want you to think I didn't take your words to heart, or bother to answer you! I did, both! Good luck...
Tabi wrote: "Yeah, start-ups are generally easier to pitch to adults who can afford to take a risk, not like younger people who are starting out in the work force (or something along those lines) and don't have..."Hi Tabi - Don't know if you saw this before, but all that matters now is this: I'm actually getting off Inkshares, not a good fit for either of us, but if you want my help with suggestions or reviews or trailers or whatever, just ask! I love your writing and want you to make it on here, also YA in general! Contact me through my website at www.sarahbryant.net
Sarah- just b/c they have thrown their weight behind something, does not mean they are not interested in other genres. The basic facts are that most of the authors on here are S/F, but I don't think that they are drawn here b/c Inkshares is specifically promoting that. I write S/F, and I ran screaming from Wattpad b/c they catered to teen readers, but when 90% of what is being posted by the contributors is teen fiction, you cater to the demographic that uses your service. Can you really blame them for running with something that is proven and working?Perhaps if you support Inkshares as much as you claim, you should be encouraging your writer friends in similar genres to your own to start posting work here. Once Inkshares gets a broader range of work then I'm sure they will expand their horizons. But, while their demos consist of mostly S/F and their objectives is to further their writers and their work, they are going to cater to what is bringing in the readers and the money.
And, on a side note, I would like to remind you that this community is a pretty positive one, and we all share similar frustrations as writers. We are all fighting to make our way, and we are here to support you. The beautiful thing about this place is we all work together to make it what it is! But, as a moderator, I ask that when you are posting, please keep to the subject at hand. Derailing the threads for self-promotion and critical statements about the very business you're asking to help you is neither helpful nor meaningful.
I hope you find a place here- this is definitely a place for everyone. But, instead of throwing a tantrum every time something here is not to your liking, (which has seemed to be the modus operandi of all the posts I have seen made so far) perhaps find more constructive means of getting more authors who write your genre on board with this platform, and I'm sure you will find yourself, as well as the entire community are better off as all a whole.
Bekki wrote: "Sarah- just b/c they have thrown their weight behind something, does not mean they are not interested in other genres. The basic facts are that most of the authors on here are S/F, but I don't thin..."Okay. So tired, I hope I don't make more mistakes - this is the only time in the day I have to look at this, which is what everyone tells me I have to do to make it one here, so here I am. I'm really not trying to 'throw tantrums', just make it a more honest and equal playing field. If the money and promotional power is behind SF, why not just say that? Clearly also my bad for not researching the current situation, but it's just so hard to tell. What has come off as negativity is frustration at having been pushed out of a decent career by a publisher's switch to SF. Anyway, getting off Inkshares, trying to set things right before I go. Good luck with your book.
Posing a question to all the Syndicate creators... what is your process for selecting your book for the month? Nominations from others? Research done by the group? Can writers promote their books here, or is that frowned upon? I ask because I see a lot of the Syndicates have not yet chosen their books for April, and I would love to throw my hat in the ring for science fiction, but at the same time I don't want to be rude or mess with existing systems of choosing. Syndicettiquette is important. :)
Thanks everyone!
The Write Out Loud Syndicate is small and this month was our first pick. I proposed a book to the members and asked for their input. Because of the nature of this syndicate I would encourage authors to recommend themselves as a potential pick for the coming months.
Thanks for the info, Ricardo. Good to know how you are deciding. For possible future consideration, here's the link to my Inkshares sci-fi book, Mechcraft. It has 83 days and needs 100 more pre-orders to reach Quill. The page has sample chapters and reviews. Thanks!https://www.inkshares.com/books/mechc...
Mod
The answers to your question vary syndicate to syndicate, but most have a group discussion or vote, and most frown upon self-promotion on the page of the syndicate itself. Some have goodreads groups with threads that invite self-promotion. I'd suggest checking out the Syndicates you're interested and reading through past discussion to get a feel for how they work.
Thanks, Christine. I think the Syndicate program is outstanding and I'm so glad they came up with this. And I want to play by the rules.
Just an FYI my book Seeking the Elephant is the April 2015 Pick for Break the Bechdel with Strong Female Characters Syndicate. Please check it out from the Syndicate https://www.inkshares.com/syndicates/...
guys we are looking for new members both for "Thriller Night" which looks for mysteries and thrillers of any sort, even SciFi is welcomed (our first pick was Kevin Brag's SciFi Noir Detective book)and for Kacie's "For the Love of Fiction" which emphasize MAINSTREAM ! not Inkshares Mainstream (SCIFI and Fantasy) but genuine mainstream fiction ...
any newcomers for both will be welcomed with hugs and smothering kisses ! ;-)
Hello all. Write Out Loud is looking for nominations. If you are an LGBTQ author or an ally who features LGBTQ characters in your book please feel free to reach out to me. Self nominations are welcome. Thanks!
Ricardo: I've read the Manuscript for Welcome to Deadland. You need that book in your Syndicate, it's exactly what you are looking for. Both in Characters and Author and the book has some really compelling moments that you would be hard pressed to not be hit in the feels.
Thanks Rick that is a great recommendation. I'm actually eager to read Welcome to Deadland. With your recommendation now I have three nominees, three very deserving authors and books. I feel good about the options and, just for the record, if a book doesn't get pick this months it will continue to be a contender for the next.
Gary Witta's Nomad Syndicate hasn't chosen their book for May yet. They've been quiet for awhile now. Does anyone know if they plan to be active this month?
Gary Whitta chooses himself and there isn't any discussion
Brian wrote: "Gary Whitta chooses himself and there isn't any discussion"Thanks for the info on that. Good to know.
