The Sword and Laser discussion
Inkshares Sword and Laser novel contest
message 1:
by
Shaline
(new)
Apr 14, 2015 03:24PM
Thoughts on the S&L contest at Inkshares.com? Who's planning to enter? I think it sounds pretty exciting. The anthology proved that there are some talented people in this group.
reply
|
flag
I'd been eyeing InkShares for a few weeks - this got me off the fence in a big way. Throwing my hat in! Throwing it right in! THE RING HAS MY HAT IN IT. No hat on my head.[little bit excited]
*picks up the hat and runs away* I have a hat now. :DI haven't really looked into Inkshares much, but it sounds fun! Must check it out.
I'm working with Inkshares at the moment, and recommend them highly. Professional, friendly, committed... What more could you want from a publisher ^^
Has anyone ever encountered ink shares books out in the wild? Before entering I'd really like to know whether they actually have achieved shelf space in real stores.
I have also jumped into this, trying my hand at my first crowdfunding campaign.It's not just a little terrifying so far.
"Rockets" is mine, found here: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/ro...
Click it, see something you like maybe?
Ruth wrote: "*picks up the hat and runs away* I have a hat now. :DI haven't really looked into Inkshares much, but it sounds fun! Must check it out."
MAH HAT!
Liam wrote: "I have also jumped into this, trying my hand at my first crowdfunding campaign.It's not just a little terrifying so far.
"Rockets" is mine, found here: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/ro......"
Right there with you, Liam. Asteroid Made of Dragons is my campaign - good luck! I'm backing you just because of that super slick cover you are sporting.
OK bunch of questions that I don't see answered anywhere. How far along in the writing process do you have to be? Full Manuscript?
Do you have to be exclusive to inkshares? Like do any of you have these books already self pub'ed somewhere else?
I see some of you guys have cover art alaready, did that come from inkshares?
Have any of you tried inkshares before?
Have any of you tried other crowdfunding before?
I've also tried to start a conversation over at the fantasy writers subreddit but no takers so far. http://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/
I suppose I am confused as to how one gets included, do we ask or do we just write a SF/F novel and hope for the best? I was already planning on using inkshaares so, this works for me.
Daniel wrote: "OK bunch of questions that I don't see answered anywhere. How far along in the writing process do you have to be? Full Manuscript?
Do you have to be exclusive to inkshares? Like do any of you h..."
There's no hard rule about how much of the manuscript is complete. When you start a campaign, it calculates a release date about a year away - so something you could complete in that window I suppose?
You do have to be exclusive - if you self-published it elsewhere, I guess you'd have to pull it down? Not sure there.
I have no cover art and InkShares doesn't provide - some people were just way better prepared than me.
First time trying - liking the experience a lot so far. First time any sort of crowdfunding.
Daniel wrote: "OK bunch of questions that I don't see answered anywhere. How far along in the writing process do you have to be? Full Manuscript?
Do you have to be exclusive to inkshares? Like do any of you h..."
As far as I can tell, you just mark your book as Fantasy or Sci-Fi genre, then you are automatically included in the contest. I didn't have to check any special box or notify anyone to be included.
G. Derek wrote: "Daniel wrote: "OK bunch of questions that I don't see answered anywhere. How far along in the writing process do you have to be? Full Manuscript?
Do you have to be exclusive to inkshares? Like ..."
Thanks! I hope dark fantasy counts
Wait, inkshares doesn't provide coverart? I thought the entire point was "we'll do the stuff a traditional publisher does, just operating on a kickstarter model"
Maybe they provide it after your book essentially "wins"? I'm not sure. Also, how much money to authors make off their books usually, because Inkshares seems to take a cut of 50% per physical book sold.
Which seems pretty steep for the amount of work they appear to be doing.....
Which seems pretty steep for the amount of work they appear to be doing.....
Do it for the publicity. An established writer doesn't need Inkshares, so jump in if you're new and want to see what could happen.
Anja wrote: "Maybe they provide it after your book essentially "wins"? I'm not sure. Also, how much money to authors make off their books usually, because Inkshares seems to take a cut of 50% per physical book ..."Brian McClellan had a great write up recently about this very topic: http://www.brianmcclellan.com/blog/ho...
So it looks like inkshares has a much higher percentage than traditional publishers-- but that's meaningless if no one actually buys the books, which is why I'm interested in whether or not anyone has ever actually seen one of their books in a bookstore. If they don't actually do a good job distributing and marketing, you might as well just self-publish with amazon. (or go the traditional market, where even if you sell zero books, you still made your advance. I mean, your career is probably over, but for that book you did make money).
I found this FAQ and supposedly they do do cover art, editing, etc, everything you'd expect from a normal publisher: https://www.inkshares.com/faq
Hello! Matt Kaye here from Inkshares. I see a number of questions about the contest and the Inkshares model. While it looks like many were already answered, I’ve included here our take. I’m happy to answer additional questions at hello@inkshares.com or on this forum. To everyone interested or participating in this contest, thank you! We’ve been thrilled with the quality of submissions that have come in, and can’t wait to work with many of you to publish your book. And a BIG, BIG THANK YOU to Veronica and Tom at Sword & Laser for partnering with us to publish amazing science fiction and fantasy books!
Q: How far along in the writing process do you have to be? Full Manuscript?
A: We have no rules here. Authors can post whatever they want on Inkshares. Readers then pre-order based on what they like, which may be just a few chapters of an incomplete work.
Q: Do you have to be exclusive to Inkshares?
A: No, our rights are non-exclusive. If you own the rights, we will publish your work even if you’ve published elsewhere. If you don’t own the rights, you may need to research the terms of those rights before determining if you’re able to publish your work with us.
Q: I see some of you guys have cover art already, did that come from inkshares?
A: We have professional cover designers create book covers after a project has reached its pre-order goal. In the funding stage, many authors create their own covers or use pre-existing images to post their project.
Q: I suppose I am confused as to how one gets included, do we ask or do we just write a SF/F novel and hope for the best?
A: When posting a project to Inkshares, you can pick the genre. So long as the genre is any of the science fiction or fantasy genres, you’ll automatically be included in the contest.
Q: Also, how much money do authors make off their books usually, because Inkshares seems to take a cut of 50% per physical book sold.
A: That’s correct, we give authors 50% of gross revenue for physical formats and 70% of gross revenue for digital formats. This is more than traditional publishing and less than self-publishing. We are a traditional publisher in every sense except readers decide what we publish, not acquisitions editors or agents. We have editors, designers, and a marketing team. We print books, and we partner with Ingram to distribute our books into hundreds of independent bookstores in addition to Amazon, B&N, and Apple.
Here’s an example of a recent book that was picked up well by bookstores, the stores are listed on the project page below the “about” section: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/sl.... And our homepage, www.inkshares.com, lists some recent media for our projects.
Where you decide to publish has a lot to do with your goals as a writer. There’s no one right way. I recently wrote a bit about crowdfunding publishing options on Jane Friedman’s wonderful blog, which may be worth a read if you’re interested in this path: http://janefriedman.com/2015/03/31/cr...
I’ll just say here: we couldn’t be prouder of the books we’re publishing (shout out to Yann Rousselot who commented above, author of the incredible illustrated sci-fi poetry collection Dawn of the Algorithm, in stores in just over a month: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/da...) and can’t wait to see what else succeeds on our platform. We’re always happy to chat in more detail if you want to get to know the people behind the publisher. Just reach out at hello@inkshares.com.
I'm on the fence right now. This seems like the sort of opportunity I shouldn't pass up, but I find the idea of sharing the little novel I've been working on frankly terrifying.
Ok, wow, the non-exclusivity thing is a big deal. That specifically, and your openness here in general has definitely won me over.
I agree with Rob. So as soon as I can get organized, I'll be uploading my fantasy novel, The Caballa, for consideration.
I've begun the process of setting up my Inkshares campaign and have a few questions which I couldn't find the answers to elsewhere. Since others may have the same or similar questions, I figured I'd ask here where everyone can benefit from the answers.First, once the basics of one's campaign have been done, there are things it doesn't appear one can change from the Edit Dashboard. In such cases, prior to taking a campaign live, is it recommended to delete and redo a campaign in order to make such changes?
Second, once a campaign goes live, is it possible to still edit details of the dashboard which could otherwise normally be edited prior to going live, such as the cover photo?
I'm assuming that once a campaign goes live, one can upload more material, such as drafts or a longer sample of the work? I'm guessing that access to things like the draft are limited to supporters, is this accurate?
Is there a recommended length for the sample chapter? Mine is estimated at nineteen minutes of reading time. To get the full flavor, I need every one, but if it's well known that anything over a certain number of estimated minutes is a deal killer for browsers, I'd like to know that.
Thanks in advance for your help with these questions.
I have begun the process of posting my book on inkshares. I hope to get a sample chapter posted in the next few days and get it launched. It is a sci fi novel that takes place in a base on the far side of the moon. Right now it is called Necho Base. Here is a link if you would like to see it.https://www.inkshares.com/projects/ne...
Walter wrote: "I've begun the process of setting up my Inkshares campaign and have a few questions which I couldn't find the answers to elsewhere. Since others may have the same or similar questions, I figured I'..."Great questions! And great feedback for us to use to improve the project setup process, so thank you.
The only field that you can't edit after launching a project is estimated page count. Everything else, including cover image, description, and chapters, can be updated after the project is live, so you should have no need to redo. New drafts can be shared as well. If you have any additional trouble, feel free to respond on this forum or reach out at hello@inkshares.com and we can walk through it.
In terms of recommended chapter length, we haven't seen any length become a deal-killer. I'd recommend using the natural length of the chapter so your readers can get the full flavor of your work.
Best of luck! I'm excited to see your work.
Thanks, Matt. I have a cover I plan to use, other than the default Inkshares provides, but the artist is making a few changes I requested, and I wanted to make sure I could upload the new cover when it's ready.Link to my own campaign for The Caballa is below:
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th...
Yes! More people from S&L jumping in - going to go hop onto your campaigns and pre-order! We're all going to get credits from InkShares as part of this process, try to share it around with the other competitors if you can. Oh yeah, here's my campaign too. *awkward shuffle*
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/as...
Dick wrote: "I have begun the process of posting my book on inkshares. I hope to get a sample chapter posted in the next few days and get it launched. It is a sci fi novel that takes place in a base on the far ..."Let me know when it's up! I'd be glad to give you a pre-order.
Matt wrote: "Walter wrote: "I've begun the process of setting up my Inkshares campaign and have a few questions which I couldn't find the answers to elsewhere. Since others may have the same or similar question..."Thanks for the info, Matt.
I'm not quite sure how one uploads drafts. I see underneath the sections I already uploaded for the initial dashboard (Preludes One and Two) a box with a + mark which reads 'Add a new chapter' when you mouse over it. Does that button add material to the initial dashboard that casual browsers see along with the previously uploaded sample chapter? Or does clicking on the + mark button allow one to add 'draft' material which only those who have preordered can see?
Thanks to Matt answering all of my questions. I've got my newest thing up there for your consideration. I apologize for my ridiculous video. There's no excuse for how silly I've become.Anyway please enjoy The Forest and the Trees by me! Daniel Eavenson.
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th...
hey guys I'd been planning on putting my book up on inkshares for a while and when this contest came up I couldn't wait any longer.
Here's the link to my sci-fi planet hopping revenge tale:
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/gh...
hope you guys will take a look and maybe even like what you see enough to support it.
thanks
Necho Base is launched. Please check it out and pre-order it if you are into it.Long live The Sword and Laser!
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/ne...
Matt, I have another question (yeah, I'm just full of it - er, them).When I look at my project board, under the Reader box, the book price is being listed as $4.00, discounted 41% off the list price of $9.99. But a friend said that when she went to preorder, it was the $9.99 price that came up when she got the page asking for her credit card info. Which is correct?
Hey guys,I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Jeremy, the Inkshares CEO.
@Dick, we used to kick in $5.00 for every pre-order during the first 10 days of a campaign. But since we switched to the "pre-order-based goal" system as opposed to the "dollars raised" goal system, we stopped doing this. This is largely because we are subsidizing the production process, under this new system, by 40% - 80%, which is much higher than what we were doing before. Our aim was simply to make it easier for authors to publish with us.
@Walter, regarding list price, we had a glitch in the system that was displaying a lower-than-actual price for some projects. We just patched this. The discounted price for your book is $9.99. Sorry about that.
Walter wrote: "Matt wrote: "Walter wrote: "I've begun the process of setting up my Inkshares campaign and have a few questions which I couldn't find the answers to elsewhere. Since others may have the same or sim..."Hi Walter,
Currently, the "add a new chapter" button allows you to post chapters that everyone can see. The ability to share content and drafts exclusively with backers is a feature currently under development, we'll announce to all authors when it's ready for use.
To all authors who have entered: I just want to say how impressed we've all been with the quality, creativity, and diversity of the submissions. We're only one week in and we can barely contain ourselves over here at Inkshares. We hope you're enjoying these projects as much as we are, and keep the questions and submissions coming!
Since the Draft function for Inkshares has yet to be implemented, and I haven't yet been able to figure out how to put this link on my Project page for The Caballa or share it as a Reader Update, I thought I would include it here. The following file includes the first five chapters of the manuscript which follow Preludes One and Two, both posted on the Project page. In combination with one another, this introduces all of the novel's main characters to the reader. Feel free to download this pdf file to whatever device you wish:https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4...
For convenience's sake, here is the original Project link: https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th...
Hi,I feel a bit like a fraud posting here. I'm constantly lurking about the fringes of Sword & Laser but I seldom have the time to read the books (my backlog of novels that I've bought but have yet to read is... intimidating) let along comment on them. That being said, I have to credit Sword & Laser for introducing me to Inkshares and yes, I have a campaign there I'd like to promote.
So let me invite you all to check out my book, The Life Engineered, at the link below. I hope you'll consider backing it. So far crowdfunding has been a harrowing experience of stress and worry and self doubt, but also a few wonderful surprises and encouraging moments. People seem to like my book and if you're looking for a more optimistic outlook on the future, and more importantly; robots, check it out. I think you'll like it.
Oh... and thanks.
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th...
Hey people, That's my book "Denizens of Dump" up. After a week of furious editing I can get back to Wyrd Sisters. Take a look and let me know what you think of the first chapter. Any and all support is most welcome!
Dump is where everything ends up, waste, scrap, rubbish, and people. Lives can be made sifting through that which civilisation has thrown out, and bacon earned. Yet one man wants more, he wants to leave, and a lot of people are willing to stop him.
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/de...
Anyone else really struggling with the price? Because of the size of my book(465 pages/ 115K words) they have me priced at $9.99. I have members of my family who can't/won't spend that much on a book. It's really hard to convince people I don't know to give me $10 to take a chance on a new author. I don't even know if I would do it myself.
Daniel wrote: "Anyone else really struggling with the price? Because of the size of my book(465 pages/ 115K words) they have me priced at $9.99. I have members of my family who can't/won't spend that much on a ..."Here's what you have your family do: Have them register with Inkshares, that will get them 5$ credit. Then, they can 'recommend' your book by pressing the 'recommend' button at the end of your sample chapter. That will give them another 5$ credit. This should offset the cost nicely.
J-F wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Anyone else really struggling with the price? Because of the size of my book(465 pages/ 115K words) they have me priced at $9.99. I have members of my family who can't/won't spend ..."Do they have to register as authors? It didn't seem to be working with the one friend I tried it with.
Daniel wrote: "J-F wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Anyone else really struggling with the price? Because of the size of my book(465 pages/ 115K words) they have me priced at $9.99. I have members of my family who can't/..."It takes a few minutes to receive the email that says they have the signup credit. Otherwise it's been working fine on my side.
If you read my short story "Prophecy? No Thank You" in Foil and Phaser's Divide and Conquer Volume One and wanted to see more of those characters, here's your chance. https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th... The story follows four questers – Cravan, the definitely-not-a-dwarf, axe-wielding warrior; Rieki, the pansexual, elven rogue; Mor, the misanthropic mage; and Tia, the undisciplined disciple of the Spring Goddess. After finding a lost relic of great power, the adventurers begin a journey to unite the Five Hands of Fate and gain ultimate power over their own destinies. At the same time, however, a darker force seeks to gather the ancient power for its evil purposes.
And yes, I will change the cover eventually.
Hey allAlmost ready to get my project up and running www.inkshares.com/projects/beneath-st...
Its a short story collection including some Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Supernatural stories.
I've been on a real short story kick in the last few years (reading and writing) and this is the culmination of my work.
Hope you all enjoy...
Cammy
@mccroriebooks
Sean™ wrote: "If you read my short story "Prophecy? No Thank You" in Foil and Phaser's Divide and Conquer Volume One and wanted to see more of those characters, here's your chance...."Okay, had some problems getting launched, but it's live now. https://www.inkshares.com/projects/th...
Hi guys. I'm not putting book myself in inkshares, but I want to check out all the books and perhaps support a few. Is there a list where I can find ALL books submitted for the contest? I'd like to give a look on each one, but on inkshares I only found the top 10 list.
Thanks!
Paulo wrote: "Hi guys. I'm not putting book myself in inkshares, but I want to check out all the books and perhaps support a few. Is there a list where I can find ALL books submitted for the contest? I'd like ..."
What Nick said, above. Anything in science fiction/fantasy (you can filter by genre) counts.
Though if I may be so bold... http://j.mp/rocketsbook
The Sword and Laser
Books mentioned in this topic
Divide and Conquer Volume One (other topics)Divide and Conquer Volume One (other topics)
