For the last couple of weeks I’ve been working on a secret project. I’d like to say that it was secret because I wanted to create an air of mystery, a subtle build up to some grand announcement. But I can’t – at least, not if I want to maintain a modicum of integrity.
No, it was secret because I was absolutely terrified. Yup, it’s that fear thing again folks, but now I’ve decided to talk about it, thanks to some incredibly generous people on Twitter who volunteered to be part of my “Secret Project Support Group”, or SPSG for short.
“But what’s the secret project already?!” I hear you cry.
Well, I want to produce my first e-anthology of short stories. And…
Earn money from it.
Dah dah duummmmmmm!
Let’s rewind a tiny bit though to a couple of weeks ago. I was unhappy. I knew I needed to be building up my business, I needed to be out there, being dynamic and networking but I was struggling to do that.
At the same time, I was getting more annoyed with the fact that I can’t just write fiction all the time. Now I know every writer save 0.01% of lucky authors who make it big feel the same way, but that’s how I felt. I have to pay a mortgage and support a family, so I can’t just run off into some bohemian sunset and live off porridge whilst I dedicate my life to fiction writing (and lose weight at the same time. Wow… that sounds so good…)
Where was I? Oh yes, so I decided that I had to make that dream happen. Yes, my first novel is being published in October, but advances for debut authors like me are tiny, and royalties won’t be arriving for a long time, and probably won’t pay the mortgage anyway. Then I hit upon the idea of an e-anthology of the short stories and flash fiction pieces I’ve written over the last few months.
So I have been working hard, editing, planning, researching. I have even sorted out a cover. It got to the point when I only needed to put it all together, and you know what happened?
I ground to a halt. Paralysed. Fear:1, Emma:0
That’s when I realised there was a block the size of Ayer’s Rock in front of me. So I did what any modern author does… I bemoaned my horribly stuck state on Twitter.
Then, lo! Like sunlight from between the clouds, kind souls stepped forwards and said they’d love to help. So I emailed them the plan, asked questions and they all helped me realise that I wasn’t crazy, or evil, or going about this the wrong way.
They also made me realise that I should be blogging about this! It helped me when I was trying to find a publisher, and my mistakes and ranting helped others too. So here I am. I hope that by sharing all of the stuff I’m learning will help you guys too.
The anthology is going to be called “From Dark Places” and here is the book cover as a super-sneaky peek in case you’re interested. It was designed by my best friend in the whole world, Kate, you can find her site here and she is @tangokate on Twitter. How much does it rock?
So, this is the plan. I have edited six short stories and five flash fiction pieces, making an anthology of about 19,500 words not including the introduction and closing notes. People in my Short Story Club have read the stories – but one of the things I was struggling with is the fact that when people join, they get stories from that point on, not the back catalogue. This anthology means that they can get all the stories that were produced before they joined. Only a handful of people have read all of them.
I’m going to publish through Smashwords. I’ve seen a lot of good reviews about the site, and I like the thinking of the founder Mark Coker. In short, they host the book, handle all the payment gubbins, ensure that the book is available in a comprehensive range of e-formats and also do vouchers and affiliate schemes too. In return, they take a 15% cut of the cover price. Not bad really, considering how much tricky technological stuff they take care of.
Smashwords also allows you to set the price of your choice and determine how much of it you want to give away as a free preview. I’m currently planning to sell it for $4.95 and give the first 25% as a preview. I figure that will give people enough of an idea of my writing style.
When people buy the e-book, at the end of the stories there will be a link to a super secret (as in really secret!) part of this site where they can read about how the stories came to be and leave comments and ask questions if they wish.
I do want to use the Smashwords affiliate scheme, so I’m hoping that if some of my short story readers like the anthology and want to help promote it, they can earn a little money in the process too.
At my current rate of writing, I think I’ll be able to produce an anthology every four months or so, meaning this would be the first of a series.
So… the questions I asked my SPSG were these, and I’ll ask them here too:
1. Do you think this is going to upset anyone?
2. Do you think the price sounds right?
3. Do you like the cover?
4. Do you think people will be happy to be affiliates?
5. Is there anything I haven’t considered?
6. Am I just being a muppet that should just do it already!
The responses I got from the SPSG were fantastic. Everyone loved the cover, comments about the price ranged from “spot on” to “Far too cheap – double it!” and all were very encouraging. The thing that made me particularly happy is that one of those kind souls joined my short story club the day it was launched, and still wants to buy the anthology.
I blogged about fear of asking for things a while ago, and someone suggested asking for donations on the site. I still can’t bring myself to do that, but figure that if there are people who are enjoying the stories and podcasts want to donate, they can do that by buying the anthology and then they can read the stories on any device they like, and have them all in one place.
I’m burbling nervously aren’t I? Ergh, this “earning money from creative endeavours” is difficult. But if I am going to create the life I want and need, and have the time to create fiction that people enjoy, I have to get over it and make this happen.
Deep breath… big brave Gruffalo steps…
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m glad you jumped over your hurdle into the world of self publishing. I am very much looking forward to your book. And it is another paving slab in my path to an e-reader. And I also like the by-product, your blog. Thank you
Heike
Well Em, you know what I think, so just for readers who happen to stumble across this post of yours, I’ll say it again:
Excellent news! More power to your elbow! Can’t wait to get my sweaty paws on your anthology. I’m also happy to help in whatever way I can, just let me know.
Go for it! This sounds like a fantastic idea that will get your name out there and build your platform. And I absolutely love the cover! You go girl!
Congratulations on conquering your fear and moving your business forward! I have worked with self published and traditionally published authors and the common ingredient is marketing. Whether you are doing it yourself or have published several books with a major house, authors must market their work. You are enormously talented and when people read your work, they will join in spreading the word, but first you have to let them know you’re here. Guest blog, do press releases, host your own tweet-up, meet-up or virtual chat. Get creative, but just get the word out. Oh yes, most importantly, keep asking for help, we love and support you.
Bravo! But then, you knew that.
1. No. And if it does they need a slap!
2. Yes. Cheap enough to be an impulse buy, not so cheap as to not be worth selling.
3. It’s excellent. 10/10
4. People who do the affiliate thing will be, yes.
5. Maybe a print edition at some future point, for those of us who don’t like eBooks? (Via lulu or similar.)
6. Not qualified to answer that!
Good luck with it. Sounds like a plan with no downside to me!
1. You never know, but if anyone gets upset they’re probably not your Right People.
2. I think it sounds low, but maybe if you talked up how it’s the grand opening in a series, you can charge more for subsequent publications.
3. Love, love, love.
4. I would be happy to be an affiliate, but only a couple of people read my blog right now so it wouldn’t help you much.
5. Don’t know; looks good to me!
6. I’d say it’s time to “ready, fire, aim!”
Cheers!
I love the cover!
I just read a post that you may find helpful: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/01/booty-call.html
1. Why would it upset anyone?
2. My first impulse was that it was too little but I haven’t much experience with what others are charging. I would buy it at that price so maybe that’s a good indicator.
3. Love the cover but have to ask…is this for the Junior market? The lower case lettering and/or font chosen (just) for your name made me think so. If your market is adults, maybe you should make sure this is how you want your author name to debut in type. Also, I thought the title and author name should be in different fonts. But all designers have their own preferences.
4. No experience there
5. Just that if you combine the price with how your author name is debuted, it does seem like it’s designed for a minor market. Like you’re not aiming for the top of the stacks. Hate to be so blunt but why else would I comment but to give my honest opinion?
6. No, it’s good to get feedback, it’s like having a good editor. Then, when you’ve taken all the criticism you can stand, with a grain of salt of course, you’ll know what’s worth sticking out there. You need that “Yes, this is it” feeling. I often know when something is as good as it gets when I am ready to defend my preferences against any and all criticism! Be bold girl!
Great link Tim!
Okay, I definitely think your price is cool after reading this article.
“Because I’ve done extensive experiments with ebooks. The cheaper the ebook, the more you sell.” ~ Joe Konrath
Hi Em. So, you’re still harping on self-publishing eh?
Honestly, if you’re pumping out all those short stories and not doing anything else with them, why not publish a series of anthologies? It sounds like a great idea. You have enough of a following to make some decent sales, I’d guess, and you’re talented enough and professional enough to do it well. (And the cover is just great, by the way.)
The only thing I’d quibble about is the price. It seems way too high for a 20K-word collection of short stories. I don’t think $5 is an impulse buy in this market. I think $0.99 is. You might get away with $1.99. Those of us who know and love you will pay $5 but I think a passing stranger is more likely to compare the size and price to full-length novels and anthologies and think it’s a bit steep.
Diana is right in quoting Joe Konrath. I think his views are sound, but Joe’s self-pubbed Kindle titles – full length novels – are $1.99 or less.
You might want to check the link you’ve got going on for Kate’s site; looks like http://http//artemis.io/ to my browser, which ain’t no good.
Thanks for your feedback everyone – the pricing thing was always going to be a toughie – but I see this as a first time experience thing, no doubt I’ll learn twenty lessons and do it differently the next time. Then other people can learn from my mistakes too!
Link now fixed by the way. Thanks Rick, sometimes I wonder if you should be an editor – you pop up when I need to correct something
I’ll keep you all posted…
Woo hoo! I’m so glad you are taking this next, logical, step with all these wonderful pieces you are writing. I for one would be happy to support you and buy a copy.
The 15% taken by Smash Words seems to be more than fair when Kindle wants a 65% slice or the new royalty arrangment of 70% if you dance to their tune.
Price is always going to be debated. Here in Australia people will shell out more than $4.00 for a fancy coffee but will scoff at the price of an eBook – basically wanting it for next to nothing. How much is an hour of entertainment worth? How many hours of entertainment is there in 20,000 words?
On the subject of your front cover – I agree with Diana about changing the way your name is presented – even if it is simply to keep the same font but put it all in capitals (be bold and proud!) Other than that – I love the image, love the cover.
Paul and I will do all we can to support and promote you via CW and an affliate program sounds good, as long as it keeps it simple and the money is flowing towards you.
I haven’ t had any experience with Smash Words – but do they allow you to sell from you own site? From experience with CW – it is nothing to create a PayPal button and a downloadable link from here. You have a considerable following here and I’d like to see you keep as much of your sale price as possible.
Some randown thoughts… if it weren’t near to the dead of night here I’d put on the kettle and have a celebratory brew for you xxx
I think it’s a wonderful idea, and I’ll be buying it when it comes out! *waves the Emma flag*
Sorry to be late commenting. But Emma, this is wonderful. I’m in awe of your courage! Your price sounds pretty good, and I don’t know why you’d upset anyone. It sounds like a great thing, well done and good luck!
Wow! This is awesome!! Beaming big happy smiles at you!!
Karen :0)
Thanks again for all the great comments and help everyone. I’m delighted to report that the book is now published on Smashwords
I’ll blog about it properly soon, but here is a link for now: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9193
Do it. We’ll both want to read it
One question – Do they have a print-on-demand option? Call this cutting edge technologist old-fashioned, but there’s nothing quite like a real book you can drop in the bath.