Sep 28, 2015

Asteroid Made of Dragons switching from Hardcover to Paperback.

After several conversations with Inkshares and receiving a lot input from their sales and marketing experience, I have decided to change the physical version of the book from hardcover to paperback.

Why This Stinks

I've self-published two novels before this, both in paperback and e-book. This was my first chance to see my work in hardcover and I was filled with a childlike glee. As a life-long lover of books and reading - the smell, the heft of a hardback, it's magic. For an author, it's the brass ring - it's legitimacy, it's solid paper and pride. I also kind of loved the innate 'joke' of a preposterous title like AMOD being presented in the most respectable of formats.

Why This is a Good Thing

Quite frankly, it means Inkshares will be able to market and sell my book in a LOT more independent bookstores around the country. For a debut author - it's a lot harder to get small bookstores to take a chance on the cost and shelf-space of a hardback. More stores, more shelves, more eyes, more readers - that's always the goal. Until I am a SUPER BIG DEAL*, it just didn't make sense to increase the risk for smaller bookstores. That's where I want to be! A lower cost in general also helps me win over casual readers - lowering the risk of entry is important all the way through.

*November 10th, 2017, if you're curious.

This also means that AMOD will be almost the same trim size as my previous works, so they'll all look nice together on the shelf. 

What this Means for You

• If you pre-ordered the book while I was funding - not much. You paid the 8.99 or 9.99 pre-order cost. You will still be receiving your copy of the book as planned - it's just going to be a little bit softer, a bit more pliable.

• If you've pre-ordered the hardcover since the campaign was funded and paid the full 24.99 list price - you get a refund! The new paperback cost of the book is going to be right at $15.00. The switch on the campaign page will happen later this week, and you should get a notification of the refund shortly thereafter.

Complaint Box

I feel more than a little dodgy about this for those of you that funded me during the campaign. I promised you one thing, now I'm delivering something slightly different. I do want to make clear that this was 100% my decision -- Inkshares was ready to print hardcovers if that's what I truly wanted, even if it meant going against their clear advice to the contrary. I  know that it's the best decision for the book, but I can empathize quite easily with those of you who were very excited to get those gleaming new hardcovers.

So! Questions or complaints - please direct them my way. Either here, or my email - gderekadams AT gmail DAWT com, or just come yell at me on Twitter: @gderekadams.