Nov 14, 2015

Dear readers,

Today I'm reaching out to get some feedback from you. I am weighing a big decision for Blood Dawn this weekend.

Option A: I get Blood Dawn published. Yes, that's right. I can make a simple decision by emailing Inkshares, and Blood Dawn will have met its funding goal. As many of you might know, under Inkshares' new funding model, I will have met my pre-order goal for Inkshares' new "light" imprint, Quill (read more about that imprint here). However, under the new funding model, buying a print book costs $19.99, an ebook costs $9.99, and there is the cost of shipping to non-US backers. Basically, this is the same as what you'd pay if the book were published. I'll still have until April 11th to get to 750 pre-orders and qualify for full Inkshares publishing. But should I fail to reach that goal, at least Blood Dawn will still be published and out there to generate momentum that might qualify it for further support by Inkshares at a later time.

Option B: I stick with the old funding model where I must reach 1,000 pre-orders to publish with Inkshares. There is no Quill option. I make it, or I don't get published. Period. However, sticking with this model means I will continue to offer new backers the $9.99 discount for ebook + signed print book.

This choice needs to be made soon, because if I choose Option A, then I will have to cancel all pre-orders that came in since October 30th when the system switched to the new model of funding. This will put me at 296 pre-orders. To the 3 GOD-KINGS who backed Blood Dawn after October 30th, since you'll be paying double to re-order, I will still honor your purchase by giving you "honorary" God-King status, but will ask that you re-order the book, just one copy, since that will be about the same amount you invested in the discounted purchase. To everyone who bought a copy since then, I'll be following up by email to be sure you know your order has been cancelled and what options you have (i.e. Inkshares allows you to order an ebook only, for the same price of $9.99).

I am personally leaning toward making this switch (OPTION A), because I know that many of you have expressed your excitement for this book and your desire to hold it in your hands. While I don't doubt that this book is going to continue to sell, if I know that it has a publication certainty, then I think backers who jump on board can do so with confidence. Our goal changes then from trying to get this book published, to trying to get this book published with Inkshares' full support.

Can we get this to 750 copies? Damn right we can!

Please, leave me comments. Let me know what you think. You are my readers and I will use your input to help me weigh this decision which is as much about me as it is about you. If you prefer to keep your comments private, email me: johnrobinrt@gmail.com.