Hi Jeyna! Yea I recently created the account lol. I’ve just sent in an email looking to see if they can enable PayPal or something. Would really not prefer to use my card if possible, since I still have money balance on my PayPal account though..

Just throwing a little encouragement towards everyone on this thread that’s having a rough time. I’m not part of the contest, but I am funding a book currently (check it out when you get a chance), and here’s a few things I learned:

1) Stop ONLY posting to facebook and other social media outlets, and make use of the dashboard feature Inkshares has. Email your contacts with a personal message (or send one on Facebook, instagram, etc...). Tell them you need their support to reach your dream and tell them why they might like what you’ve done. I’ve had people I haven’t spoken to in 20 years buy a copy. Just remember, for everyone of those people, there will be 3-4 friends you thought had your back that will not life a finger. Those that do lift a finger, ask them to ask a friend or two.

2) If someone throws you attitude about "nagging" they probably weren’t much of a friend at all.

3) Be personable. Be a salesman. I just printed up 1000 postcards and am hitting up a local horror convention next weekend, and I will be talking to everyone who’s willing to listen. What’s the harm that can come of that?

4) Sometimes adding a little incentive helps. Stickers. Bookmarks. Posters. Whatever you can do. Get a cool cover. Know someone who’s an artist? Hit them up and see what they can do for you. Create a video as a trailer. You have to be your own marketing team.

5) Something I really should do more of myself...trade reviews with people. Take the time to read their work, review it, and start connecting with people. This is my next step, and I think it’s a great way to interconnect with all sorts of other authors. Chances are, if they know you, and are a fan of what you’ve done, they will support you too.

Anyway, I want to see Inkshares blow up. I want to see this community thrive. Teach a man to fish, and all that sort of thing...

Good luck!

@Jeyna Grace  I have! I’ll be diving into the book this weekend ;)

I cannot for the life of me imagine why someone would even consider wanting to self-publish if they had the option to do it any other way. The entire process is exhausting, demeaning, and discouraging the entire way through. Attempting to manage a successful pre-order campaign is already killing me, and the only thing keeping me going is the knowledge that once I make it to my goal, I can pass that responsibility on to someone else and focus on, like, writing and stuff. I just cannot fathom why anyone would go that route when a legit publishing deal is within reach.

@Robert Batten just don’t forget to change the person’s name on the mail! they react even less well when you call Daniel Shirley, and vice versa ;)