A aspiring writer, who creates new universes among the stars. Gives voices to animals, and superpowe...
Hi all,
A quick "just before the weekend" update:
My good friend Omer Sagiv, who’s an amazingly talented industrial/concept designer and artist (do yourself a favour and check out his stuff at http://www.omersagiv.com) has decided that the old book cover simply had to go. Even though I urged him not to (it is after-all temporary) he went ahead and designed a more "in the spirit of the novel" book cover. I personally think it turned out great - would love to hear your take on that.
By the way, this is not meant to take anything away from Dious’ gorgeous photo that will keep serving as the theme of the novel.
We are currently at 412 orders, which is an amazing number as such, but still about 10% below the optimal figure at this stage. I’ll take the opportunity and thank Auntie Ilana, who joined our forces and started actively finding me readers.
Do you have what it takes to refer readers too? top referrers will get a prize (which admittedly I don’t know what it will be yet - but it will have something to do with the novel).
In case you forgot, the next 38 orders will grant you a place in the raffle of a character named after you!!
Furthermore, if you haven’t already checked James Rasile’s excellent novel Cape’s Side Bay and Brian Fitzpatrick’s ingenious Mechcraft, then you are missing out! Both (not)incidentally are top guys that are actively helping me find readers.
I’ll part with the best weekend wishes, and the usual "this is a great day to order a Spymaster and be part of the patron list inside the book" greeting.
All the best,
Joni D.
Good Day Air Pirates!
We are currently just shy of 100 orders. Let’s get over the hump before the Holiday weekend! Place your preorder now to be entered in the "Air Pirate Surprise Raffle" when we reach 250 orders.
Thank you for your support! EH
Hello!
I hope everyone is having a great week. The Noxian Gate is alive and kicking, we have 83 copies sold! Once we get to 250 copies Inkshares will make sure each of you has at least one copy in your pocket. Until then I wanted to give you a ’behind the book’ look at the kinda of data I get to see using the Inkshares platform.
The first chart I see when I pull up my ’dashboard’ is the dreaded progress chart.
As you can see, this week I have not done any promoting, and the pre-orders flatlined. I’m working on creating a video in a few weeks that should help get more eyeballs to the page, and looking for media outlets (blogs/websites/etc) that might want to do an interview- all in an effort to get that line to go back up. This chart tracks us all the way to the BIG publication goal of 750 copies, which would be great as it includes a lot more professional editing, design, a print run, marketing, and distribution to bookstores nationwide.
Until then, my first goal is to make sure the book gets into your hands. For that to happen we need 250 copies pre-sold. We can do it!
The next chart I look at tell me what kinds of links actually lead to people visiting the page. While not all visits turn into orders, it helps to engage. I have found that e-mail is actually the highest conversion by a factor of about 10.
The top three ways to get eyeballs on the book are:
1. Facebook
2. Good Old Fashioned E-mail
3. Surfers from Inkshares
If you are reading this far into the update - thanks! Also now that we have weeded out the browsing folks I want to ask you favor. If each of you sent out 3 or 4 e-mails to friends you know who might like sci-fi books it could really boost our numbers. Here is a sample e-mail you could send out:
"Hello !
My nutty friend is writing an amazing science fiction book, but in order to get published he needs to have 250 pre-orders. He is writing the book on Inkshares, which is kinda like a kick-starter for books. You can follow him along as he writes new chapters, adds insights, corrects his many spelling mistakes.... and also get special offers as he works to get the book published.
I bought a copy, and thought you might want to get a copy for yourself or for a friend. It is sure to be a fun ride. Thanks for helping him out!
Love [your name]"
Thanks for helping me keep the momentum going, and stay tuned for some exciting new updates in the next few weeks!
-Tim
I’ll keep this update short and come back with lots of Clockwork Charlie news for you folks next week. There’s so much going on, and #DraftShares starts on the 30th! Read below for more info.
Clockwork Charlie short update: There’s a full length trailer on the project page now! Please check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks!
DraftShares update: Read below for event and prize info!
Get ready, because Draftshares is about to begin!
When: May 30th - June 4th
Readers: Check out as many drafts (projects currently in the Draft stage) as you can during the week of May 30th - June 3rd, and participate by opening and commenting on your favorite drafts’ excerpts.
Why: To encourage community engagement...and, PRIZES!
Prizes you say?: Yes! For every Draft (or synopsis*) you critique, you will be entered into a drawing for the following:
Prizes for Anyone
Prizes for Authors
Drafters: Let us know if you’d like to receive a soft critique or a hard critique by messaging a member of the DLC cast or tweeting your project link @drinkshareslc with either the #critiquemekindly or #critiqueme hashtags. If you want your synopsis critiqued, include the hashtag #critiquemypage too.
Soft Critiques (#critiquemekindly): This is the default critique if the author has not specifically requested a hard critique. The tone should be supportive and curious. Point out things you like, comment on the broader story ideas, and ask questions.
Hard Critique (#critiqueme): Only give a hard critique if the author has specifically asked for one. This is where grammatical errors, typos, and oversights can be pointed out. It’s best to include elements of a soft critique too, but you can unleash your inner editor a bit more here.
*Synopsis Critique (#critiquemypage): Interested Drafters should create a thread in the Inkshares forum (https://www.inkshares.com/forum_threads?topic=promo), linked to their book draft, titled “Synopsis Edits: [Book Title Goes Here].”
Throughout the week, fellow authors will browse these threads and offer help with editing and improving your project page synopsis so you’re better prepared to switch over to funding with a fantastic, compelling, error-free introduction to your book!
Not sure where to start? Check out these Drafts first!:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QP0JPCCsijyIFIa0YKk4ZdQjHJPFW3mqtVvyOpNO3x4/edit?usp=sharing
Watch: Tune in at https://youtu.be/82ged3xwwew on Saturday, June 4th @ 4/3 Central to watch us discuss the drafts and announce the winners!
Good Luck & Great Drafting!
