Becka's Notes

So yeah, the idea is that people back you for an amount for each piece of content you create - which seems great for us serial writers. I haven't tried it yet but I can think of some definite pros and cons already.
 

• The biggest pro is that unlike a paypal subscription people only pay when you create so fans won't feel cheated if you have a bad month.
• The biggest con is that you need a crowd to make money just like with Kickstarter and IndieGoGo - but then that's always true. No fans = no money and since Patreon is long term you can start small and scale up.

What do peeps think? Is Patreon a good idea? What perks could I go for?

• It works in my own currency so I end up with less conversion woes.
• It has no minimum for a campaign. This was the big issue with the Land of Myth Campaign on IndieGoGo - $500 was the minimum target. I got what I needed but didn't hit the target and so paid more fees on what I did get. With a lower target not only would I likely have hit target but the campaign would probably have done better rankingwise and gained some visibility to people outside my rather small crowd).

• It's all or nothing like Kickstarter so I have to be sure I'll hit target (which still leaves Haventon high and dry as thing stands as the campaign would need to make at least $2k /£1300 to cover what I need and the Land of Myth campaign suggests my crowd won't stretch to that yet).
• It's not as well known as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo which may impact potential contributers' confidence.

• Proofread: $62.97 (including Paypal fees) - really cheap and the guy did a bang up job. He's one of a class of what I would term semipro prepublishing people out there. (Already paid).
• Cover: $35 - again I've been bloody lucky. I was tearing my hai out fighting Gimp to make one myelf. Then I saw some of the covers Scath had created for her Katarr Kanticles Press and asked what she'd charge me to make me one. That was her reply and even when I said I needed it big enough to go on a paperback she didn't raise it. (Note: this is because we're friends and because I'm a faily regular customer of hers. Print fomat is usually more). You can see the cover here! (Already paid).
• Ebook Formatting: approx $50-$100. The thought of trying to get a file ready to go through smashword's meatgrinder is giving me kittens. I use LibreOffice and would almost certainly have to go nuclear on it. That's a whole lot of italics to put back in (bloody telepaths). Hiring someone to get it ready for Smashwords would be best. I need to check around to check they are reputable (they are on Smashword's list so 'd hope they were) but this place will do a Smashwords format for $60 and Smashwords and seperate Kindle format for $90. (not paid yet)
• Paper Book Formatting: approx $100. The two places I've looked at so far charge $99 and $129 respectively. (not paid yet)

• Only Paypal Fees to pay.
• Can set the target at $300

• Will only reach my audience and that of my signal boosters
• Will have to locate tools and run the back end myself.

• Will give me a chance to test the waters and learn the ropes before commiting to the $2k Haventon Campaign.
• Everything I need is there - no hunting for tracking tools. Less work for in the backend makes more time for promoting.
• Chance to reach the IndieGoGo community
• If I hit target Global Reach will also be covered.

• Minimum campaign target is $500 so more to raise (having said that I get the money anyway)
• Fees on top of Paypal - 4% if I hit target 9% if I don't.

• BASIC: $3 – A personal thank you email, your name in the credits at the back and on the credits section of the website, and of course a copy of the ebook in the format of your choice. (Considered making this $5 but since I intend a price tag of $2.99 that seemed harsh).
• TIN: $10 – As above plus you will be emailed a code to get every future Dragon Wars Saga ebooks for 99c as soon as each one is released.
• BRONZE: $25 – As above except that the codes will get you the future Dragon Wars Saga ebooks for free rather than for 99c.
• SILVER: $40 – As above plus a signed copy of the paper book. (This may seem harsh but I have international postage to consider and you do get all the other stuff as well).
• GOLD: $100 – As above plus a signed copy of paper book 2 (planning a September release for that) and I will write a side-story (of not less than 1000 words) about any character in the story for you and send it to you in the electronic format of your choice. Content of said story to be decided by me. (There will only be three of these packages available because I am not made of time).

anke

1. Story/Development Editing - I haven't spoken to any editors yet. I'm rather shy so approaching new people is intimidating, but it's got to be done. If anyone has any recommendations I'l be glad to hear them. I'll likely want to get sample edits from several to find the best person for me. Meilin lists her editing costs as $1500 and having poked around Google that seems about right. If I can't raise enough for that an intelligent copy edit is the next best option. This combines a heavy copy edit with a sort of light develomental edit and is somewhat cheaper. No doubt it would improve things but I'd always know it wasn't the best it could be.
2. Cover Art - Meilin had an artist do her cover and lists the cost as $400.  I've seen cheaper options - usually stock based - which are still attractive and high impact. I've also seen much more costly options. I'm pegging this at between $200 and $500. I'd really rather not do this myself. I'm making my own cover for the first Dragon Wars ebook and it's stressful.
3. Final Proofreading - I suppose I could do what Meilin does and ask for beta readers to do this. But I'd rather hire someone. A professional proofread or light copyedit can cost between $400 and $600. Or I can hire an English student or unemployed graduate to do it. I'm also getting the first arc of The Dragon Wars Saga ready for ebook release and wanted to get it proofread for any errors that I and my beta reader inventrix might have missed.  I have a friend who offers what might be termed semipro copyediting services at a very low price and I knew his grasp of grammar/punctuation was up to the task, so I hired him. Cost me less than $70 and he did a bang up job. He should probably charge more. For Haventon I'd like to get an experienced professional on the job but if I don't raise enough HA wil get a call (as he already will for the rest of Dragon Wars).
4. Internal Layout - I can certainly do this myself, but equally I'd rather not. It's tedious and time-consuming. Meilin lists $300 for typography. I'm not sure if this is for both ebook and print or if she does her own ebooks. I need to cost this up myself.
5. Printing Costs - Unless something astounding happens with the campaign or I win the lottery a long offset print run is out. This leaves the options as Lulu, Createspace, LSI or shortrun digital printer. There was a whole section in the original post on the advantages and disadvantages of each of these. I will write a post about this at a later date but the last option is my favoured one.  Allowing for an initial print run of 50 and a better than POD paper and cover stock I'd need about $325 for this if my page count estimate is correct and I use this printer and assuming my page count guesstimate is right. I will go POD if I have to but while cheaper for me I'll make less profit per unit and the book will cost more.
6. ISBN block - We can't buy single ISBNs in the UK and a block of 10 costs £118.68 (about $190).

inventrix