Kickstarter

It's been a little while since the last update -- I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten you!  The book is going well -- I've completed five stories, which I think is about a quarter of the first draft.  I'd like to start moving a little faster; I'd originally scheduled a year for writing this book, and I'm actually hopeful that I can finish the first draft over winter break, so I have plenty of time for revision.  (My last book, Bodies in Motion, took ten drafts, but I do expect this one to go faster!)  We'll see how it goes.

On the illustrator front, over forty talented artists applied to illustrate the book -- I was overwhelmed by the terrific response, especially considering that even with your generous donations, I'd only be paying decidedly small press prices.  It was very tough deciding on an artist -- so tough, in fact, that I ended up writing to my top five choices and offering them $50 each to do a sample piece for me to consider.  They all agreed to participate, so by December 1st, I'll hopefully have five versions of illustrations for story #2, "The Night Air."  This will let me get a closer look at their style, as applied to my particular project, and also see how well they work to a tight deadline.  Hopefully you'll agree that this is a good use of your money!

Anyway, back to work!  While you wait, here's a taste -- the opening to story #5, "Past Echoes."

***

"Lakshmi ran.  She had started out walking, her steps slow but steady.  Walking away from the exploded ship that had been her marriage.  It hadn't been spaceworthy in a long time, leaking air, on the verge of decompression.  But she had held on, slapping patches up as fast as she could, holding the ship together with wire and prayers and dogged determination -- no one could ever accuse her of lacking willpower.  She had committed to this marriage, and she had been determined to see it through.  Until Rajiv had come home stinking of another woman, and blown a hole right through the heart of it."

***

 - Mary Anne

Somehow I put .jpg at the end of the file instead of .doc.  Sorry about that.  Here's the correct address for the sneak peek!

http://www.mamohanraj.com/demimonde101611.doc

Sorry again!

  - Mary Anne

Just in case you folks know any artist types:

Call for Illustrators

I'm looking for an artist to work with me on a set of illustrations for my next book, _Demimonde_, a science fiction novel-in-stories, self-published by my small press. Pay is $1000.

The artist would produce 12-20 images, suitable for reproduction in black and white -- although if the artist wants to do color versions for the eBook edition, that would be terrific too; their choice. I've been imagining pen-and-ink type illustrations, but I'm open to a variety of styles and mediums. At least 5 of the images should be full-page; the rest can be smaller spot images. One of the images may also be used for the cover of the book; if so, the artist will receive an additional payment of $250. The book will be produced in three editions; an eBook, a limited-edition trade paperback (250 copies), and a limited-edition hardcover (100 copies). I would be purchasing rights to reproduce the images in these three editions only, along with promotional materials for the book, such as postcards, flyers, and a website; any further rights remain with the artist.

Please note that the stories in the book involve primarily South Asian-descended characters, along with some aliens; the artist should be comfortable portraying both groups. And several of the stories are erotic; I'm currently thinking images will be sensual, rather than explicit, but that's something that we could discuss.

If interested, please either point me to a website with samples of your work, or e-mail me up to three images as attachments. The book is scheduled to be published in September 2012, but ideally, I'm hoping to release stories over the next year as Kindle singles, and it would be wonderful to include illustrations with those (perhaps serving as the cover of each single).

Deadline to apply: October 31st, 2011

Send applications to Mary Anne at: mohanraj@mamohanraj.com

More on Demimonde

thanks, Mary Anne

Now, please keep in mind that I may revise these radically!  If you'd rather have the finished book all complete and tidy, then I recommend you wait; I'll write as fast as I can.  But I did want to give you, as a token of thanks for your early support, the option of a sneak peek at the book so far.  Please don't forward it on -- this is not for public consumption!

And if you happen to have any comments / crit -- it'd be welcome!

http://www.mamohanraj.com/demimonde101611.doc

Mary Anne

I asked people why they'd supported my Kickstarter project (either by pledging funds or spreading the word).  About 40 people responded (out of 168 backers) -- I've organized their reasons below, by order of importance:

 - they were genuinely excited by the project concept, and wanted to read it (15 people)

 - they've read other things of mine that they've liked (14)

 - they're my internet friendly acquaintance (13)

 - they're my friend and want to help me out (8) (most, though not all, of the higher donations came from here)

 - a friend they trusted recommended it (5)

 - they like other projects I've done (like Clean Sheets and Strange Horizons), and as a result trust I'll do something good (5)

 - they like other projects I've done, and pledged as a kind of 'thank you' (4)

Other reasons that I didn't think to ask about that people volunteered:

 - they're interested in this form of funding and/or want to do one themselves (5)

 - they were interested in a specific prize (cookbook, naked mug both cited multiple times) (4)

Overall conclusion:  You have to have a really intriguing project, as well as a proven track record of accomplishment, so people trust that you will be able to successfully follow through.  That might be enough to make a Kickstarter successful, especially with a relatively low funding goal.  But it won't hurt if you also have a lot of friends, friendly acquaintances, and a strong presence in internet communities.  

Also, spread the word, relentlessly.  There may be a thousand people who want to support your project -- but they can't do it if they haven't heard about it!  :-)

*****

A few interesting comments from the responses, names stripped (because I forgot to ask if it would be okay to attribute these -- hope no one minds not getting credit for their words below -- feel free to claim them in the comments!):

"I enjoy reading your blog. You blog more when you're happy. You're clearly happy writing this. By enabling you to write the book, I'm likely to see more interesting blog entries."

"I read a poem you posted here on g+ and was deeply moved."

"I liked "Jump Space" and would love more like it."

"It was really just exciting to think about a bunch of stories with brown people!"

"First, because there isn't enough erotic SF that isn't the execrable, inexcusable used furniture stuff coming out of Ellora's cave and the like. I trust you to do better. Second, because I like the kind of writing you do and I'm making up for all the times in the past when I was broke and couldn't afford to toss even a dime your way. Although I did buy 'Wet.'"  (Note -- this is the reader's opinion, not mine -- I haven't read anything from Ellora's Cave, and can't comment on its quality!)

"Via the magic of G+, I have seen a picture of your kitchen, of which I am very jealous. Somehow having a kitchen makes you seem more like a real 3D person, rather than a 2D professional persona."

"While I had heard of you before your contribution to Whatever during RaceFail, it was reading your posts there that told me you are someone to learn more about."

"We kicked in a higher pledge than we might have because T. reeeeeeeally wanted the nekkid coffee mug."

"1, 3, 4, 6 -- but 6 would've been enough since I have a long-standing policy of supporting people I know who write!"

"I think we'd be unlikely to support a project just because it sounded like a cool idea -- there are so many many things that "sound like cool ideas", I think we'd need some sort of more personal connection (either to the person's work or the person) to want to pledge."

"This seems like the kind of project that might be difficult to sell through the conventional publishing route, so it's exciting that something like Kickstarter is available to fund it."

"Typically I only fund relatives (however extended) and good friends."

"I'm also a big fan of Kickstarter; if I could afford it I'd designate a portion of my monthly budget to helping things succeed, then take the postcards or whatever (print-outs of acknowledgements?) and put them in a scrapbook and look at it sometimes and say, 'I helped make that happen!'"

"Having low-budget options (I pledged at $10) was critical. My personal spending budget right now is teensy, and $25 would have been out of my range."

"I think this is an interesting approach to publishing that should be encouraged, and I am in a position to do so."

"It's pretty exciting to be part of helping someone realize their goals!"

*****

Thanks so much, everyone!  Exciting for me too!

 - Mary Anne