Gamma Nine - My debut novel - Cover concept and info.

Blazzok said:
Ah oky, but if I can get the epub on Smashwords that is cool, I can manually upload it to Play Books. :)
Will the book be available for pre-order on Smashwords, or will I just have to wait for release?

I have several friends who like SciFi/Fantasy books, so I will definitely recommend it to them.

I see one of your other posts mentioned it. This is the first book of a series, not a standalone novel? How many books in the series are you planning?
Click to expand...

The distributor ships the pre-orders off to bigger stores. Their own library is more for their own records and for library placement in other countries. They will have the book on sale on release day. They also distribute DRM free versions to most of the stores, so you will be able to get it somewhere. I know Kobo favors e-pub with Adobe DRM, but the DRM is at the mercy of the publisher.

Either way there will be e-pubs available. The standard and easiest format to submit your work in is e-pub so you will find a copy easily. It just depends on where you want to buy from and who trust more than other stores. Worst case scenario you can buy a copy from the distributor on release day or get a coupon from me for one if you ordered somewhere else and you are unhappy with their DRM or formats.

This story arc has 3 planned novels. This one and two more on the way, with short stories as fillers with back stories and other things in between. If the series is popular then I will of course continue with it and write more, new stories or bring back the original characters. I will be writing one or two free short stories I will publish for free to go with the main novel once it releases. That is if I have the time to do it, if not they will be available soon after release.
 
matt said:
Thanks, I guess I jumped the gun not waiting for the Amazon release. Rest assured though, I won't be distributing copies or anything, I just prefer my Kindle to my tablet for reading.
Click to expand...

No matter. Your support is appreciated greatly. You can cancel your pre-order and just wait it out or get a DRM free one on release. I have no issue if you share for the sake of gathering fans for something you love. If you buy a copy and a family member or friend reads it and loves it and becomes a new fan then that is so much more than keeping it to yourself. Like I said the royalties are a bonus and not my main motivation. Stories should be there for everyone, if you can't get your hands on it friends and family should step in or even kind strangers can help to spread the word. Stories connect us all, it turns foes into friends and friends into lovers. It would be a sin to hold it back, even in my minuscule attempt at adding to the greatness of human storytelling just for the sake of making an extra buck or two.

I have you covered [MENTION=193]matt[/MENTION], so no need to worry. If your pre-order, from whichever store, is not satisfactory you have a direct line to me and I will sort you out. If you ordered somewhere and it has DRM on and you want to remove it so you can read it on your preferred device, then do it, whatever makes you happy. The only obvious thing about the DRM free thing is that you can't resell it, but that is nothing to even think about because copyright laws already cover that.
 
Congrats [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]!

I don't suppose there is a physical version planned somewhere along the way? Call me old fashioned, but I cannot read novels digitally, I want it in my hands and on my shelf.
 
Wlad said:
Congrats [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]!

I don't suppose there is a physical version planned somewhere along the way? Call me old fashioned, but I cannot read novels digitally, I want it in my hands and on my shelf.
Click to expand...

Thank you Wlad. And yes, good news, there is a print on demand service I will be using to get my book into print later this year. For now e-books are the fastest and easiest way to get my novel out there and get fans, then open up print versions for the die hard ones.
 
Spartan said:
Good luck. I can only imagine how hard it is to write a screenplay. Let me know if you need help with indie publishing. Just PM me with any questions. I would be happy to help whenever I am not pouring over my laptop or passed out on the couch.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much. Also for all the info. I looked at publishers before.(Was actually busy writing a novel at the time) Oh my - it is a can of worms I opened and then quickly closed it again. :-) For me it seems research on its own - just to get behind all that is involved with the publishing, artwork, bind, proof reading... I got trust issues as well and not sure how to protect my work or will it be safe. That kind of thing.

Just have to say - nothing came close to Robotech back in the day! I had Robotech pajamas as a child and duvet cover - didn't miss an episode. Just the other day I was looking to download some episodes to see if it as epic as I can remember. Transformers got nothing on Robotech!
 
Last edited:
Spartan said:
Thank you Wlad. And yes, good news, there is a print on demand service I will be using to get my book into print later this year. For now e-books are the fastest and easiest way to get my novel out there and get fans, then open up print versions for the die hard ones.
Click to expand...

Awesome man! Please keep us updated on the progress of the print version. I like what Ive read in the synopsis and would be very much interested in getting a copy once it is available.
 
Avantar said:
Thank you so much. Also for all the info. I looked at publishers before.(Was actually busy writing a novel at the time) Oh my - it is a can of worms I opened and then quickly closed it again. :-) For me it seems research on its own - just to get behind all that is involved with the publishing, artwork, bind, proof reading... I got trust issues as well and not sure how to protect my work or will it be safe. That kind of thing.

Just have to say - nothing came close to Robotech back in the day! I had Robotech pajamas as a child and duvet cover - didn't miss an episode. Just the other day I was looking to download some episodes to see if it as epic as I can remember. Transformers got nothing on Robotech!
Click to expand...

I spent months researching everything you mentioned, and I am still learning. Like I said if you have any questions you can contact me and I will give you advice. Sharing what I know is half the job of the indie publisher. Luckily times have changed and you can do most things on your own. There are lists of people willing to help with your cover, editing, formatting, etc. There is software even a 10 year old can use to design a basic but great cover like https://www.canva.com/ which is mostly free and minimal cost when you use artwork made by others. Your work is safe under international copyright law as soon as you put your name on it. Most countries adhere to the laws set forth in the Bernes Convention and other copyright guidelines.

It helps to have someone in the thick of things to help once you want to take the plunge. There is a wealth of knowledge out there and it is easy to find once you search for it. It also helps calling in favors from friends and family for your first try, it saves you a lot of budget if they are just as eager to help you as you are to release your work.

Robotech is the best, the animation was terrible but the story was so good you ignored the stick-like animation and terrible effects. I still have one or two of the Robotech action figures in my house somewhere.
 
Last edited:
Wlad said:
Awesome man! Please keep us updated on the progress of the print version. I like what Ive read in the synopsis and would be very much interested in getting a copy once it is available.
Click to expand...

I will add everyone to a new thread on release day with all of the info needed. Including mailing lists and twitter feeds to follow progress on new work and print versions. If you guys can't wait you could always print out the book and then read it, a schlep I know but a last ditch effort if the print versions take too long.

And thank you, I am glad the synopsis caught your eye. It is a hard thing putting your work out there for others to judge. Every positive comment thickens my skin for the inevitable haters.
 
And now it hit #1 in the overall TOP 50.

Well hello there mister pressure to perform. I haven't seen you in a very long time.
 
Spartan said:
Thank you so much. I am honored that you feel proud for my work. Comments like yours makes one even more motivated.
We can discuss an audiobook version as soon as the print project is up and running later this year. I think it might do well if there is some South African stank on it with some rolling Rs and brus!
Click to expand...

Not even joking here: please allow me to audition! For free!
 
Spartan said:
I spent months researching everything you mentioned, and I am still learning. Like I said if you have any questions you can contact me and I will give you advice. Sharing what I know is half the job of the indie publisher. Luckily times have changed and you can do most things on your own. There are lists of people willing to help with your cover, editing, formatting, etc. There is software even a 10 year old can use to design a basic but great cover like https://www.canva.com/ which is mostly free and minimal cost when you use artwork made by others. Your work is safe under international copyright law as soon as you put your name on it. Most countries adhere to the laws set forth in the Bernes Convention and other copyright guidelines.

It helps to have someone in the thick of things to help once you want to take the plunge. There is a wealth of knowledge out there and it is easy to find once you search for it. It also helps calling in favors from friends and family for your first try, it saves you a lot of budget if they are just as eager to help you as you are to release your work.

Robotech is the best, the animation was terrible but the story was so good you ignored the stick-like animation and terrible effects. I still have one or two of the Robotech action figures in my house somewhere.
Click to expand...

Fantastic - I will surely shout when I get there - still some way to go. All the best with your book.
 
Spartan said:
And now it hit #1 in the overall TOP 50.

Well hello there mister pressure to perform. I haven't seen you in a very long time.
Click to expand...

Congratulations [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]!

Just curious, how is the book hitting nr1 on sales lists already? Pre-orders alone?
 
Blazzok said:
Congratulations [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]!

Just curious, how is the book hitting nr1 on sales lists already? Pre-orders alone?
Click to expand...

Yeah on pre-orders alone it would seem. I have no idea how they track it but the most logical way would be via pre-sales. It updates hourly and it has not budged since my Fiance told me about it.
 
Woaaaaah. Talk about walls of text. This thread in itself is a novel!

But congrats anyway [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]. I've been yearning to hit a good book again and I might as well make it this one. I'll wait for a Kindle release so I can read it on my wife's iPad.
 
FarligOpptreden said:
Woaaaaah. Talk about walls of text. This thread in itself is a novel!

But congrats anyway [MENTION=4772]Spartan[/MENTION]. I've been yearning to hit a good book again and I might as well make it this one. I'll wait for a Kindle release so I can read it on my wife's iPad.
Click to expand...

Thank you. And yes the thread has developed into a story of its own. The spam is staggering.
 
Spartan said:
Yeah on pre-orders alone it would seem. I have no idea how they track it but the most logical way would be via pre-sales. It updates hourly and it has not budged since my Fiance told me about it.
Click to expand...

Are Kobo pre-orders considered money in the bank for you Spartan? Or do buyers only pay on release once they receive the book? Do they have a chance to cancel before release?
 
GregRedd said:
Are Kobo pre-orders considered money in the bank for you Spartan? Or do buyers only pay on release once they receive the book? Do they have a chance to cancel before release?
Click to expand...

Pre-orders are billed on release day. So technically it is money in the bank, just something I can't see yet. Yes they do offer cancellations. The big thing for me is the interest, I could care less about how many pre-orders or how many people cancel it. I care about the people's interest in it and that motivates me to deliver the best product I can.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top