So I've read this piece a couple of times now. I've had a million ideas about my stories and what to do with them. Right now book 1 in my series is on Kindle Vella and behind a paid subscription here on Substack. And I hate it because the Vella TOS prohibits you from making any of your story free anywhere, even excerpts, so it is very hard to get people excited to read it. And while I was all in with Vella initially, I am souring on the platform as the days go on.
What I think I want to do is similar to what you're suggesting. At some point in the not so distant future I think I may pull that story from Vella and publish it on Wattpad, as it's just a novella and almost a prequel to the second book, which will be more novel-length and really takes off as a story. I think I might be able to generate a little interest there since it's a YA story with teenagers. Whether it translates to people reading it on a paid Substack is hard to say - will teens pay for a Substack?
Either way, I want to build a fanbase for these stories so that they will follow me when I publish these stories as books on Amazon, and as I continue to generate new books in the universe.
I'm super interested in what everyone else is doing and where people are finding success because I think we're all on to something and it's finding the right path/combination of platforms that will allow us to reach new readers.
No observations, other than it's the same question every artist has struggled with for a century or more (remembering most surviving art older than that was "work for hire").
Today we just have more options for distribution, but also exponentially more content to compete with.
I just watched a video on YouTube about pricing ones work. In this case it was suggested that $100 was the going rate for a photo or video clip. Here's where cheap cameras have cut into the market, because, oh, 15 years ago I'd get $500 per clip. Inflation continues, but I've had to drop my rates... On the other hand a sub-$1000 camera will handily outshoot my $7000 camera from those days, so, at least the costs to gear up are down, but it's a lot harder to stand out these days.
So I've read this piece a couple of times now. I've had a million ideas about my stories and what to do with them. Right now book 1 in my series is on Kindle Vella and behind a paid subscription here on Substack. And I hate it because the Vella TOS prohibits you from making any of your story free anywhere, even excerpts, so it is very hard to get people excited to read it. And while I was all in with Vella initially, I am souring on the platform as the days go on.
What I think I want to do is similar to what you're suggesting. At some point in the not so distant future I think I may pull that story from Vella and publish it on Wattpad, as it's just a novella and almost a prequel to the second book, which will be more novel-length and really takes off as a story. I think I might be able to generate a little interest there since it's a YA story with teenagers. Whether it translates to people reading it on a paid Substack is hard to say - will teens pay for a Substack?
Either way, I want to build a fanbase for these stories so that they will follow me when I publish these stories as books on Amazon, and as I continue to generate new books in the universe.
I'm super interested in what everyone else is doing and where people are finding success because I think we're all on to something and it's finding the right path/combination of platforms that will allow us to reach new readers.
Very excited about your plan and can’t wait to hear how it goes! Bonne écriture!
(Oh and thank you truly for having me on the pod 🤓)
No observations, other than it's the same question every artist has struggled with for a century or more (remembering most surviving art older than that was "work for hire").
Today we just have more options for distribution, but also exponentially more content to compete with.
I just watched a video on YouTube about pricing ones work. In this case it was suggested that $100 was the going rate for a photo or video clip. Here's where cheap cameras have cut into the market, because, oh, 15 years ago I'd get $500 per clip. Inflation continues, but I've had to drop my rates... On the other hand a sub-$1000 camera will handily outshoot my $7000 camera from those days, so, at least the costs to gear up are down, but it's a lot harder to stand out these days.