Ben, I’m glad to have finally had a quiet moment to watch this. I love what you’re up to. Yes to all of it!
Have you looked into Unbound? It’s a crowdfunding publishing company that I know a number of people have published books through, including the marvelous Tom Cox. It could be a good fit for you.
I’m going to email you about the video salon idea. Cheers!
That’s a great suggestion. I will look into it. Funding to create the book is not a big deal. I can do most of that myself. The more expensive proposition is actually marketing it. Thanks for watching the video and I’ll look for your email.
The crowdfunding is part of it, but it also seems to be a robust marketing platform. A sort of proof of concept, to reach your funding goal, then you have your readers lined up (at least a good initial tranch of them).
PS I also entered the essay contest. It was an interesting exercise. From what you say I’m pretty sure yours will win. 😊 I hope it does. I have thoughts about the format being a contest. Because all of us are needed in this Great Turning, so the idea of a “winner” is messing with my mind
I love how you keep us abreast to your process… and what a treat to see/hear my own name pop up in there too.:) Yes to all your poll questions (even trying my own hand at fiction!) And huge props to you for submitting to that contest, I can’t wait to read what your brilliant mind conjured up.
"I’m considering starting a monthly video that’s a salon-style chat with interesting writers and artists on the Substack platform I’ve come to know and love. I’m curious if this is something you’d be interested in watching." This is a completely brilliant idea and one I've been looking for, the chance to meet and hear each other. Yes please.
I love your In The Works updates, Ben. I really hope you do end up publishing what you submitted to the contest, because that sounded really interesting and I would love to read it. I find it hard to form an even vaguely positive vision around that stuff, so it sounds needed! I'd love to watch a salon of you speaking with interesting folks, and while I love the idea of the Same Walk challenge, I will literally be up to my eyeballs in baby & juvenile birds at that time, so I think I'd be setting myself up to fail!
And, I would love to buy your book. I so hope you do the same with Harmony House one day, too. I'd kill to have that in hard copy...
Thanks Chloe. All the AI stuff is pretty surreal and head-spinning. I will likely publish the essay in a couple of weeks. I'd love for you to show up as a regular in whatever this salon series I put together ends up being - no prep necessary and you can even dial in from bird rescue central.
I'll definitely make it legally possible for you to get a copy of Harmony House without having to hurt anyone ;-)
Amazing that you've got the finale and plan all set for Harmony House. This has been such a great thing to be part of and see unfold each week. I'd love it--if you'd be willing to do so--for you to do a post-script on it to describe the process, e.g. where you felt the story arc would or wouldn't go, where it ended up going etc. I'd find that really fascinating.
Appreciate these thoughts you put together and the posts you share. Keep it up, Ben. Keep that flow going.
Thanks Nathan, I’d love to do a kind of post-mortem of the novel once I post the last episode. Thanks for your kind interest in the story and for your comments every week.
PS, I meant to say that I'm one of the ones who hit No to Same Walk. Not in a bad way. I loved the initiative and what it brought about. But honestly, I found the process incredibly hard, I felt a lot of pressure, and so, although rewarding, unless it fell at a really quiet time for me then I wouldn't be able to commit I don't think. Will be fantastic to see and read another round though.
I watched/listened to this over my morning coffee. Twas a lovely way to spend 15 minutes and I still have a few sips of coffee left to enjoy while I absorb everything you've shared. Yes to SWDS2! Yes to a physical copy of The Memory of My Shadow, or any book you decide to publish. I've determined I'm a real snob about novels. I gotta have em in my hands.
I just took the leap and recorded my first real Lab Notes segment that I plan to post on Leap Day. We're heading down some of the same paths. Anytime you want to talk shop about what's working and what isn't, I'm around.
And I feel you on the music front. I haven't touched music in so long it's become a stranger to me. Thankfully, my son is becoming quite proficient at the cello and my daughter might be the first third grader in history to play a recorder and have it sound like a musical instrument instead of a torture device.😊 So I still have music in my world, even if I'm not currently making it.
Thanks for watching Meg. I’m glad you’re in for another round same walk different shoes. Also, thanks for the vote of confidence on publishing the book.
I’ve just hit post on an update to my own publication and then the first that pops up in notes, thank you dear Kimberly, is yours Ben. I read/listened and now I’m cringing at my own rather paltry efforts… anyway, my problem… yours is really well assembled and yes to all your poll questions!
Thanks Susie! I cringe all the time when I look the quality and level of output of so many folks here. It's not a useful activity to compare ourselves to others, but it's so damned hard not to, right? Keep doing your thing. No one else can do your thing better than you.
Thanks for the encouragement Ben, I do my absolute best not to make comparisons, even down to reciting in my head the part of the Desiderata that says, ‘do not compare yourself to others or you will become vain and bitter…’ but damn it’s hard! Onwards and upwards though right!
Ben, you really provide a lot of motivation for your fellow authors (and readers), so I appreciate your extra effort to share it with us. Good luck with your efforts to publish a book in the traditional way. I have been involved in traditional publishing in a young age, translating literary books (and publishing them), working on the editorial board of a journal about translation. I have friends who are traditional publishers and I know how difficult it is, both for authors and for publishers.
I have added your fiction to my substack queue and will go through it at the earliest opportunity. I've been somewhat busy with my five newsletters on Substack.
As for video talks, I think it is a great idea to go multi-modal, since it will boost the reading.
I am more than ready for a second Same Walk... project, presumably with a different structure.
Thank you Levent. I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like you have a lot of experience in publishing. I know it’s a very difficult industry regardless of what role you play in it. I self publish my first novel a decade ago So I have more than modest expectations of commercial success via that route. at some point, it’s more about closure and having a finished, tangible form for a piece of work.
I'd be interested in hearing about anyone's experience with 'real' book publishing. I have to say, I think it's a discouraging path to take. I can't remember specifics, but HUGE numbers of books are published every day, and finding your way up from the very bottom seems like a daunting task.
I have a brother-in-law who has been a professional writer (mostly a journalist) for decades. He has gone the publisher route for his two novels, and I have to say I think it's been more trouble for him than it's worth.
Print on demand publishing, such as Amazon, seems more realistic for those of us who don't have name recognition that will draw readers. There is no upfront expense, and you can be your own agent. I am retired. I can afford to treat this like a (nearly) full time hobby. Trying to earn a living from it seems daunting.
I have in fact written two novels and a play. I have done nothing with them, but we'll see. You may see them serialized on my own Substack.
For what it's worth, I have 'published' on Amazon. I have sold exactly zero copies, either hard copy or Kindle. It's rough out there!
Getting published is a daunting task and self publishing can be like throwing a party for yourself. Your significant other, and your three closest friends show up. I’m seeking the root of self publishing mostly as an active closure for a work. Once it’s bound, it feels like I can let go of it and move on completely.
Ben, I’m glad to have finally had a quiet moment to watch this. I love what you’re up to. Yes to all of it!
Have you looked into Unbound? It’s a crowdfunding publishing company that I know a number of people have published books through, including the marvelous Tom Cox. It could be a good fit for you.
I’m going to email you about the video salon idea. Cheers!
That’s a great suggestion. I will look into it. Funding to create the book is not a big deal. I can do most of that myself. The more expensive proposition is actually marketing it. Thanks for watching the video and I’ll look for your email.
The crowdfunding is part of it, but it also seems to be a robust marketing platform. A sort of proof of concept, to reach your funding goal, then you have your readers lined up (at least a good initial tranch of them).
I second Julie's recommendation of Unbound. They're doing something really interesting, carving a workable modal between trad & self pub.
Good shout. Unbound seem good. I've purchased something from them that's due to be printed later this year.
PS I also entered the essay contest. It was an interesting exercise. From what you say I’m pretty sure yours will win. 😊 I hope it does. I have thoughts about the format being a contest. Because all of us are needed in this Great Turning, so the idea of a “winner” is messing with my mind
Yeah, I’m always conflicted about contests too. Mostly because I’ve never won one! 😜
I love how you keep us abreast to your process… and what a treat to see/hear my own name pop up in there too.:) Yes to all your poll questions (even trying my own hand at fiction!) And huge props to you for submitting to that contest, I can’t wait to read what your brilliant mind conjured up.
Thanks for turning me onto the essay contest. It was a fun exercise to do.
"I’m considering starting a monthly video that’s a salon-style chat with interesting writers and artists on the Substack platform I’ve come to know and love. I’m curious if this is something you’d be interested in watching." This is a completely brilliant idea and one I've been looking for, the chance to meet and hear each other. Yes please.
Nice! I’d love you to be a part of it.
Sign me up. I'm in.
I love your In The Works updates, Ben. I really hope you do end up publishing what you submitted to the contest, because that sounded really interesting and I would love to read it. I find it hard to form an even vaguely positive vision around that stuff, so it sounds needed! I'd love to watch a salon of you speaking with interesting folks, and while I love the idea of the Same Walk challenge, I will literally be up to my eyeballs in baby & juvenile birds at that time, so I think I'd be setting myself up to fail!
And, I would love to buy your book. I so hope you do the same with Harmony House one day, too. I'd kill to have that in hard copy...
Thanks Chloe. All the AI stuff is pretty surreal and head-spinning. I will likely publish the essay in a couple of weeks. I'd love for you to show up as a regular in whatever this salon series I put together ends up being - no prep necessary and you can even dial in from bird rescue central.
I'll definitely make it legally possible for you to get a copy of Harmony House without having to hurt anyone ;-)
😂 thanks for keeping me out of prison, my friend :)
Amazing that you've got the finale and plan all set for Harmony House. This has been such a great thing to be part of and see unfold each week. I'd love it--if you'd be willing to do so--for you to do a post-script on it to describe the process, e.g. where you felt the story arc would or wouldn't go, where it ended up going etc. I'd find that really fascinating.
Appreciate these thoughts you put together and the posts you share. Keep it up, Ben. Keep that flow going.
Thanks Nathan, I’d love to do a kind of post-mortem of the novel once I post the last episode. Thanks for your kind interest in the story and for your comments every week.
That's great to hear. Look forward to it.
It's something I'm planning on doing for The Sernox.
PS, I meant to say that I'm one of the ones who hit No to Same Walk. Not in a bad way. I loved the initiative and what it brought about. But honestly, I found the process incredibly hard, I felt a lot of pressure, and so, although rewarding, unless it fell at a really quiet time for me then I wouldn't be able to commit I don't think. Will be fantastic to see and read another round though.
No worries at all. It’s a lot to take on for sure.
I watched/listened to this over my morning coffee. Twas a lovely way to spend 15 minutes and I still have a few sips of coffee left to enjoy while I absorb everything you've shared. Yes to SWDS2! Yes to a physical copy of The Memory of My Shadow, or any book you decide to publish. I've determined I'm a real snob about novels. I gotta have em in my hands.
I just took the leap and recorded my first real Lab Notes segment that I plan to post on Leap Day. We're heading down some of the same paths. Anytime you want to talk shop about what's working and what isn't, I'm around.
And I feel you on the music front. I haven't touched music in so long it's become a stranger to me. Thankfully, my son is becoming quite proficient at the cello and my daughter might be the first third grader in history to play a recorder and have it sound like a musical instrument instead of a torture device.😊 So I still have music in my world, even if I'm not currently making it.
Thanks for watching Meg. I’m glad you’re in for another round same walk different shoes. Also, thanks for the vote of confidence on publishing the book.
And some new music on the horizon too? We'll go where you lead, Ben! 💜
I’ve just hit post on an update to my own publication and then the first that pops up in notes, thank you dear Kimberly, is yours Ben. I read/listened and now I’m cringing at my own rather paltry efforts… anyway, my problem… yours is really well assembled and yes to all your poll questions!
Thanks Susie! I cringe all the time when I look the quality and level of output of so many folks here. It's not a useful activity to compare ourselves to others, but it's so damned hard not to, right? Keep doing your thing. No one else can do your thing better than you.
Thanks for the encouragement Ben, I do my absolute best not to make comparisons, even down to reciting in my head the part of the Desiderata that says, ‘do not compare yourself to others or you will become vain and bitter…’ but damn it’s hard! Onwards and upwards though right!
I'm NOT looking forward to Harmony House ending!!
That’s good to hear! It’s a long story and I’ve been afraid I might lose people after a certain point.
Ben, you really provide a lot of motivation for your fellow authors (and readers), so I appreciate your extra effort to share it with us. Good luck with your efforts to publish a book in the traditional way. I have been involved in traditional publishing in a young age, translating literary books (and publishing them), working on the editorial board of a journal about translation. I have friends who are traditional publishers and I know how difficult it is, both for authors and for publishers.
I have added your fiction to my substack queue and will go through it at the earliest opportunity. I've been somewhat busy with my five newsletters on Substack.
As for video talks, I think it is a great idea to go multi-modal, since it will boost the reading.
I am more than ready for a second Same Walk... project, presumably with a different structure.
Thank you Levent. I appreciate the feedback. It sounds like you have a lot of experience in publishing. I know it’s a very difficult industry regardless of what role you play in it. I self publish my first novel a decade ago So I have more than modest expectations of commercial success via that route. at some point, it’s more about closure and having a finished, tangible form for a piece of work.
I'd be interested in hearing about anyone's experience with 'real' book publishing. I have to say, I think it's a discouraging path to take. I can't remember specifics, but HUGE numbers of books are published every day, and finding your way up from the very bottom seems like a daunting task.
I have a brother-in-law who has been a professional writer (mostly a journalist) for decades. He has gone the publisher route for his two novels, and I have to say I think it's been more trouble for him than it's worth.
Print on demand publishing, such as Amazon, seems more realistic for those of us who don't have name recognition that will draw readers. There is no upfront expense, and you can be your own agent. I am retired. I can afford to treat this like a (nearly) full time hobby. Trying to earn a living from it seems daunting.
I have in fact written two novels and a play. I have done nothing with them, but we'll see. You may see them serialized on my own Substack.
For what it's worth, I have 'published' on Amazon. I have sold exactly zero copies, either hard copy or Kindle. It's rough out there!
https://www.amazon.com/Elysian-Place-Family-Renovation-Kussmaul/dp/B0BW2RY6GS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3FQXLMV35HWHX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8CZvoJqb-qtCk4rfFeNdWw.CrZMO_qtY5k9zm5dOj0N4ci4Txn_VK06D0jYIWHE2f8&dib_tag=se&keywords=elysian+place+a+family+renovation&qid=1708696532&s=books&sprefix=elysian+place+a+family+renovation%2Cstripbooks%2C421&sr=1-1
Getting published is a daunting task and self publishing can be like throwing a party for yourself. Your significant other, and your three closest friends show up. I’m seeking the root of self publishing mostly as an active closure for a work. Once it’s bound, it feels like I can let go of it and move on completely.