Hey, everyone. I'm a newbie writer, asking for publishing/production advice from the experienced authors.
First, some background. I come from a startup world as a programmer/entrepreneur. I have launched 2-4 startups (depending on how you count) and none of them succeeded (still good experience though). Every time the main issue was the lack of communication with future users and the looong production time.
Now I'm writing a sci-fi book as I've always wanted. At the beginning of the process ±8 months ago I thought: how can I improve the production time? How can I get responses from the audience ASAP? Writing a whole book should take very long time (I thought maybe 2 years). Is there a way I can deliver an MVP (Minimum Value Product) for the future readers so I can quickly can fix the mistakes on the go and understand the audience better?
Also, as a kid I used to enjoy video games (please bear with me here) with an interesting story, especially where your actions could affect the way the plot went forward. I strongly believe that when a player/reader is presented with a choice, they get more involved in the story and it becomes more interesting for them.
What's more, I understand that nowadays you have to use social networks in order to be heard (or use a publisher or be super lucky, I guess).
My main goal is to create one of the most interesting stories ever (sounds naive but I don't care) and to deliver it to as much people as possible.
Thus, I decided to try mixing those ideas into this strategy:
* In order to deliver the start of the story to the readers as soon as possible, I should start publishing the story in portions as soon as each is ready. Or even better, publish them on a persistent schedule: a portion of 2 pages every week.
* In order to create the presence and make a name, I should publish those pieces on a social network and extensively use hashtags. I picked Instagram, because almost everyone uses it and it has some good examples of Stories format used for presenting books (check what NY library did this year). The posts are free for everyone.
* In order to make the story interactive and thus more interesting, each post should end with a 2 options poll about what a main character should do next. Readers have 5 days to vote, then I conclude the results and prepare the next post.
* In order to get money (I'd like to eventually completely switch my job to writing), two things happen. Firstly, after the whole story is published on IG, I will pack the story with the choices the readers made as a full book and sell it (aka self-publish). Secondly, I've opened a Patreon account where my supporters can see what would have happened if the story followed the other option + get early access to new posts.
Right now I'm still writing the book (2nd draft stage right now, 286 pages) and I strongly believe that because of the decision to publish portionally I will be able to start publishing the start of the book in March 2019, while the 2nd half of the book is still in draft-ish stage. While the writing still goes, every 2 weeks I publish something related to my book on IG account to keep people hooked.
What do you think about this approach? Did anyone try this before? What sucks about it? How can I improve it? How can I reach my goals? Thank you for reading!
First, some background. I come from a startup world as a programmer/entrepreneur. I have launched 2-4 startups (depending on how you count) and none of them succeeded (still good experience though). Every time the main issue was the lack of communication with future users and the looong production time.
Now I'm writing a sci-fi book as I've always wanted. At the beginning of the process ±8 months ago I thought: how can I improve the production time? How can I get responses from the audience ASAP? Writing a whole book should take very long time (I thought maybe 2 years). Is there a way I can deliver an MVP (Minimum Value Product) for the future readers so I can quickly can fix the mistakes on the go and understand the audience better?
Also, as a kid I used to enjoy video games (please bear with me here) with an interesting story, especially where your actions could affect the way the plot went forward. I strongly believe that when a player/reader is presented with a choice, they get more involved in the story and it becomes more interesting for them.
What's more, I understand that nowadays you have to use social networks in order to be heard (or use a publisher or be super lucky, I guess).
My main goal is to create one of the most interesting stories ever (sounds naive but I don't care) and to deliver it to as much people as possible.
Thus, I decided to try mixing those ideas into this strategy:
* In order to deliver the start of the story to the readers as soon as possible, I should start publishing the story in portions as soon as each is ready. Or even better, publish them on a persistent schedule: a portion of 2 pages every week.
* In order to create the presence and make a name, I should publish those pieces on a social network and extensively use hashtags. I picked Instagram, because almost everyone uses it and it has some good examples of Stories format used for presenting books (check what NY library did this year). The posts are free for everyone.
* In order to make the story interactive and thus more interesting, each post should end with a 2 options poll about what a main character should do next. Readers have 5 days to vote, then I conclude the results and prepare the next post.
* In order to get money (I'd like to eventually completely switch my job to writing), two things happen. Firstly, after the whole story is published on IG, I will pack the story with the choices the readers made as a full book and sell it (aka self-publish). Secondly, I've opened a Patreon account where my supporters can see what would have happened if the story followed the other option + get early access to new posts.
Right now I'm still writing the book (2nd draft stage right now, 286 pages) and I strongly believe that because of the decision to publish portionally I will be able to start publishing the start of the book in March 2019, while the 2nd half of the book is still in draft-ish stage. While the writing still goes, every 2 weeks I publish something related to my book on IG account to keep people hooked.
What do you think about this approach? Did anyone try this before? What sucks about it? How can I improve it? How can I reach my goals? Thank you for reading!