As I mentioned yesterday, my wife was laid off this week, and while we both hope she finds a new job soon (and that I sell some more novels, as far as that goes), we're in sudden need of money now. I could have just straight-out asked for financial help -- and for those who've offered that, thanks, it's appreciated -- but I'm a writer, and if there's one thing I have in ample quantity, it's stories to tell.
Specifically a story I've been wanting to write for a while, but couldn't find the right market for: a longish piece about the early adventures of my series character Marla Mason.
Bone Shop is a serialized, donation-funded urban fantasy novella, available for anyone to read for free. New chapters will go up every Monday. The Bone Shop website is here, though there's not a lot there at the moment. I'll post the first chapter on June 29.
Marla Mason is the chief sorcerer of Felport, a woman who's tangled with gods and monsters and come out on top (if a bit damaged in the process). But she wasn't always a formidable engine of brute force and pragmatism; she started out alone, in a strange city, without allies or any more power than the average teenage runaway on the street. Marla was always willing to do anything necessary to survive, and it didn't take long for her to stumble into a world of magic, danger... and even the occasional moment of grace.
Bone Shop tells the story of Marla's evolution from runaway to sorcerer's apprentice to mercenary magician and beyond. Fans of the urban fantasy series that began with Blood Engines will find surprising secrets revealed about Marla's past, and new readers can meet the character from the very beginning.
Your donations will help keep a roof over our heads, and pay our son's medical bills (he has congenital glaucoma, and requires regular visits with specialists to keep his eyesight from deteriorating). We appreciate whatever you can give. And I hope you enjoy the story!
June 25 2009, 15:03:24 UTC 2 years ago
I'll definitely post about this later today, and spread the word however I can. I want you and your family to be well and your son to keep getting his treatment!
June 25 2009, 15:42:36 UTC 2 years ago
Other things you can do include giving them access to notes or background material or exclusive content, though I avoid doing that because I want the publicly accessible story to stand on its own.
Anyway, this way, you'll gain a predictable recurring income instead of relying on it coming in fits and spurts, especially after the initial burst of buzz and goodwill have fallen away. Having used the donation model for over a year and then switched my focus to sponsorships (you can still accept donations), I can tell you it's made a big difference in being able to meet my bills when they fall due.
June 25 2009, 16:03:14 UTC 2 years ago
Anonymous
June 25 2009, 16:37:09 UTC 2 years ago
RSS Feed?
Would you also consider adding an RSS functionality? It would be great if my RSS news reader notified me whenever there was a new chapter. Donation has been sent.June 25 2009, 17:26:31 UTC 2 years ago
Re: RSS Feed?
That's a good idea! I'll see about getting it set up.June 25 2009, 16:38:32 UTC 2 years ago
People howled for an RSS feed when mine first went up, so be sure to have one...
June 25 2009, 17:28:08 UTC 2 years ago
I remember when you started your serial, I told people, "It could just as easily happen to any of us." I just didn't expect it to happen quite so quickly to me. :P
June 25 2009, 18:04:40 UTC 2 years ago
June 25 2009, 18:08:11 UTC 2 years ago
June 25 2009, 17:07:41 UTC 2 years ago
Looking forward to the story immensely.
June 25 2009, 21:49:27 UTC 2 years ago
June 25 2009, 23:52:25 UTC 2 years ago
Only like one percent of my readership pays to read what I write, but I think I clear more in a month than a lot of people who have books on the shelves do.
June 26 2009, 06:21:50 UTC 2 years ago
June 26 2009, 13:13:25 UTC 2 years ago
June 26 2009, 00:41:58 UTC 2 years ago
(As it were.)
Looking forward to the start o' the story, Tim!
June 26 2009, 17:15:56 UTC 2 years ago
June 27 2009, 22:06:11 UTC 2 years ago
fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
I don't have any money or even a bank account
or I would give it to you
I have three pumpkins growing on a vine in our back yard. I doubt selling them will help very much, but sell them I will!
June 28 2009, 00:46:37 UTC 2 years ago