Payment for your writing - would you rather?

[Rebecca]

If you're selling (or planning to sell) access to your stories or resources online, which of the following payment options are more attractive to you? I'm considering adding this option to CW and am hoping for feedback. As always, I'm open to other suggestions for the site, too.

Please vote in the poll above and leave your thoughts and comments below.

1) Pay a small fee each month (approximately $5/mo) for enhanced features, including selling access to your stories online. You would need to enter your PayPal or Stripe information and all proceeds would be sent instantly and directly to you with no commission fees taken by the site.

2) No monthly fee to sell your work, but a 20%-30% processing fee for each transaction (to cover processing costs on the site). The money would be banked as credit until hitting a threshold of $50, then paid to the author.

 

[carolinamtne]

So how would this work? We would post the stories or resources here? How would other people (non-CWers) find them? Or would they have access to them?

 

[Rebecca]

Yes, the stories and resources would be posted here. Anyone visiting CW would be able to find them.

I'm also still kicking around the idea of expanding CW (and potentially rebranding) to include all types of family-friendly content. CW would be a dedicated Christian section within a larger site. I like that idea because it gives our members' work more exposure to a wider audience. Plus, many of our members are Christians who write for the general market and not necessarily for Christian market. It would help give their work more visibility, too.

I believe there's a big hunger for clean fiction and entertainment even outside Christian circles. It's also a great opportunity for us (as Christians) to have a positive influence on the general culture.

I welcome your thoughts and ideas in the topic.

 

[carolinamtne]

So would traditional publishers consider that being published?

 

[Rebecca]

Likely so. You could look at it as a form of indie publishing.

 

[Lynae Fisher]

Proverbs 18:13 “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

I would seriously need more info before I could answer a question like that. Sorry. First of all, what do you mean by 'selling access'? access to read? access to use???
Is this small pieces like flash fiction, etc. or bigger stuff like book size?
How would you even price this kind of thing?

As you can see, I have a ton of questions. (this is just a sample)



As for your comment about opening the site up to non-Christians, I still have reservations about this. Probably the thing I love most about CW is that it is all believers. It is like a haven or catacomb of safety where we can share things with one another that we may not want open to the world. Maybe that is just me. There are plenty of non-Christian resources out there for secular material, but it is not so easy for Christian stuff--especially if you don't want to be bound to a denomination.

On the other hand, I have nothing against adding in sections for other arts as long it it remains in all a Christian site. That might be a great addition to the site.

 

[Alley]

Please vote in the poll above and leave your thoughts and comments below.

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I think this also depends on the people you wish to attract.

A small fee of $5 is something almost anyone can do. (I know not everyone but you get the idea.) You are more likely to get people who stick with it and add more contract as they go. Its more likely people will stick this out longer.

However, a percentage is great for people starting out, but leaves this open for people who might be swinging through and do not have the insitive to stick with it. We all know there is a feeling of needing to get your money's worth when you are paying VS when you are not.

 

[Rebecca]

I would seriously need more info before I could answer a question like that. Sorry. First of all, what do you mean by 'selling access'? access to read? access to use???

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Access to read or download larger works, like novels or ongoing series.

How would you even price this kind of thing?

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The author would choose and manage the price.

As you can see, I have a ton of questions. (this is just a sample)

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Questions are good!

There are plenty of non-Christian resources out there for secular material, but it is not so easy for Christian stuff--especially if you don't want to be bound to a denomination.

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Agreed. Unfortunately, I don't know any secular sites that also hold what we would consider traditional Christian values. There are so many excellent books written that are clean and align with our beliefs, but might not be necessarily labeled, "Christian." Many of our writers don't write for Christian-only audiences; however, those values still permeate their writing. And unfortunately, most people who aren't (yet?) born-again wouldn't come to a Christian site looking for reads, so it doesn't help these authors marketing their work. I would like to help fill that gap.

As for your comment about opening the site up to non-Christians, I still have reservations about this.

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Also agreed, and I suspect many members feel the same way. I'm of two minds on this. I understand the need to fellowship with other Christians who share our interest in writing; it's the reason I founded this site. I also don't want to become so insulated that we're hiding our lights under a basket and not participating and promoting Christian values in the culture. Not in a cram-it-down-their-throat kind of way, but meeting people where they are. The kind of people who feel convicted enough to seek out clean fiction and traditional values are likely already on that journey.

I do believe if we move forward, we would still need sections exclusively for Christian fellowship and writing. It's about including additional options for our members, not replacing what we already have. As you said, what we have here as a Christian community is special. I don't want to lose that.

A small fee of $5 is something almost anyone can do. (I know not everyone but you get the idea.) You are more likely to get people who stick with it and add more contract as they go. Its more likely people will stick this out longer.

However, a percentage is great for people starting out, but leaves this open for people who might be swinging through and do not have the insitive to stick with it. We all know there is a feeling of needing to get your money's worth when you are paying VS when you are not.

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Excellent points, Alley. Thank you.

 

[Lynae Fisher]

A small fee of $5 is something almost anyone can do. (I know not everyone but you get the idea.) You are more likely to get people who stick with it and add more contract as they go. Its more likely people will stick this out longer.

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Here's my concern with that. I don't know if the stuff will sell or not. I've been to craft shows or stores where I try to sell crocheted pieces. If it sells well, I have no problem paying a flat rate, as that saves me money in the long run. HOWEVER, especially with the store set up, using the percentage method makes the store have some skin in the game too. If I don't make money, neither do they. So they are more likely to want to advertise, and I don't have money down the drain if it doesn't work.

Questions are good!

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Glad you like questions, lol. I have tons of them!

What kind of payment method would be available to pay the author?


Obviously I know little to nothing about this kind of work, but 30% seems a bit steep. But like I said, I don't know the industry standards.

Also, what kind of rights are we looking to sell here? Rights to reprint the work in their uses? Or more like an ebook type of thing? I'm still not sure what is going on with that.

 

[Rebecca]

Here's my concern with that. I don't know if the stuff will sell or not. I've been to craft shows or stores where I try to sell crocheted pieces. If it sells well, I have no problem paying a flat rate, as that saves me money in the long run. HOWEVER, especially with the store set up, using the percentage method makes the store have some skin in the game too. If I don't make money, neither do they. So they are more likely to want to advertise, and I don't have money down the drain if it doesn't work.

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I understand your point. However, I consider the fact the site is already here and open (and all the costs that entails) as already having skin in the game. It's the equivalent of an event coordinator paying in advance for a venue, advertising, tables, and supplies. I suspect for most events there is still a booth or vendor fee of some type to cover those expenses.

Currently I cover all expenses here out of my own pocket, but it's becoming more difficult to do so over time. I'd like to find a solution that at least helps cover expenses and keeps our community sustainable.

Obviously I know little to nothing about this kind of work, but 30% seems a bit steep. But like I said, I don't know the industry standards.

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It seems steep to me, too. I was just throwing a number out there and would need to do some research to see what would be fair for all involved.

My concern for the percentage model is that I'm taking on all the risk for charge-backs and other financial shenanigans that might come up. I need to make sure I'm making it worth the risk on my end, too.

Truth be told, I prefer the idea of a small monthly fee (maybe $5/mo) for an account with extra features, such as the ability to sell and advertise on the site. It would be consistent income that would help defray the cost of running the site while adding value for those who would like to commercialize their work. We're often asked about advertising opportunities and this would provide them. Seems like a win/win.

There will always be a free level offered without those commercial features.

What kind of payment method would be available to pay the author?

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PayPal or manually (such as a paper check).

Also, what kind of rights are we looking to sell here? Rights to reprint the work in their uses? Or more like an ebook type of thing? I'm still not sure what is going on with that.

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The fee would include access to read the book. Rights to reprint are beyond the scope of the service offered and would need to be handled privately between the author and the interested party.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Lynae Fisher]

I understand your point. However, I consider the fact the site is already here and open (and all the costs that entails) as already having skin in the game. It's the equivalent of an event coordinator paying in advance for a venue, advertising, tables, and supplies. I suspect for most events there is still a booth or vendor fee of some type to cover those expenses.

Currently I cover all expenses here out of my own pocket, but it's becoming more difficult to do so over time. I'd like to find a solution that at least helps cover expenses and keeps our community sustainable.

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That is perfectly understandable and reasonable. I'm just looking at it from the author point of view. That is probably better in the long run for everyone. And cheaper if stuff sells well.
I agree, sustainability is important.

PayPal or manually (such as a paper check).

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Would that be an option for authors to choose from? I certainly like the check method. I don't like all the electronic banking junk. On the other hand, I realize a lot of people would prefer electronic stuff like Paypal. That would be great if authors could choose a method!

The fee would include access to read the book. Rights to reprint are beyond the scope of the service offered and would need to be handled privately between the author and the interested party.

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Would the book need to be published through a company, or what kind of form would the material need to be in in order to post for sale?

Would it be possible to somehow tag material that the author is willing to sell for magazine style use?

What kind of communication would be available for buyer-seller discussion if the buyer is not a member who can access Private Messaging?

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

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Thanks.

 

[suspensewriter]

I really like the idea, @Rebecca.

 

[carolinamtne]

Would the story/novel/article/whatever be posted on the website or would it be more like advertised with a book cover and/or a sample of the writing?

 

[suspensewriter]

So would traditional publishers consider that being published?

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No, they wouldn't, @carolinamtne. Sorry.

 

[AHumbleWarrior]

@Rebecca, Your proposal sounds like you're considering making CW similar to Substack.com (which I have considered publishing on). On Substack, authors can charge readers a fee to access their writings (stories, articles, etc.). Unfortunately, I don't have examples of fees. Is this a fair assessment at your direction?
CatholicWritersGuild.org (similar to CW in creative support (e.g., community of writers, editors, etc.)) charges $40 annually.
Would your percentage be negotiable based on publication volume (i.e., cheaper for a series writer, blogger, or multiple essays/articles and higher for a 'one-off' publication)?

 

[Rebecca]

I should start with a disclaimer that all these are ideas I'm just kicking around. I'm answering in good faith, but any of this could change if we decide to move forward, based on new information, preferences, or financial feasibility.

As I said before, I'm also open to any other ideas, related to this one or not. If it helps make our site better and more useful, I'm interested.

Would that be an option for authors to choose from? I certainly like the check method. I don't like all the electronic banking junk. On the other hand, I realize a lot of people would prefer electronic stuff like Paypal. That would be great if authors could choose a method!

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Potentially, but I expect having a check mailed would have a small additional fee to cover processing and postage costs.

Would the book need to be published through a company, or what kind of form would the material need to be in in order to post for sale?

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There are a couple different ways it could be done. Either someone could pay to access a downloadable book, or the book could be created as a series of posts behind a paywall on the site.

It's important to note that hard-copy books would be linked, but not sold directly through the site. For example, let's say an author is selling a book on Amazon. There would be a dedicated section to post a book description, photo, and link to where the book is being sold. There would be a fee to post the link because it's basically an ad. I don't mind waiving this for our long-time members who have contributed to our site. But I do want to discourage people from signing up just to spam their books and disappear.

Would it be possible to somehow tag material that the author is willing to sell for magazine style use?

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That would be easy enough to do.

What kind of communication would be available for buyer-seller discussion if the buyer is not a member who can access Private Messaging?

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Good question. That's something we'd need to think through.

Would the story/novel/article/whatever be posted on the website or would it be more like advertised with a book cover and/or a sample of the writing?

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I think this one is answered above, but please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Your proposal sounds like you're considering making CW similar to Substack.com (which I have considered publishing on). On Substack, authors can charge readers a fee to access their writings (stories, articles, etc.). Unfortunately, I don't have examples of fees. Is this a fair assessment at your direction?
CatholicWritersGuild.org (similar to CW in creative support (e.g., community of writers, editors, etc.)) charges $40 annually.

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I haven't used either of these resources or explored them enough to say. However, from what you've described it does sound similar.