"Ithaqa" Comic Book Update #145 Changes Incoming + Crowdfunding With Steem
We're coming to a close on issue 2, so it's a good thing that steemit paid me out enough money to fund issue 3! I expect that we will be kickstarting this project in a few months, in order to fund its completion and to try and reach a wider audience.
Also, I have decided to transition this series of 24 page "floppies", into a single graphic novel. I felt that:
A) Small publishers seem to prefer graphic novels over 24 page floppies
B) It will be easierto kickstart a graphic novel, rather than several issues of a comic book
C) Book stores would rather buy a graphic novel for their shelves, instead of a bunch of issues
So this means that I will be doing some restructuring of the work you've already seen. Since I'm no longer constrained with a page limit, I will be adding some pages to issue 1 in order to smooth out some of the more abrupt transitions, and I will write a new opening for the story.
The story starts off a little too slow for a graphic novel, and so I'm going to brainstorm what extra pieces of info I want to feed the audience in order to get them hooked.
Once I kickstart the project I'll be sure to use this daily blog as a way to give my backers updates, hopefully driving new users to the site. When the time comes, I hope you all will help me spread the word on steemit (and to our family and friends). I'll want to reach as many people as possible, and I'll be sure to let all of them know that steemit has been instrumental to this comic book's creation.
I dream of a future in which the kickstarter goes viral, funds the project, and then funnels hundreds of new artists to steemit.
That's my hope anyway :)
If you're new to this comic I strongly recommend you check out our instagram page, as I'm currently uploading pages from issue 1 there every day (this is issue 2).
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ithaqacomic/
Theresa Chiechi's (The Artist @la-fumettista) website is here: http://www.theresachiechi.com/
Sign up for updates on our website: https://www.ithaqacomic.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/pg/IthaqaComic/about/?ref=page_internal
Twitter: @IthaqaComic
My two cents (and my experience is limited): when I first approached Kickstarter, I decided that it would be easier - more practical - to try to fund a series of floppy issues rather than a full graphic novel. That's how I approached Lesbian Zombies from Outer Space, and I have no doubt that I would have failed had I tried to raise the full amount for the full book.
The big reason for that is I had no audience/fans to start. (If someone has a large fanbase already, then yes, I think kickstarting a full graphic novel is a lot more doable.)
That being said, printing and shipping a bunch of floppies is more expensive, and more of a pain in the ass, than doing the same for a graphic novel. One and done.
This is why, with The Trial of Socrates, I'm going to try a compromise: I want to release the book in three parts - each part 2-3 floppies page count - and then a release of the full book at the end. I know I still have a very small audience (and whatever audience I do have is expecting naked zombies, rather than Socrates). Plus, the production rate per page is more expensive this time around. So again, I'm left trying to go the piecemeal route.
Anyway, I just figured I'd mention this. If you're already defraying costs through steemit upvotes, that's fantastic, and it should mean you won't have to raise as much on Kickstarter.
This is VERY helpful, thank you. I wouldn't say we have a large fanbase, if I'm being very optimistic I can think of about 50 individuals who would donate something as of now (with not too much effort on my part). The rest would have to come from press, social media, and a very well executed kickstarter campaign. I have a few big influencers who might help shout out the project as well, which is a consideration of mine.
Would you mind me asking what your fundraising goals were in the past?
Sure. My first attempt was for $3000 - and I barely scraped by, with the help of friends/family. But that connected me to brand new people, so the second campaign brought in a bit more than $4000, and that was all from fans/readers, rather than charitable family. :) And it stayed about the same from there.
Really I ended up doing two issues per campaign on a couple of them, rather than just one.
I will say: despite my successful Kickstarter campaigns, I have yet to turn a profit, or even pay myself a page-rate, for my work on the book. :) But steemit is helping.
Hrmmm.... thanks. This is very helpful for me as I consider my next moves.
Have you ever tried to get into a comic book store? What was that like if so?
I made some admittedly half-hearted attempts. None successful. Apart from it being difficult, even if I were to get some stores interested, I'd be lucky if they pay me print cost. And more likely, they'd pay less than print cost. The only way to make that profitable - as far as I can see - is print thousands of books, and get the lower print rate.
Selling online at least leaves a decent profit margin. Of course, then you have to actually get the sales. :)
How many pages do you think the graphic novel will be? Curious if there is a length you are shooting for because of bookstores or what not.
I think it's going to come in at a little under 190 pages at this point. Initially I was shooting for seven 24 page issues, clocking in at 168 total, but now I have some wiggle room to expand scenes and perhaps provide a little more backstory.
Getting into bookstores hasn't affected the length of the project, but having all the pages in 1 place (graphic novel) as opposed to 7 issues is definitely a consideration of mine.
Awesome, Upvoted, follow and resteem