From Ilona
As you can see, we are testing your Kickstarter tolerance. In the past we both said that we would prefer to not do a Kickstarter; however, we overlooked an important point – thank you, Brandon Sanderson. Using Kickstarter would allow us to know exactly how many hardcovers we would need to print.
Previously we always backed away from printing self-published hardcovers. With our self-published work, our print options are limited to on demand, meaning that each book is printed after the individual order for it goes through. It’s costly, which is why self-published trade paperbacks are so damn expensive.
The other option would be to contract a printer to print a certain amount of hardcovers. The challenge there is that you would have to have enough orders to bring the cost down. The larger the quantity, the cheaper is the printing. We don’t want to print 10,000 hardcovers and then be stuck storing them and not being able to distribute them. Kickstarter would allow us to figure exactly how many books we would need to print, and it would allow you to buy the books directly from us by choosing to back our project.
We need to know if this is a viable option. So please be honest with your answers.
Should the Kickstarter happen for any of our work, it will be some months from now, because we both would want to come to this Kickstarter with a completed manuscript. We both kickstarted some projects where there were endless delays, and we would not want to put you in that position. International delivery will be possible, but likely to cost extra.
We are not asking you about the ebooks because we already know you will buy them. We are asking you about print, audio, collector editions, and bundles. International shipping is possible but will cost extra.
From Mod R
Please answer these thinking specifically of a House Andrews project.
Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform for financing projects with money from the public, which eliminates the need for the traditional big investors or publishing houses, in this case. Project creators choose a deadline and a minimum funding goal. If the goal is not met by the deadline, no funds are collected (a kind of assurance contract- for House Andrews, as specified above, the project would be already finished before the Kickstarter would go live). You are an investor rather than a buyer, meaning that you would be getting the final product with priority, but not be able to obtain a refund.
The poll will close on Wednesday the 11th of May at 11:00 am.
1. Would you support a project on/be comfortable using Kickstarter? Rate 1-5
- 4 Comfortable (34%, 2,965 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (32%, 2,746 Votes)
- 3 Meh (22%, 1,877 Votes)
- 2 Not comfortable (6%, 556 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (6%, 540 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,684
Loading ...2. Would you support a new project (novel/series) in a genre the author hasn’t written in before? Rate 1-5
- 5 Take my money! (50%, 4,383 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (40%, 3,553 Votes)
- 3 Meh (7%, 617 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (2%, 190 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (1%, 70 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,813
Loading ...3. How important is the price to you? Rate 1-5
- 3 Meh (39%, 3,419 Votes)
- 4 Important (34%, 2,993 Votes)
- 2 Not very important (16%, 1,390 Votes)
- 1 Not important (7%, 644 Votes)
- 5 Very important (4%, 365 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,811
Loading ...4. How important is the print edition to you? Rate 1-5
- 1 Not at all (30%, 2,682 Votes)
- 3 Meh (27%, 2,370 Votes)
- 2 Not important (20%, 1,742 Votes)
- 4 Important (15%, 1,320 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (8%, 720 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,834
Loading ...5. How likely are you to purchase an unsigned printed edition? Rate 1-5
- 2 Not likely (24%, 2,129 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (22%, 1,946 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (22%, 1,891 Votes)
- 3 Meh (21%, 1,802 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (11%, 991 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,759
Loading ...6. How likely are you to purchase a signed printed edition? Rate 1-5
- 3 Meh (25%, 2,170 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (23%, 1,974 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (20%, 1,787 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (19%, 1,651 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (13%, 1,159 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,741
Loading ...7. How likely are you to purchase a hardcover edition? Rate 1-5
- 1 Not at all (30%, 2,613 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (28%, 2,454 Votes)
- 3 Meh (22%, 1,913 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (13%, 1,148 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (7%, 614 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,742
Loading ...8. How likely are you to purchase the collector edition of a new project with original commissioned art and luxury binding? Rate 1-5
- 1 Not at all (24%, 2,135 Votes)
- 3 Meh (24%, 2,056 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (23%, 1,987 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (18%, 1,547 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (11%, 995 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,720
Loading ...9. How likely are you to purchase the eBook & audio bundle? Rate 1-5
- 5 Take my money! (26%, 2,302 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (20%, 1,778 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (20%, 1,746 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (19%, 1,642 Votes)
- 3 Meh (15%, 1,277 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,745
Loading ...10. How likely are you to purchase the print & audio bundle? Rate 1-5
- 1 Not at all (38%, 3,279 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (32%, 2,746 Votes)
- 3 Meh (18%, 1,600 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (8%, 671 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (4%, 364 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,660
Loading ...11. How likely are you to purchase the eBook and print bundle? Rate 1-5
- 2 Not likely (26%, 2,221 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (26%, 2,215 Votes)
- 3 Meh (22%, 1,894 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (17%, 1,505 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (9%, 820 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,655
Loading ...12. How likely are you to purchase a bundle including the audiobook which you can download and play on your device on various media players, but not through Audible? Rate 1-5
- 1 Not at all (33%, 2,835 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (23%, 1,960 Votes)
- 3 Meh (22%, 1,871 Votes)
- 4 Very Likely (15%, 1,322 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (7%, 616 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,604
Loading ...13. Do you expect “extras”/rewards from a Kickstarter project (personalised items, loot boxes)? 1-5
- 2 Not really (30%, 2,541 Votes)
- 3 Meh (24%, 2,062 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (22%, 1,930 Votes)
- 4 Yes (19%, 1,625 Votes)
- 5 Absolutely (5%, 441 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,599
Loading ...14. Would you invest more ( different Investor Tiers) in order to receive rewards (fan loot/personalised items)? Rate 1-5
- 4 Very likely (29%, 2,474 Votes)
- 3 Meh (27%, 2,348 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (21%, 1,805 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (15%, 1,328 Votes)
- 5 Take my money! (7%, 614 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,569
Loading ...15. Would you wait until the Kickstarter project becomes available on other retailer sites? (Kickstarter backers get priority) Rate 1-5
- 3 Meh (32%, 2,696 Votes)
- 2 Not likely (31%, 2,565 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (20%, 1,678 Votes)
- 4 Very likely (14%, 1,191 Votes)
- 5 Absolutely (3%, 277 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,407
Loading ...16. Would you expect all the novels in a series to have Kickstarter releases? Rate 1-5
- 2 Not really (36%, 3,060 Votes)
- 1 Not at all (29%, 2,511 Votes)
- 3 Meh (23%, 1,963 Votes)
- 4 Yes (10%, 886 Votes)
- 5 Absolutely (2%, 173 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,593
Loading ...
Should these questions be answered specifically with regard to IA, or in general? Because IA is special!
IA please. We’re trying to gage the BDH interest in a House Andrews project 🙂
They specified above that they need to know if Kickstarter is a viable option for them. IA specific in my mind :). I completely agree though, I would have very different answers to someone else’s kickstarter.
+1
I answered based on IA because I figured that’s what they wanted. But I 100% agree, IA is very special. They are one of two authors that I will blind buy the books of, which is a big deal because I’m an (almost) exclusive library reader. I’ve moved one too many times to see the appeal of owning a physical copy of a book, and I’d rather go for the free library option than buying an ebook. So in general, my answer would be Not at All on all the above, for IA I will happily donate to a Kickstarter and even pay a little extra for some goodies. 🙂
Hi I’m not from the US – If there would be a Kickstart project, would it include delivery to other countries?
Damn, I hadn’t even considered that. Good question.
I have done a number of different kickstarters and they do usually to select countries.
This is something I too would like to know…
Hi all on this thread- yes, international delivery will be provided, but will likely cost extra.
That’s why I answered “meh” to several options – physical media, unless there’s an EU distribution point, is going to get dinged by Customs and I’ll end up paying twice as much for anything. Some of it would be worth it, but many things wouldn’t.
Totally agree!
Same. It bugs me so very much when the shipping price is higher than what I ordered, which usually is a rare (&pricy) treat, like a signed book.
Same for Canada. I once ordered $20 of books from the EU and got dinged almost $60 in duties and customs broker fees.
Especially with the new regulations enforced last year that lowered the price starting point for charges
Same. I would love to have any IA book as physical copy, but not even for IA will I pay twice what I should for a book (or any other fan loot). So e-book/audio are only real option for me
+1
+1. I’m also ambivalent because of customs and shipping. Otherwise IA are the only authors that I would buy print books or do a Kickstarter for.
Oh yeah! Those customs charges!!!
Same here….
+1
Me too
+1. Even though I did it for several of the IA special editions. Then I had to walk to costums, open the packet in front of them (they were surprised I’d pay that much for a book) and pay through the nose for costums/fees. I only do that for IA and only for something special that I gift myself for christmas 🙂
I’m from Germany BTW
Perhaps they could work a distribution deal through their French publisher to have the books printed in France for distribution in the EU.
Exactly!
Same here. I’ll most likely only buy the Ebooks, and the audiobook if it happens to be in that bundle.
They answered the question in the original post.
Hmmm. I just like a book in my hands.
me too. Just call me James T. Kirk.
I would like to point out although I love hardbacks I have filled all available space with books and these days only by ebooks.
Same. I didn’t see an ebook only option though in the voting?
Because this is gaging the interest for the print format on Kickstarter. If there isn’t much of it and people vastly prefer an eBook, then there is no need for a Kickstarter, the book can just be released on the regular platforms and have a minimal POD paperback run for those who want it.
Ilona’s part of the article clarifies that 🙂
Our print library is full, so only ebooks now. We read one or two books a day and our ebook libraries have around 2K titles.
Same – no space for print books even for IA.
For books this special (IA), I want print. Unlike other commenters, I do not like ebooks. I like to curl up in front of fireplace with a traditional hardcopy. But not hardcover copy, they take up too much room on the bookshelves. I reread my favorites many times, and am starting to get a backup copy for when the first wears out.
Same here! I voted yes on the ebook + audio versions because I didn’t see a “ebook only” option. If the only options are ebook + audio or ebook + printed book then I would go for the version with the audio book. But my first choice would be ebook only. Sadly, I simply don’t have room for any more physical books.
+1
I would definitely get the eBook + audio book, that’s what I normally buy anyway.
I drive a lot for my job, so I can read the books on my tablet plus then enjoy them again and again while driving around. I always pick up things I miss when I hear a book as opposed to reading it.
+1
So true! Kindle is godsent. Love being able say see my books only take up one bookcase (double rows on a 5 shelf bookcase but they still fit). LOL
+1
Same here. Ebooks for me. I love physical books, but I already have 2 big bookcases in my 40m2 place. If I get more books,I’ll have to chose between them and my bed !!
Same, mostly, except that I used to happily buy MM paperbacks because they take up less space than HB. Now MM sizes are all over the place, and they’re not much cheaper than ebooks. So these days I am all about ebooks.
Side note, I am just now trying to figure out whether I can get Audible on my laptop, since I don’t own an iPod or earbuds. Yes, I am officially a senior citizen.
In scrolling through the comments, I see reference to MP3 or 4 players. I think I need to talk to my kids (or grandkids, if I had any) or something.
Get a good phone and put it on there. That way it is small, easy to carry and always with you! I can listen in car, in garden, in bed…. Wherever. And light in hand! One item, many uses. Thanks to my daughter for pointing this out!
You can download the audible app to laptops, phones, tablets, some mp3 players, and desktop computers. Despite hating audible, I have it on all of the above. I generally use only the phone and the tablet, but I do also use my clip on mp3 player on occasion.
ps. Since I’m also a senior citizen, I will say audible is easy to download, easy to use if you’re hesitant to dive into tech.
I suggest both bluetooth and wired earbuds (for when your bluetooth buds decide to crater due to lack of charge). The bluetooth earbuds are doing better with play time now, but I still cart my wired buds around.
If you have a newer phone or tablet without a 3.5mm headphone port, you will have to get an adapter to use wired buds. Either 3.5mm to usbC or 3.5mm to lightning these days. I just love having to change my tech every time I upgrade my phone or tablet.
But it’s worth it to listen to my books everywhere!
Since the phone companies shut down 2g & 3g signals, newer, used non 4g and 5g smart phones are pretty cheap. I use my old galaxy s7 around the house to listen to audio books (since it is smaller and lighter than my new phone I was forced to buy), and if I leave the house and have to use my new phone, the app picks up seamlessly from where I left off. I don’t know about having audible on a laptop, but I do have it on my tablet and it works fine.
As one senior citizen to another, yes, you can. I’m an android user. Don’t have a single I device nor does anyone in my family. We’ve all found that Audible and Kindle work just fine on our laptops, tablets, and phones, and, between us, we have several brands of devices. Audible works on mp3 players too.
You can listen to Audible books on your laptop directly from the Audible site. Navigate to your library, click on the title and it will play.
Ditto here. The only print books I keep are the ones (many!) that I inherited from my father. I have no room for more. eBooks take up no space.
I used to love hardbacks and bought them along with the ebook and the audio. It’s just too much stuff for me now. Not enough room for it. I love audio. When no audio I settle for ebook.
I’m in the same no space for anything place.
Plus I have medical issues that don’t allow me to hold hardcovers and for some reason audiobooks put me to sleep. Sad
Extra comment.
I only purchase hardcover for art, or if it’s signed. if it’s a hardcover with no interior illustrations, and not signed, I wouldn’t.
That’s why we separated signed and unsigned hardcovers into 2 questions- I think a lot of the people are the same 🙂
I don’t live in the US and the Subterranean one was incredibly expensive with the shipping so I had to pass on it
This describes me. I can’t hold hardcovers anymore, so likely wouldn’t buy except as part of a bundle, and would likely give the hardcover to a friend or donate to the local library. But depending on the art (or swag!) I would be interested in a bundle!
Just for clarity, on question 15, “Not at all” means I will purchase the kickstarter version because I don’t want to wait for the traditional release, correct?
Correct :). You are most unlikely to engage in the behaviour described in the scenario.
One point I did not take into consideration when voting. Will it make a difference that I live in the UK? Will it be horrendously expensive to get the book to me? In that case I am better off giving you money on Patreon and buying the book commercially. You might get a better profit that way.
I fully support Kickstarter projects for new self published (especially if it’s a special edition).
But (and this is me being selfish) what I really want is special/fancy editions of already published books (Hidden Legacy, KD, etc) with bells and whistles (autographed, exclusive cover, foil, embossing, expensive paper, sprayed/stenciled edges, etc). I know this would be tricky considering publishing rights, but I’ve seen some other authors do it.
Totally agree! Would 100% buy Hidden Legacy and Kate Daniels special editions!
This, but I’d want the whole set at once as part of the same kickstarter. Or maybe with sub-trilogies per kickstarter to keep the cost manageable for each one.
I would be less likely to back a kickstarter for one book/trilogy if the other books that went with it didn’t have a kickstarter commitment. Because then only some of the books are pretty on the shelf and the rest are paperback or not there at all (ebook only).
The internal typeface and size matters to me too. Ugly or hard to read typeface would sink it for me. Ditto for fragile/thin paper. Because while a hardcover is mostly for the shelf, I would read it at least once and maybe more depending on the reading experience.
I have just transitioned to the e books and haven’t purchased any hard copies for about two years. Unless my Kindle crashes I don’t think that will change. I would love audio books but I am very hard of hearing even with hearing aids. So I think I need to be dragged into the current world I do still read at least three books a week and you are at the top of the list. I am open to new authors, new series or new genres.
I answered not really to the audio/ebook bundle because I don’t do audio books. I just wanted you to take that into account.
Same, I said no to every bundle with audio because I don’t listen to them
Same
Me too. Given space and other constraints I am almost 100% ebooks these days.
Same but I am trying to figure out audio now, just because there’s a Ben Aaronovitch story I can’t get any other way. I’ve been told the narration is excellent too. Previously I only ever listened to Harry Potter on CD and, earlier, on tape (though not eight-track, at least). Fossil alert!
I don’t currently do audio books, even if in a car. I would be very interested in them if I were to lose so much of my (bad) eyesight that reading became impossible.
I can’t listen in the car or while I work because it is too distracting. And I generally prefer to read because I read waaaaay faster than a narrator could possibly. Sometimes you just gotta get to the end if you want any chance of sleeping that night.
But there is so much hype around audio books that I feel like I’m missing something. I tried one (not an IA one) and didn’t finish it. Also tried the “movie for your mind” sample of the IA ones and didn’t get pulled in.. But I don’t know if they were bad choices or what.
If you’ve got a really good narrator, they bring the book to life in amazing ways. I don’t drive quite as much as I used to, but I also listen to my books while working in the yard, working out, etc.
Don’t feel bad about not liking Graphic Audio. I feel like the background sounds just detract from the story and make it harder to follow as well. I own over 300 audiobooks at this time and only 2 of them are Graphic Audio. I bought the first Innkeeper to come out, but while it was actually acceptable, I listen to my older edition of the book all the time.
I love the Inkeeper Series on Graphic Audio, and would definitely go for anything available in this media.
EBook and other Audio formats are the go for me. I got a print book from the library recently, and found that the font was too small. I love being able to change the font size, and have to now with reduced eyesite.
I’m sorry but can someone explain or link info for what kickstarter is please?
But I’m in the buy regardless because it’s Ilona Andrews, ebook with audible combo. Price wise $AUD under $12 for ebook (& dependent on length) with audible discounted because ebook also being purchased. I tend to wait to purchase if I see ebooks at $AUD $15 mark.
Thanks
Hi Jean,
Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform: artists or inventors (it’s usually the creative set) propose their projects and ask for funding. That was regular people can become backers, and the crowd can give money, rather than relying on 2-3 mega investors.
Once the project is completed, the backers will receive with first priority.
Here for the website for more info https://www.kickstarter.com/about
I’m new to the Kickstarter thing too… I get that we can back it so that projects can go ahead outside mainstream publishing, but are we talking normal retail price for a hardcover ($40ish Canadian) or more like $70 because we are the funders? And obviously, the cost will be in USD and then exchange rate and international shipping to Canada. Just trying to get a sense of where this will land.
Hi Linnaea,
I’m not sure exactly yet how the Tiers will be decided (as Ilona said, it would happen months for now) but you can check out similar author projects for an idea of price ranges.
Anything from $5- $10 for the lower tier to $40 for a hardcover (or 4 hardcovers for $160 as in Brandon Sanderson’s case). I would say the prices would run similar to mainstream if you go for the standard options (no personalisation, no loot) + shipping costs.
I’d get the loot, I love loot. Purely electronic for the last decade. I had to lighten my load to move around.
I’ve liked everything you’ve written & I like most genres so would look forward to you trying something different. I’m currently only in the market for ebooks due to space limitations but due to vision problems I suspect I’ll be moving to audiobooks sometime in the next decade or so & will be repurchasing all of your work in that format as I frequently reread your work.
I’m not sure what and how kickstart works but would have no difficulty pre-purchasing an ebook version of anything you write, sight unseen.
I am selective about audio narrators, but if it was a narrator I already liked or a good sample was available, my bundle votes could change to “very likely.” If it was a graphic audio production, my votes would all be “take my money.”
The Innkeeper Graphic Audio versions have been great!
Totally agree about the narrators. The first few times I listened to audio books (other authors) I didn’t like the narrators, which turned me off to the format. BDH gushing over Steve West got me to try them again, and now I’m hooked. I also love the Graphic Audio versions but, for me, they enhance rather than replace the books.
A printed copy would be wonderful as I am an anti amazon for numerous reasons and when an ebook can only be bought on Amazon I have to stop reading that author. I like the idea if self published can buy in multiple formats either electronic or hard copy (which more than likely will be on other sites).
Would like to add- absolutely purchase/take my money/please please please for an ebook only option.
I don’t do audio for 95% of my books, and I have zero room for anything that’s not a really gorgeous artistic printing.
On the other hand, ebooks take up no room and I can read them wherever I like. And preordering is like a lovely surprise present for me on launch day. ????
Been dealing with Kickstarter for years and generally been happy with the results. Check Phil Foglio’s Girl Genius series to see it at work in a literary environment.
This is fascinating. Bottom line, I will buy whatever Team Andrews creates. The possibilities of the formats, bundles, and tiered swag makes it even more exciting. Good luck with whatever you decide!
No option for purchase of just the ebook?
+1 to just an ebook option
+1 to ebook only for me too
I am an e-book reader only. I hope you can do what helps other people (while still being low stress and cost-efficient) though!
Note-I did answer the questions. I know this won’t count as part of that. Just giving my perspective 🙂
Lo suento, me encantaria responder, pero no se si aplica para fuera de EEUU
Hola Blanca,
La entrega internacional es posible, pero tendría un costo adicional 🙂
Ok. Ahora a responder … Jijiji.
Muchas gracias 🙂
Responder, perdon
Moderator R – Tu eres la bomba!!
I’m primarily an ebook reader, so I’m unlikely to go for tiers with paper or audio bundles. Much as I would love a special edition hardcover, we simply don’t have the space for it.
I will happily back a Kickstarter at a lower tier for ebooks only, and then add an additional contribution. I’m not sure that helps the “how many to print” question, but I wanted to clarify that my lack of interest in the print options on the poll did not mean a lack of interest in the project!
As with Sanderson, Ilona Andrews have proven themselves to be trustworthy auto-buys regardless of genre, so I’ll enthusiastically back any future Kickstarter! Just not the print copies…
I agree with this. I’d support IA on Kickstarter because I love IA books, but I’d read ebook format, and have no interest in (or space for) the physical books or gifty things.
But, if it made sense economically for IA to sell ebooks through Kickstarter, I’d happily back them for the ebook with a little extra contribution.
Same here! “14. Would you invest more ( different Investor Tiers) in order to receive rewards (fan loot/personalised items)? Rate 1-5”
I’d happily buy an ebook + throw in some extra to support. I don’t really need any extra physical gifts, either, but would really appreciate a tier to say, “book fairy – buy 5 ebooks for others who don’t have the funds right now”. Can we have a level to gift to fellow fans or libraries if we can’t have a level where you directly benefit?
Ditto love the buy a book donate a book thing if you decide to do that option I’d do that but again no room for hardcovers or even super fancy print as much as I’d love to get my hands on it I just can’t do it yet…one day maybe when I don’t rent and move I lost all my James Patterson book 6 years ago and I was an emotional wreck after that. So can’t do it again lol!! Many of my answers were meh accept I do ebook and audio so that was take my money asap! Don’t care what u write I’ll buy!! Currently listening to Jeanine’s new book from Bones perspective now.
I do all my reading on a Kindle. Though I do like the printed book, I can carry all of a series on my Kindle.
The most betrayed I’ve ever felt by an author was when I gambled on a new series of theirs and they had chosen to go from writing kind of a space opera adventure leavened with humor to writing a pretty grim story with gang rape.
so I will follow authors into new genres and new stories. I’m happy to read most of everything I’ve already seen from HA, but I’m not interested in reading something with gang rape.
…I’m fairly sure the project will be free of gang rape.
Good to know; thank you. Also the assurance in another comments section that no interstellar incest would occur was most welcome.
If that sounded only half as dry as I imagined it… xD
OMG that’s horrible
I just want to say that I think it is so cool you asked us these questions!
I do want to say that my “not likely and not at all” on print or hardback editions is because I am truly trying to just buy ebook and audible books to lower my footprint. So I answered accordingly but just know if the choice is print edition or no book – I am Team Trees be damned!
I usually don’t like kickstarter because of the delay and the uncertainty of the project actually completed. But I backed Brandon Sanderson’s kickstarter because per author the books were completed. I didn’t get the hardcover because I no longer buy physical books. However I was curious about the mystery gift boxes so I picked the one with the mystery gifts with ebooks.
I’m willing to spend far more on an IA book than I am by any other author but I’d only really buy signed print editions just because of the cost of international shipping. I know that’s totally out of your control but it makes it prohibitive for me as a customer even for kickstarters (there have been lots of other projects I wanted to back but was put off by the shipping fees).
I have all of your subterranean press signed books & LOVE them but they cost me nearly as much in shipping as the price of the actual book. I’m happy to do that for signed copies but for unsigned books I’d rather just buy a print on demand slightly more expensive self published paperback from Amazon with no shipping fee.
I should have probably added to this to confirm that I would 100% back any project with signed editions & if a signed option wasn’t available I’d still back but depending on shipping fees I’d be more likely to back an ebook and/or audiobook level.
I could be probably be tempted into buying an unsigned print copy if it came with extra swag though (like those adorable little Curran lion plushies you had years ago that I’d still kill to get hold of ????)
Just a note/suggestion, pertaining to “rewards” or swag, please consider electronic swag. I love HA but I’m not a physical swag fan. BUT I love when they offer zooms, with or without Jeaniene Frost (they are awesome together!!), or snippets and pov’s that are exclusive or early release for extra coin.
+1
I think you could have asked what current series we would be more inclined to support a Kickstarter for. For example, you could happily take my money for more KD, SB, or HL, but not for BH, IC, IK, or Kinsman. Regards.
Hi Terry,
We did ask, specifically. It is for a new project, in a new genre, not a sequel in any of the series you mentioned.
Ah, I apparently failed the reading comprehension test. Sorry. If it matters, data wise, then my answers should all be “not at all”, as I have no interest in a new series. Thanks.
Out of curiosity, do you only read books that are in a specific series? I’m not trying to be argumentative, I’m really just wondering. I would think that you would run out of books to read fairly quickly, unless you liked to re-read them.
What if there was a new series that turned out to be your absolute favorite, but you never tried it? Again, only asking out of genuine curiosity, not trying to cause any hard feelings. ???? ????
I prefer print, whether hardcover or paperback makes no difference to me. Digital gives me migraines and my brain doesn’t process audio well.
I tried to select options that clarified I am interested in the story. Illustrations are nice but optional.
I hope you are able to find the solution that works best for you!
Embarrassed to say I didn’t quite understand the last question so I just answered “Meh”.
I consider the commissioned art to be an “extra”. I normally don’t buy print editions new, but I did buy the giant Innkeeper hardcover for the beautiful art.
Not sure any of this clarification/ruminating is helpful.
There was no option for eBook only. I’m transitioning a lot of my books to ebook as I prepare to downsize, purely for space reasons (your books are keepers, not read and pass on) I may eventually try audio (my sister is almost exclusively audio now) but I like to flip through favorite books and read random sections in my down time and I don’t know if that is even possible with audio books.
Yes, most audiobooks are arranged by chapter. And most apps allow you to choose a chapter. Not as easy to find a specific spot as by flipping thru your physical copy, but doable.
The audio inclusion caused me to stumble a bit. I always, always purchase an ebook. And nearly as often, a hardback. It would not be an inducement to me to have an audio version included. Hopefully there will be an option on future books to select the versions that are best for that reader.
Sigh. This one is hard for me in one respect; Kindle books delivered from outside of Amazon are doable, but something of a pain. Sometimes covers aren’t right, they often don’t sort right, etc. I would probably deal with it because, House Andrews, but I also probably wouldn’t be all that thrilled about it, whereas normally anything HA writes is an autobuy on release day.
Since I have zero interest in print despite the gorgeous artwork HA procures, minimal interest in audio, and fan stuff is cool but I have too much clutter already, a Kickstarter project isn’t a plus for me. I’m probably not the typical BDH member though!
I suspect from a sales point of view, if anyone could pull this off, it’s you two with your substantial and rabid existing fan base. The logistics of shipping all that stuff is going to be ugly though; Sanderson’s got a pretty sizable staff to handle it for him. I’ll be interested to see what you decide.
Clarification on my vote above: I don’t do audio books, but I’d be likely to purchase a bundle that included both print and ebook and audio as long as the addition of audio didn’t add to much to the cost.
I didn’t do the Sanderson Kickstarter cause I don’t read him, but my husband does and did. I’ve done other kickstarters (for non-book merchandise) and would have no problem doing one from IA.
On the topic of extras/personalized stuff: it wouldn’t need to be personalized for me. It wouldn’t need to be big either. Aive seen bookmarks, stickers, washi tape extra short stories, rtc, all used as extras. They wouldn’t even need to be automatically bundled into a tier.
But I do expect the KS person to have a plan for stretch goals. Maybe put some of the extras in there.
You might look at MCA Hogarth’s history of Kickstseters. Sanderson got all that attention,but she’s been successfully kickstarting books for years now.
Hi. I would also request international as an option please. New Zealand specifically ????
International delivery would be available, but at higher cost than local 🙂
Living in Switzerland I have to agree with some of the previous international comments. I would definitely support a (kickstarter) project if I receive an ebook or the shipping of the printed books would be max 5-10USD. Otherwise the shipping costs are just too high to justify a print copy or I would potentially wait for the “traditional”release and ordering commercially.
As so many already said: ebooks only, no audio, no print because of shipping cost and space issues, but I will propably buy/support whatever is on offer,because its IA
With House Andrews books I will buy them anyway I can get them I have a paper copy and a digital copy of all books and then the graphic audios for Innkeeper with preorders for #4 I like the graphic audio a lot better than traditional audio because it can keep my mind engaged so I will buy any graphic audio by them. So I had to answer MEH on some because it depends on audio. The only ones I have not bought are the Special ones with the art because of price and because I can’t bring myself to buy it a 3rd/4th time just for the art.
I no longer have room for hardcover books so my answers are based on that fact.
I would be interested in a print/e-book bundle if the print book was special somehow. But all your bundle choices included an audiobook, and I’m not a fan.
I’d be happy to support via kickstarted, but I’m UK based and the shipping/potential taxes make me generally pretty reluctant to use Kickstarter for products from the USA. I also prefer ebooks so I can take a library of books on holidays with me ect. ????
I’d definitely look at kickstarter, and I’ve used it before so I’m happy with the site, just don’t think I’d be likely to be buying a hardbook shipped from the US (might be tempted by other goodies, but likely only if they’re separate to the hardback)
I’m pretty much digital only, and no to audio books as well. There are some audio books I listen to, but not IA ones. Extra shiny stuff and printed editions are pretty much no for me.
I’d totally buy a new genre from IA though
Did the poll close early? All I see are results and I can’t answer the questions.
No, the poll is open, try refreshing the page, it sounds like you’re locked in the See Results mode 🙂
Would definitely buy ebook, no audio please. Would likely buy paperback too. Would buy ebook, paperback, no audio version of purchase options.
Ditto
Ilona Andrews books are a must for ebook and paperback for me. No audio as the “voice” of the narrator distracts me. The “Others” series by Anne Bishop is the only other author I purchase, and just in paperback. Books are become too expensive and space an issue. I use the library quite a lot. IA books are in a league all their own so an automatic buy sight unseen!
I voted but I want to say that I don’t think I’m a typical consumer – I’m disabled and I don’t read print any more because it’s too heavy.
I would happily purchase some of the art y’all have had because I like it, even more than because I’m attached to it as part of the series, and I wish that had been an option to vote on – a way to get some of the art.
This project would be centred around a new book, not part of any of the ongoing series 🙂 , so the art would not be of the books you are attached to.
My answers are based on the fact that I just don’t have room for more print books (hardcover or otherwise). That said, “Take my Money!!”
Would this be my preferred method of buying? Probably not.
Will I join in if y’all decide to do this? Oh yes.
But I would probably wait on buying my digital copy until I could get it in a way that would easily integrate into my current digital library. I’m not sure how that works through Kickstarter.
My guess, HA would offer both mobi and epub formats for the ebooks. Mobi being for your kindle/kindle app. and epub for nook and other book apps.
Not necessarily, as Amazon are discontinuing mobi and this project would be months from now.
OMG! I hadn’t heard about that at all. I suppose they’ve gotten nothing but flak about their proprietary file format. When the rest of the world uses epub or pdf or doc, it’s finally time to fall into step?
I’ll have to go look at this issue, thanks!
Well, let me just say, if I haven’t got it in print and it comes out. I’m buying it. 🙂
Very exciting idea and options!
I took into account print books including cost of shipping from US – which makes paper books prohibitively expensive.
I don’t get on with audio books – my mind wanders – and so I didn’t like any of the bundles… Ebooks good (no shipping), and the bundles looked good (except the audio).
I like paperbacks – so I would probably only go for the very special edition hardback if shipping weren’t a consideration.
I’ve only funded kickstarters a couple of times – the rewards / investor tiers can be quite fun (special people!) and attractive, but also I can see that they could be another endless thing to do for the creator…
Looking forward to seeing where this takes you!
I love printed books, but at this stage of my life (jobless and two kids to raise) we simply can’t afford it. Not to mention the extra shipping to ZA… I would love a fancy collectors edition. Will I actually be able to buy one? No. ::le~sigh::
Will that answer change to ‘hell yes! Take my money!’ when our finances are better? Most certainly yes.
I answered very honestly at least.
I would buy your work wherever I could get it. I prefer printed books but I’ll buy kindle or kickstarter if that’s where you are.
hi i hope it would deliver to other country
Yes, it would deliver internationally, but at higher cost than local delivery 🙂
I’m loving the snippets from the mystery project!
But then again, I always love your snippets…
But then again I always love your work…
Write the mystery story! Take my money!!!
My primary reading modality is ebook, so I’m more likely to back a collectors print edition if it’s bundled with the ebook. That way I can have the pretty physical one for looking at pictures, and the ebook for actually reading (over, and over, and over…).
I’m unlikely to back a regular print book alone even if signed, just because shelf space, and the aforementioned ebook preference for reading.
Hi Mod R, may I have some clarification before I finalize my vote?
What exactly is the point of the Kickstarter? (I’m really not familiar with it, though I’ve heard about Sanderson’s Kickstarter.) From this post, I thought it allowed folks who wanted to buy hardcovers to buy them on Kickstarter, so that they could help House Andrews to keep track of how many hardcovers they would need to print. (So my response would have been “meh” to the Kickstarter, because I don’t buy hardcovers.) However, a later question (#15), asks if I would wait for the Kickstarter project to become available on other retailer sites before purchasing. Does that mean ALL formats could be purchased via Kickstarter, including ebooks (which is my preference)? And that Kickstarter projects would be available before other retailers? (And if so, how far in advance?)
Yes, the Kickstarter backers would have priority at the book. It would eventually reach other retailers, I do not have a specific time delay to give you. It is likely that the hardcover or collector edition formats would not be available outside of Kickstarter.
Thank you for the response. I also just noticed Ilona’s bolded info above in the blog post, about not asking about ebooks- this totally answers my questions, but I must have missed it when I read it through earlier (I didn’t mean to waste your time!).
Is Kickstarter the right platform for you? Or would you be better served self advertising your own pre order site?
The only reason I ask is I know dealing with them can
be onerous. I’m not looking for a response, just letting you know I would support a pre order campaign no matter what direction you went.
Is a GraphicAudio version a possibility?
Whoohoo #82!!!
I would kill to have an illustrated guide to all the alien species in the Sweep series. Just putting it out there. Other series too. For visualization purposes. My brain isn’t as creative and fancy as IA.
I’m a peaceable person and would not kill for this. At least, not unless the victim really needed killing, for some justifiable reason beyond literary acquisition. But it’s a fabulous idea and one illustrated edition that I would definitely buy.
+1
You asked if people would be willing to purchase a signed print edition, but you didn’t ask about signed hardcovers. I would be *much* more likely to buy a hardcover or a luxury edition if it were signed than a paperback. In fact, I would recommend having signed hardcovers or signed luxury additions as an “extra” in a kickstarter. I love having signed copies of my favorite authors and would be very likely to buy a signed copy of a fancy hardcover book even if it weren’t necessarily my favorite story by them.
One bundle I don’t see is eBook with Hardback w\o Audio. I have everything (well, all IA and lots of other stuff) on eBook so it’s always with me (I traveled 80% of the time pre-Pandemic) and I can re-size the print depending on how tired my eyes are 🙂 BUT – some authors I absolutely collect print – especially Hardback. I just don’t do audio because it’s simply not a format my brain digests. Oh – I’ll buy the audio if it’s an all in one bundle – but it’s my least preferred way to consume books.
I didn’t have the space\$$ for a bit so I’m missing lots of stuff in my collection, but I’m slowly fixing that 🙂
But I’m totally here for some special edition hardbacks – signed or unsigned 🙂 While price is important, I know one of the points of the project is to keep the cost reasonable in the first place – so it’s unlikely you’ll price me out of a hardback.
I will generally only buy a dead tree book for a signing event. I’m trying to reduce the overall load on my floors from the weight of books by only buying e-books now.
I would love to know the transport fees (for France) before to talk about the book cost…
I’m not sure I fully understood question 15?
Would you want the book, but not buy it on Kickstarter, wait until it’s available on Amazon etc at a later date?
Probably unless the Kickstarter version would somehow fit into my Kindle list of books. I don’t want ebooks in several places.
It’s hard to say without knowing how much money it would cost. In theory I was interested in Brandon Sanderson’s kickstarter but in actuality, the cost of the books and shipping was more than I was willing to pay. I think it was like $200 for 4 books, no extra frills or anything. I understand that self publishing is expensive and that he was making it as cheap as possible and even I think in some cases eating the costs. I know books are expensive! But I went from interested to bailing out pretty quickly, I just don’t have that kind of extra money.
He did have an ebook only tier, but yeah, those were expensive at $40 (plus $10 shipping) each. the other books I’ve backed on KS were much more reasonable, though shipping is expensive no matter what.
I want to say, for those who are wondering about the different combinations (ebook/print, audio/print, e-book/hardcover), you may find helpful what Brandon Sanderson has written about his thinking to provide these different options here: https://www.brandonsanderson.com/some-faqs-you-might-enjoy/
It’s a deep dive into the nitty gritty of publishing, author rights and reader options, but since Ilona posts about these industry insights and it seems like a fair number of the BDH want to write, it may be useful.
Thank you for the poll. I love all HA books and am looking forward to MORE! I’m also happy to kick up for Julie & Derek. Bill me.
Love the ebook/audio bundle. Love having both options. Thanks again, HA & Mod R.
I’m probably in the minority here, but for Q9 I answered “Take my money!” but my answer would change depending on the audiobook source, because I don’t purchase through Audible.
So the audiobook would likely come in an mp3 or mp4 format and would be playable through various media players or apps – whatever you use for music on your device, like iTunes for example.
But it would not be possible to add to your Audible library- if you don’t have one, there’s no issue 😀
Some of these questions would be easier for us Kickstarter neophytes if we had some idea of pricing. For example, I would be all about a hardcover in the $25 range but would refrain at $50. Provide us some tiered investor levels and take my money!! I am eagerly awaiting your forays into new and different genres.
If the international shipping is going to be expensive, I’d probably only want an ebook. But what format would it be in? I’ve tried other ereaders, and the only one that my family find useful is Kindle. I’d be really sad if I had to wait for a general release because a Kickstarter made international purchase prohibitively expensive.
I have Kindle, nook and Roku apps on my iPad and I strongly prefer the nook. It is faster to respond to commands and queries as well as being simpler to operate.
Yes, it came with iBooks on the tablet. No, it is a pain to use, so I don’t.
Bookmarks! Just because…
A question:
Is there any chance “Burn for me” will join the rest of the Hidden Legacy stories in hardback?
(I don’t have ODC but my poor shelf…..!)
Not at this time.
Understandably, but had to ask <3
Just noting- my answer for audio bundles changes from meh to take my money if the audio is through graphic audio
Long time BDH, I will buy anything you publish. Preferably hardback, but paper is a must… the bookshelf must have the entire possible collection because rereading each series happens regularly. And often in places with no electricity. Reading the Inkeeper chapters online since the start has always been a really cool experience but then of course I must also have the physical copy too. Never looked into any Kickstarter stuff but for you, absolutely will.
Oh and you totally got me with that fake stats chart, was all excited to see what fancy stats you had ???? but that’s ok, super happy to keep on devouring books.
For most House Andrew’s books, I prefer to have both an audio copy and a kindle copy. I mostly buy my audiobooks from audible because of convenience. That said for the right project or if I can’t get ahold of the audiobook from audible because of region problems I am happy to buy it elsewhere. I put Meh for the collector’s edition because for something I really ended up wanting I would do it but the bar would be high.
I have never been part of a kickstarter and I don’t really know much about it. I might do it if I figured out what it was about.
I would purchase an ebook. It is the only way I read now, no paper.
I will take the survey but I just wanted to say upfront what I know about kickstarters (nothing) so that it doesn’t skew your data. Voting Meh is pretty much about my ignorance and not any negative feelings toward kickstarters. I will read anything you put out as an ebook.
I usually buy both the ebook and audio book via Amazon so that I can use whispersync. Would that option be available on other platforms? Not really an issue with AI books as I would buy them anyway just a question. And as for print bundles if the book was the latest in a series would you be able to reissue the others to make a complete bundle?
Whispersync is an Amazon technology, this would not be on Amazon until a later time.
The book would not be the latest in the series or a sequel of any sort, it is the first in a new project 🙂
Tina, I have a bunch of .mobi books (which Amazon will stop supporting entirely, so I don’t know about the future), but I found that if I mail them to my Kindle, they get the benefit of Whispersync, but if I connect my Kindle to my computer and drag/drop, they don’t (and are not part of my Amazon library, so can’t be downloaded wirelessly on other devices, must be dragged/dropped).
Since Amazon is switching to ePub, maybe that will get the same treatment.
I have a bunch of mobi files I’ve emailed to my kindle address too. In the notice I received from Amazon dealing with the switch to ePub they specifically stated that any mobi files already sent to my kindle address would continue to be supported but no new mobi files can be sent once the change goes through.
Hope this helps!
Thanks! I skimmed that email and it pissed me off so much that I closed and saved it to read more carefully and Google as needed, when I was in a better mood. So it definitely helps.
My answers were a big, fat nope to audio bundles because there is no likely scenario in which I would listen to the audio book.
But that was predicated on the assumption that I could buy an ebook by its lonesome.
I apologize if my failure to read carefully has invalidated my poll response.
I fat-fingered one reply. So count one more Very Likely and one less Meh for buying a book of a new genre.
For fiction I’ll only buy ebooks. I’m very price-sensitive due to the volume of reading I do but with HA, I don’t care how much it costs – I will buy! And will take any genre HA chooses to write in.
My answer re swag would change dependant on said swag. Curran stuffy mightsway me. Stuffy of to be named child lifting a cow.. i must have please. Also Orro cookbook = 100% would go for.
I would be all in on any project HA decides to write. I don’t buy many physical books these days, but given that I just finished my kickstarter pledge for Sherrilyn’s project for the Acheron/Styxx special editions, I would definitely make exceptions for my favorite authors, and HA is right at the top of that list.
And while I voted yes for loot, because who doesn’t like loot? It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t support a HA Kickstarter if there wasn’t anything extra included except for the books, so maybe I answered that one wrong?
However HA decides to publish their next work, count me in!
Due to vision & hearing issues, I only purchase e-books what I can enlarge the print. Audio books are worthless to me.
I now have oticon hearing aids that let me play the audiobooks into the hearing aids. Like amplified earbuds specific to my hearing loss. Woo hoo!!
Side note..my nearby university has a PhD audiologist degree program tied in with a non profit clinic. So my aids were $1200 each instead of $3000.
I love everything Ilona Andrews, so I would definitely read their books whatever the genre. As for the rest, I live outside the US and sometimes the shipping is more expensive than the books, so the print is not an appealing option.
I’m an ebook-only reader and tried to vote honestly. However, can I just say that any poll with meh as an option makes me feel seen as a person?
Also, I realized I’m a liar. I’m an ebook/audio person only.
My real answer to
15. Would you wait until the Kickstarter project becomes available on other retailer sites in order to purchase “traditionally”? Rate 1-5
would be whatever helps House Andrews the most. Just let me help you help me by providing more nom nom IA content!!
I did try to pick answers to reflect this consideration, but for me, I am much more likely to buy hardcopy of any kind (be it paperback, hardback, or fancy art editions) when I’m giving works as a gift rather than for myself. I’ll occasionally decide to buy hard copy (especially pretty ones) for myself, but mostly, I buy ebook for me and gift hardcopy (particularly to those who I know like it best but also because it’s easier to gift than ebooks most of the time). So, you may well get two or more sales out of me, but the first will be ebook for myself and the others would be hardcopy as occasions arise.
As a side comment to question #13, while extra loot is cool and all, I have backed some projects that the only ‘incentive’ is a special edition (a box or cover that is special to the Kickstarter) or backers getting theirs before it goes to retail, and been quite happy.
If y’all end up doing a Kickstarter, please consider a cheaper add-on, like a sticker! It’d be nice to get some merch, but money is tight.
I check the blog every day and stop whatever I am doing just to read a post about a cat. Thank you for keeping us informed. I love the stories about all of your animals.
I would pay a lot of money to read anything House Andrews writes. Even if it is my least favorite genre. I was going to say what that it but I don’t want to hurt feelings or start an argument.
The “new genre” question is tough because it depends whether I like the new genre at all. I’m extremely likely to buy in my comfort zone, whether it’s new to you guys or not, and would trust you in some marginal ones, but grimdark, for example, is a hard “no”.
It won’t be grimdark 🙂 . Here are some snippets to give you an idea https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/secret-snippet-questions-and-other-things/
What is a grimdark?
Thanks
It’s a subgenre that focuses on dystopian, amoral or morally bad, with the tone being one of sadness, violence or hopelessness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grimdark#:~:text=Grimdark%20is%20a%20subgenre%20of,future%20there%20is%20only%20war.%22
Thanks and that sounds abysmally depressing… We are already half way in dystopia LOL
Thanks for the info! My question has to be why? Never heard of that genre before, but as I read to be entertained, I doubt I would find grimdark very enjoyable. omg who wants to be depressed more than looking at the world news?
Grimdark done well can be very enjoyable: Glen Cook, Stephen Aryan, Joe Abercrombie. It’s not always super depressing, just a more realistic type of fantasy. Like sometimes the good guys don’t “win” or aren’t really that good, just better than the bad guys, and what that might mean for the world/quest/whatever. There are some authors that take it to the extreme (and that is not realistic imo) and I avoid them.
Check out this list…not my favourite subgenre but got addicted to Mark Lawrence and the Broken empire series as an addictive look at the dark side
https://best-sci-fi-books.com/26-best-grimdark-books/amp/
Thanks!
Mark Lawrence is awesome.
I buy HA books in hardback always if available, paperbacks for my sisters and a copy to loan to a friend and for me to have on the bookcase headboard to grab when ai need a re-read, and the ebook too. I’ll use kickstarter or Amazon or wherever it is available as soon as it’s available and that sums up my desire for your books! They never disappoint. You are a blanket purchase. Don’t even need to know what it is about.
The more personalized add-ons a kickstarter has, the LESS likely I am to back it, because those tend to be the #1 thing that cause delays and break budgets.
I trust y’all not to make the beginner mistake of assuming because a t-shirt costs $7 to print it costs a total of $7 to fulfill, but there’s just so many things that can go wrong (especially with the fragility of the supply chain these days) and the more moving parts you add, the bigger the risks.
I backed kickstarter projects before, and got to support different tiers depending on the extras or add ons.
I was lucky to be fast enough for the earlybird tier in a couple occasions!
In this poll, I stayed in the lower range for each question involving audiobooks because I don’t use them.
I would like the hardback or collector editions but shipping costs are a major factor: Italian here, and between shipping, taxes and Customs fees I fear it will be too much.
On the other hand, one project I wanted to support and launched this week, doesn’t ship to EU and UK due to VAT and GST regulations.
Some of the international projects I backed had the chance to print and ship both from the USA and EU.
I don’t know if this could be done for you as well: I think we’d have to let go on the signed bonus in this case but I could live with that, if it means I can acquire some scrumptious prints!
(How do bookplates work? Are they individually signed, or are they prints? If it’s the second we could have those)
I hope it’s useful informations, and fingers crossed you’ll find the best solution.
Thank you for involving us
I love to read but I have never been a collector of books. I have also never been an audio book person. I’m very picky about the narrator. So I’m happy just to buy my ebooks. I would love to see what they do in other genres and I’m very intrigued by what we have seen so far.
Only do e books these days unless it is for work. Maybe Audio, but here normally audible..die Hidden Legacy in German in Audio recently. But still prefer to read.
Wish there was a part at they end to give our thoughts. I put “ not at all” for the kickstarter since the example/reference is B.S. and to me his prices are highway robbery. If the prices were more normal then I wouldn’t we against it.
You might ought to have collected some demographic data to extrapolate your survey results, i.e. persons in XYZ age category do/don’t want DEF
In what way would that be relevant? 🙂
Ilona Andrews books don’t sell to demographics, they sell to fans. There is no age limitation and we are not publishing the poll in data analysis periodicals.
Age I don’t see either, but as international shipping is such a big issue with Kickstarter, as is also mentioned frequently in the comments, perhaps domestic vs international might be a thing…? As in, “are you an international reader and do higher shipping costs matter enough that you wouldn’t purchase a print edition for that reason only even though you’d really like to”? Not that you would have to do anything with that information, I don’t mean that, but it might be a factor in this process? But then again, maybe not 🙂
I’ve funded kickstarters before. Tier levels are always awesome
I would have like to be able to explain some of my answers because for example I will always always pay for a hardcover book with illustration etc but not Manga style or comics, just a really good book with pretty illustrations.
I am super meh about Audio too.
I’d totally purchase through Kickstarter, but would I be able to get the ebook on my Kindle? That’s the only place I read. Also, TAKE MY MONEY
Off-topic question: I have been enjoying the Graphic Audio productions of the Innkeeper books and was wondering whether Sweep with Me will also be produced (I have Innkeeper 1-3 and am aware Sweep of the Blade will be released in June in this format). Thanks!
Yes, all the published Innkeeper books have been licenced by GA 🙂 . I think for Sweep with me they were looking at August/September dates.
Hope this helps 🙂
Yippie!
Thanks!
I have found the vote results and some of the comments really interesting. Not least for understanding what others prioritize and prefer.
I like having ebook for ease and pb/hb on my shelves of all my favourites. I’d happily spend more for extras or signed, even though whether I could buy or not would simply come down to shipping cost to the UK and how much money I have (or rather haven’t) got when it’s up for sale. But the chances are, being me and obsessive as I am, I’m gonna buy it anyways as a present for Christmas/birthday.
International shipping costs are a total killer when it comes to books/swag. Currency conversion from USD to NZD also influenced my voting – costs are too high when you have to basically double the price to begin with…
When I think of IA loot I think of snippets, ARCs, weekly chapters, attending zoom book discussions with the authors….. things we already have on the blog. How will kick-start loot differ?
It will likely be physical loot, such as the Curran stuffed lion from a while ago (as an example, I’m not saying it *will* be) or other Ilona Andrews merchandise.
Collectibles/merchandise would make me much more inclined to participate.
Not a big fan of swag normally, but I would jump through some hoops for a stuffed Curran. Just sayin’.
Love this! Sorry I missed it!
I wanted to add a comment about Graphic Audio as opposed to audiobooks. I rarely purchase audiobooks, but after trying the first HA book on Graphic Audio, I am ordering everything you release on them.
I have already read ALL your books and am hardcore BDH. Yet listening to Graphic Audio versions is a whole new experience which I LOVE.
+100000000000000000000000 ????
I’m not normally an audio book fan and answered those questions assuming a traditional audio book. But if it’s a Graphic Audio book, that changes everything! I’m addicted to those now! Sooooo good! ????????
Honestly, for me the biggest issue with print editions is getting them to my house. As we saw with Sanderson, the international shipping alone for the highest tier was 500$ more! It’s crazy, and I don’t know of I can justify it to myself.
I’m wedded to ebooks for new purchases, so I’m a fervent take my money in general, but zero interest on all the options involving hardcopy or audio.
I wish more people liked mass market paperbacks. I hate trade and hardcover, they take up too much space.
I love the smaller size, too! I don’t collect as many paper books as I once did, but I much prefer them all the same size – stackable and they just consume just that much less space. I don’t buy hardback at all anymore, but a collectible edition would change my mind.
The international shipping through kickstarter isn’t ideal… I would probably wait and purchase the book traditionally… (other than that, definitely take my money!)
Re:writing in other genres: You have a unique ability to set a stage, create an immersive world and intriguing characters AND do it quickly. That us why your snippets have us drooling for more.
I recently tossed a well reviewed book by a best selling new author because after the first chapter, I was not engaged. You set the bar so high!
So, go for it. Write what inspires you and we will be inspired and will buy!
I generally don’t buy “keepsake” books, and tend to buy ebooks only. Should there be a signed cover art montage poster or something similar, with a reasonable international shipping rate, I’d be more likely to pay via Kickstarter.
I have a hard time holding printed material so I’m ebook or audio kind of girl.
Sadly, having just received a terminal cancer diagnosis, I can’t justify putting my choices in the mix as I probably won’t be around for the publication date. I hope the venture comes off and is the lucrative and creative opportunity it desrves to be.
Just read this. Sending prayers, blessing and all support from my heart. Also sending prayers, such as they are, for your loved ones.
Dear Sara,
We are so very saddened to hear about your news. Ilona sent you an email at your googlemail address with a goodie inside that might help keep your mind off for a bit.
Please check your inbox and spam mail and let me know if you did not receive it, we have had some issues with delivery recently.
Our thoughts are with you!
Sending my prayers your way and to your family, too!
I had to switch to e-book only years ago, because a ran afoul of the 4th law of thermodynamics *. So I will not buy physical books, signed or not. (BTW: Has anyone invented individually signed e-books yet? I would take these as a kickstarter benefit.) I will take part in a kickstarter if it gets me early access. 😉
I do not listen to audiobook.Maybe the special audiobooks being made for innkeeper as a bundle…
*4th law of thermodynamics: The percentage of volume of your living space occupied by books will only ever increase over time regardless of the absolute size of your habitat.
Funny! Yes, despite large bookcases in four rooms, I recently started downsizing the collection. If I had not looked at it or re-read it in years, it was must go unless I truly utterly loved it. Only a few books actually met that criteria. And all the huge hardback books were the first ones out the door. So Half Price and the local library resale shop received some goodies.
this is so true
I will buy any book/series/bundle you write in ebook form at whatever price you decide to charge. I don’t read hard copy books at all anymore so my only real ask is for an ebook format I can download on my iPad.
Take my money!
I am ebook only. ????
Re Kickstarter – sorry I’m not sure how this works or how much I would be expected to pay to be part of it
Also I am in the UK – is this relevant to this kickstarter ?
Also I like e books as they are instant and audio books for the same reason BUT audio books depend on a good narrator or they are a turn off ..AND can be returned to Audible if they are really intolerable- would this be offered with another with Audio book company ?
I have had e- books before but now it’s Kindle via Amazon is this an issue ?
Sooo yes I would be prepared to support you but could not be definite without knowing how much £10?? £100??
Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform: artists or inventors (it’s usually the creative set) propose their projects and ask for funding. That was regular people can become backers, rather than relying on 2-3 mega investors or in this case a publishing house. Here for the website for more info https://www.kickstarter.com/about
A sample of the audio would be provided but there is no return/refund option- it’s an investment rather than a purchase.
As for the price, it depends what the format of the tiers will be, sums of $10 are definitely a possibility- here for an example from another author https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mcahogarth/to-discover-and-preserve
Write, I will buy it. Happy to go with kickstarter as that would mean investing in House Andrews.
Now eagerly awaiting the results.
No ebook, no audiobook due to vision and hearing complications.
I have everything IA in paperback because they are easier to hold than hardcover.
That said, I would buy hardcover with cool art features and read at the dining table to counter the weight-of-book factor!!
????????????????????
Here’s the thing: I’d buy a (preferably paperback) print edition if the price plus international shipping weren’t prohibitively expensive, otherwise I’d prefer e-books. Unless it’s another Amazon e-book exclusive, in which case it’s either print or not at all, because my neck of the European woods is all about the epub… So I would like to know that future distribution plan before deciding on the KS.
I buy ebooks exclusively these days since I have to downsize. ANY and all IA ebooks get prepurchased as soon as available. Audio books don’t do much for me, though.
Normally only use ebooks and audio books due to vision. Swag generally not important…but could be tempted by a mystery gift. Normally purchase audio from audible by will use other platforms like graphic audio or big finish where your file is stored in the cloud. Hope this helps
Essentially I would love a Kickstarter and even more if there is a collector version of the book. But just because there once was a Kickstarter doesn’t mean the whole series must be in this format ????
I have a Kindle and a Nook, but prefer the Nook. I don’t need a physical book but would happily help finance a print run. I just want an ebook that I can load onto my Nook.
Like many, I am out of space for paper books. However, I also have a lot of old favorite books that are deteriorating due to age. As they fall apart I replace them with e-books to make space for Special Editions. House Andrews and Lois McMaster Bujold are the only authors with automatic Special Edition status where I buy anything new in both ebook and whatever print is available. This allows me to have something to read when the power is out and my kindle battery is too.
I am downsizing and so switching to electronic whenever possible. I’m interested in funding the effort of House Andrews to create new products as long as there is an electronic deliverable.
I’ve bought ebooks almost exclusively for the past decade, but only because I have it been rooted and I have stuff in storage in two states. With my awesome new job, I expect that to change as long as my manager manages to either extend my contract a long way or hire me. Once I am rooted once again — my own space where I can have all my stuff, plus a couple of cats — I intend to buy at least some of the HA books in dead tree form. All of Innkeeper, for sure.
I only occasionally buy hardcovers — usually a limited edition of a book or series I rarely see, such as A Thousand and One Nights or the entire HP Lovecraft collection — because of expense and space. I do love trade paperbacks when I can get them because they are nicer and still fairly slim.
I would love to buy the Subterranean versions, but they are far too expensive for me: there are too many other books and art I could buy with the money for one book. (Now that I have a good job, I am going to set aside some money just for some of the art for HA books, when there is some, however.)
I don’t like audiobooks. I have really strong mental images of characters in my head – just goes with the territory of my weird and wonderful brain. I tried the snippet of audio for a recent graphic audio of an Innkeeper book and the voices so contradicted my personal images that I couldn’t listen longer than a few moments. (See weird and wonderful brain, above.) also, I find it difficult to concentrate on audiobooks.
I LIKE/prefer printed versions, but I’ll TAKE an ebook version. It’s one of those “I’ll take what you give me” deals, as long as it’s not audio. My brain doesn’t process audio well enough for me to enjoy the story 🙁
It’s so interesting so see how many people prefer ebook only, when I only read ebooks as a very, very last resort. That said, I also prefer my print books to be paperback for space and wrist pain reasons, but I’ll take hardcovers over ebooks any day.
I’d love it if they could have hardcover kickstarter(s). ????
I think it may be helpful before the poll to explain about kickstarter for those of us who have vaguely heard about it but never participated or in my case even visited the site.
Emily, for future reference, when a word in the post is in red or purple, underlined, and in bold, it means it’s a link. Scroll up. You will see what I mean. We note the links in different color, font weight, and underline so you would not miss them.
Sorry, but I’ve had miserable experiences with Kickstarter. It took me half of forever to get them out of my inboxes and ‘targeted’ advertising and keep them out. While I have no doubt that your campaign would be totally trustworthy, I have zero interest in opening that door to let Kickstarter back in to my inbox.
Additional comment: went with the assumption this would be the mystery new project. Also even as I don’t have all your print books in addition to all the eBooks for various reasons I would back a version of print on Kickstarter. And I love the Subterranan Book I am happy to own.
#16: as long as I can buy it somewhere eventually all is fine, even if you decide to switch mid-series. The choice of where you place it/how to publish can only be yours (therefore voted meh).
I do not do audio books at all. So that influenced my votes.
Would you consider other platforms beyond Kickstarter? I’ve backed Kickstarters in the past, but I’m leery of their intent to transition to blockchain.
I was annoyed at the timing for Sanderson and this poll
Currently looking for a new job so money is tight
When money was better, my wife and I often splurged on reward tiers
Special weakness for Tuckerization as weird tech / weapon / space ship
Most famous Tuckerization as a star cluster in a David Drake novel
Well done poll!
In this changing economy it was very interesting to see the interest your fans have.
We are downsizing due to kid finally out of the house and getting close to retirement. So I’m not thrilled about physical books.
But I would totally go for some sorts of swag: e.g. cute plush similar to the Curran one, realistic “travel posters” for some of the locations in the new project (I have a really old but awesome “travel poster” for Tatooine/Star Wars that is so realistic it fooled people when I had it up in my office at my old workplace), other cool artwork, maybe t-shirts (although having different sizes gets complicated), etc.
And I could probably be persuaded to buy a print edition if the accompanying swag were right. And would then promptly pass the print edition along to someone else…and thereby maybe create a new IA fan.
P.S. Of course what would totally get me is cool travel posters for some of the Innkeeper locations/planets, or even just for Gertrude Hunt…but I get that this is for the new project.
I probably answered the Print questions wrong. Can you clarify whether you mean traditional paperback, trade paperback, or something else when you’re referring to Print?
The only reason I don’t have print copies of the Innkeeper series is because they are only available in trade size, so clarification on the size of the print you’re thinking they might be able to offer on Kickstarter would be helpful!
The print formats would be clarified once the Tiers are decided- hardback is obviously one of them, if you read Ilona’s part 🙂
BDH member – Happy to pay dues in form of kick starter. Love yalls work and will buy sight un-seen due to how great your work has been over the year.
+1000000
Whatever House IA wants to do, whenever, however, in whichever format, I would read because House IA worlds & adventures & stories are worth waiting for….
More control without pressure & deadlines which allow you to live or share your creative dreams & imagination however you want- I am all in for this.
I think as a proud BDH member we would be here for whatever form your next step takes- in whatever way that works best for you & makes you happy without replacing old stress with new stress – kick-starter only works if it does not become a new source of stress for you.
Use the parts that help you achieve your goals going forward, simplify or leave the parts that don’t, have playground rules (like the blog rules) for the kickstarter BDH, or whatever else you need ……… as long as House IA is well and happy with whichever project & world they choose to write or choose to share with BDH…..
If house IA writes it……… the BHD will support it, those of us who have been here from the start, and the new fans you make everyday of anyone who has the good sense to pick up and read or listen to any IA book.
So the survey is interesting, but I want what makes the lives of House IA better or easier or happier…… I chose that in the end.
I voted “meh” and “not likely” for audiobook bundles. I want to add the caveat that this is 100% narrator dependent. If I like the narrator, take my money. If I don’t like the narrator (which doesn’t mean they’re not talented, just that I don’t love their narration), I will never buy the audio. I am selective, but it’s not a “no.”
I’ve done Kickstarters multiple times and generally been happy with the results, and since I know your track record for successful release of books both through traditional publishing and self publication, I would be comfortable backing a Kickstarter. But I don’t usually buy hardcovers anymore, so I’m not among the demographic of people your decision hangs on.
I am 100% in the same boat! I would much rather read the book myself than slog through a narration that just doesn’t feel right to me, or worse downright irritates me lol.
Some of the poll answers have very clear results others? Noooot so helpful. lol But all data is useful in the end I suppose.
One question that might’ve been helpful was “Have you done a Kickstarter before?” type.
Granted, that’s the data nerd in me showing. XD
There are people who used Kickstarter, got burned in their investments, and would never back another project.
Conversely, House Andrews have done posts about Kickstarter before (being the backers rather than speculative about a project) and a lot of comments coming in were “Never used it but I would if the right thing came along”.
Therefore, I considered “Would you be comfortable/able to use it” more telling rather than historical use. Many fans might not have encountered it but would only need a brief google search before they understood what it is and were ready to go.
Liz, the poll is not structured to be helpful to you. It’s structured to be helpful to us. 🙂 Historical use of Kickstarter is not relevant to us for the purposes of this poll. It helps to look at it this way: a lot of people who have never tried audio books before bought GA adaptation of the Innkeeper. Polling them about whether or nor they had bought an audio would be useless. The relevant question would be: do you want to hear Sean and Dina voiced by actors?
These questions were no doubt thought out for reasons that I, as an average lay person, would not understand the full context behind. Making an off the cuff “humorous” post is clearly not in my wheelhouse.
My apologies for my sassy “Nooot so helpful”. Looking back at my remark I didn’t convey what I found amusing was some of the answers had fairly even answer results… which in itself is data to be used.
No worries. Nobody found any offense in your comment. ????
You are all good. ????
Really not interested in anything but ebooks. I know that nothing has the feel/smell of a good paper book however I just don’t have room for them anymore.
Previously, I have only known Girl Genius that does Kickstarter, and I’m not interested enough in that story to want something I haven’t already had a look at.
Ilona Andrews, on the other hand, ….
This may be a dumb question, but despite following the blog for years I don’t think I understand the difference in an IA project vs. House Andrews… They’re all by the same awesome duo – are they not?
Can someone clarify?
Yes, House Andrews, Ilona Andrews, IA for short- all ways the fans talk about Ilona and Gordon ????
It used to be Authorlords but we were asked to change that so the other nicknames started ????
However you print your books, I know I would love them. My only problem is I am 78 and my liquid assets are now much more finite. It is also getting harder to hold hard cover books for the length of time I need to voraciously read them. Anyway good luck with what ever you decide.
So is Elara’s book still in the mix of things to come?
Hi Emily,
There has been no news about Iron and Magic sequel being cancelled ???? , so yes.
House Andrews have decided to not announce any of the projects they’re working on until they are ready and up for pre-order/release, so as to avoid the pressure of deadlines, so we will not know what is “in the works”. For more info on this, please see here https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/on-being-difficult/
The surest way to not miss any official announcement is to check their release schedule here https://ilona-andrews.com/release-schedule/#agent-publisher. Any upcoming project with a secure fate/date will be announced there.
I would probably be really interested in physical copies if I didn’t live in Europe. The shipping fees and custom can rise very quickly and I just can’t justify the expense for a book. I actually had the same problem with Sanderson’s Kickstarter : I think the shipping fees alone where 100+ euros !
Ebook for new projects for me. Then print edition (paperback or hardcover, no preference) if I like it a lot.
But I would definitely buy loot if offered!! Either through kickstarter or another service.
What is the difference between a novel in the series having a Kickstarter release and… otherwise? Not sure what that means.
Hi Karen,
Do you mean the last questions?
Sometimes backers have the expectation that all the novels in a series will be put out through Kickstarter (as process, for them to keep the consistent format, the priority access, the extra goodies etc).
This would be a new project to try for House Andrews, so they want to keep the options open in case they want to go with regular self or even traditional publishing for subsequent novels if it becomes a series.
That’s what I wasn’t clear on. Thanks!
I read almost exclusively on my Kindle app, but I am absolutely disgusted by how greedy Amazon is. I will always choose to buy ebooks directly from authors using a platform like Kickstarter, especially if it has an impact on how much profit an author can make on their work.
All of my answers were contingent on whether you’d ship to Canada or not, but there were no questions addressing that.
As someone on a fixed budget I’m stuck only buying paperbacks and using the library. I’m guessing libraries don’t buy kickstarter books?
Hope this helps.
International shipping is available, at additional cost, as addressed in the text of the article ????
Every time I’ve wanted to invest in one of your special edition books, the freight to Australia is more than the actual book, and the process in an International purchase is not simple, so I have never bought. That’s the only reason I’ve never gone down the route. Otherwise it would be “take my money!”
I only buy dead tree versions of anthologies, for what it’s worth.
Some thoughts from me:
My wife and I are both fans, so we’d likely buy the fanciest thing possible, especially if signed/dedicated, and display it on our fancy books shelf. We regret missing out on the super, super fancy Kinsmen omnibus.
I care zero for audio, however, I can no longer physically lift a paperback or hardback, so an ebook is essential for me.
I voted yes to every level of physical reward. Even if it’s not a hardback or super fancy, I’m going to buy it along with the ebook. I’m not sure if the polls record who voted somehow, but I voted Take My Money to all the physical types, even though I’d likely only buy the fanciest.
Just wanted to clarify, Mostly I buy ebooks when I do buy hardback or paperback they’re almost always signed copies I just don’t have a lot of shelf space for books.
Good luck!
i am disabled and live on a very limited budget, so i get all my books thru the library. it means having to wait longer, but its the only way i can afford my reading habit. i don’t have the money to support a kickstarter, and i answered accordingly. i can only hope that this new project book would eventually be available to local libraries, ebook or print.
I do mostly ebook/audio but I did splurge for Subterranean sets of Innkeeper, Kinsmen, and Small Magics when they had a 1/2 price sale a while back. I really love the fine editions, art, and author signature. I bought hard covers in Hidden Legacy primarily because I loved the covers and I went to a signing. Sapphire flames is signed, and Emerald Blaze is not because of the pandemic and of course Ruby Fever isn’t out yet. I would love a special edition hardcover with the art etc.
So for a Kickstarter project, I would definitely go for hardcover,signed, special edition with some swag and/or bundle with ebook/audio.
I was confused by the question 15 as well. I didn’t realize it meant getting the book before traditional retail.
KF Breene just did a Kickstarter and I think she was surprised by the overwhelming results
I stopped buying physical books a while ago but I buy Seanan McGuire hardcovers to get the pre-order pins. I would probably buy an IA kickstarter edition, particularly if it come with digital and audio, bonus if it came with a pin.
The only “book” kickstarter I’ve invested in was one where 5 dollars got me the ebook/story. It was actually by a big name author and he had to get to x before any of us would get the ebook or the other prizes. There were tiered levels for the hardback and other goodies. It’s not that I don’t want hardcover. The reality is I almost never buy a hardcover book, signed or otherwise due to cost. This is true of paperback as well. I definitely want to read your book(s), but I’m not likely to pay up for the hardback and I want to read it right away, so I want the ebook as soon as possible.
Things that I do like in the tiers: postcards with the artwork (not necessarily author name/title on the front, but maybe a quote from the book with the title/author/artist on the back in small print with plenty of room to write on the postcard). Why? Well, I use the post cards to send as notes to friends. Postcards are OFTEN something I put inside a package/gift that I’m sending because I write a short message, include whatever I’m sending and I’m done. Bookmarks–not so much. Chris Dunn just got done doing a kickstarter for a children’s illustrated book (he is the illustrator and a magnificent one at that). He had some gorgeous artwork as the “prizes” for different tiers, including a calendar and those very useful postcards. (It was priced out of my budget, but the whole thing was awesome and I wanted something in each tier. There were no cheap entry tiers though.)
Other prizes I would pay actual money for? More books (yours or other authors). They could be ebooks even (and possibly preferably). I was recently asked by another author if I would donate copies of one of my ebooks to her campaign for one of her tiers. Absolutely!!! And I’d also be willing to pay more for additional books thrown into your tiers. Your horde may have read all of yours or own them, so it might not work,but it still might work. I love your work, but I actually haven’t bought and read a few. Not many, but there are some, so if a tier was: “Choose any three of Ilona Andrew’s Ebooks” I’d pay for that tier as long as it was a reasonable price (not a collector’s item because those are always priced above my budget). You wouldn’t have to “ship” ebooks either. It could be any one, any two, whatever; it would catch my eyes if it involved books.
I’d also potentially pay for a tier that included ebooks by other authors, some sort of bundle or some sort of: You get to pick from these 5 ebooks by Schmoe and Joe. Or you get all five for the whole tier. Again could be ebooks and that delivery is probably preferred by me. It could also potentially be paperback, but that could get costly if it came from five different authors and would probably knock me out of the tier.
Mostly the reason I don’t invest in more kickstarters is the cost. I have done a couple of them when there’s a low entry point and I get something simple out of it or I’m donating just for charity sake. In short, the prizes are usually so big and expensive, I’m out before I look at the first tier.
I am interested in audio, so that level would be of interest too, but not as much as the ebook prize (if there was such a tier) and other ebooks that I might want to read.
Mostly I just love reading your books so if that was the bottom tier, I’d be looking at it if it was affordable. I’d be happy to support it either way by blogging or tweeting it even if the tiers were all higher than I would personally spend.
I voted specifically for IA.
I’m extremely interested in how this works out for you. Not just the book written by you, but the entire action
Good luck!
well those are some super mixed results.
Some of my answers are different because it’s a House Andrews project; for instance, money matters less when it’s one of a few favorite authors I’m already hooked on. On the other hand, there are some things (eg. fancy collector’s edition) that I would definitely be interested in someday when I’m not a grad student with minimal income but simply cannot justify now.
When you did the two hundred and fifty dollar special editions from Subterranean Press I think only around 200 copies were available. I would have bought a copy but I never had the opportunity. It sold out right away.
I’m not sure I answered 15 right Bc the wording confused me…… so sorry if I screwed up your data…..
I have modified the text, is this clearer? ????
i) Personally, I am all about the story; all the extra options are nice but I am buying your work because I love your writing in whatever genre. I’m one of those who regularly re-reads her fave authors.
ii) I am an outlier these days in that I prefer print (not only because I love the tactile experience of holding a book but) because I do not want to be tied/held hostage to a digital platform that requires an open-ended subscription to maintain my library, or might go under or be superceded (however unlikely).
Most of my purchases are mass market format just because of $s. Having said that, I did splurge for the illustrated Innkeeper hardcover. 🙂
iii) Your question regarding audiobooks not tied to Audible is very interesting to me. Theoretically, IF e-formats were cross-platform, I love the idea of carrying around thousands of digital books in a small physical format.
Re: quiz, I have never previously participated in a kickstarter but would for Ilona Andrews pre-order purposes. However, I am someone who would eventually purchase anyway if the book(s) were only available through standard avenues.
To be clear, I did do the quiz so comments are just in addition.
While I don’t care if an entire series is available through kickstarter…. I really like consistency in formats. It still irks me that only Burn for Me didn’t have a hardback ????????
So if you give us a hardback, please give us all the books in hardback
I would like to note that if I get a luxury binding, I’d expect it to be available for the rest of the series. Signed vs unsigned doesn’t matter too much, but if book one is luxury binding, book two is trade paperback and book three is hardcover, I will go crazy.
Some formats and extras would only be available through a Kickstarter type project, so in this case please answer “yes” to question 16 ????
I purchased the Innkeeper Chronicles from Subterranean — it’s lovely. So nice to have a special edition hardcover in the library. Does this type of printing only work for special projects (like a compilation)?
I really would like to have a fancy version tier. I love, love the lettered fancy books published with Subterranean previously. I love ebook and audio too but really would like to own another physical book that doubles as art from my favorite authors. The innkeeper special edition is so beautiful that I would throw my money for a collector edition of any book by IA.
I did vote to the effect above but just really excited about the prospect of another fancy IA book!
I’ll take all the books I can get, ebook or printed (no audio books for me)… just take my money already!!
❤️ BDH member
One caveat as I transition to eBooks, I don’t do Amazon or Kindle, which is why I won’t own and have not yet read Fated Blades — because it isn’t in the library yet, although I check regularly.
Hi Kate,
Kickstarter is not Amazon, so you don’t need to worry about that from this potential project ????
Hi Kate, you may want to directly ask your library whether they are aware that Fated Blades is now out in print. There was a long lag time between Kindle and print releases, and sometimes things get lost in the interim, especially if they are on a Jan-Dec fiscal year. Polite reminders may get you the book! Good luck ~
So I answered truthfully. I do not want to be discouraging for the Kickstarter per se if it satisfies your needs cool but I can’t buy physical books any more as much as I’d love to. I literally-no really I absolutely actually completely-have no room for any books. Would I possibly contribute to a Kickstarter? I might , especially if it got me a new series or expanded any series I already love. I passionately want new books even if I can’t buy physical books. That is what it comes down to for me. I want more of your work in whatever way fulfills you and your needs best! selfishly so I get more stuff and a happy House Andrews who will then write more for longer since they are happy.
I’m too used to e-books to support a print book. I love all your work and would pay to support new material, particularly if the support allowed early access or additional content.
As many have already said here, I will probably purchase the ebook of “mystery project.” I don’t have much money and space on my bookshelves is very limited. I hate getting rid of physical books. I’ve become a book wyrm, fiercely guarding my treasures from any who would dare point out that the second shelf up is bending under the weight of all the books on it.
Seriously though, I love the snippets I’ve read so far of “mystery project” and I love fantasy so I hope it does end up available as an ebook.
I’d throw a few bucks at a Kickstart just to support you guys if you needed funding for a project. But I’m strictly an ebook girl these days.
I’d go for an audio – ebook bundle if reasonably priced, probably $30 range. If it gets much beyond that, I’d probably wait for it to show up at traditional retailers.
I’ve been really happy with all but one of the narrators IA has chosen (and that was a one-off novella) so I’d be inclined to take a gamble on liking the narrator without knowing upfront (not something I typically do).
As long as the ebook is available in ePub format or is convertible to ePub, I would be able to send it to my kindle address and read it on my Kindle or Kindle app so that’s not a deterrent. Audible doesn’t have this functionality, but if it’s not too pricey and I get it faster, I’d be inclined to tackle a new audio book program for an IA book.
I might be wrong about not being able to play non-audible audiobooks through the Audible app. I guess I’d cross that bridge if I got there 🙂
I thought question 15 awkward. I answered 1) Not at all, because I’m very comfortable with Kickstarter and I’d just get the book through Kickstarter. I am comfortable with the idea of a delay to give Kickstarter backers priority, however I also don’t think that’s necessary. I’ve seen it both ways and inclined to go with whatever an author feels is better for their sales. So maybe the answer should be meh? Like I said I’m not sure what’s being asked so I wasn’t sure how to answer. Finally I’m in a space where if there were a delay I’d also be willing to wait if I didn’t like the platform. There have been several games I’ve bought after an exclusionary period with Epic because I don’t like Epic and don’t want another game sales platform in my life (I like Steam dammit). I am however happy to have bought these games later on Steam, I never play them as new releases anyway. So because I’d be happy with to read anything you write maybe the answer is 5) Take my money… so confused.
I am totally a “TAKE MY MONEY” for the eBook. The print and audible just are not good options for me (eyesight and hearing issues).
I was super happy with how Sanderson setup his kickstarter, and there was a tier in it for everyone. Even me, woo hoo! 🙂
The enjoyment I get from an IA book is worth $100 or even more to me. Take my money!
Would the audio option only be the mp3 or 4, or would it eventually be available on Audible?
The project would eventually reach other retailers (therefore Audible) but I don’t have a timeline for the wait period.
Hi Mod R,
I based my answers that referenced “Audiobook” as audiobooks. If they had mentioned Graphic Audio, my answers would have been very different!
I would also be more likely to purchase collector hardback editions with extra art/alternative covers (signed even more likely) of the beloved series like KD and Innkeeper. (Reminds me of the hunt for European editions of the Harry Potter books hehe).
Since I live in a tiny apartment and frequently move, this is my threshold for buying paper books now. Kind of like Special Edition, Director’s Cut + Outtakes/Interviews DVDs, vs Streaming.
I just want the ebooks as quickly as possible, but I would back a Kickstarter to get fun loot / art.
Honestly, I have moved almost exclusively to ebooks. It’s easier on my eyes since I can enlarge text easily and really carry lots of books. I also don’t need to keep a light on so I don’t disturb my partner when I read b4 bed.
Some of the answers, I answered truthfully but it my change depending on the shipping cost.
I only buy ebooks these days. Just in case that’s helpful information
Hummm I feel weird about this because to save space I’ve gone fully digital with my books. It’s not that I don’t love print books but I just don’t have the space to read them in my life (both physically to store them and physically to carry them around and read them). My paradigm has shifted. I used to buy everything in hardcover and had a giant collection which was cured by moving 8 times in 7 years and then getting married. Now I read everything on a ipad and have a stack of print hardcovers piling up to read that I haven’t touched in years. I store them at the office and constantly say “I’ll read them soon” but I just can’t put down the e-reader to go back to a physical book.
Same, unfortunately.
I’ve selected ‘comfortable’ with regards to the first question but honestly I do not like Kickstarter as a platform. I’m comfortable pre-buying a book from y’all and I’d probly still do it if you decide to use Kickstarter but… Kickstarter does or is looking in to En Ef Tees. If they officially say we would never I’m happier with them but at the moment I’m not supporting them.
Audiobooks only purchaser. Would go outside of Audible for IA.
*Will go wherever I gotta go for your books*
Can I just say that I love that there is a “Take my money!” option. Any new work its like, take my money! Heck, I even pay full price for Innkeeper when it is released, even though I’ve read it in small chunks already. I need to support House Andrews so they can feed my fixation.
You know have consider simply do a bit like the inn keeper but with a member ship?
Reward at the end of the final chapter wish include e book and special art ? Something that would be monthly with interaction about the book and fan base ?
I would see myself pay 10 dollar or so a month to get a chapter a weak.
Especially if you give some personalized touch .
I answered as truthfully as possible. The thing is ai would want all three: ebook, audio and print. I usually preorder the ebook and it doesn’t come in as fast as the print gets in the store. So, I run by the print version too. I love your books.
I hope you don’t mind me being brutally honest as you’re asking for feedback on print. I love all of your books but sometimes even if I love a book & want to purchase print, I’m not going to purchase in print if the cover is comically cliche.. like hello kitty half naked “i am sexy fabio” cover bad.
Sorry feel free to delete if you find this too negative, but hope it helps!
Also on this question:
8. How likely are you to purchase the collector edition of a new project with original commissioned art and luxury binding? Rate 1-5
Is this only for new projects? I usually would go for this after reading the ebook to see if I like it first, like for example take all my money if this is for Iron & Magic xD but on a new series without reading first on ebook, not sure.
I treated “meh” like it meant “I don’t know” sometimes. Like I’ve never used Kickstarter, so I don’t know the answer. I’m willing to try if detailed instructions are given 🙂
I burn thru on average 4 audiobooks a week, p l us read 2.5 books (printed and ebook formats) a month. I like owning both formats if possible. I have parted ways with Audible, therefore, many of the audiobooks I listen to now are from the library. I do purchase ebooks from Amazon. I understand the busness decision behind using Amazon for self published books, but sigh deeply when I think about how much I would love to own/listen to Blood Heir. Again, I understand the business behind why Audible. If/when your audiobooks are available from non-Audible source…like maybe kickstarter..take my money please.
Hi Chinook,
Blood Heir is not an Amazon exclusive, you can purchase the audiobook through Apple Books for example https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/blood-heir-kate-daniels-world-book-1-unabridged/id1552144128 and the ebook version pretty much everywhere ????.
Which audio retailer do you prefer, I can look for the specific link for you? ????
Not a fan of Kickstarter in general. I trust that team IA is not going to screw people over, but in general I find the business model/Kickstarter format all kinds of sketchy. I’m sure there are those who have heard of Star Citizen, lol. (Again, I am in NO WAY insinuating that that’s something that you guys would do! It’s just my take on what I feel is a dubious business model.)
Overall I always buy your work in print. I actually had not read the early Kinsmen novellas because they weren’t available in print. As soon as the post went up saying they could be purchased I jumped on it. At the same time, I can’t say I’m super interested in owning hardcovers. I am content with my trade paperbacks. Hardcovers are less a price point issue and more of a space issue for me.
I hate reading on a screen or e-reader so I buy print. However this means that I am acquiring a lot of dead tree books in general, lol. It’s always a complex feeling when a favorite author of mine makes “the jump” from debut MM paperbacks to HC with their series. On one hand, awesome for the author! On the other hand.. that takes up a lot of space and my series no longer “matches,” haha. (Nevertheless I just cannot wait for MM to release to read the books, that’d be like self torture lol)
I also have zero intention of buying a book in multiple formats. Tiered rewards on Kickstarter are more or less “expected” these days. Like, what is the point of the Kickstarter/people donating more and more money if they’re not going to get something “cool” out of it?
The way your previous self-published releases have gone seemed to work out really well for you. (Or at least, your blog posts seemed to say that you felt you were outperforming what you expected. Though I might say you don’t give yourselves enough credit sometimes :p) If you debuted a Kickstarter, I probably would not put any money forward. I would wait for it to be available to purchase outright in print through a normal retailer. It’s nothing against you and pretty much everything against the business model.
Moreover Kickstarter has announced they are moving into blockchain/crypto/NFT spaces. And that is 100% not something I would ever be interested in or wish to contribute to. (I’d totally recommend “Line Goes Up” by Folding Ideas on YouTube if you’re interested in watching a 2 hour+ documentary on the evolution of crypto and NFTs. I don’t blame you if you’re not, haha.)
Overall, just not my cup of tea. But given the other comments and poll responses I’d say I’m not really the majority, haha. I know that e-reading has gotten massively more popular (and I get it, I do). But in general, I would wait to buy a normal printed copy of your book whenever it had a full release on regular retailers regardless of any perks.
My comments were very influenced by the fact I live in NZ, so I’m extremely unlikely to purchase an actual book-book as I imagine the shipping costs would put me off. I’ve never seen a printed IA book in a bookshop here, so it’s ebooks all the way for me! Would happily support an ebook kickstarter if you went down that route but I only use Kindle. I have ALL your books and would purchase anything you wrote, regardless of genre. Also happy to answer any market research polls you may come up with! You are my hands-down favourite authors.
You need a country or region option as many of your fans are international.
I will be really angry if this will be an American only thing. I know you said that international will be able to purchase with postage but alot of the time it is exorbitantly high postage. I can currently purchase an American edition with converted US$ to AU$ of all your books through a book store that imports American editions without that extra charge or purchase a Australian edition of your work at Australian book prices (about $10 more than an American edition) that is published a month to a year after the American release.
I also lie about where I live just to be able to purchase audible books that are locked by region rather than pirate works. Many audio books that are a available in America are not for sale in Australia due to archaic book import laws. If you do an audio edition please insure its not region locked.
I see big numbers thrown around here- such as $100 or even $500 for a book thru Kickstarter. I would never buy a work of fiction for that amount. $20-25 would be the very most I would spend. Also, if I can’t get a audio book thru audible, I won’t buy it. I am too much of a Luddite to learn multiple platforms.
I would say I’m kind of in your camp, too, in terms of spending big ticket for a special edition. However, I still support that option because there are people who do and would support it.
Re: audible, I don’t have the platform (I’m just not into audio books; I like the movie in my head at my own speed), but since I’m ignorant, is it like Kindle, where it will take non-Amazon eBooks so long as they’re formatted in a way it can recognize?
I’m sorry, Rose, I don’t understand the question.
I would be more comfortable supporting your project on Patreon. You would only have to post a rough draft every two-weeks and your fans would contribute to read them.
You could have different tiers. Tier 1 contributors would receive access to read a rough draft for a set amount. Tier 2 contributors would receive access to read the second or third generation draft for a lesser set amount.
Can I please say that I prefer print to ebooks, but I do not like hardbacks. I was unclear if Kickstarter would only produce hardbacks. Well, it was clear, but I don’t want to believe that you cannot do paperbacks as well/instead.
I just wanted to comment that imo a Kickstarter for a book needs to have something that the “normal”(ebook) version doesn’t have for me to back it. I mean mostly art/Layout since those are always better in a physical book. Especialy layout since the formating of ebooks takes a lot away from that (this sentence doesn’t read right).
This is mostly because I’m from the EU and with shipping costs that makes any US-based Kickstarter quiet expensive.
I only buy physical books these days if they’re hardcovers from fav authors (which of course you are). I love love beautiful books, I love what sub press does. I’m definitely the target audience for premium books.
As far as hardcovers go…
A new project/genre would have more appeal personally.
If I am going to buy a hard cover book I want the ENTIRE (includiing Novellas and ALL the short stories found in Anthologies) series available in the same format.
The Innkeeper graphic audio is absolutely my most self-indulgent purchase ever (and to me, worth every penny).
As honest as can be , hope this helps.
If I can’t get the book(s) digitally, then I would buy via Kickstart. If I can get them digitally, then that’s the only format I would buy.
So- for the poll I answered every question in regards to a hard cover/ audio book. I want it on record I would support a genre IA hasn’t written in before- I would just buy an ebook not a hardback.
I’m here for any/all new stories but I only ever buy ebooks now and (rarely) audio, so I’m probably not the target audience for this type of Kickstarter.
First, I will buy anything from IA. Second, love special edition with art or maps. The one artist they have, her name slips my mind, is phenomenal. If her art (or someone of that caliber) is part of the plan, most definitely, take my money.
As for international, I once backed a guy on Indiegogo. He was ex-military so he offered 2 of a product to be shipped to one address, that way the cost was split by two.
Also, I believe because some of his backers were all in the same vicinity, he would have it shipped to a local store in that country as one and people went there to pick up their order.
Food for thought…
I would still pefer to buy the e book by itself without the audio, that wasn’t an option
I have (and do) support other authors via Kickstarter and Patreon. When purchasing, oddly enough, I prefer paperback – it takes less shelf space, so I can have more books!
Need me a (not a bookplate) signed book from you guys! *happy dance*
I prefer physical copies but your books I always buy in several formats, e-book, mass market and trade or hardcover if available. I have bought all the Sub Press printings so price for a specialty edition is not so much an issue for me but for a regular hardback I would think $25 to $30 would be the top price point cutoff for most folks and even that might be stretching it a bit, given today’s economic and social upheavals and the resulting uncertainties.
Since the book in question would be set in a new world and genre it would not have yet developed the unquestioning base of support that your other series have from the BDH. I think, however, enough of us trust your ability to deliver a satisfying read in any genre you envision and want to work in that we would give you a successful launch which would morph into a buying frenzy as soon as the 5 star reviews started rolling in. After all, you redeemed Hugh! They said it couldn’t be done but…
From a business standpoint though I might be more cautious and perhaps not use a book not set in one of your proven series to leap into self-published hardcover. (Note, I’d love a hardcover copy of BURN FOR ME to go with my other hardcover copies of that series and would pay a premium for that one.) I’d buy the new book in hardcover because I trust your skills as writers and would pre-pay through whatever mechanism you choose although I’ve never participated in a Kickstarter. But I’d also commit to buying the book in print on demand trade and certainly e-book so you have two guaranteed sales for the new genre, hardcover or no.
If Arabella gets her HEA, no matter how many books it takes, she’d be a perfect candidate for hardcover publication.
Write what you enjoy writing and I guarantee that we will enjoy reading it, whatever format it comes to us in!
Ok, I did my best to answer honestly. I basically want the book in paperback form. Ebooks I tend to preview on Hoopla (library app) and then obtain a dead tree copy if I love and adore them, though I am dipping a toe in the waters of Kindle Unlimited because there are interesting books I can’t access any other way. Takes me a little longer to obtain the print-on-demand books since they’re more expensive, but I eventually get them. I don’t really care which platform or retailer so long as I don’t get hassled (extra hidden charges, lots of spam, etc.). I care little for the swag, and I’m not really in an audiobook-friendly phase of my life. I have Kickstarted some books before (books I couldn’t get any other way and wanted). Take all my marketing info, heheh! One of the few times I share it for free with pleasure.
What I would really like is a bundle with graphic audio, the each character individually voiced audio version. Being hard of hearing, it’s easier to follow the story. My husband and I curl up together and listen for about an hour at a time to the innkeeper books that way, our bedtime story. With snacks of course (ice cream is involved). My favorite option is a signed copy of a hardback for participating in kickstarter, would to see a graphic audio and signed hard cover option. Just a wish, will participate in whatever is offered. Thank you house Andrews.
That was a really nice quiz, but I have an extensive library and have to get rid of my hardback books because I am downsizing my life. I love books of all kinds and have a large collection of your books, some signed because I have been to some of your events. I love your books and would and do read them over and over. Because they are that entertaining. But because of my age it is easier to read on the kindle because I can adjust the font and lighting. I love HA and will read anything you come up with. If the only way I could get your works I would buy hard copies.
The latter questions tackle ebooks/audio books, so that’s in the mix, too.
I answered yes on the extras question, but I’d like to specify that I would absolutely **NOT** expect it at the lower tiers. That’s a big ticket enticer, that it.
Frankly speaking, my answers are kind of weird.
I had to answer “not likely” to all questions concerning a possible delivery (harcover, print copies with or without signature) because even though I love a physical book, the price to have it shipped plus the price of entering the country would likely cost 2 physical books so I would pay 3 books for one…
While new books in a certain universe may not be my cup of tea, I know I can be at ease because it’s not just the story, it’s also the writing style that makes me a fan.
I do believe that as long as you don’t do thriller, horror, I will still buy it.
You have created a lot of my conforts reads, so…
And romance needs not be the center of a book. From time to time, I try to search for a serie where the sideline focus is about repairing a relationship, trying to trust someone again, the quirks of familial love…
As for kickstarter, I have never used it, so “meh”.
As english is not my first language, please excuse any mistakes.
No one asked me what I would love to see as swag, but I’m gonna share my opinion anyway. Mini art prints of previous or new artwork. Mod R can we start a Swag Wish List?
I just need to say, all these people saying they only do e-books are not helping. If you read the intro, they are specifically trying to gauge interest in PRINT so they’d know how many to order. E-books are always available through normal channels and don’t need Kickstarter.
::hug:: You feel my pain. 🙂
Really? I would think all data is useful. And if the result invalidates or brings into question the premise—e.g. it turns out that the market for ebooks follows the overall market but the market for print/HC does not—then you still become better informed.
It probably should be all caps and font 20, lol.
i would like to add my two cents in a general way but specific to my taste
very few can write like house andrews, just absolutely incredible in every department
but i find myself drawn most strongly towards the Hidden Legacy series…
it’s the more human ness, i think… total outer worldlyness just doesn’t cut it the same as the more human connections with all the magic
all my novels in hardbck went to the library sale but i have three shelves for paperbacks
which also go to the library sale after i have read them enough times to know each line by heart…..i will have to rebuy the hidden legacy series because they are all but worn out and i can’t part with them
i don’t like to do much on line so i wait till it hits the bookstores
i hope that isn’t to distracting but thought i should just toss it in since you were asking
all the freebie stuff adds nothing if the writting isn’t at the level of house andrews..and truly not neccessary in my opinion….the stories are the prize
thank you for them
Just a note that I’m not really sure what question 15 was asking
Thank you, Ilona Andrews and mod R for the post. It was educational to see the difference between myself and others.
I think you should do whatever you two think works best for you. My thought is the happier House Andrews is then more productive House Andrews would be. Just keep in mind you will need to reassess periodically as change is part of being alive and what makes you “happy “ today might not tomorrow.
(whispering the echo of a great idea)
…Orro plushie…
+1000
“Like a primitive savage, who sets out to tame the wilderness armed with nothing but a knife and his indomitable will, I will persevere. I will wrestle victory from the greedy jaws of defeat. I shall rise like a bird of prey upon the current of the wind, my talons raised for the kill, and I shall strike true.”
I haven’t read through the comments so please forgive me if this question is a repeat. My one issue with the Kickstarter idea is where does it leave loyal fans who can’t afford to buy in and rely on the library for their books? My library could not buy into a Kickstarter. Does that mean library readers have to wait to have access to a book? Curious how this would work.
I could be misinterpreting things but my read on it is that Kickstarter would be used as a means to determine how many physical books would need to be printed if a hardcover were released and backers would have priority on other formats as well depending on the final structure.
But, at least the ebook and audio editions would eventually be available at traditional retailers as well. I’d expect final availability would be similar to other IA self published offerings in terms of library distribution etc.
I think IA knows that they can successfully sell self published ebooks & audiobooks but doing a kickstarter would give them an economically viable way to offer a hardcover edition if the interest is there.
I only purchase ebooks and audio books. If I can’t get the audiobook for audible, I probably won’t buy it. If the ebook isn’t for Kindle, I probably won’t buy it.
I would have no problem with a kickstarter for a hardback for those who enjoy print editions as long as the ebook was released simultaneously with the release of the print edition through kickstarter. I could accept it if the kickstarter hardback books shipped one week and the ebook became available a week later. I would be upset if the kickstarter hardback books were released months before an ebook edition. It would feel like punishment for not supporting the kickstarter.
I have never supported a kickstarter and even for IA, wouldn’t start now. I do autobuy IA books, and would pre-order an ebook of a totally new work in a new genre, probably even before I read the synopsis. I would probably also purchase the audiobook as I own both ebook and audio for almost all work by IA.
I’m mostly a fan of your very romantic stories — so I would be most likely to support a kickstarter with a Hidden Legacies trilogy. Or anything with a strong focus on romance.
I have participated in 6 or so Kickstarter projects. One was not very satisfactory – they kept moving the deadlines and it was probably over a year before I finally received my product.
I’m much more apt to participate with authors I know and trust. House Andrews leads that pack!
I prefer paperback to hardback books. I didn’t see that as an option though I find it the best compromise for my pocketbook and my desire to support my fav authors. Is paperback format going to be an option? It seems less expensive than hardback. Thanks for the survey! I love that you do research with us all.
Interesting results from the poll! Thanks for allowing us to chime in.
Just one comment really, about audiobooks in particular. I HATE dealing with audible if I don’t have to (and of course I do have to). So I always look for a legal different option, either an mp3 download or an mp3 CD. Why? Their predatory and unfair marketing practices with respect to authors turns me off as a buyer. I really hate giving them my money. I also despise having to switch between apps to listen to my books and remembering which app has the book I want to listen to. (heh, personal problem, no?)
So I would support your kickstarter just to get the mp3 download of my book, although getting a signed print edition of a new series would also be delightful (prefer paperback for storage purposes, but the fancy HB with commissioned art work does sound intriguing).
I have supported several kickstarter projects in the past, altho none recently. Too many stories of being burned, I think. But as we know HA will be upfront in your dealings, I have zero problem with a kickstarter project from you. I hope you go for it.
No text field in the survey so just to add that I highly prefer softcover/paperbacks: I find the hardcovers heavy so not portable as a train commuter, bulkier in my knapsack, heavy in my hand so not as ergonomic to read, and more prone to damage which hurts more because they were expensive to begin with. I generally wait to buy new releases until they come out in paperback.
I’ve gone completely away from print editions of anything. I don’t need more stuff – even if it’s cool, signed, artistic, etc. But I’m sure I’m in the minority. Some of the artwork is especially cool!
I’m down sizing (Google Danish Death Cleaning) and can’t take ownership of beautiful books that will have value primarily to me, but loot (a Curran plush, a limited edition print, …) is something I can enjoy and see passing time someone else. Even better would be loot that is consumable (food, a keep made of cardboard for my cats to use as a toy – imagine a cat inside that cardboard keep!) are more my style.
I always get the ebook but from my favorite authors and I get either the paperback or hardcover also. Usually the hardcover, signed or not, but signed is better.
Lol I think there is a poll in this post. *insert huge grin here*
I have to be honest. Yes kick starter is something I would support, price is a huge factor for me and kick starter allows tiers. The ebooks are ALWAYS in my budget because well, BDH and my tablet goes everywhere with me. I drool over the specialty collectors editions House Andrews puts out, who doesn’t? Without windfall they stay a present option.
Yes you can – see the help info here: https://www.audible.com/howtolisten
Sorry- my phone freaked out and this went to the wrong comment
As a person trying to get a writing career going which means self-published ebooks, I love the comments here. As a person who really loves books they break my heart.
My answers skew because reading has become difficult, though possible if I can greatly enlarge text.
Strongly prefer audiobooks, and my kid2, another IA addict, prefers audiobooks for all her fav authors.
I picture us, BDH, becoming IA groupies arriving in costumes, or carrying baked goods, in gangs for local Kickstarter download parties.
IA, plus sugar. Mmmmm
Like others, I only buy e-books due to vision issues.
I would gladly pay for a collector edition illustrated e-book.
I already own all of IA’s books in e-book form, and still would happily buy collector edition illustrated e-book versions of all IA books if/when they ever become available.
I have no interest whatsoever in audio books.
I’ve said it a few times already.. its like Field of Dreams.
If you write it, I will buy it. If you give me cool lootboxes I will get a 2nd job to buy it ????????
I buy all your books as soon as possible in ebook form. I don’t buy print books anymore. I’d buy a kickstarter book that wasn’t available in ebook form if I had to.
I would be doing the Kickstarter thing in order to support you in a new writing direction. I find that anything you write is an immediate hook for me, and I enjoy all of it. So a new one is a treat, and I’ll buy a hardcover to encourage that, even tho I mostly read electronic now.
I dont have the space for hard copies and I like to take lots and lots of books with me on holiday – so digital only!
The problem with audio books:
It depends on the speaker! I tried to listen to Kates story – couldnt! Its not the voice and dynamic I expected. Sry!
I think thats something which should be considered.
I am an ebook reader. I don’t have space for all the books I read. I listen to books depending on the voice actor. However, a collector’s edition with all the pretties would tempt me. Insight into the IA process, thoughts on the book/series are bonuses.
We use to support indiegogo which is like Kickstarter. One project was funded on both and money received from indiegogo was shuttled to the product on kick starter leaving nothing for the indiegogo supporter and product for the Kickstarter.
The audio would depend on the narrator. I have all audio books by the previous narrator, purchased Sweep of the Blade & no more.
I have over 200 books in my Audible library & can recommend other narrators…
The fact Brandon’s kickstarter ended on 41 million dollars blows my mind.
For extra reference:
1) For IA, 100% will buy ebook – no thoughts, just devour, so if I’m getting it through a Kickstarter, totally cool with me – also prefer ebooks for IA because instant gratification
2) Print book – if I didn’t pick it up on a whim at the bookstore – depends on how much I enjoyed the ebook, or if it’s a series, how much I like the series as a whole will drive my inner completionist even if I don’t love certain books in a series as much as the others
(not a fan of hardcover books so I wouldn’t buy one unless a book I really loved and wanted in print was only available in hardcover)
3) Audiobook depends on how much I enjoyed the book and the narrator – not that I have specific narrator preferences but some just narrate in a way that makes me lowkey stressed (like anti-asmr ????)
4) Other merch – not a merch girl…
To add/amend: for IA, I will take whatever medium of book I can get the earliest. So if print through kickstarter, yes, take my money.
I would totally back a new series, but I just don’t buy paper or hardcover books anymore, except for a select few with stunning photographs. And my husband buys cookbooks, which drives me crazy because we just don’t have the space anymore. (An e-book of recipes from the Innkeeper cook would be a lot of fun, though!)
I’ve enjoyed everything you’ve written so far. If you want to try something new and you’d like me to prepay? I’m fine with that.
I normally only buy Kindle and Audible (sometimes MP3 CD) of all IA books, the only exception was Blood Heir when I bought the paperback too
I can’t find a link for the survey. I’d be happy to help but its not clear. Please elaborate. thanks
Hi Kathy,
There is no link to a survey.
There is a poll with 15 questions embedded in the blog post above 🙂
I accidentally read and clicked too fast, but I would absolutely vote Take my money on question 9 (regarding ebook + audio) instead of the ‘very likely’ I selected! <3
Btw sanderson learned it from michael sullivan. He has been kickstarting series for years – anytime it would take too much time for a big publisher to get it done. I much preferred Sullivans approach than sandersons. Sanderson’s set up was pricier but that may be from the publishing company he chose to go with (or because his books can be 1000 pgs). Sullivan has promoted a lot of other fellow authors to try kickstarter. His extra rewards are setup by how much over the budget they go over and are often things like wallpapers/signed bookmarks and all backers names are in the back of the book – which i really enjoy as an extra incentive
I’ve supported several Kickstarters for ‘nice’ editions of books (usually a hardcover with a better binding, maybe illustrations, signed and the like) and enjoy supporting authors like this and getting a beautiful edition in the process. I’d love to buy your books like that, the new mystery project included. But international shipping (and the customs issues it involves) is definitely a factor. To mention two recent Kickstarters I supported: Brandon Sanderon’s kickstarters aren’t good in that regard, with extremely high shipping fees, at least partly due to them not shipping things together, but also generally bad rates. Michael J. Sullivan’s kickstarter offered excellent shipping rates in general, and they also save on shipping by combining everything into one package. His team has also been organising shipping for another author, Will Wight, with the same conditions. Some kickstarters also organise different distribution centres, like one in the US and one in the EU, to keep shipping and customs fees low. So that’s definitely something to keep in mind.
I want to conserve the trees as much as possible to recycle our air and in general help the wildlife and save the planet, so I use as little paper as possible. I have reduced my home size from 3 bedrooms to 2 by giving away my library. I now only keep the textbooks from that library and need only one small bookshelf. So No Paper Books at all, Please, even if that is the only way to get them. NO CDs either.
I listen to books rather than read them on my iPhone whenever possible, but even though I have an Audible Prime membership, I get my audios where ever possible that might cost less as I consume them at about 6 or a week. Axis 360, Libby, and Hoopla figure heavily into this as well.
I either listen to /or read a book, never both, as I can remember them well enough that I don’t have to reread them, and I have so many books/audios in my queue that I don’t have enough time to reread or re-listen to a book. So NO Bundles, either please.
No Kickstarter at all, Please.
But write whatever you like and I will listen to it or read an ebook, as long as I can download it to my iPhone.
I really like the mystery project. I don’t know anyone that reads only Romance.
I wish there were an edit feature here. I meant to say that I would read the kind of books like the mystery book or the types you’ve written before, (sans the romantic element. if you wish).I would never read horror, as we have enough of that in real life. Love Space opera, fantasy, urban or otherwise, mystery. I like how you weave witches and such into a plot as side characters , But I wouldn’t read a whole book about them or just about vampires. Or the occult. Boring! Shifters – great!
Our — my wife and I who are huge fans both — lifestyle is currently living in an RV so we can explore the world. We downsized to do this, getting rid of almost all of our physical books. We had many of yours in print, but we repurchased the ebooks, audiobooks, and graphic audio so we have them all with us in the RV. I doubt my answers are all that relevant as the situation is not common.
I doubt we ever return to purchasing paperbacks, but I could certainly see desiring a few treasured hardbacks one day. That would change our answer on #7 to very likely.
I got a little confused with all the bundle questions…. because I am only likely to buy one version of the book, but I’m pretty likely to buy in any format just not multiple formats
There’s no need for confusion: just say “not likely” to the bundle questions.
Some people prefer to have different formats, so they can listen to the book after they read it, or so they can have a hardback for their collection and a paperback to lend and take around.
Not all questions are relevant to everyone, but that’s different from them being confusing.
I’m also in the e-book camp. The only print copy I would buy would be a signed edition with extras like illustrations etc. I probably wouldn’t be able to afford a hardcover, so it would be softcover for me. (Just backed Will Wight’s Kickstarter for the paperbacks).
However the most likely thing I would be interested in is an ebook + Graphic Audio bundle. I don’t listen to audiobooks but I’m loving the Graphic Audio Innkeepers.
Swag would not be tempting at all, unless it’s something like that beautiful Innkeeper art.
In terms of new book/genre, I think it would depend on the genre. If it’s a book that the snippets have been, that looks promising. I wouldn’t buy a horror book, for instance.
I should say I would be much more likely to back a Kickstarter for print editions of books I already know and love like the Innkeepers, rather than an unknown series.
I would much rather House Andrews get as much of the purchase price as possible from the sale of their works – regardless of format – so I would much rather buy “directly” from you. I’m especially not a fan of the way that Amazon / Audible treat authors financially. I don’t know if the other platforms are any better.
Ditto. An epub I can buy directly from House Andrews? YEAH, love it. 100% to House Andrews… or as close to that as possible. Kindle will support epub “any day now” (or as of yesterday, depending on whom you believe)
I would be interested in special editions/hardcovers of established story lines. With costs of international shipping etc, I am not going to invest in hard covers/ special editions of new story lines.
Having said that, I will always buy epub version of whatever IA writes. I always “need” these immediately. Waiting is a very specific kind of torture!
I will pre-order any book by you, in whatever genre, but I do not purchase print books or audio books at all.
Confusing phrasing: “Would you wait until the Kickstarter project becomes available on other retailer sites? (Kickstarter backers get priority) Rate 1-5”
Does that mean KS wouldn’t launch until project is on retailer sites?
Or does that mean ignore the KS to purchase on retailer site instead?
Or does that mean that KS fulfillment occurs before retailer orders are shipping?
My rating varies widely depending on interpretation.
It means that KS backers will have priority and there will probably be a delay before the projects reaches traditional retailers.
People have already commented that they would feel “betrayed” and “punished” if they had to wait longer than the fans who participated in the Kickstarter.
1) 4
2) 4 (I haven’t found one book these authors have done that I haven’t loved)
3) 4
4) 4
5) 2
6) 4
7) 3 (If it’s a signed book and special I am more likely to purchase, otherwise I go to the library.)
8) 4
9) 2 (I don’t do audio books)
10) 1
11) 4
12) 1
13) 4
14) 4
15) 1
16) 2
Hi Diamond,
We are not counting voting in the comments, is the vote button not available to you so you can record your votes in the poll?
I live in a small mobile home with not much room. I tend to use my kindle and audible now for buying stories that catch my eyes. I don’t have much room for physical books or collecting physical stuff. Plus I live with a mom whom I love dearly but our reading tastes are widely different and she has final say of what stays in the house.
I love the idea of a Kickstarter.
I love the idea of being able to “give you more money”.
But: I’m not really interested in hard cover books.
So:
For $insaneAmount, you can be a proof reader and get an epub months before everyone else. SIGN ME UP!!!
For $largeAmount, you get an epub a month before the rest of the BDH
For $reasonableAmount, you get an epub a week before the rest (face it, a significant ration of the BDH would do this)
YES! Same here–little interest in physical books, but would absolutely pay good money for early access to an e-book.
I will buy anything House Andrews writes. Kickstarter is not currently an issue for me as I’ve successfully backed other projects, but if they do go the NFT or blockchain/cryptocurrency route, then I wouldn’t continue to use the platform.
My reading preferences are:
– Paperbacks from my favorite authors only; usually (90%) I will also purchase their e-books.
– Special edition hardbacks that include art or are otherwise fancy-ish (like the HA Subterranean Press books) are a major temptation depending on the price point. Signatures are not necessary, or signatures could be done on bookplates.
– Swag is not necessary (but, like others, I will go for a Curran or Orro plushie).
– Audiobooks (with or without a print copy) are not for me. For some reason, I lose focus within seconds, my mind goes on walkabout, and I end up having to rewind multiple times over the same passages.
Good luck with the new project whichever route you take.
I would like to start by saying that Mod R, you have the patience of a Saint! ????
I know this isn’t relevant to the current question, but if there’s any chance that the Subterranean edition of the Innkeeper Chronicles (Volume 1? and 2? ????) were to become available, I would DEFINITELY buy that! ????
Also, I would like to vote for future audio books by Graphic Audio. And want to thank you for saying that you would have the book done before posting the Kickstarter campaign. The wait might do a lot of us in! ????????
Ditto for the Audio books❣️
Prior to the internet, print media fandom relied a lot on prepaid preorders. Planned ‘zines were advertised through the Universal Translator, soliciting both submissions and preorders. The understanding was that the ‘zine publisher would not deposit the check prior to taking the ‘zine to the printer. This system gave editors the seed money to pay the printer as well as an idea of how many to print. Of course, this whole arrangement depended on publisher honesty. There were a couple instances of publishers depositing money without publishing a ‘zine. Unfortunately, the financial structure has altered since then. Plastic has become ubiquitous and most banks now refuse to honor written checks after 60 or 90 days. So Gofundme, which charges a substantial transaction fee.
I’m not sure whether this falls under the loot option or not, but just for clarity: I don’t expect extra’s just to support a project, but I would definitely pay extra for any available artwork. If I like the artwork, that would be my incentive to buy the hardcover edition.
Also for clarity: I wouldn’t expect all parts of a series to go through Kickstarter, but it would be nice to have an idea of the odds: one thing about Hardcovers is that it’s nice to have a matching series, if all books are very different, that might make me more disenclined to buy more hardcovers.
Personally, I’d really like the opportunity to participate in an IA Kickstarter and directly support House Andrews. I’d also love the ability to buy/have access to print copies of House Andrews because they’re very rarely in my local bookshops even if they are new releases.
I’d actually really like to buy more print copies of IA books – they’re part of a very select group of authors’ books who I enjoy buying print copies of and am looking to buy more to complete my collection. Personally, I’m at a stage of life where I’m growing my personal library (though am very selective of what I add to it).
I’m not sure if this is helpful for IA to know, but I generally enjoy hardbacks. I just bought two recently: the new Miralima editions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and HP and the Chamber of Secrets. (Side note: They’re gorgeous illustrated editions with pop-ups and moving parts!)
But it helped that I knew what the covers looked like and really liked the look of them – and that’s something that I factor in my decision when I decide to buy a hardback. So I guess what this reduces to: I like the pretties and I like to buy the pretties. Would it be possible for the BDH to get a rough idea of what the cover might look like prior to committing to a Kickstarter pledge? Or would that not be possible given the timeframes?
Yes, there would be props illustrating how the end product would look 🙂
Amazing!???? Thanks Mod R
I found the Kickstarter site off putting. We prefer Kindle and Audible. We will use those options unless they disappear.
I love the ebook versions because it is so convenient to carry my reader around and always have those books with me, so I rarely buy print versions. It’s just easier to pull up whichever book I’d like to read on my dresser, whenever and wherever. Having said that, though, I will always do whatever I need to do (ebook, print, audiobook, Kickstarter, whatever!) to get my greedy little hands on a new offering from HA! ????
‘dresser’ should say ‘reader’….stupid autocorrect! ????
But to clarify if Kickstarter were the only option for your books we would learn and pay to use it.
I’d like to know if purchasing something through Kickstarter means getting a lot of emails/texts. If so, I’d hope there’s an “opt out” on it. If not, I’m most likely to wait & get it from another source. Also, is Kickstarter a secured site? I avoid sites that are not secure.
I’m searching in vain for a hidden Kickstarter link. I’d do a paper back and ebook pack. So family members don’t like digital. And if we get a cool digital art book with it I’d be super happy at a $50 tier.
Your books have gotten me (and then my family) through so much. When I received the email from you saying I was qualified, but not the BEST BEST fit to be a temp moderator before you found your online soulmate– MODERATOR I LOVE YOU TONS–I almost peed from fan-love-starstruckness!
Whatever you do, BDH–SoCal Chapter is HERE FOR IT!
Awww, thank you ????.
I have a very small number of print books, the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series being among that. Ilona Andrews Innkeeper e-books are also a purchased exception. Otherwise it’s print or e-books from the library.
Although I listen to audiobooks while I quilt and sew, there’s something special about a hardcover of favorite book, a cup of tea and a scone that can’t be replaced by an ebook. Have tried. Just not the same sense of “Calgon, take me away” magic. I have reduced my library and now save purchasing hardcovers for those books I read over and over. I don’t know if it would save money for those paying customs if a 3 book compilation were made into trade or hardcover instead of 3 separate books? Just a thought.
I answered Meh to question 15 because I didn’t understand it. If the question was, would I support the Kickstarter if it meant that I would get the book earlier, then my answer should have been 5-Absolutely.
For the many of us who are ebook readers, how about a physical book that’s only art? A high-end “coffee-table” book with large format illustrations, elegant binding, etc. would be appealing. Depending on what you could work out with your best artists, either a single pan-HA volume, or a volume per series would be very appealing. I’d find shelf space somehow.
I would buy the ebook and maybe some extras through Kickstarter. Kristine Kathryn Rusch did this. Loved it and she got all of the money.
To summarize: HA Kickstarter Project Hell-yes! Take my money, but nailing the price-point is key. BDH will pay MORE than what you’d pay in a bookstore for shiny, first editions.
The tiers and stretch goals should go into making the first edition lux.
As you know, stay away from reward-traps like heavy swag that’s expensive to ship. I am personally interested in the First Edition Hardcover and eBook. I don’t have much attachment to audiobooks so maybe they can be a production cost for later?
I’m a mom with a toddler boy thus my reading time is almost none existent. I would love a kick starter option for audio only. It’s great to listen while I’m cooking feeding or chasing my son! Plus it allows me a form of relaxation while taking care of a wild boy that doesn’t sit still. It will be years before I read a book in full again 🙁
Also, can we do a Kickstarter just for an Orro plushy? I would be over the moon for that. I might end up with 15 Orro plushies and still want to get another…. He could even have different props for different scenes (I’m really thinking about the time he went to the filming of the cooking show).
Electronic is fine, but sometimes the power is not available, and I want to read or share … hence, paperback is prefered. Audible versions depend upon the reader … and, sometimes, the voices don’t match the character I ‘hear’ in my mind when I read … making the audible version not enjoyable.
I would be fully onboard for a Kickstarter at least once (with regards to getting a print version). I would always be onboard for any sort of pre-buy for digital/audio versions, even for things that are different than IA’s current oeuvre (Kickstarter or Patreon or…)
I answered “not very likely” about most of the print-related questions, because I normally read exclusively on kindle. HOWEVER, I was operating on the assumption that the kindle book would become available at the same time as the print versions. If we were in a scenario where the kickstarted print version was going to be available a month before the e-book version, for example, then I would absolutely pay for the print version rather than waiting a month for the e-book version (I would probably buy the e-book too, later down the road when I wanted to reread it, to be honest).
Hello, I am willing to buy books published in any way allows authors to support themselves keep writing. Your series are a bit of a problem for me to decide if I will follow or not, as you walk a fine line for me as to whether a series will be to horrifying. I’m kind of a tender reader and can’t take to much much vivid torture and suffering. This is my problem rather than yours and I don’t expect you to cater to my tender sensibilities. So far the Innkeeper series has been great, the later books in the Edge series were close to my limit, and the Kate Daniels books are too intense, so I stopped after the first one. But practically this means I will not know in advance whether I will want to commit to a series until I read a few reviews and sample the first book. For other authors and comics I have enjoyed I have been willing to contribute 1-2$ a month through Patreon on an ongoing basis, and I would be willing to do that for you also.
It honestly would depend on the cover art for me if it is hardback. I would love some pretty hardbacks of IA. I would pay more if the cover is super cool.
Also, if hardbacks are too expensive to make, paperbacks of a new series or continued series would be awesome. Or new cover art for old favorites–though I would be more interested in Hardbacks of old favorites since I already own most of the paperbacks.
I very much enjoy your work. Mostly it’s the work I enjoy rather than the packaging of the work. Paperback is fine. (But I sometimes regret paperback after a while [many, many rereads] and sometimes buy a used hardcover if there is one.)
Self published sounds like a way for me to get hard cover without paying the standard $29.95. If it is, I’m in.
Go for it…
I’m excited for kickstarted print editions! And the potential for audiobooks outside of Audible. I have been reading indie Author MCA Hogarth for almost a decade and have backed 9 of her book kickstarters. She has a very successful formula for running her kickstarters that may be helpful to y’all (though your number of backers is likely to be an order of magnitude higher than hers). She wrote a book about making successful kickstarters you might want to check out- “From Spark to Finish: Running Your Kickstarter Campaign”
Please just take my money. The thought of you guys doing kickstarter is so exciting for me!
I did the full Sanderson, plus I’ve backed Will Wight’s Cradle (deluxe edition), Mother of Learning signed hardcover, and a backless bra (Nuudii) that I hope to god turns out to be actually comfortable. Except for the bra and Sanderson, I already owned the other books in both ebook and audio, so probably more comfortable with backer projects than others. I’ve also backed Obsidian in both their Pillars of Eternity projects on another platform.
If you do a kickstarter, I will throw money at all physical tiers. I prefer to do ebook and audio through amazon/audible, but that’s more for convenience than any kind of loyalty to amazon. It’s an enormous pita to send a file to all my devices so it shows in my kindle app. And I never did figure out how to add an audio file to audible.
I mean, I will pretty much purchase anything coming out of HA these days, but I’m restricting myself to ebooks only at this time. (I don’t do audiobooks, I don’t have the attention span, and I don’t do physical books, bookshelf space is too much of a premium here, we are at capacity unless I block windows)
I’d order through Kickstarter to support HA.
But, I don’t read paper anymore. I had cataract surgeries that were very successful but would force me to use reading glasses to read paper. So, I buy paper copies to support HA and then give them away.
I ALWAYS buy e-books and retain them.
I hope this helps.
Idea is great and I see many possibilities for authors but for me (reader from Europe) Kickstarter projects are too unexpected regarding cost.
It is possible that I would buy the book, but before receiving it I would have to pay extra for delivery and taxes.
Unless I know that Kickstarter price covers delivery and taxes, I would probably wait for other retailers or (if not available) stick to e-book.
This is a hard poll to answer. My husband and I love and collect the Innkeeper series. I like the Edge series. Other series, especially new ones, may or may not have the same following. I use eBooks whenever possible, but I bought the trade paperbacks and Collector’s edition of the Innkeeper books and the paperback versions of the Edge and Kinsman series, and I will probably buy any of the other Innkeeper series in print editions, especially Maud’s series. Buying them on a Kickstarter with lower initial cost and status perquisites would be a plus, I don’t know about any new series. It just depends on what is being offered.
If we are talking about hard cover books (which I love) can I mention maps? I adore maps. They really help me feel like I understand what is going on in the story especially if there is a chase scene or fight. I would totally pay more for a hard cover with a nice big map (or 2) on the inside cover.
Maps count as original art.
I’m a map junkie. If you are not already familiar with his work, let me recommend Edward Brooke-Hitching. A quick search on Amazon will bring up a number of absolutely beautiful map books. I say “a number” because I don’t own them all, but the ones I do own, I adore and have given as gifts to other map junkies.
I would love a signed edition however the extra cost to ship outside of the states stops me every time . Collectors edition shipping cost same thing. Even though we’re neighbours , Canada here, it was almost double last time I checked.
If GraphicAudio is involved, I’m buying that too!
You are a go to buy for me. I enjoy your work. Changing genres is not a deal breaker for me with your work
I don’t buy print books now as so expensive to get to NZ, if postage wasn’t an issue then I would have put ‘take my money’ in most of the questions. I think it is a great idea but living on an island in a corner of the South Pacific it doesn’t work for me.
If anyone reads Sharon Lee and Steve Miller’s Liaden series.. This is the way several of their projects came alive
I only read print versions of your books. I own them all. I don’t care if hard cover or paperback. I don’t need any extras like signed or swag. I didn’t read Kinsmen books until came out in print. I always preorder your books. Everything you’ve written I’ve enjoyed and read more than once. I’m looking forward to your new “mystery” book and plan to buy a print copy. I’ve never heard of Kickstarter, so will have to see what “tiers” will mean. I do live in US. Good luck with all the survey data.
I don’t know if I answered #15 wrong. I read — and still read — the question as asking if I would wait until mass release for the Kickstarter project.
I answered “not at all” because I would absolutely be saying TAKE MY MONEY and getting the early bird Kickstarter version. If it existed. Or Patreon. I support a number of artists on Patreon. I also answered “not at all” to buying a hardback, because it didn’t say it would be a signed hardback, or a limited edition with special art or anything like that. A plain un-special hardback? No. I’m an eBook reader now. But I would have bought the Subterranean Press specials, if I had known in time (it was a while ago, so I don’t remember what series it was, but I found this blog a bit before book 2 was being offered and book 2 was only being offered to those who had book 1).
So if I answered those two wrong, it probably doesn’t change anything, but if it comes down to a one-vote wire, move my vote.
When you said bundles I was thinking of the books I used to purchase through Sfbc but I don’t see offered anymore. Those were great. One nice hard cover containing 3 books in a series . Used to love those. Looked nice on my shelves, lasted better through multiple readings and took less space. I like hardcovers but I am just out of room. Any hope of something like this for your finished series?
In the past, I exclusively bought e-books (and audio, because commute). Then the world started falling apart and I thought, well damn, I better start buying hard copies in case the zombie apocalypse happens and my iPad becomes a paperweight; so I have slowly started collecting hard copies. (just need to finish collecting Hidden Legacy and then I will have everything!)
All that to say: I will buy whatever the hell they want to publish in every format they release in. But I find trade paperback delightful, and will always pick that as my primary option when available.
Slowly also buying print form of my favorite authors but wait for what’s on sale, or I come across, no book stores in my town or chain stores like Walmart so, paperback is what I find in my grocery store.
I wish some of the questions had projected price points. I for instance I have no problem paying $30 for a hardback I would only do it for select authors, but House Andrews tops the list. I’d probably even pay $40 for one of theirs even a new project but I probably wouldn’t pay $50 so I didn’t do the take my money option. As for a collector’s edition I’d easily pay $50 I am not sure how much more I would pay but not $100 and I have seen collector’s editions go for that so again no take my money option selected for me. I want all my books from a series to be the same. So if the first is a hardback they all need to be. If the first is ebook then they all end up being ebook.
Also if the audiobook was graphic audio I would be a lot more interested in the audio book option.
I also don’t mind it being a new project. At this point I really don’t think it possible for House Andrews to write a book that isn’t great. I held off on reading hidden legacy and kinsman, Lesson learned. Hidden legacy is awesome, and Kinsman is probably my second favorite behind inn keeper.
I am old and clueless about how this works, but definitely interested and will try to grasp the concept/s..????
I would most likely buy a triple combo signed and personalized hardcover, ebook, and audio at a reasonable price point. With the current inflation rate I won’t guess at what that will be. If it was right now ~$150. I would be even more likely if the release date was just before a holiday Mother’s Day or Christmas.
But you should know I have made a thing of getting signed and usually personalized books for my wife since the 80’s when I sent books to Anne McCaffrey to get signed for Christmas.
I would be interested in anything IA wants to do and however they wish to publish. I do prefer actual books to e-versions. I no longer have access to those and unfortunately have lost all my IA ebooks. 🙁 I look forward to whatever they wish to write; in whichever genre.
You could charge more for your books. Many authors not as good as you charge much more.
I am a US consumer, so many of the concerns international buyers have don’t apply to me, but I will say I already obsessively collect IA printed works. I think I would die and go to Heaven with an Innkeeper special edition printed with stars or a Kate Daniels leather binding with burnt edges. I would also like to add I did back Brandon Sanderson’s project for the print copies/ebook bundle already and would do it 2x over for an IA project.
Yeah, international shipping cost are often a drawback for me when backing Kickstarter project ???? I’m ready to put 200€ in a projet, but having to spend 75€ on shipping cost after that annoy me deeply. I did it once, to buy the beautiful 75$ signed edition of inkeeper’s chronicles, but maybe not again.
I have never bought an audible book or even heard an example eg through Amazon and not seen a book and audio bundle, I have however bought (and prepaid when released) every Innkeeper release on Graphic Audio and loved them. I would definitely buy a bundle of these if I didn’t already own them. If it was known that the bundle would be releasing on Kickstarter I would really consider buying it there.
I don’t mind buying audiobook that is not on audible, if it would be available to download in MP3/FLAC format with decent quality (160-320kbit/s). Audible.com offers 128kbit stereo at best and audiobooks.com is even worse.
John Scalzi has some thoughts on Brandon Sanderson’s kickstarter, (https://whatever.scalzi.com/2022/03/01/very-quick-thoughts-on-brandon-sandersons-mega-kickstarter/) and I have to say I think it’s very relevant. I never thought about fulfillment, like literally. If you guys do a 1 mil kickstarter, who’s going to ship all those books? Where are they going to be before shipping? Maybe you’ve got it all figured out, but I’m panicking just thinking about it! Good thing I’m not in charge lol.
Yes, the difficulties in storing everything for example are mentioned in the blog post and the other things were taken into consideration whenever House Andrews answered the question about Kickstarter in the past (there’s been quite a push for this, at least in the last year since I’ve been moderating).
That’s why the focus of the article is to gage interest in number of print and particularly hardbacks 🙂 . Now if only everyone would stop talking about epubs…hehehe.
I love this idea! I have enjoyed all of your books and I have trust that I would enjoy something outside your usual niche.
For what it’s worth, I would be willing to do one of these to get a gift set or boxed set of the KD series in hardcover with some fabulous new art ????
GirlGeniusOnline is a web comic that publishes their print books via Kickstarter. I look forward to every print. That being said, I get the IA e-book for myself to read immediately and buy the print book to share (here! read this!) with others so they will understand what I am talking about and hopefully convert them to the BDH.
Do take into consideration the L1braries that buy your books also. I get a bit excited when I see one of the IA e-books scroll by with holds.
i guess i’m the minority here, i do have like 300 books on my kindle, but if i really enjoy a book or a book series, then i will always look for purchasing the hardcover version. The normal paperbacks i like, look like sh*t after i reread it 5 times which bugs me to no end.
So for books i thoroughly enjoy i will always try to get my hands on a hardcover copy to put it on my shelf, btw i am from germany so the international shipping answer was kinda important for me too.
On the other hand i only payed like 30€ for the hardcovers that i got from america so far, so i guess i was lucky.
Based on the engaging snippets posted so far, I would gladly fund a Kickstart effort to get a paperback copy of the new work. Although not a fan of romance, I have read HA’s HD, KD, and Inkeeper series multiple times owing to the outstanding characterizations and general warm-heartedness of these great stories. Sadly, the Edge and Kinsmen stories just didn’t do it for me. I agree 100% w/ what aab says: “I wish more people liked mass market paperbacks. I hate trade and hardcover, they take up too much space.” That said, I did buy a Kindl after realizing that too many of two series of exquisite novellas (Penric and Murderbot) in hardcover were elbowing their way onto my bookshelves. Darn that Lois McMaster Bujold and Martha Wells!
He he he! My husband reads the Murderbots and I have all the Penrics! (And most of the rest of Bujold as I can find them!)
As someone who moved every year or two between the ages of 18 and 35, with a library that steadily grew until it exploded, I HATE everything that’s not a mass market paperback or a standard-sized hardcover. Packing. Packing books that are the same size is easy peasy. Packing 200 books of all different sizes SUCKS. Standardization FTW.
Irony: now that I’ve been using a Kindle for a decade, I ONLY own special dead-tree books, which means none of them match.
In regards to questions 13 & 14, it very much depends on the “loot”. I’m 69, I don’t need a bookmark, a coffee mug, a hat/scarf, a bracelet or any of the usual items. A t-shirt specific to the book/series maybe. I’ve moved almost exclusively to audio and e-book. I try to stick with Audible because of playback issues (see recent comment by someone re GA) and all my audio books are then in one place. I’ve used both GraphicAudio and Chirp. I have your books in print, e-book, audio (both Audible and GA) and the Kinsman special edition. The older I get the more I move to audio.
The bottom line is that I have greatly enjoyed everything you’ve written so, if you publish it, I will buy it!
I hardly ever read printed books anymore just because I’ve become accustomed to the light from my electronic devices. Much easier to read. I am now addicted to GraphicAudio. Binge listened to the 3 available Innkeepers and preordered the 4th (even though I’ve read them multiple times). I was surprised on how much I must have skimmed over some details while reading that I heard when listening to it. Love all the IA books!
I don’t buy or want books. I read e-books only. For IA I would back Kickstarter, though.
Assuming it’s a bit like Patreon.
I like different tiers. I usually go for one that includes snippets, previews, early e-book releases and such.
As a retiree with limited funds I’m unlikely to start buying a lot of hard copies of books. I read mostly on my tablet or phone, particularly as I can adjust print size to allow for vision issues of older people, and I can also carry my library with me when I travel, or when I am waiting for appointments.
I do regularly buy both the ebook and the audiobook and would be interested in buying such a bundle. However. With a Kindle+Audible combination you can seamlessly listen during the day and pick up where you left of on your e-reader at night. An MP3-file wouldn’t be able to do that. Which defeats the point of buying a combo, really. (I’m sorry, Amazon has ruined me.)
I would however still buy said bundle if it was considerably cheaper than your normal ebook+audiobook combo. That would make the hassle of searching through the audio worth it.
Just my two cents. And as to the printed editions; I haven’t really bought printed fiction since 2006 or 2007, so that’s unlikely to change. The exception to that rule are a couple of beautiful collector’s boxes, but I only buy those if I love a book or series so much it deserves a spot in my living room. Seeing as how the Kickstarter book would be unpublished at that time, and likely not a finished series, this wouldn’t apply to the hypothetical Kickstarter project. If, at one point, there’d be a really pretty Hidden Legacy box with classy covers or something, I’d probably salivate over it and order. Same with a finished Julie series or a finished Hugh series. Good luck!
Yes!
I messed up. I very much prefer print books. Paperback and Mass Market or Trade size to fit my shelves. Thanks.
I love having hardbacks of my favorite series. I’d even be all in for hardback versions of the KD books not originally available in hardback.
I do not want to buy any printed books. I do not like people reading to me. I read faster then most people talk
There are options for all of that in the poll ????.
We are not counting comments.
For what it’s worth, you can speed up audio books. And slow them down. While not my preferred method, I have done some (GA excluded, LOVE those!) and speed them up for my listening. My grandmother who is hard of hearing, likes hers slowed down so she can understand them better. ????
I don’t think I understood the last question about waiting for the kickstarter to be on other sites. I thought it meant would I be willing to wait longer for my book until it was available to other people who weren’t on kickstarter. Which I would be. But I would definitely order thru kickstarter to ensure I got my book soonest and would want to get it as soon as possible!
And on the audiobook bundle question- I prefer audible bc that’s where I do all my audiobooks. But, I MUST have the audiobook and will purchase it however I need to.
You understood correctly ????
I would support a kickstarter campaign if it included e-books. I live in a small space with no room for more books but I would definitely fund kickstarter to support my favorite author to get a book published.
I may have answered question #15 backwards (I really don’t like how it was written). If the question means that I would wait to get the book(s)/loot/kickstarter items until they were available on other platforms (so not expecting early preview/delivery), then my answer should have been 4 instead of 2.
Truthfully I’m part of bdh…if you write a book tell me where I can get it…if it’s on Kickstart I’ll go there, if it’s a pre-order I’ll go to barnes and noble, and if I must I’ll go to Amazon, just tell me where. The absolute worse book I read from AI reached my really liked level, so to me if AI, writes it I’ll put effort in to get it, as soon as I can…so far liked to love your audio narrators to so I grab them up too. (Not a huge graphic audio fan but have them too)
So basically tell the where to get it and I’ll happily get my computer to the site, to get at least some format of it, prefer ebook but that’s more cause I get it right way
Right before Dick Francis published his fourth book writing with his son Felix, I moved.
I p