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News, Fiction Updates & General MusingsKindle Worlds: Why Amazon’s Fan Fiction Platform is Good News
A couple of years ago, self-publishing was a dirty word.
Okay, okay — it still is. But it’s slowly shaking its negative connotations. People are not only able to publish books that publishers dismiss as inappropriate, but are managing to form stable careers through independent publishing. Criticise Amazon as much as you like, but I believe that KDP has been central to this image change, and I’m willing to bet that a high percentage of fellow writers would agree.
Fan fiction is a similarly ‘dirty’ term. After all, how can something be legitimate if it’s directly based on someone else’s source material? Fan fiction tends to strike the vast majority of people as something of a childish fantasy; a writer’s beginning before moving on to more original ideas.
But some people love writing fan fiction, and Amazon might just have found a way for that hobby to evolve into something else entirely.
Yesterday, Amazon announced Kindle Worlds. Kindle Worlds is the first major platform that allows writers to publish fan fiction and earn royalties for doing so. Currently, there are only licenses for three ‘worlds’ — Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars and The Vampire Diaries — but this is expected to grow in time.
A lot of the initial concerns surrounding Kindle Worlds have been questions of quality. Fan fiction writers, some argue, are yet to learn the true mechanics of writing if they feel they should have to rely on rules established by others to create a story.
However, I think this is largely inaccurate yet staggeringly familiar. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that self-published authors were accused of not really understanding story mechanics, hence their lack of traditional publication. Of course, we know now that this is not true. Sure, self-publishing might be full of slush, but that slush remains unnoticed at the bottom while the real good stuff rises to the top. I expect the case of fan fiction to be somewhat similar — some good material, mostly bad material, but nobody notices the bad material anyway so the good material stands out.
But really, I think that Kindle Worlds is another example of Amazon’s wise business practices. Ultimately, the company is majorly profiting from our ability to be creative. Amazon realises that sometimes, in the case of KDP, quality might be an issue, but it takes those risks for the 20% of great reads out there. Amazon is a business who understands the future, and for that I applaud them.
There are a few concerns, of course. The small print argues that once fan fiction has been published through the Kindle Worlds platform, Amazon are entitled to the rights of that world, with your permission. All that means is they can re-use your world or characters if they want to. Personally, I don’t think this is such a big issue. If you have created a character who is so damn appealing they get Amazon attention, then pat yourself on the back.
Or just use the world in your own original work instead and keep all the copyrights. It’s your choice.
Kindle Worlds will upset some people, but the possibilities it opens for a whole new type of writer are unquestionable. Although the catalogue may currently be limited, as it grows, I look forward to observing the results.
And writing that The Walking Dead episode I’ve always wanted to work on!
*
Moving swiftly from the world of fan fiction and work of my own, I have a new book coming out over the next couple of days. It’s called The Painting, and I talked about it here. New Release Notification subscribers will be the very first to hear about it, so click here if you fancy being one of the early readers.
Until then, feel free to send me some fan fiction of my work via email. Now that WOULD be flattering…
Ryan.
The Painting (The Watching Book 1) Preview
On Sunday, I revealed a brand-new project titled The Painting, which is the first novella in a planned creepy suspense series of three for launch in 2013.
I promised a preview of the book, so here you go. All I ask for in return is that you share this post with somebody you think might enjoy it. If they enjoy it, they’re more than welcome to click here to pick up a copy and continue reading.
Enjoy!
*
He knew they were still watching him.
“Donny, you’re going to have to come out of there.” Banging at the door, muffled voices.
He knew they were still watching him because he felt their gaze. He felt it from inside his body—their eyes examining every inch of his being.
The trees.
But there was more than trees. The figures. There were definitely figures. He’d seen them and he knew what they were now. He knew where they came from and what it all meant.
Watching… waiting… waiting for somebody else to come along.
He pulled his head from under the quilt as he heard knocking at the door.
“Donny, you’re gonna have to come out of there at some point,” she shouted.
He wanted to shout back. He wanted to jump out of the bed and run back to her, but he was completely frozen.
We’rewatchingwe’rewatchingwe’rewatching.
Would they see the figures too? Or was it just him?
Was it all over?
As he elevated himself from the bed, he tried not to look at the painting—not even in his mind’s eye. He still felt their gazes burning through the sheets and engulfing his body.
He knew they were still there.
He could still hear the creeping of their slender feet squelching across the marshy grass. Their little hands tap, tap, tapping the thin air.
“Donny, come on.”
She couldn’t hear them. Only he could hear them. Only he was special enough.
Pitter-patter up the stairs.
No. They weren’t there, not anymore. It was over. It was over.
They sang a song sometimes—a quiet song. It was hard to make out, but he heard the whispers and calls. It was sort of like a nursery rhyme—a coming home. Something his mother might have hummed to him as she moved back on forth on her rocking chair.
The cracking of a floorboard.
Pitter-patter of little feet up the stairs.
“Donny, I know you’re in there, and I know you’re scared, but you just need to get out of there or we’re gonna have to get you out of there ourselves.”
Sara. She’d found him. She’d come back for him. She was going to take him home and then all of this would be over.
But they were watching.
He pulled his head back under the quilt like he used to do when he was a little boy hiding from the monsters under the bed.
Resist them, resist them.
He heard a deeper voice outside the room, then a cough and a sigh. “We’re going to knock the door down, mate,” the man’s voice said.
More mumbling. He couldn’t knock the door down. Knocking the door down would let them in and then they’d see them too and they would take them away. They’d take Sara away.
Wouldn’t they?
But he couldn’t get up from under the quilt. They would be watching from the painting. They always watched from the painting. He kept still as his body shook against the dusty white sheets. A little bit of his foot was exposed at the end of the bed but he had to keep it still—the coldness growing closer and tickling its way up his ankles.
Crash.
He squeezed his eyes together. The singing started. He heard it inside him, like headphones wired into his skull. The humming. No words—just beautiful, bright music.
Crash.
He had to stop them. He had to stop them, warn them, and get them out of here.
He threw the quilt out of his face as the door crashed again and the light cut through the darkness of the room, stinging his eyes. He waved his hands towards them. “Get… get out, just go. You can’t be here, they’re watching—”
“Donny, it’s okay. It’s me,” the man said. He held his hands up in front of him like a perpetrator caught by the police.
“It’s the painting. They’re watching, and, and—”
“Donny, there’s nothing on the painting. Nothing on it. See? Look at it. There’s nothing there.”
Donny tilted his head towards it. The bronzing frame, the autumn leaves—
No. They’d be there. He couldn’t go back. He couldn’t risk going back. Manny Bates ended up here and she never got back. He couldn’t risk being another Manny Bates.
“Just look at it, Don,” Sara said, pointing her finger at it. “There’s nothing there.”
He squeezed his eyes together. Just check. Just check, then you’ll know. He turned his shaking head to the painting and almost immediately swung his gaze away.
The six trees. The forest. The grey sky. And the figures.
The six, hooded figures.
He felt their presence in the room as he smiled and shook his head. The cold crept up his flesh as Sara’s face grew ever more distant.
“See, there’s nothing there,” Sara said, her voice little more than a mumble as Donny drifted away into the darkness.
*
And that’s all for now, folks! Hope you’ve enjoyed this little preview of The Painting. If you have, then feel free to continue reading by picking up a copy here.
Have a great week. It’s my first exam of 2013 on Friday so wish me luck!
R.C.
The Painting: New Book from Ryan Casey, Coming Soon…
Surprise: I have a new release on the way.
It’s called ‘The Painting’, as you can see from the lovely cover to the left, and is the first part of a series I like to call ‘The Watching’.
The Painting is indeed the novella I was working on when I tracked my progress a few weeks ago. Just shows how quickly releases can be put together when we really throw everything we’ve got at them.
What is The Painting?
The Painting is a 27,000 word suspense novella. It’s the creepy tale of a struggling writer who retreats to an old, abandoned house for inspiration.
Finding writing tough, he stumbles upon a painting in the house, and soon becomes inspired to finish his novel.
However, when he notices six figures getting closer and closer from within the painting, everything begins to change. Is he slowly losing his mind? Or is there something else at play?
Of course, you’ll have to pick up a copy when it launches at the end of the month to find out. Naturally, my mailing list subscribers will be the first to hear, so click here for new release notifications (zero spam and total privacy, promise).
If you use GoodReads, you can also add it to your ‘to-read’ list here.
Can I read a sample of the book?
Of course you can!
This Wednesday.
I know, I know — how unfair, etc — but you’ll just have to wait a little longer. I’m really happy with it though and I’m sure fans of my other work will be fond of it, particularly if you enjoyed my short fiction. Beta reader feedback has been positive so far, so that’s always a good thing.
Have a fantastic Sunday!
Ryan.
The Painting: The Watching I launches at the end of May. To be notified as soon as the book is available, sign up to the Ryan’s new release mailing list or add it you your GoodReads list.
Let’s Get Visible by David Gaughran is Now Available
Authors and publishers, stop what you’re doing and head on over to Amazon right this moment. David Gaughran, one of the most self-publishing savvy authors out there, has just launched his new book, Let’s Get Visible: How To Get Noticed And Sell More Books.
I’ve been a huge fan of David’s work ever since I picked up a copy of his first publishing guide, Let’s Get Digital, last year. It provided me with the tools and confidence I needed to pursue self-publishing, and I owe a lot to him for giving me that final push. If you’re contemplating independently publishing your books, check out Let’s Get Digital.
As for Let’s Get Visible, I downloaded it last night at 6pm and finished reading it an hour or so later. Not only is there a far-from-confusing guide to understanding the mythical Amazon algorithms, there’s some great tips on maximising promotions and getting the most out of a book’s potential visibility. Advice on maximising visibility in certain categories I found useful in particular.
Consider it a manifesto for the independent author. That said, plenty of traditional publishers could learn a few lessons from it too, but don’t hold your breath.
Overall, if you’ve read Let’s Get Digital, then you’ll no doubt be reading this already. If you haven’t, pick up the first book then grab this. Whether new to publishing or more experienced, there’s something for everyone.
Hope you’re having a good weekend!
Let’s Get Visible is available to download from Amazon and other stores. To visit David’s website, click here.
Writing for a Living: Preparing for a Career in Making Stuff Up
In three weeks time, I’ll be completely free.
After seventeen years in full-time education, I finally pack my bags and head back home from the University of Birmingham, where I’m finishing up my English with Creative Writing degree programme. I’ve enjoyed my time there and learned a lot of life lessons, so it’s safe to say I’ve no regrets.
That said, I’m ready to leave.
For the last two years, I’ve juggled my fiction writing/blogging/marketing with my degree. Neither have suffered for my extended commitments, except perhaps my sanity (joke — I’ve never been sane). However, as scary and daunting as finishing up and leaving for the real world is, I could not be more excited.
On June 1st, I begin my full-time career of making stuff up and writing for a living.
I’ve thought long and hard about where I want to go in the future. I’ve contemplated journalism, with fiction on the side. I’ve thought about graduate programmes and masters degrees, but all of those would really just be delaying what I believe is my true calling: writing and publishing fiction for a living.
Don’t get me wrong — full disclosure and all that — I don’t currently earn enough from my fiction to make a living. That’s no surprise though, really. I only have one novel out and it’s a standalone. Even so, through judicious use of KDP Select, I’ve earned around $1,200 from the book since November, which is probably more like $700 when all costs are taken out. I’ve made enough to fund another novel, and that was my personal goal with this book.
The truth is, when it comes to writing for a living, I don’t have to make mega-bucks to be happy. I’m totally willing to live on the breadline for two years whilst I see out my upcoming projects. I don’t want to go into too much depth just yet but I’ve got a VERY comprehensive map of releases from this day right up until December 2015. Although the publishing landscape will change, probably for better and for worse, these releases will not. If I see out this goal, I’ll have enough good quality books out to call this fantastic little activity a career.
I have a fantastic family who have supported me through every stage of my life and I know they’ll support me in the next step. I know that this will require patience — financial results are never instant with a growing career — but if I follow my set path, I’ll be in a good position at the end of what I’m now dubbing ‘stage 2’ to consider myself writing for a living wage. Stage 1 was launching the first book, selling copies, building an audience; stage 2 is what follows.
The decision to make writing my full-time activity (I refuse to call it a job) wasn’t easy. I’m well aware that writing for a living isn’t a click of the fingers thing and that I’ll have to pursue part-time employment every now and then to make ends meet. Regardless, I totally believe in myself and know that if I can just commit to a few thousand words per day, this will only be a temporary scenario.
KBoards has been a great source of encouragement lately. Over there, there’s loads of members writing for a living and sharing their stories. See here and here for two fantastic and inspirational examples.
I’ve realised it isn’t about luck anymore. In the old days, it was: you crossed your fingers to be picked up by a publisher, and even then, success was far from guaranteed. Now, it’s just about creating professional products, and plenty of them. Well, that, and constantly seeking to improve writing craft.
I know I can do that. I will do that.
At the end of this month, I’ll be launching a new book (to be notified as soon as it’s available, click here). I’d like to dedicate it to my family; my friends; all the readers of the website; people who email; reviewers, whether positive or constructively critical; Facebook friends; Twitter people, and so on. Basically, to everyone who has supported me and continues to support me going into this exciting yet terrifying second stage.
Here’s to writing for a living and following dreams.
Who’s with me?
Thanks for the support.
Ryan Casey.
Ageism and Writing: Why to Take Pride in Your Age
I don’t comment on my reviews.
Generally, I’m pleased with how things are going. The last time I checked, my debut book had a pretty good average. Naturally, there are a mixture of opinions out there. Some think the characters are great and really capture that youthful nostalgia, others don’t particularly enjoy the voice of the characters. That’s fine: it’s a taste thing, so I can completely buy that.
I’ve taken my fair share of 5, 4, 3, and 2-star reviews, and pretty much all of them have revolved around a matter of taste and preference rather than content or quality of writing. For that, I’m happy.
However, there are two comments in (otherwise well-argued) reviews that have always stuck with me and probably always will.
They read as follows:
‘Overall, the writer needs to grow up a bit…’
And another:
‘At several times I concluded that the writer was disconnected from reality, then I realised they were young…’
Probably two of the most scathing comments I’ve ever received, and what’s the common theme? Age.
Despite being aware of ageism, I’m very open about my age in my books, on my blog, across social media, etc. In case you don’t know, I’m 21. Yeah — I’m just finishing university and I’m publishing books. If you find that uncomfortable, then don’t read my stuff.
Something else: I’m proud of my age. I’m proud that I’m not just writing for a hobby at 21 but actively going out there investing in editing and cover design, and putting my work on the market.
The notion that age correlates with quality is, quite frankly, absurd. Now, I totally appreciate that writers improve with experience — that’s a given. And sure, people naturally put out more books the older they get. However, by this logic, a first-time novel from a seventy-year old is automatically better than a tenth novel by a twenty-five year old. Right?
Wrong.
That first-time novel might be fantastic. I’d imagine it won’t be quite as fantastic as the writing of someone who has been studying and practising craft for ten years, even if they are half their age. Writing quality isn’t a matter of age — it’s a matter of experience. Well, that, and a whole load of personal preference.
99.99999% of the writing and publishing community are fantastic. I was actually stunned by the lack of ageism between authors when I first started writing. I rather cynically expected at least some ageism, but it just hasn’t worked that way, so thank you for that.
99.99999% of readers, whether they love or loathe my stuff, are also great, and I appreciate every comment. It is interesting how what I believe is reader ageism affects things, though, even if it is in the minority. If I leave something open and ambiguous in a novel, it isn’t because of a desire to provoke debate from the reader but because, ‘oh, he’s young, so it’s wrong, so he’ll learn.’
Think about it: if I decide in my own conscious mind that I’ll break convention somewhat by not hooking up the protagonist and his love interest, refusing to give readers a clichéd ending, it’s not because I’m ‘just young’ — it’s because, as a writer, I’ve decided to make that conscious decision. If you didn’t like it, that’s a taste thing.
But of course, I’m young, so that conscious decision is probably wrong.
This post isn’t a rant, by the way. Like I said, ageism is something I came into the field expecting and I’ve been rather surprised by the lack of it I’ve encountered.
This post is also not not NOT a way of branding all negative commenters as culprits of ageism. If you read my book or anybody’s book and you don’t enjoy it, you’re 10000% entitled to feel that way and express those views, but just do us all a favour and give us legitimate criticism that we can take and work on in future rather than putting it down to age. In my case, sadly, I can’t get old with a click of the fingers.
I can imagine some would suggest to hide my age in my books but the truth is, I’m proud of it. I’m writing and publishing books at 21. Yes, 21. If you can’t deal with that, then I apologise, but I’ve got another book to work on and more experience to gain.
Have you ever encountered ageism in writing?
Image courtesy of MC Speedy via Flickr