Give idea, get story (now with 20% more Haggis!) - Update: Hardback cover book

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  • edited February 2012
    Guys... o.o

    Epicness: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/129173
    ST-Cover.png


    Follow Edward, the ugliest and probably most haphazard king Struglend has ever had, and his herald Fred, as they go on a quest to restore order to the universe. Well, maybe not the universe, but at least the little piece of land they call home – Struglend. In their journey to remove the evil knight who has invaded the kingdom, they meet several hilarious characters that remind them how good it is to have a semi-sane mind in a crazy, crazy world.

    In case some of you missed it, Jan Jacob Mekes = Haggis ^^
  • edited February 2012
    I would love to say I would wait until the physical release, but alas, I was weak.
  • edited February 2012
    @Haggis:

    Out of curiosity, how long would I have to wait for a physical copy? Also, which purchase would benefit you most? If it came down to it, despite my love for physical books, I'd buy the ebook if you get more money from it.
  • edited February 2012
    Hey ho, sorry for taking so long to reply! I don't have a new story prepared just yet, but as you can see, I've been kind of busy launching my book! :D

    I have, however, compiled 28 of last year's stories into a free e-book, as promised, which you can download here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/132585

    Now I'll get to working on the print edition of Struglend Tales, and then I'll return to crafting your prompts into even more bizarre stories! :)
    tbm1986 wrote: »
    Another awesome story that took some thinking out of the box. Have you ever read An Inspector Calls, by JB Priestley? The ending is somewhat...similar...
    Haven't read that, no... but there's bound to be similarities, since pretty much everything has already been done at least once. It's just the characters and settings that change, really.
    Hahaha, Haggis writing for a movie?? Animation or not, who would be crazy enough to let Haggis be a scriptwriter? Hahaha! You guys are funny!
    Yeah, it would never work.
    tredlow wrote: »
    Well, I only found 1 sentence from Birdhouse in Your Soul, which was "Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch."
    I also sneaked in "I'm your only friend" from the intro of the song. I know, maybe it's a bit too sneaky. :)
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    I would love to say I would wait until the physical release, but alas, I was weak.
    Why, thank you! If only everyone was so weak... :D
    @Haggis:

    Out of curiosity, how long would I have to wait for a physical copy? Also, which purchase would benefit you most? If it came down to it, despite my love for physical books, I'd buy the ebook if you get more money from it.
    I don't know how long it will take to finish the print edition... it's the first time I'm designing a book, and making a print book is quite a different ball game than an e-book... it could be available this month or the next... but I'd be surprised (and disappointed, with myself and the world at large) if it would take any longer than that.

    As for what would benefit me most... right now I have no idea. I get $ 2.21 from every purchase at Smashwords, but I don't know what that margin will be for the paperback yet. That depends on the base price, which I'll only know when I've completed the design process. I'll let you all know more when I know more! :)
  • edited February 2012
    Speaking of that locked room murder story, I got an idea:

    A mailman is delivering a package to a man who lives in a colonial-style mansion out in the countryside. The man lives by himself, no staff, no spouse, no children. When the mailman arrives to the man's house, he notices the front door is slightly opened.

    And when the mailman looks inside, he sees the man dead on the ground, a large pool of blood behind his head.

    Just my idea for a beginning.
  • edited February 2012
    Yeah, that would surely help him out...

    And FYI, that was sarcasm. Just so you know.
  • edited February 2012
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    Yeah, that would surely help him out...

    And FYI, that was sarcasm. Just so you know.

    Don't be an S.O.B.
  • edited February 2012
    That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.
  • edited February 2012
    Uhh it's my turn soon. :D
  • edited February 2012
    To get back to Alcoremortis' question, the print version of Struglend Tales will be $ 7.99, but I get a bigger return from e-book purchases at Smashwords. If you'd rather wait for the paperback though, that might take a month or two (I'm waiting for the proof copy to arrive).
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.
    Yes, Noname215, I suggest you turn that into a story suggestion of your own. With some interesting additional elements, it could turn into something nice! :)
    Uhh it's my turn soon. :D
    Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/take-me-to-your-leader/
  • edited February 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    To get back to Alcoremortis' question, the print version of Struglend Tales will be $ 7.99, but I get a bigger return from e-book purchases at Smashwords. If you'd rather wait for the paperback though, that might take a month or two (I'm waiting for the proof copy to arrive).

    Well, I'd rather get the version that gives you a bigger return even though my overstuffed bookshelf...well, actually, my bookshelf really doesn't need to have more books crammed into it. To ebooks go I!
  • edited February 2012
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    That's not really a locked-room story, but it could be a different one. It might help if you come up with some off-the-wall words to give him some inspiration on where to take it, though.

    Knife in the back.
    No fingerprints.
    Only clue is erased security tape.
    Victim had many enemies because of his wealth.

    That better?
  • edited February 2012
    You know, seeing stuff like this is inspiring. :D

    Keep up the good work Haggis! Im rootin' for ya.

    (I really want to get to making stuff, but at the moment I'm being a lazy ass! XD)
  • edited February 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/take-me-to-your-leader/

    That was depressing...

    Anyway, here's a fun little one.

    Thanks to you I started something similar myself with a bunch of friends, and for the first one, one of my friends came up with the following keywords:
    • Train
    • Timer (like a stopwatch or something similar)
    • Fraud

    Actually, the keywords were "trein", "timer" and "oplichting", but you get the point.

    Now, I already have written the story and posted it to them, but it would be fun to see what you came up with. Afterwards, I will post mine (although someone should need to translate it to English).
  • edited February 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    Not yet... still 3 more stories before I get to yours... no, wait... 2 more! Because here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/02/20/take-me-to-your-leader/

    Yay getting close! :D

    And that was really funny by the way, I laughed through the whole ting. :D
  • edited February 2012
    Oh hey, what time is it? It's... story time! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/03/01/bronies/

    And also it's time to reply to some of you lovely people.
    Well, I'd rather get the version that gives you a bigger return even though my overstuffed bookshelf...well, actually, my bookshelf really doesn't need to have more books crammed into it. To ebooks go I!
    Thank you kindly! :D I appreciate every customer and promise I will love them to death.*

    * Void where prohibited
    Noname215 wrote: »
    Knife in the back.
    No fingerprints.
    Only clue is erased security tape.
    Victim had many enemies because of his wealth.

    That better?
    Yes, I'm sure I can do something with that. :)
    You know, seeing stuff like this is inspiring. :D

    Keep up the good work Haggis! Im rootin' for ya.

    (I really want to get to making stuff, but at the moment I'm being a lazy ass! XD)
    Thanks! Good to know that I somehow inspire people. :D And the trick to stop being lazy is to let your work depend on others, like I'm doing with these stories. If you have someone who's expecting you to make stuff, that's a good motivator.
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    Now, I already have written the story and posted it to them, but it would be fun to see what you came up with. Afterwards, I will post mine (although someone should need to translate it to English).
    Cool idea, it'll be interesting to see what we come up with. :) And I wouldn't mind translating the story, if it's not too long (unless you'd rather do it yourself or have someone else do it).

    And it's funny how you found it depressing, while VeronicanPlay laughed all the way through. Are you sure you two read the same story? ;)
  • edited February 2012
    <gasp!> Yay, my story!!
  • edited February 2012
    A story that had me laughing and disgusted (at how generalisations and misconceptions are all too commonplace in real life too) all the way through. Good work, sir!
  • edited February 2012
    That was brilliant and even though it was serious it still made me laugh.

    And just because I can't keep it in... Yay 1 more story then it's my turn! (claps and jumps in joy). :D
  • edited February 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    And it's funny how you found it depressing, while VeronicanPlay laughed all the way through. Are you sure you two read the same story? ;)

    I'm easily depressed.
  • edited March 2012
    So I just got around to reading it. The Will Wright reference wasn't at all what I was expecting, but I loved it anyways.
  • edited March 2012
    Wow. Bronies was easily my favorite so far.
  • edited March 2012
    Here's a new one! http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/03/05/jack-of-spades/
    tbm1986 wrote: »
    A story that had me laughing and disgusted (at how generalisations and misconceptions are all too commonplace in real life too) all the way through. Good work, sir!
    Thanks! :)
    That was brilliant and even though it was serious it still made me laugh.
    Yeah, I can't help it. Even serious stories benefit from some amount of humour.
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    I'm easily depressed.
    To be fair, I was going for a bit of a sad ending there. :)
    ted12 wrote: »
    So I just got around to reading it. The Will Wright reference wasn't at all what I was expecting, but I loved it anyways.
    I had almost forgotten to put in the reference... I had it worked out in my head, but for some reason I forgot to put it in while writing...
    Wow. Bronies was easily my favorite so far.
    Cool, apparently I'm getting better! :)

    And since you all seem to like it so much, I guess I'll have to put it into the 2012 anthology (I hadn't planned to at first, because of the references to real-world brands like MLP and Fox, but what the hey, it's all artistic liberty... right? :confused:)
  • edited March 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    And since you all seem to like it so much, I guess I'll have to put it into the 2012 anthology (I hadn't planned to at first, because of the references to real-world brands like MLP and Fox, but what the hey, it's all artistic liberty... right? :confused:)

    I don't know about your laws, but it's not for profit, so in the States, you should be fine. It's no worse than an average fanfic. (well, in fairness a fanfic is technically a lot worse, but whatever.)
  • edited March 2012
    Okay, so, I've got this question about Smashwords.

    If I, say, decide to write an eBook and publish it on Smashwords, I can set a percentage of how much is free sample material. Now I assume it's a very stupid idea and I should be pelted for it if I were ever to do it (or for even thinking about it), but is it possible to make the entire book a free sample, meaning people have the choice to either buy the eBook or not?
  • edited March 2012
    Make a story about a guy with two heads that owns a book store.
  • edited March 2012
    Make a story about a guy with two heads that owns a pizzeria.

    Isn't that an episode of Futurama?
  • edited March 2012
    Isn't that an episode of Futurama?

    Is it? I didn't know that.

    How about instead of a pizzeria, he owns a book store?
  • edited March 2012
    Okay, finally, here's your story, VeronicanPlay! I hope it is to your liking. http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/03/10/the-charmer-snake/
    ted12 wrote: »
    I don't know about your laws, but it's not for profit, so in the States, you should be fine. It's no worse than an average fanfic. (well, in fairness a fanfic is technically a lot worse, but whatever.)
    Okay, yeah, I'll just go ahead and take a chance. Maybe they'll even sue me... then I'll be famous! :D
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    Okay, so, I've got this question about Smashwords.

    If I, say, decide to write an eBook and publish it on Smashwords, I can set a percentage of how much is free sample material. Now I assume it's a very stupid idea and I should be pelted for it if I were ever to do it (or for even thinking about it), but is it possible to make the entire book a free sample, meaning people have the choice to either buy the eBook or not?
    I'm not sure if you can do that, but Smashwords does offer the option to use a "pay what you want" pricing model, so that may work for you.

    Oh, and SilverWolfPet told me to add this picture here of me holding my book... to show all of you what you're missing out on if you don't buy it! :D

    mereadingstruglendtales_small-261x300.jpg
  • edited March 2012
    Oh sure, blame it on the wolf...
  • edited March 2012
    Interesting, but you may want to fix this typo:
    Adisa looked up at her mother and smiled, show smiled back.

    Is it possible to get a physical copy of Struglend Tales from a non-Amazon source, or do they have the exclusive?
  • edited March 2012
    Allow me to quickly answer that for ya:
    https://www.createspace.com/3799644

    ^^ I'm waiting for mine to arrive!
  • edited March 2012
    Allow me to quickly answer that for ya:
    https://www.createspace.com/3799644

    Only problem:

    CreateSpace is a DBA of On-Demand Publishing LLC, part of the Amazon group of companies.

    So they're really also Amazon.

    I know, not a problem for most people.
  • edited March 2012
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    Only problem:

    CreateSpace is a DBA of On-Demand Publishing LLC, part of the Amazon group of companies.

    So they're really also Amazon.

    I know, not a problem for most people.

    Who cares. I'll take 12 of it.
  • edited March 2012
    Beh, unfortunately, Amazon, and Amazon has no Paypal support. Added to that is the fact that I don't have a credit card, and you'll get the point.

    That, and my mom told me not to order anything for the next few years. Because I'm broke.

    Although I really want it. I just can't read stuff online, because my head will hurt.
  • edited March 2012
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    Interesting, but you may want to fix this typo
    Thanks, I fixed it. The stories I put online are pretty much first drafts. I only go over them to fix the mistakes when compiling the anthology.
    WarpSpeed wrote: »
    Only problem:

    CreateSpace is a DBA of On-Demand Publishing LLC, part of the Amazon group of companies.

    So they're really also Amazon.

    I know, not a problem for most people.
    May I inquire what the exact problem is for you regarding Amazon? If it's a practical problem, such as payment methods, there's a way around it; I'd have to switch on expanded distribution, then US bookstores will be able to stock or order the book.

    If it's about an Amazon boycott however, there's not much I can do. Since I published the book through CreateSpace, Amazon will always get a portion of any sale. The "easiest" way to fix this would be to have another edition printed by another company, but that would be a lot of extra work, and it would dilute the book's presence on the market.
    GaryCXJk wrote: »
    Beh, unfortunately, Amazon, and Amazon has no Paypal support. Added to that is the fact that I don't have a credit card, and you'll get the point.

    That, and my mom told me not to order anything for the next few years. Because I'm broke.

    Although I really want it. I just can't read stuff online, because my head will hurt.
    Well, if you do want to order it some day, just let me know and we can figure out something. The same goes for everyone else who can't buy from Amazon. I'll work on setting up some sort of store page on my site where you can pay with PayPal.

    Also, sorry for not having another story ready yet, I just wanted to address these issues first. :)
  • edited March 2012
    Haggis wrote: »
    May I inquire what the exact problem is for you regarding Amazon?

    It's complicated, and I don't want to go into it all here, but it's a matter of providing personal info to Amazon, not a desire to keep them from profiting in any way. So "expanded distribution" may be an option, though I don't know what's involved in that. (If there's no possible downside, why wouldn't everyone choose it?)

    Another thing is that, at least here in the U.S., independent booksellers are all but dead. So I'd have to order it at some huge place like Barnes & Noble, and they normally only stock their own stuff. And I don't think I'm up for paying for international shipping right now. :)
  • edited March 2012
    Only one thing I can say about my story...

    Squeeeeee!!! I loved it. :D
  • edited May 2012
    WarpSpeed, I guess your best bet would be to get the e-book version then, sorry. And I'm glad you liked the story, VP!

    Now, finally I have returned from the grave to bring you another bizarre story: http://bouffonbooks.com/2012/05/05/an-apology/

    Sorry for being so late, I hope to have the next done a bit sooner.
  • edited May 2012
    Returning from the grave can be considered spamming.

    ...I'll just let this one slide.
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