About two years ago I was part of a company that wanted to finance start-ups. I saw quite a few projects and ideas, some of them really amazing -the type that made me go “why didn’t I think of that?” and “Now, that is so useful, I wonder how we managed to live so long without it!” This line of work didn’t work out, but today I read about a start-up that I wish I had financed because it connects books and smart ideas!
Enter Screwpulp, a service that offers free ebooks -mainly from new authors. The twist is in the interesting constraints that accompany the service:
- readers can download one book at a time, review it and upload the review. Only then can they download a new book
- ebooks with good reviews go higher up the list
- when an ebook has reached 25 downloads, it moves from being free to costing 1$
- early adopters of an ebook benefit from a better price
- screwpulp can then be used as a tool to reach the optimum price for an ebook.
So, take a look, and maybe you will soon enough be one of Screwpulp’s new users!
Reblogged this on karmaawakened and commented:
Fascinating, I know I will contemplate this. Would anyone else consider using this?
MT has promised to try it out and let us know in a guest post. Mad Water, my next book in my epic fantasy/sci-fi series Pearseus, is coming out mid-May. When it does, I’m considering putting Year 18, the first Pearseus book, on Screwpulp to test the waters. Again, I’ll be sure to share the experience if I do it.
Agreed, sounds like a very clever idea. I’m still writing away before going through the whole submission process for “traditional” publishing (there’s always hope, even if chances are miniscule, right?), but if that fails and I have to consider self-publishing, I’ll definitely consider Screwpulp. Thanks for sharing, Nicholas.
Amos, I absolutely encourage you to try out trad publishing, as long as that doesn’t slow you down. My problem with publishers and agents is that they take forever to reply, and expect you to not submit your work elsewhere while they consider it. Years can pass that way, waiting for the next rejection, while you could be working on your author career instead.
I know what you mean – I experienced a little of that when I sent some of my work to four or five agents before realising that I needed to re-work my whole approach. I’ve blogged about my impressions a little sarcastically in https://amosmcarpenter.com/2014/03/15/welcome-to-the-submission-circus/ but also credited the very rejections I experienced with helping to improve me as a writer in https://amosmcarpenter.com/2014/03/01/the-road-so-far/ . Like you say, time is the major issue, and having to be patient can be frustrating, but also rewarding (though only to a very few). I’m working on a series of books, so when I finish Book One, I’ll have plenty to work on while I jump through the submission circus hoops one at a time.
That’s a very healthy attitude, thanks for sharing! 🙂
Reblogged this on The August Rose Press Blog and commented:
At August Rose Press, we love when others share information for the benefit of others. We think this is worth checking out. Thank you to Nicholas C. Rossis for this post!
Thank you for your comment and for reblogging, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂
Intriguing. I will check this out.
Wow. Looks brilliant. I’ve two books out in June and July this might help me… If I can get them to read the first two – note to self write stand alone books.
Cheers
MTM
If you do, I’d love a guest post with details and how it worked out.
That goes for the rest of the people here, I don’t mean to play favorites! 🙂
I don’t think they need to be stand-alone, mind you. I’m thinking of sending Year 18, and if people like it, they can buy the rest of the series on Amazon.
Will do.
I’ve signed up and sent them the first book in my trilogy, which is free everywhere anyway.
We’ll see what happens next. Probably a couple of you’ve done it wrong e-mails before we get going, phnark. If you’re into guest posts I can let you know how it goes here in a couple of months… if you like I mean.
Cheers
MTM
I’d love a guest post regarding your experience with Screwpulp! Thanks in advance! 🙂
Thank you! Yeh, I’m on.
I’d definitely give it a go! Dont most of us indies give away free books in return for reviews anyway? Which quite often fail to appear! The most important thing for a new author is to be read. I wouldnt mind putting the first book of my trilogy up as my second one is released.
That’s a great idea, and one I think a lot of us will be considering. Mad Water (book 3 of Pearseus) is due to be published mid-May, so… 🙂
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's New (to me) Authors Blog and commented:
Hey Authors – any opinions comments, information on this? 🙂
That indeed sounds interesting! A clever idea with potential for authors and their work. Thanks for sharing, Nicholas!
I thought so, too! As soon as Y18 is out of KDP, I’ll try it out. I’ll let you know how it goes! 🙂