Latest from the Creator
PROJECT UPDATE
Charles M. Ryan
CREATOR
13 days ago
Project Update: TMNO eBook and Other Updates
Hi, all—
We closed the pledge manager last week, and this evening I sent out the ebook of the original edition of The Mason of New Orleans. You should already have received an email with instructions on downloading the file. (If you didn't, just log into BackerKit and you should be able to download it.)
The email should also include instructions on opening the ebook on your Kindle, iPad, or similar device. Here’s the overview:
Using a Kindle or the Kindle app on your phone or tablet:
- Go here: https://www.amazon.com/sendtokindle (you’ll have to be logged into Amazon).
- Drag the file into the big gray square. Make sure the "Add to your library” toggle is on (by default it should be).
- Click Send. If all goes well, it should be accessible from your library on your Kindle or Kindle app.
Using Apple Books:
On your Mac, iPad, or iPhone, simply open the file! That should add it to your library, which (depending on your settings) may make it appear in your library on other devices. (So, for example, if you open it on you Mac laptop, it should then appear in your library on your iPad.) If your settings don’t allow that, you can transfer the file to your other device (email or text it to yourself) and open it there.
Using other common ebook readers or apps:
The EPUB format is industry standard, so it will open on most devices and applications. You’ll have to dig out the instructions yourself, though.
Audiobook News
The audiobook for The Mason of New Orleans has been my primary focus for the past couple of months. It’s an interesting process! As I mentioned back in November, I auditioned over 60 potential narrators—at about 10 minutes per audition, that alone was quite a lot of listening! After settling on my choice, I put together a detailed pronunciation guide for the nearly 200 names and terms that might not be familiar to modern readers or listeners.
Then he got to work! He’d deliver chapters, I’d listen and give feedback, and so on. Early chapters sometimes needed two or three rounds, but as feedback was incorporated the process became smoother and smoother. Later chapters often only needed a few revisions.
The audiobook ended up running over 19 hours—a lot of time listening and relistening. I’m very happy with the result, though, and I think you’ll be too!
We wrapped it up about two weeks ago. It’s been in approvals at ACX (the platform that delivers it to Audible and other audiobook apps) since then. It supposedly takes 10 business days to complete. That’s tomorrow. The status currently shows three out of four steps complete—so maybe it’ll be done tomorrow, or maybe it’ll take a bit longer. We’ll see.
As soon as it’s approved on ACX, I’ll download the complete file and get it backers!
What’s Next?
I’m closing in on completion of the revised/improved version of The Mason of New Orleans—just a few bits left on the maps. As soon as it’s done I’ll generate the ebook and send it out to you.
At that time I’ll also send the book to press, along with the character art prints and bookmark. It’ll take a month or so for all of those physical items to get made. Then I’ll start sending them out.
And Then It’s Heads-Down on The Angel of Ecbatana
The Angel of Ecbatana is maybe 40% written. Once the above-discussed rewards are out the door, it will be my main focus. I’m shooting to have it done mid-year, should all go to plan.
Thanks again!
—Charles
Where do I find the links to the ebooks and audio books. I was reminded today that I haven't seen anything yet. The shipping just came out of my account. I have run through my emails and nothing but surveys and backer emails. Robert
It is possible to 'decline' the mailing list by entering an invalid address, but there is no way to complete the form without joining the Discord, even though the wording suggests that it is optional. I don't do Discord, and my willingness to sign up for a mailing list is dropping fast
PROJECT UPDATE
Charles M. Ryan
CREATOR
3 months ago
Project Update: Pledge Manager and Progress Notes
Hi, all—
I have lots of cool news to share with you. But first:
The pledge manager is now open. This is where you provide me with the information I need to deliver rewards to you, including such things as:
- Your email address and physical address, so I can send you digital and physical rewards
- Your choice of art prints
- For Patron backers, your discord handle, so I can let you into the secret Patron-only chat!
- And so on.
And if you feel so inclined, it’s a chance to upgrade your pledge level, or get extra copies of print books as add-ons. So please check your email, follow the link, and fill it out. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Late Pledges!
If you know anyone who might enjoy my books but who missed the campaign, please let them know that late pledges are now open! That’s right: it’s still possible to jump in and grab the great deals offered through the campaign.
Here’s the link: https://the-mason-of-new-orleans.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/673460
There have been nearly 30 late pledges since the campaign concluded, and these are very welcome—truthfully, the campaign didn’t quiiiite cover all the costs I’m incurring bringing these books to you, but late pledges are bridging the gap.
Oh, Those Sweet, Sweet Reviews
One of the great things about this crowdfunding campaign is that it drove a lot of interest in The Mason of New Orleans even among people who didn’t back the campaign. In the last couple of months TMNO has received nearly 200 new ratings, and 50 new reviews, on Goodreads—for an average of 4.89 stars!
Sales have also been pretty brisk, with more ebooks sold in the past two months than the previous couple of years.
If you’ve already read The Mason of New Orleans, please take a moment (if you haven’t done so already) to give it a quick review on Goodreads or especially Amazon. (The latter really helps Amazon’s algorithm recommend it to more readers.)
So How Are Things Coming, You Ask?
In addition to getting the pledge manager up and running (honestly, most of the work was done by Tammie Ryan, love of my life, who has extensive experience with crowdfunding reward management), here’s what I’ve been working on over the past month or so:
- TMNO revisions: I made a handful of small revisions to The Mason of New Orleans. These included a rewrite of the opening paragraphs (I hadn’t really found Martin’s voice when I wrote the original opening), updating another short passage in the middle, making a couple of small timeline corrections, and fixing some typos. With the possible exception of the opening paragraphs, these are things most readers probably won’t even notice—but I did, and they bugged me!
- Book layout and typography: I have the full book laid out, and all my typographical decisions made. It just needs the new maps. It’s pretty spiffy, if I say so myself!
- Audiobook: This is what I’ve spent the most time on:
- I finalized the decision on a narrator after reviewing roughly 60 auditions!
- I put together a pronunciation guide for him, with guidance on 150+ names and terms from the book.
- He’s submitted two chapters so far, which I’ve reviewed carefully and sent notes on.
- And as part of that process I’ve started writing up character bios so he has better context when deciding how to voice these characters.
- Community hub: I set up a Discord server, which you’re invited to (see the pledge manager). This is of particular interest to Patron backers!
Next steps include:
- Audiobook: I’m continuing to work with the producer to move this along. It’s a fascinating process! I’m very happy with it so far, and want to ensure the final product is something we will all love.
- Graphics and the TMNO revised edition: I’m starting work on maps and other graphic items for The Mason of New Orleans revised edition. Once they’re in place I can get the ebook out!
- Print book to press: Once the revised ebook is complete, I’ll move on to print book. Most of the layout work was already done for the ebook—that is, I only have to make small tweaks to the layout file to make it print-ready.
- All the other stuff: Once the book is in production, I’ll get the art prints and book marks off to press too. And work on other items such as the alternate opening chapter and Cypher Unlimited incentive.
Then I’ll have the time and energy to dig into writing The Angel of Ecbatana. But don’t worry—I find that I can’t really type out words until they’ve stewed in my head for some time. All the bandwidth I’m putting into this project is keeping Martin’s adventures active in my noggin, and I’ve make a lot of creative decisions for TAOE. I’ll be able to hit the ground running, inspired and full of ideas, when my schedule clears up to start writing.
Thanks again!
—Charles
Includes Follower-Exclusive Content
PROJECT UPDATE
Charles M. Ryan
CREATOR
5 months ago
Project Update: We Did It!
Hi, all—
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support! The campaign came to a wonderful close yesterday afternoon. (If you didn't make it in time, see below.) We didn’t quite make it to the hardcovers, but it was an amazing success even so. I’m so excited to make, for you:
- The revised, upgraded edition of The Mason of New Orleans ebook, with new graphics, maps, and typography.
- A print version, with all those upgrades.
- An audiobook.
- And I’m going to finish The Angel of Ecbatana, and deliver it in all those formats.
- Oh, and let’s not forget the fabulous art prints!
The earliest of those rewards will fulfill later this year, with the last of them (specifically the print version of The Angel of Ecbatana) delivering next summer.
In the meantime, here’s what to expect:
- BackerKit will take a couple of weeks to collect all pledges and provide me with backer data and funds.
- Then I’ll open the pledge manager. That helps me gather critical data to provide you with your rewards. It’s where you’ll pay for shipping—and where you can make upgrades to your pledge, if you so desire.
- When the pledge manager closes (about a month from now) I’ll start delivering the early rewards.
If you backed at the Patron level, sometime in the next couple of weeks I’ll set up a community hub and invite you to it. It’ll be a place where we can chat, I can show off work in progress, and I’ll ask your thoughts when I could use a little creative input for a name or other detail.
Remember, to get any of your rewards, you have to complete the pledge manager. So please look out for an email invitation in about two weeks!
And if you know anyone who missed the campaign but might love these books, tell them they can still make a late pledge. Here’s the link: https://the-mason-of-new-orleans.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders/673460
Thanks again!
—Charles
