Of print and audiobooks · 6:24am Dec 17th, 2020
Howdy, y'all. Been a bit since I just dropped a status update for y'all, so that's what this is. Nothing major, I'm not announcing a new story or anything, just explaining what stuff I've been working on and talking about irl stuff.
So first off, I haven't been writing much at all, and when I do, it's not pony. I mentioned that a bit in my previous blog post where I did the writing meme, I'm working on an original novel. It sucks (not the story, but writing it), and I kinda miss writing horse. But only kinda, and that's scary. Lately I've been thinking a lot about doing things that aren't writing, I'm just feeling pulled in different directions. But like, Baphomet knows I can't leave this fuckin series, so I'm channeling my interests to other WWB related stuff. I do worry about this whole not writing business, but I'm also starting a new ADHD med today, so maybe my ability to sit down and write will improve.
So if not writing, then what am I doing? I've been dividing my focus between recording audiobooks and editing for print. First up on the audiobook territory, thanks to Gowak sending me an early Baphomas present, I've got a nice mic set up for the first time ever (I used to record on a gaming headset). I'm now producing higher quality audio readings, which are notably louder and thus easier to listen to. I've mainly been working on the recording for Inner Strength. I'm five chapters in, which are recorded but not edited yet. I'm also back to recording The Mare in the Warp (embedded below) and posting that on YouTube. Additionally, I got really into the Diablo series again and started recording audio versions of the short stories connected to Diablo III. My goal is to record all the D3 short stories, but we'll see how long that drive lasts; historically, special interests that aren't ponies last a month or so. You can listen to my audiobooks over on my YouTube channel.
[Adult story embed hidden]
There's actually a bit of a problem I'm having with YouTube though. If I go to my channel and go to my playlists, I only see the most recent ten playlists, which is a problem because it excludes many of my audiobooks. When I open it on mobile, I can see all playlists, but on desktop only the ten. I can't figure out how to view the older ones. If anyone knows YouTube better and can explain this that would be very appreciated.
Aside from audiobooks, I have been working on print stuff. I've finally edited Playing House for print. The text is all updated, but I need some more illustrations before I can get it printed. At the very least, I need a back cover, though I'd like some more internal images as well if I can get them. Something else that excites me is that I found out Lulu has added a budget color option to book printing! This turns my $70+ books into more like $25 books or something (I haven't submitted books for this new option yet, so I don't have exact numbers). I pulled all my books from Lulu and plan on only having one option per book; no sense in having the black and white version if the color version is only a few dollars more. I'll fix a few bugs I became aware of after printing the previous books and submit them for the new color option soon, but I'm considering really making these books shine more with more illustrations since I'm going back and reworking them anyway. I dunno if I will or not, I'm not exactly fond of releasing better versions of things like books because I feel it punishes those who bought it early, but I also can't help but wish I had commissioned more art for these books... I was poor at the time, and now I might have the money to really make these books something special.
On that note, I'm going to talk about irl stuff. I'm looking for work again, and with my current living situation, up to about 80% of the money I make could be disposable income. I don't need to have a high paying job for that to amount to a lot of potential commissions. But it might mean less writing. I mentioned before that I have a story coming out after Acts of Love (called Coda) and that's still happening right on time. But once that's done, there's no chance I'll have another story ready to go. I haven't even planned the next WWB fic, I know some of what happens in it, but I need a solid outline and that would likely take weeks on its own, then I'd need to actually write enough of it to feel confident in releasing chapters. Plus like, if I'm writing, it's going to be original fiction for now. So there's like no way. Instead though, I want to work while focusing on catching up in the audiobook/print version department. Those are way back at Inner Strnegth and Playing House, respectively, so there's hundreds of thousands of words to go through and artwork commissions to get and all that. It's not ideal. I would like to have finished Phase One before doing this major catch up on secondary aspects of the series, but I'm working with the motivation to do the things I have motivation to do.
I've rambled enough. Good news for those of you interested in the print/audiobooks, bad news for everyone else, I guess. If anyone can help me with that YouTube thing, that'd be cool, and otherwise, I hope y'all are having a good whatever-it-is-you-celebrate season! 
Okay budget color is going to be incredibly helpful for all the stories I have that have funky formatting and colored text
but oof now I have outdated Who we barbecue books that aren’t fancy editions5416868
Technically you've got the deluxe limited edition non-budget color versions. Lulu offers two color options, one is just called "color" (this is what I call budget color) and the other one is called "premium color" (this used to just be their only color option). Premium color comes on thicker paper that makes the color stand out more. Not enough for me to justify the cost, but enough to have something spiffy with your versions!
But as for the adding new illustrations (if I do that)... yeah, I feel you there
I've always hated when you buy something nice and then a better version comes out, and I hate to do that to you and anyone else who bought the previous color versions (especially with how much people paid for said books). That's the main reason I'm on the fence about doing it; I don't want to slight people who already bought the books by putting out a better version...
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Exactly my struggle cause new pictures would honestly probably tempt me to buy them again lmaooooo but at the same time I got that HD color tho
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I should've thought to include this before, but this is a comparison between the standard and premium color options from Lulu. All things are equal except that difference here. So you see it's not enough for me to justify the extra cost, but it does look a bit nicer (maybe if I were releasing, say, a comic or something, I'd want the premium edition)
support.drivethrurpg.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/205957363/standardvpremium.jpg
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Trueee
those extra illustrations though 🖤
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Lol so is your vote to go for it, add extra illustrations even if it forces you to buy books you already own?
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More like, if there are extra illustrations you bet I will be guilty of buying them again
Probably
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Fair enough!
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It's t e m p t i n g
Hmm cheaper print books is a possibilty? I might just have to buy them once they come out
I can see all your playlists on my desktop, so I don't know how to help you. :B
Do let us know when you finish that reading, I want to see how your new mic sounds. :D
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If I follow through on my desire to add more illustrations to them, them you'll also have your art in the books
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Huh, strange... Well good to know others can see the playlists, that's really what matters. Curious, maybe it's dependant on internet browser? I'm using Chrome, are you using something else?
Will do! Not sure how far I'll go in it before I start releasing the readings, but I'm currently almost done with act one so maybe I'll use that as the point to start editing the recordings? I dunno, but whenever I have stuff to post, it'll be more than a single chapter at least
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Nope, also using Chrome. :B
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Huh, no idea then. Oh well, just glad others can see everything in that case