Thoughts on a Maretian 2nd Edition Kickstarter... · 3:16am Jul 7th, 2021
So, for those of you who might not have noticed, Changeling Space Program's print-version Kickstarter has succeeded magnificently:
This makes it much more likely that I will attempt my own Maretian edition in 2022. However, there are some issues of scale to be discussed.
My current plan is to have both an abridged single-volume Maretian (about half the length of the original) and a three-volume set, somewhat re-edited from the Nonesuch edition of 2019 and with added illustrations. That's four volumes, and if I offer hardbacks, that's two editions. (BTW, hardcovers cost about three times as much as paperbacks to print.)
Using small-run printers, my current estimate for print bills for all eight books involved is close to $16,000- and that's before commissioning any artwork or postage or add-on things like patches or stuff.
Now, I've already licensed the artwork used by Avonder for their editions, and I commissioned the same artist for both the CSP cover and the abridged Maretian cover. That money is already spent. But whether or not I go forward is going to depend on two things: (1) the final result of the CSP Kickstarter, and what you readers would want out of a new print edition. How much interest is there in a Maretian one-volume abridged? Do you really want hardcover, or is paperback enough? And how many of you didn't get copies back when the first edition came out?
Looking for your feedback here, everyone.
Is that a misplaced comma, or just an extra zero?
I didn't read the story until after the print run that you did, so I would absolutely be interested in a buying a new print edition. I would personally prefer the full story as opposed to an abridged edition, but at the end of the day, I would just be happy to support this wonderful work. I think that paperback is fine, especially if you're trying to keep costs down.
I missed out on the first print run, would definitely want to get a physical version of that amazing story, though can't say I'd be all that interested in an abridged version.
And while a hardcover edition would be amazing, given the logistics and cost additions of doing so, versus sticking to the easier and cheaper, and thus more likely to happen paper back... I would be fully fine with just paperback.
I missed the first print run, and would really like a hardcover of the full version. I would grudgingly accept a paperback, and have no interest in an abridged version.
I always want hardback
But maybe ask around the various print servers for help?
They sell hardcover books for 25$ so they must have some way for keeping costs down
Try emailing ministry of image
I'll sign up. Missed out on the first print run, and I go with hardcover whenever possible
Missed the first run (was changing jobs) and would get in on a second run but not a abridged version. What's the point of that?
5550726 Superfluous zero.
5550882 Two: improving the pacing (as with a movie-edit of a TV series), and getting the story into one volume.
5550885
Gah. Now you've convince me to buy the abridged edition and the hardback three-volume set. (One for carrying around, and one for reference, obviously.) Thing is, it's going on my shelf as a five volume set: hardback CSP, the three hardback Maertians, and the abridged Maretian.
I missed the first run for the Maretian, so I would love a second chance at it. Hardcover all the way. Not quite interested in the abridged version but I’d definitely love to get the 3 volume set in hardcover.
As someone who has a first print run of the 3 volume Maretian books, they're lovely and all, but they were printed before the extra epilogue got written, so that always bugged me, and they are massive so portability isn't great (not complaining, just stating facts). That said, very handy when power is out. I'd be interested in an author created abridged version. Hopefully, the extra epilogue would be in the abridged version. I could go paperback, but I'll probably buy either way.
Not interested in the abridged, everything in the Maretian is gold.
Interested in the hardcover.
5550851
Mass production.
Making 500 costs 16k making 5000 cost 17k like…(not that exaggerated but nearly…)
I totally missed my chance to nab the first print version, and I cursed myself for it. The Maretian is by far and away one of my all time favorites not just on this site but in all of the fanfictions I've ever read. I wouldn't mind in the slightest an abridged version, although I myself will definitely be shooting for the full 3 volumes, and if Star Wars Novel collection has taught me anything in books, its that Paperbacks are no worse than hards in most cases, and in the interest of costs and time, would be wholly willing to have paper back copies.
5550885
I'd rather have slow pacing with everything in it then missing something and not having it there.
5551149
oh, that makes sense.
all the more reason you should ask them then. they must have deals or something. oh! and they might even be able to get it colored.
5550851 5551149 Also, how thick are the other books? I'm basing my numbers on the CSP project, which is going to be about 760 pages. Thicker books cost more to print.
5551367
well, they helepd do fallout: equestria project horizons.
And they made that into 9 volumes for a relatively cheap 225$
I only recently discovered the Maretian, and as such missed the original print run. Whilst a hard covers might be preferable, I would be perfectly happy with paperback. I would very much prefer an unabriged variant of the story however.
I'll be honest, I might go for hardcovers if you have them for the full edition. I have read that story start to finish at least twice, and it never gets old. Also I have no idea why, but fimfic indicated I wasn't following you already. Weird.
I'd personally be interested in a hardcover unabridged set.
I am definitely interested in the 3 volume, and will get hardback of it is available, but am fine with paperback.
I missed out on the first edition hardcovers so I would love to see a reprint. Assuming you did a 2nd edition hardcover run, would they be identical in look to the first edition? I loved the subtle color change between the volumes alongside the gilt text.
5553754 I've licensed the dust jacket artwork, but beyond that I can't say. I'm not using the same printer.
The interior will be substantially different in organization (illustrations added, sols gathered together into proper chapters, etc.).
Unfortunately I had to pass on the first print of the Maretian due to financial problems. So seeing it is considered that a second print may be made makes me positively happy, and I will definitely throw my money at the screen for a fancy hardcover edition. I did just pledge for a hardcover CSP, so it would only be fitting for any additional books of the series to be the same.
I missed the first but I would be DOWN for a multi book full version.
I'd be down for the multi-book! I'm still kicking myself for missing the first print.