****continued from previous****
8. Some have criticized the new paperback series. Some have asked why? Well, here it is in a nutshell: #1. Many people have contacted me over the years and have told me they'd love to read our books, but don't want to pay $40, $85, or $350 to do so. The paperback line serves the casual reader as well as the frugal collector who loves a great read, but doesn't have the budget for expensive hardcovers. Who doesn't love a book that's signed AND costs less than $20? #2. Additionally, it just makes sense. All businesses tweak their business models as the economy changes and shifts. It makes perfect sense for KWP to capture some of the readers who won't spend as much on their books. Some of these readers might never experience some of these authors otherwise. So, not only does it help grow KWP, it helps potentially grow the fan base of the authors, and possibly brings new readers into the genre as well. #3. It shows that KWP is not going anywhere. We are on track to release 25 paperbacks this year alone. That's in addition to our hardcovers we are working on. As our backlist gets deeper, confidence that KWP is forever should grow. We are also giving each of these paperbacks to our lifetime subscribers for free. That should make nothing but happiness all the way around.
9. So where is KWP going from here? Well, I'll tell you. Some may applaud these steps, some may question these steps, some my hate these steps, but ultimately I will do what it is in the best interests of my collectors and my lifetime subscribers and the health of KWP in general. Here are things I am in the process of implementing or have already implemented.
A. No more preorders. No way. No how. Back to the original business model. I will hold back a handful of copies for the latecomers, but I will no longer mention, announce, or accept money for a book until it is within 1-2 weeks of being delivered. I've already put this back in place. I have several hardcover projects in stages of production that do NOT appear on the site and have not and will not be mentioned until the printer has assured me that the books are on the way. Period.
B. No more advance production announcements or "publication dates" on the hardcovers. Not going to do it. You'll get your books, the same as always. If you're a lifetime collector, I'll be glad to privately answer any questions. As soon as the books we have pre-announced are delivered, I will not be announcing the new hardcovers until they are almost ready to deliver. This will ensure that you don't get hopes up and disappointed if I have to reject a title. You will get your books. Should I have to reject a title that's been printed, I'll keep communication open with you and will advise you of such. I haven't left you behind yet, nor do I intend to. In the meantime, as you wait for more KWP goodness to arrive in hardcover format, you'll have plenty of KWP paperbacks to keep you company delivered to your door for free. Patience has always paid off for the KWP collector and it always will. Books like the ones we produce don't come fast and they don't come easy, but when they do come, I've yet to have a customer be disappointed in them.
C. Better communication. This is a biggie. I've taken several steps to change this for the better. One is that I've changed email servers because too many messages to and from customers were ending up in the ether somewhere. Some communication issues have been my fault and I accept that. Even though I work a lot of hrs at my regular job, I'll be checking my emails daily. I'll respond within 24hrs. As stated before, any additional delays caused by things like rejections of shipments will be communicated clearly and early.
This is the "nutshell" of changes I've made or am making. Not the whole picture at all. I am always working on KWP, even if it looks like I'm not.
I'm sorry for my faults, I apologize for frustrations.
I'm moving KWP forward and we are gaining ground. By the end of next week, my subscribers should be receiving a box of books, including the latest hardcover. Any of you with questions feel free to email me: [email protected]
As I said before, I'm sure there are some who'll critique this word for word or otherwise try to pick things apart. That's expected. But it is what it is. It's an honest statement on the state of KWP and an accepting of my own failures as well as a plan to correct the issues.
Anyone wanting more information can always contact me through the email address above.
Sincerely,
Zach Powell
King's Way Press
8. Some have criticized the new paperback series. Some have asked why? Well, here it is in a nutshell: #1. Many people have contacted me over the years and have told me they'd love to read our books, but don't want to pay $40, $85, or $350 to do so. The paperback line serves the casual reader as well as the frugal collector who loves a great read, but doesn't have the budget for expensive hardcovers. Who doesn't love a book that's signed AND costs less than $20? #2. Additionally, it just makes sense. All businesses tweak their business models as the economy changes and shifts. It makes perfect sense for KWP to capture some of the readers who won't spend as much on their books. Some of these readers might never experience some of these authors otherwise. So, not only does it help grow KWP, it helps potentially grow the fan base of the authors, and possibly brings new readers into the genre as well. #3. It shows that KWP is not going anywhere. We are on track to release 25 paperbacks this year alone. That's in addition to our hardcovers we are working on. As our backlist gets deeper, confidence that KWP is forever should grow. We are also giving each of these paperbacks to our lifetime subscribers for free. That should make nothing but happiness all the way around.
9. So where is KWP going from here? Well, I'll tell you. Some may applaud these steps, some may question these steps, some my hate these steps, but ultimately I will do what it is in the best interests of my collectors and my lifetime subscribers and the health of KWP in general. Here are things I am in the process of implementing or have already implemented.
A. No more preorders. No way. No how. Back to the original business model. I will hold back a handful of copies for the latecomers, but I will no longer mention, announce, or accept money for a book until it is within 1-2 weeks of being delivered. I've already put this back in place. I have several hardcover projects in stages of production that do NOT appear on the site and have not and will not be mentioned until the printer has assured me that the books are on the way. Period.
B. No more advance production announcements or "publication dates" on the hardcovers. Not going to do it. You'll get your books, the same as always. If you're a lifetime collector, I'll be glad to privately answer any questions. As soon as the books we have pre-announced are delivered, I will not be announcing the new hardcovers until they are almost ready to deliver. This will ensure that you don't get hopes up and disappointed if I have to reject a title. You will get your books. Should I have to reject a title that's been printed, I'll keep communication open with you and will advise you of such. I haven't left you behind yet, nor do I intend to. In the meantime, as you wait for more KWP goodness to arrive in hardcover format, you'll have plenty of KWP paperbacks to keep you company delivered to your door for free. Patience has always paid off for the KWP collector and it always will. Books like the ones we produce don't come fast and they don't come easy, but when they do come, I've yet to have a customer be disappointed in them.
C. Better communication. This is a biggie. I've taken several steps to change this for the better. One is that I've changed email servers because too many messages to and from customers were ending up in the ether somewhere. Some communication issues have been my fault and I accept that. Even though I work a lot of hrs at my regular job, I'll be checking my emails daily. I'll respond within 24hrs. As stated before, any additional delays caused by things like rejections of shipments will be communicated clearly and early.
This is the "nutshell" of changes I've made or am making. Not the whole picture at all. I am always working on KWP, even if it looks like I'm not.
I'm sorry for my faults, I apologize for frustrations.
I'm moving KWP forward and we are gaining ground. By the end of next week, my subscribers should be receiving a box of books, including the latest hardcover. Any of you with questions feel free to email me: [email protected]
As I said before, I'm sure there are some who'll critique this word for word or otherwise try to pick things apart. That's expected. But it is what it is. It's an honest statement on the state of KWP and an accepting of my own failures as well as a plan to correct the issues.
Anyone wanting more information can always contact me through the email address above.
Sincerely,
Zach Powell
King's Way Press
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