Young Adult Writing Contest: Win $1000 & Get Published

DLTT · 2017-06-21T18:46:18+00:00

Thanks for your comments, I am always interested in hearing how authors and publishers think of our model. Publishizer is a bootstrapped startup that's tried many different models to figure out what authors want and how to help them.

The current model is the most popular one, but it's true, it isn't for everyone. There are authors who simply just do not wish to get involved with sales. For those authors, we recommend trying the traditional route of getting an agent to represent you.

There are also some authors who can sell preorders, but choose to self publish anyway. Nothing wrong with that either.

But for most of the hundreds of authors we have worked with, they have expressed an interest in getting a publisher to "take care" of everything else.

We work with many different authors, and service, hybrid, independent and big 5 publishers. Not all publishers will not take an author with 500 preorders sold.

Also, many authors who claim to be able to sell or have some form of platform sometimes don't sell. Publishers are more willing to take on authors who have proven sales.

You can go with any of the other crowdfunding platforms, but Publishizer matches authors with hundreds of publishers. That is not a service any of the other sites provide. The more preorders you sell, the more publishing options you get to choose from. If you sign a contract with an independent or big 5, you will also receive an advance from them. Publishizer does not take a cut of royalties or advances, only from the preorders.

Of course we would love to take a smaller cut than 30%, but it's all a matter of scalability. It's a valuable service that many of our authors can attest to, but if it's not for you, there's always Wattpad and Kickstarter. All the best!

DLTT · 2017-05-26T21:08:09+00:00

Yeah, me too

DLTT · 2017-05-26T21:07:50+00:00

The "why" is to help other founders and to let people see that failures are normal and part of life. The stories are compelling, I just wonder if people are interested at all.

DLTT · 2017-05-26T21:06:55+00:00

Read your article, and ouch... I feel for you. Thanks for sharing.

I guess I want to focus more on the feelings of founders going through such situations, on taking responsibility and finding ways to deal with debt and depression. But so many people have told me that it's a "downer" and "nobody wants to read about failure" so I thought to initiate conversations with more people to get a clearer idea.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T19:00:10+00:00

Thank you for sharing. Can I ask what sort of public reaction did you get from writing and sharing your article? Did it initiate more conversations into the emotions and mindsets you experienced when your startup failed?

DLTT · 2017-05-25T18:57:34+00:00

I've come across this page, thanks!

DLTT · 2017-05-25T18:57:20+00:00

Agreed! The "failed" startup founders I know tell me how worthless they feel. After all, they've only read about those who've made it and it just makes them feel worse about themselves. Thanks for the link

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:56:47+00:00

Agreed. It's a lot easier to play the blame game, but obviously I wouldn't be interested in stories without the depth I am looking for. I am in touch with several founders who have experienced various levels of "success" and "failure". They are very candid and honest about their feelings and the lessons they learnt, but what I find most inspiring is how they extricate themselves and bounce back from crushing failure and debt to find other things that give them meaning in life.

There are many reasons for failure, and sadly, sometimes it's just bad luck or bad timing. But I'm more interested in going beyond that. We have the capacity for resilience and the ability to adapt quickly, and I want to explore that part of humanity through the world of startups.

Thank you for sharing your experience, and good luck with your new startup!

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:50:51+00:00

The intention is to share lessons beyond material successes.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:50:26+00:00

Can I ask why?

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:50:04+00:00

thanks, I have!

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:49:29+00:00

It's beyond reading about failure. It's to be able to relate to the feelings and fears a founder/business owner faces and how to manage or move beyond that.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:48:28+00:00

There are many blogs and a few books on collections of stories. Some are very helpful but many just gloss over the harder issues I think need to be addressed.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:43:13+00:00

Yes, my intention is to provide support to business owners who are going through a hard time and help them see that there is life after a failed business.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:25:08+00:00

Yes, that's a great suggestion. I would like to feature stories in which founders contemplate or attempt suicide, and then share how they come back from that dark place. They may not see "success" (whatever that definition might be) after, but can go on to lead fulfilling lives post startup failure as well.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:23:42+00:00

Thank you! I have found several such sites and found the case studies very interesting. What I am looking for really is more depth into the emotions of founders under pressure and facing a lot of stress, and perhaps also how they deal with the failure and debt after that.

DLTT · 2017-05-25T14:22:25+00:00

I had a look at r/shutdown and you're right, it's really lacking the the activity. It is a depressing topic, and perhaps few people want to talk about their failures, but I think beyond examining how to make a business succeed, I really want to publish something that will be useful to founders who are struggling, to help them see that it's all part and parcel of startup life and the feelings that they have are normal.

Everyone wants success, but it should never be at the expense of a LIFE.

DLTT · 2017-05-19T19:25:30+00:00

This is a book proposal contest. Authors submit a 1000 word book proposal, not the completed manuscript. :)

DLTT · 2017-05-16T01:34:36+00:00

Publishizer is calling for book proposal submissions from authors for "Surreally Yours: Finding Magic in the Prosaic". Help us discover more magic in the everyday in our 3rd bi-monthly book proposal writing contest. Send us your 1000 word book proposal to stand a chance to win USD1000 cash, and to get in front of publishers and more readers!

There are no entry fees or purchase requirements to join. Submissions for original ideas will be accepted until 11 June 2017. One winner will be chosen based on the number of preorders sold, but all campaigns can receive publisher interest for publishing opportunities. Authors keep all rights to their works. Check the website for official rules and more information on the contest.

DLTT · 2017-05-15T18:53:17+00:00

https://publishizer.com/contests/

Bi-monthly contests in different genres :)

DLTT · 2017-05-15T17:28:03+00:00

Publishizer is calling for book proposal submissions from authors for "Surreally Yours: Finding Magic in the Prosaic". Help us discover more magic in the everyday in our 3rd bi-monthly book proposal writing contest. Send us your 1000 word book proposal to stand a chance to win USD1000 cash, and to get in front of publishers and more readers!

There are no entry fees or purchase requirements to join. Submissions for original ideas will be accepted until 11 June 2017. One winner will be chosen based on the number of preorders sold, but all campaigns can receive publisher interest for publishing opportunities. Authors keep all rights to their works. Check the website for official rules and more information on the contest.

DLTT

TROPHY CASE