Hey, thanks for stopping by. I wonder if you could help me out with some advise on a couple of things? For some time now I've been thinking about creating a book about drawing with ballpoint pens. There are a few reasons I want to do this. Firstly, it's what I'm always asked about and associated with; the ballpoint work. Secondly, I'm really done with drawing with ballpoints. I have been for some time, so it would be killing two birds with one stone. I get to answer all those questions, whilst drawing a line under it all for myself. It's not that I don't like the work, I really do, and when I see some of it, after a break, I feel proud of it. But, I just can't work in that way any more. I am more about getting the results quicker these days.
Another reason I've been considering a book is that a couple of zines, from my How To Draw (With a Ballpoint Pen) series, have sold out and are now out of print. I love that collection and I'd like to gather these together, along with a load of work that I produced for a fourth ballpoint zine that didn't get printed. All of that, plus a selection of my favourite ballpoint drawings, and some thoughts and techniques about using the pens, would make a pretty good book I reckon.
Now, I am in no position to fund this book. So, this is what I wanted to ask
a) does anyone have any experience of crowdfunding a project or book? How did you find it? Would you recommend a crowdfunding site (it would need to be one in the UK)?
b) Do you think there would be a market for such a book?
Thanks, in advance, for your response.
How To Draw Like a Barmpot and is available HERE. As is my Converse print, the drawing at the top of this post, which is currently on sale.
27 comments:
Hi, I have no idea how you would go about it but I'd buy it😀😀😀😀 love your work .
I think now is a good time for it. There are a lot of great sketching books out, so people interested in them (like myself) are looking for more variety. As someone who teaches about sketching, it's something I'd like to learn more about to recommend to students.
Hi Andrea
Have a look at www.unbound.com. I sponsored a book on that and received it this week and it's beautifully produced. Not sure if this is what you're looking for but may be worth a look.
Angie xx
I don't know the answer to your questions I'm afraid, but I would be very interested in buying your book! I love your ballpoint pen work - it inspired me several years ago to try it myself and I really like the effect and versatility.
Your ideas for the content sound fab - keep us posted on what you decide to do! Good luck! x
I think there would be a market just in the thousands of Sketchbook Skool students. (I actually wish that the Sketchbook Skool shop sold books writers by the teachers).
I don't have experience with crowd funding, but I would definitely be interested in a book about sketching with pen
I would buy such a book.. in a heartbeat! <3
I would buy such a book in a heartbeat! <3
All that I can say is that I really love your ballpoint pen work, I have some of your zines and when you have a crowndfund project for this book I would like to buy one! :-) And yes! I think there's a market for the subject, speacilly if it came from you... I saw other day a YouTube Video where a girl was studying your work in ballpoint for high school, so I assume I'm not the only one. :-)
Yes, yes, a resounding yes!. I DO believe the market need a good instructional book in ballpoint! I for one, would be waiting in line for a signed copy. Your work is so well known and loved that I could easily see you getting a publisher if that is the route you chose to take. And further, I like the idea that it can be your "grande finale" and when people ask you about ballpoint, you have a resource to point them to. As far as the funding, I don't have a clue. Please keep us posted!
I don't have any experience with crowdfunding, but I'd certainly jump at the chance to back any book project of yours!
I don't know how to crowdfund. You also might consider self-publishing on Amazon through someplace like Createspace. However you do it, I would definitely be interested in buying your book!!!
I think it would be a best seller! I would buy it in a heart beat.
I just love your work and I know a lot of other people do,too.
Don't have much time right now, but just wanted to say that I think you and your work are wonderful. I don't have money and don't know anything about funding. I just hope you're able to keep on keeping on. If I ever have some extra cash, I'll send it your way by buying something you've created. Best of luck.
As a follow-up to my first comment -- I found you while searching for images of spice jars. I'm doing one of my giant celebration cards and needed a picture of the kind of jar I don't have. One of your drawings/blog pages came up. Don't worry, I didn't steal it, but was so taken with the lovely fluidity of line (joyful-really) and your comments, that I just had to visit your site. Thanks for the treat.
Hi Andrea, I agree with many here, I'd certainly purchase your book. I already have your other hard cover (written in french if I remember correctly) and would love to own another selection from you. Also, the commenter who mentioned Sketchbook Skool is correct, those thousands of students would definitely support your crowd funding. I googled crowd funding UK and this link came up. No idea if it's a good site but it's a start. http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk.
If you want to keep my name on file I'd be honored to review my copy for you. Oh, and I don't mean you'd need to send one for free, I'd be participating in the crowd fund too. I review books as a hobby and on Amazon.ca my ranking is about top 200. I would also be happy to add the review to my blog and I'm betting there would be many other artists who would be happy to support your effort to get the word out.
I sure hope you do this as I have thought your art awesome since I first saw it years ago, even before taking your course in SBS. I've found your progress in art so inspiring so please do this and let the artist community surround you with love and joy. I know it'll be popular.
I bought your last book and I'd buy this one too! I also am using a different style now, but sometimes enjoy going back to ball point! Sorry I can't helps with how to sell!
How about being recommended to a publisher and taking a fee for the book - and then you don't have to do anything about distribution, dealing with emails etc etc etc.
If you want a recommendation just email me.
I haven't used crowdfunding myself, but with your following I'd say you're well placed to do so! Another option could be to look at print on demand- like Amazon create space. It could then be sold workdwide through them, and some options can go into major bookshops.uou can do it all yourself or get a pro to help with the design. The outlay is only time if you DIY. A book on ball point art would be amazing! I'd be in!
You might ask Stephen Reddy how he published his books, and what he learned through it.
I think you have a market niche for it, with the combo of potential for advanced skill development with low cost materials.
The ballpoint is accessible for people of all income ranges.
That sustained drawing practice is so foundational to use of other, more flashy mediums.
The time investment devoted to learning with less expensive materials can save so much money in the long run.
Limiting tools in that way also promotes the focus that fuels creativity and growth in a steady direction.
I came to your blog today specifically to see if you'd written a book about ballpoint pen work yet, so I'm another potential purchaser. I have no experience of crowdfunding, although I've seen that author Tom Cox has just done exactly that for his latest book. I've bought print-on-demand books in the past too and been very happy with them and I'd prefer an actual book, not an e-book, for this sort of thing. I can't wait to see it!
Thank you all so much for the response. I knew I could count on you, guys!
I'll speak to those people you have suggested, I have been looking into local printers, as I think it would be good to do as much of this locally. Other things I've decided on;
I know that I want this to be a physical book.
I want it to be self published as I need the income. I realise the work involved in that, as I've ben running that side of the business (with zines and books for nearly ten years.
I have looked at Unbound, the issue with that is that I'd be expected to raise a whole lot more than if I were to get it published elsewhere. At least double, in fact. They also take 50% of each book. It is all worth it as they produce high quality books and do all of the distribution. I think I may like to try something with them in the future but for this book I still want to find a local publisher.
I also believe there's the market for this book. It may be niche but it's there. That really was encouraging Maggie, thanks. And thanks to you all. You've made this decision a whole lot easier.
I've purchased some of your zines and I'd buy a book of yours absolutely. Loved your course online. I say put it out there and see what happens.
I'd buy it too. Immediately. (I already have the pens.)
Yes, absolutely and I would love to purchase it.
As far as crowdfunding goes, there is a new crowdfunding platform that is amazing.
Dreams.Build It is based in the US but it serves 23 countries.
The fonder is amazing and can walk you through all the steps in setting up your project and creating an awesome crowdfund site. It's unlike any crowdfunding platform that I have seen before.
I would check them out.
I wish you the best of luck! Caren
I would LOVE to purchase one of your books! I am mesmerized by your technique. You could do a Gumroad Project and folks just download the PDF. I have purchased a couple of items off of here and I like that it is in PDF and not another book on a shelf.
https://gumroad.com/
A while ago, I got your zines: "How to Draw Like a Nut"and "How to draw Like a Lion. You're an artists who inspires me. I have goals to fill my sketchbooks. And I like the way you combine your drawings with words. So, maybe pose your book (If you do create it) as a page filled letter to a younger artists who is blocked. I know I could use that. So before you hang up your pens, think about it. Sorry, don't know the avenues to take to sell a book like that. I'd support it though.
Post a Comment