I'm starting to get excited

[wishfulthinking]

My very first website ever is probably going to be ready by the end of the month [it's mambo, so a script-less person like me can use it ], and I've included a pic to give you guys a hint about what I need your help for, among a many number of other things!

 

[impressive]

Interesting concept.

Details? Turnaround time? Commission split?

(Oh, and "commission" has two Ms.)

 

[wishfulthinking]

Interesting concept.

Details? Turnaround time? Commission split?

(Oh, and "commission" has two Ms.)

Don't look too closely, there are a lot of other spelling mistakes on the page that need to be ironed out

Being a brand new site, it will take time, and even though what I intend to start charging is CHEAP (but better than nothing, hey?) It will increase with demand.

But so far, I'm thinking:

1,000 words - $30 - up to 10 days turnaround
3,000 words - $40 - 2-3 weeks
5,000 words - $55 - 4 weeks

(in US dollar via paypal)

Writers would nominate what areas they are willing & not willing to write about.

As to commission split I'm thinking 15% site / 85% writer, with the idea that any profit generated by the site will go to prize money for comps.

Still working things out, and welcome to suggestions!

 

[impressive]

What happens to the product once it's delivered to the buyer? Does the author retain copyright. Can the author publish elsewhere? Does the buyer have permission to post the author's material elsewhere? That could get quite sticky.

 

[wishfulthinking]

Does the author retain copyright? Yes
Can the author publish elsewhere? Only with changed names, title etc
Does the buyer have permission to post the author's material elsewhere? No.

I've done some research

 

[impressive]

Does the author retain copyright? Yes
Can the author publish elsewhere? Only with changed names, title etc
Does the buyer have permission to post the author's material elsewhere? No.

I've done some research

Neat set up. Good luck with it!

 

[impressive]

Are you considering a feedback system so that customers can see who's been commissioned, how often, and how their work was received?

 

[wishfulthinking]

Are you considering a feedback system so that customers can see who's been commissioned, how often, and how their work was received?

Yep

See the link for 'see writer profiles here' - this will [eventually ] link up to the profile of the author with [at this stage]:
1. link to member's profile [so people can see what they will be getting in terms of story style etc]
2. feedback [testimony isn't the right word?] from people who have commissioned a story. [To get people to leave feedback, I'm thinking about giving an incentive of 5% discount on next commissioned story if they do].
3. a small bibliography or whatever written by the author about what motivates them etc
4. yays and nays for what topics etc the author will do

Still WIP this page, otherwise would give a little demo

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

Only asking 15 percent royalty is quite conservative, especially since you are soliciting assignments, not merely handling contractual obligations.

The level of sophistication and dependability, however, should concern authors using your service.

If the writer is not (in effect) ghostwriting a story for the contractor, what do you see as their incentive to commision a story? If they cannot publish 'their' story somewhere under their own name, for what are they paying?

Could the story be published (perhaps on your site) with them listed as the story's sponsor, or patron?

How would you handle a case where the contractor refused to pay the writer after receiving their requested story? Would you demand payment in advance?

If you could collect payment in advance, how would you handle a contractor who demanded their money back due to claims that the story either was not as ordered, or is somehow inferior?

 

[Penelope Street]

... how would you handle a contractor who demanded their money back due to claims that the story either was not as ordered, or is somehow inferior?

I can see this being a recurring issue. I've only written one story fitting criteria set by someone else. Even then I only wrote it because I liked the idea, so it wasn't like it was a gift or anything. Guess what? The party in question did not care for the result. Distasteful was the word he used, if memory serves. Fortunately, there was no money involved, but I was, and still am, disappointed he didn't like it.

 

[Liar]

Does the author retain copyright? Yes
Can the author publish elsewhere? Only with changed names, title etc
Does the buyer have permission to post the author's material elsewhere? No.

I've done some research

Will buyers buy stuff at those terms?

And who is the target market?

#L

ps. Site looked elegant, btw.

 

[wishfulthinking]

Keep asking questions, it makes sure I don't forget anything!

Only asking 15 percent royalty is quite conservative, especially since you are soliciting assignments, not merely handling contractual obligations.

This isn't the focus of the site, but a small part. Unfortunately I'm not one of the authors who can write on demand [and therefore not doing it], but I'm still a writer, and I know the effort that goes into it. This is just an opportunity to let writers get paid [a very modest sum] for what they do anyway.

The level of sophistication and dependability, however, should concern authors using your service.

There will be a selection process, but still no business is without problems, but reputation is all

If the writer is not (in effect) ghostwriting a story for the contractor, what do you see as their incentive to commision a story? If they cannot publish 'their' story somewhere under their own name, for what are they paying?

This is a bit of a blurb that may or may not be changed :

Have you ever had a fantasy you longed to see in writing? Would you like a story created uniquely for you to indulge your own desires or to share with a lover?

Literary Metro has a select team of writers on hand to create an original, explicit erotic fantasy tailored to your desires.

Could the story be published (perhaps on your site) with them listed as the story's sponsor, or patron?

Interesting, I'll think about this. So far it was just on the understanding that some details will be changed.

How would you handle a case where the contractor refused to pay the writer after receiving their requested story? Would you demand payment in advance? If you could collect payment in advance, how would you handle a contractor who demanded their money back due to claims that the story either was not as ordered, or is somehow inferior?

Money is paid before hand. Each story is entitled to 1 free revision. Beyond that, there will be samples of the writers work on the site, and if they are unrealistic in their expections, too bad. If they are correct in that it is below par, it will be refunded, but that is the site's decision to make.

There are a lot more quesitons on the form than you can see, but there will be things like for eg What level of graphic detail to you want?
- romantic: little to no profanity or sex. The focus is on the story rather than the sex.
- naughty: adult themes, some language
- filthy: extreme and/or unusual sex, highly explicit language and situations

 

[wishfulthinking]

Will buyers buy stuff at those terms?

And who is the target market?

#L

ps. Site looked elegant, btw.

A lot of authors get asked to write a story for them, I'm hoping we can convert it into money for them. It may or may not be successful, and is reliant on the quality of stories written as much as getting people to buy stuff and marketing of the site. There are a lot of sites devoted to solely commissioning an erotic story, I just want it as a small area.

 

[wishfulthinking]

I can see this being a recurring issue. I've only written one story fitting criteria set by someone else. Even then I only wrote it because I liked the idea, so it wasn't like it was a gift or anything. Guess what? The party in question did not care for the result. Distasteful was the word he used, if memory serves. Fortunately, there was no money involved, but I was, and still am, disappointed he didn't like it.

Bastard

It is impossible to ignore that this will be a main problem, and will happen. It is up to me to ensure it doesn't happen continuously by doing my job properly - by ensuring that the form is asking the right questions etc.

You don't know it yet, but you're getting roped in somehow

And Impressive too - it seems you're going through the site when it's done with a fine tooth nail whether you like it or not *whip*

 

[Belegon]

It is certainly a cool idea wishful. I actually think that I could pull it off...but I don't know if my stories written in such a manner would be up to snuff with my better ones here...

 

[impressive]

And Impressive too - it seems you're going through the site when it's done with a fine tooth nail whether you like it or not *whip*

I'll be happy to help. I love the concept, and I'd like to see you succeed.

It's like a literary Fantasy Island.

 

[wishfulthinking]

It is certainly a cool idea wishful. I actually think that I could pull it off...but I don't know if my stories written in such a manner would be up to snuff with my better ones here...

I know I couldn't write to order, and I manage 1 story every 2 months it seems! It's not for everyone, but if you want, give it a go. Perhaps practice with some challenge threads?

 

[wishfulthinking]

I'll be happy to help. I love the concept, and I'd like to see you succeed.

It's like a literary Fantasy Island.

Deal. No backing out now >insert dracula laugh<.

I was thinking about you too, because I want to introduce the option of creating your own ebooks for sale [but not immediately at this stage].

 

[wishfulthinking]

Phase 1 is operational [ie bug clearing stage]

http://www.literarymetro.com/metro/

This is the essentially the first draft, so I have to go through and check all the links, and add in a lot of stuff, so help is welcome!

 

[impressive]

You need to alphabetize your story category list.

You need to be consistent with capitalization of titles in the story category list & elsewhere.

The forums look like a mirror of Lit's. Branch out. Be original.

Are you considering a pay-per-view content area ... perhaps a repository of those commissioned stories (with details changed, of course)?

I would consider making one story per author a "free" read. Then subsequent stories PPV. Or, perhaps, shorter (< 5,000 words) stories free ... and longer works for a fee.

My publisher sells short stories (5,000-12,000 words) for $2 apiece (eBook). They're called "Heat Sheets" and sales are surprisingly brisk. I've seen a lot of work here on Lit that is comparable in quality (in some cases, much better).

 

[wishfulthinking]

You need to alphabetize your story category list.

You need to be consistent with capitalization of titles in the story category list & elsewhere.

The forums look like a mirror of Lit's. Branch out. Be original.

Are you considering a pay-per-view content area ... perhaps a repository of those commissioned stories (with details changed, of course)?

I would consider making one story per author a "free" read. Then subsequent stories PPV. Or, perhaps, shorter (< 5,000 words) stories free ... and longer works for a fee.

My publisher sells short stories (5,000-12,000 words) for $2 apiece (eBook). They're called "Heat Sheets" and sales are surprisingly brisk. I've seen a lot of work here on Lit that is comparable in quality (in some cases, much better).

I haven't figured out what's happening with the categories - alphabetically wise - or whether I will add or cull some categories.

I want to introduce ebooks, but still have to research a bit of the logistics. Are you able to post the link so I can check out the heat sheets?

I want to keep the site mostly free. I've yet to put in some minor banners at the bottom, and I've still to get my amazon page of naughty stuff up. At this stage, no plans for a paid area, that may be a year down the track if the site gets up and going

Like your ideas!

 

[lil_elvis]

WT,

Although I wouldn't have the time to participate (hell, I can barely get anything done for lit, even at my own snail's pace), but good luck with the venture. Looks like you're getting some good advice.

 

[impressive]

I want to introduce ebooks, but still have to research a bit of the logistics. Are you able to post the link so I can check out the heat sheets?

http://www.phazebooks.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=27&osCsid=6d75ec586575e22af14dbf490c141684

They did a "Sparkler" submissions contest for July (hence the 12 HeatSheets with the same cover). Next will be the "Shiver" submissions contest for October ... "Snugglers" for January ... and ? (I think "Showers" was chosen, but I forget) for April. These are 5,000-12,000 word short stories. Plus, non-contest submissions are considered.

 

[wishfulthinking]

WT,

Although I wouldn't have the time to participate (hell, I can barely get anything done for lit, even at my own snail's pace), but good luck with the venture. Looks like you're getting some good advice.

everyone is being very supportive and helpful!

 

[wishfulthinking]

http://www.phazebooks.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=27&osCsid=6d75ec586575e22af14dbf490c141684

They did a "Sparkler" submissions contest for July (hence the 12 HeatSheets with the same cover). Next will be the "Shiver" submissions contest for October ... "Snugglers" for January ... and ? (I think "Showers" was chosen, but I forget) for April. These are 5,000-12,000 word short stories. Plus, non-contest submissions are considered.

Thanks for that, I'll go investigate