Hey, all -
We are finally putting together quotes for a run of our first trade, which will collect Chapters One through Five of this, our First Book of Sabre. Eric, Rick, and I have been preparing the document and we’ve begun seeking out printers to get quotes on the run. Once we’ve gotten a few (or more than a few, honestly) bids in, we’ll be moving to Kickstarter. Our plan is to make this edition a Kickstarter/by-hand only book, meaning that it’ll only be available through the Kickstarter, or from Eric, Rick, and myself at conventions.
We’re trying to keep the price reasonable for what is looking to be a 192-page hardcover; ideally, we’ll be able to offer the book for $25/copy.
Amidst all these preparations and various attempts to understand just what it is we’re about to get ourselves into, we’ve also discussed some of the premiums we’d like to offer as part of the Kickstarter campaign, and this brings me to you lovely folks. We have lots of ideas, and we’ve gotten lots of advice from creators who’ve been down this road ahead of us, but we’re curious: What would you like to see offered in the Kickstarter, aside from the book?
Please share your thoughts! This matters a great deal to us – we’ve got a lot riding on doing this right!
Hold fast!
Greg
I reckon throwing in the T-shirt and poster would be cool (I will buy them anyway and it will save on postage to Australia). I also think a copy signed by you al, and another including a Burchett sketch.
I have seen other folk including a digital issue with the paper copy, but that is redundant for this (amazing !!) work. So is including a script as you already do that for us too (Greg, you spoil us man !!)
Hey, just thought of something else – a map of the world, coloured and poster sized like the cool Middle Earth one that came out a few……hmmm, make that twenty….years ago (Geez, I suddenly feel old !)
Aside from that I will be happy with anything. I will chuck in $50 or so, which means I want that price point to have the most cool swag !!!! (tee hee)
Finally, a visit from either of you to our fair shores would be awesome, but I reckon it would cost too much to make that happen !
Hope these ravings are somewhat useful.
Oh, and thanks again for my favourite comic (web or otherwise !)
To be honest, I generally go for the usual stuff. Give me the book and I’ll be happy. I do agree with Brett Harris in that I wouldn’t mind a copy of the poster you have in your marketplace, right now. Sketches, if Rick has the time, would be nice for high-end donors.
Other than that, my only advice is to do your homework. A lot. I’ve read a couple articles on Kickstarter. They all seem to agree that biggest mistakes a project can make are shipping costs and lack of communication.
Good luck!
A digital copy of the book isn’t the same as having the content on the website. I like Kickstarters that offer digital copies of things offered as physical items, if possible, as a price-point on their own. Saves on shipping for international fans, saves on stuff for those of us at risk of dying in bookslides…
Woo hoo!! I haven’t participated in any other kickstarter projects, so I’m not certain of all the additional swag offered. I guess one premier item could be a brand new sketch by Rick or narrative by yourself, which would not be available to the masses. Maybe this is similar to the Fables giveaway Bill Willingham provides at SDCC.
Other than that, some of the ideas mentioned above are fine.
One question I have is will the scripts be part of the book or only the screens. Personally, I think the scripts provide a deeper involvement in the story — and make you appreciate Rick even more.
Good luck!!
Possible extra rewards:
A digital copy to go with the book
Branded costume like items like Goggles or a jacket
(at the high end) custom art work pieces
(at the high end) appearing as a character in the book
Fridge magnets
Stickers
Posters
T-Shirts
an invite only chat session with the creators
An art and script book
A coloring book, you know, for the kids.
Those are the ones that come to mind based on some previous ones I have seen.
I’d agree with Jeremiah’s suggestions.
Me? I’d just be happy with the book, and will contribute what I can to help out.
Glad to hear about the upcoming campaign!
My suggestions are:
- A signed 4-color poster by the creators. Image would be an illo done exclusively for that poster.
- A PDF of an exclusive 8-page story that reveals an interesting piece of history on the world or a major character.
- A PDF of the series bible, minus any details that would spoil future stories / developments.
Good luck!
What Jeremiah McCoy said (although Fridge magnets is a bit too much, I think). And signed copies of the fisical books, sketches by Rick. At the high end: A Rick and/or Eric video tutorial talking about drawing and coloring.
You definitely don’t want an Eric video about any of those things. That’s the tier that we reserve for people we want to punish for not contributing.
party pooper
I agree that a digital copy would be nice. I want a paper, permanent copy to have on my bookshelf that will outlast operating systems and technology, but I also want a copy I can carry with me on my iPad without having to have an internet connection or having to load one page after another.
Could I also suggest that it would be nice if, in addition to being available through the Kickstarter campaign and at conventions, you also sell the book on this site? I know that if I were a latecomer to this party, I would feel bad if I missed my chance to get the book because I missed the one-time Kickstarter opportunity, and didn’t have the ability to go see you all at a convention. (When was the last time you came to a Vegas comic con? Was it the one I organized for the library?)
OMGOMGOMGOMG – continued from Twitter, yes.
- digital version of the book at a lower price tier, for those with a lower budget but who still want it. (No shipping, etc.)
- Art Postcards – mini posters of awesome.
- Personalized/signed postcards at a higher tier
- Keychains! Depending on production prices, those make for good conversation pieces and something you can carry about wherever you go/are.
I just want the book, but I know that have a PDF of the book is always a great slightly less expensive reward tier. A book plate with a sketch would be cool. T-shirt and stuff are nice, but I find that the printing and shipping costs involved can be a bit much. Basically the more digital rewards you can offer the easier it is on you and many of the people trying to get your book.
I love the idea of a bookplate (maybe to indicate that it’s a KS limited edition or whatever). I personally wouldn’t go in for a t-shirt or poster (I have piles of t-shirts already and no wall space left), but the suggestions of patches, stickers, and magnets are definitely things I’d be interested in.
I echo the above sentiments for a bookplate.
Would you want these to be signed and numbered? Just signed?
I would love signed and numbered, but just signed would be fine with me (the keeping track of the total number might get to be a pain), too.
Ideally something that indicates these particular books are solely from the KS campaign and while the same content might be issued/sold elsewhere, the ones with the bookplate are limited to the number pre-ordered by the backers.
Signed would be super cool! I like the idea of bookplates cause you can slide them into the book and not add anything to shipping costs, plus they’re something unique for your backers.
I also would like the option to get a digital copy with the paper book.
And all those nice ideas already written: magnet, T-shirt, keychain, some original art or commission.
I always prefer options that let me get the digital version and the hardcover. I will always give a little extra for that. Also, posters or prints are a big temptation for me.
A PDF of the book would certainly be a nice stretch goal, to be sure. A T-shirt would be welcome, as would either some limited stickers or a poster, depending on the economics.
Mentions of stuff like a bonus PDF with a short story or some series background is a neat idea, but again: make sure it makes fiscal sense.
I like the Art Postcard suggestion, as well.
an 11×17 print would be cool. Having a personalized signature option (at a higher donation level) would be even better!
I should specify that I am talking about a new, exclusive image (not the same as the one you already offer).
We will definitely be offering a PDF of the trade, DRM-free.
We’re shying away from t-shirts and large posters, mostly due to shipping concerns. Especially with posters, the expense to guarantee they’re delivered without damage, however minor, is challenging.
One of the things we’ve been wrestling with is shipping, believe it or not. Many Kickstarters offer pledge-levels and then add shipping at different rates for different regions. As we have many international readers, we want to make sure we can ship overseas, but the price becomes a real issue, especially because we want to provide tracking information.
We’re considering patches (a Lady Sabre Crew Patch, embroidered, designed by Rick and Eric), as well as stickers and other ephemera, especially charms that could be used as keychains or jewelry and the like. And my kids are all-for Lady Sabre temporary tattoos, but that may just be them….
I agree with your children.
Enabler!
For me, with Kickstarter, I generally want to be able to get the book at a reasonable price, and anything above that I would want to be personalised or behind-the-scenes in nature.
For example, remarqued or signed/numbered editions could be at a higher level.
Somebody up-thread mentioned a Skype conversation for a higher level (maybe a group one like Alan Moore did for the Harvey Pekar statue kickstarter), which would be nice, but obviously would need to revolve around your schedules.
An edition with extras – possibly scripts (though, as someone noted above, you already provide those here – Thanks!), or additional sketches with commentary showing the evolution of the characters, or maybe the Bible (to this point) as was also mentioned up-thread, or maybe the initial back and forth between you two artists that helped form this story (if that’s even available).
Ultimately, people buying this book or backing this Kickstarter will, for the most part (I believe), be those who are fans of your work – both Mr. Rucka and Burchett – and will appreciate shelling out extra money for something a bit more personal. I know I was prompted to purchase the Q&C novels almost immediately upon publication because I knew I could get the special bookplates you offered, which is how I’m basing my theory here, sir.
Anyway. Cannot wait for this. Thank you for all the work you and Rick do.
-chris
One thing I wonder when I see the “add shipping” is what happens if people don’t read the fine print? How is this tracked? Wouldn’t it be easier to have an international pledge option with the extra shipping already included?
As for perks like t-shirts and the like, I really think this type of swag is a waste of resources.
I’m personally attracted to commission art offerings (limited of course) at a certain price points which some kickstarters offer.
I also like stretch goals like hardcover or extra pages of the story.
My two cents anyway..
At this point, we’re not looking at hardcover as a stretch goal, but as the first option out of the gate!
As Eric said, our intent is to publish in hardcover rather than softcover. We’re considering a high-end premium edition, very limited numbers, that would be “artifact edition”, ie, leather bound, buckles, maybe a lock and key. No idea how we’d get that bound or what we’d price it at….
A Queen & Country story. Or a Hopeless Savages. A flipcover, with both. What?
There’s some “extras” in the Parker Martini Edition that were really cool and made it especially memorable. They could easily be adapted for Lady Sabre.
-Transcript of this great interview between Cooke, Brubaker, and Spurgeon about the Parker books, the process, influences, etc.
- 8 or 9 page short Parker comic exclusive to the edition. I for one would dig the hell out of a Drumm short.
– sketches of Parker-esque movie characters and little blurbs about them. Same could be done for steampunk/action/adventure stories you guys drew inspiration from.
Aside from the comic itself, I’d love to see the script pages and some design sketches from Rick.
And a puppy.
I’ll probably buy the book & digital copy. And actually, I’d probably be all over charms, depending on size.
I collect lapel pins, but that’s just me
Money is tight for me, and that’s not likely to change soon. Also, I’ve never had much room for trinkets and posters, and less now that I’m married. Haha.
However, I would looove a jigsaw puzzle of a cut-away of the ships from the strip!
So excited to get this into my hands, doooo it. I think you should definitely make it a nice sized edition with a cool quality hardcover. I’m happy with that. I can guarantee this will be a huge success so get ready to be blessed.
How about an MP3/CD of Rucka’s “Director’s Notes” to go along with the book? Commission by Burchett would be awesome. Autographed bookplate too. Man I wish I had more money!
I normally don’t go for “swag” such as prints, posters, t-shirts or postcards but tend to favour incentives and perks that are usually associated with stretch goals instead, such as slipcases, extra story content, alternate covers, sketchbooks and bigger folio size.
I’ve also noticed that drawing backers into pages of a book goes for good money, which is likely moot in the case of a reprint initiative such as this (unless you guys can think of panels that can sustain an extra character).
I love the Kickstarters that include art of somekind, so I agree with anyone who suggested art incentives.
I also think that maybe a small short story exclusive to the print (at least for awhile) version is a great idea. Perhaps bios of the major characters? Or a blueprint of the Pegasus in the back of the book. Things that are slightly easier to implement are putting a user in the comic itself. I know I always got a big kick out of seeing my name in a comic
It’s my firm belief that Spurlock lives on in the DCU somewhere.
Coming in on this a little late and haven’t read all the posts so apologies if I repeat what someone else has already said.
As I am very keen to try and run a RPG based on Lady Sabre I’d love a small book explaining the world and the tech (maybe using some more of the art you’ve already posted on the site) along with maps of the setting. I’d be happy for the book to be in pdf or epub format to save on printing costs.
T-shirt and art is always welcome; especially art of the principal characters and vessels.
Drawings of deckplans for the Pegasus would also be cool.
Bookmarks are a good way to go – you could do one for each of the principal characters and cover the art at the same time.
Greg, I love the idea of a high end hardcover.
A bookplate/sketched edition would be a great idea and a nice nod to the bookplates for the Q&C novels. I also like the idea of some how incorporating dossiers, blueprints etc. Whether that would be considered part of the actual book or something different, I don’t know.
There are creators that made suggestions up top- what about being involved in the production of a strip for a week? CC’d on emails or on a conference call when you guys are planning etc.
I love to see that you are doing this!
190 pages for $25 sounds very very reasonable. So reasonable that I would still think it was very reasonable if you only did 3 chapters instead of 5.
Which would be cheaper to print. Making it more profitable to you. Which I like.
It would also require less material which would allow you to do this again in just a few months in order to put out volume 2. Which I like.
Just a thought. I know that I would still donate. What does everyone else think?
I’ve been giving this some thought since you posted it, Jason (and thank you for the kind words). I think we’re feeling that less than the first five chapters would feel a little thin, narrative-wise. We really want to produce a trade that’ll have some heft to it, and be worth every penny people are willing to put forward towards it. Much as I would love for us to see profit on this, my major concern is the break-even.
But I’m curious as to what other folks are thinking. Is $25 for 192 pages, hardcover, too little to ask? Too much? I look at the Big Two popping out hardcovers, and it seems to me they’re exceptionally over-priced in the main, but I stress “seems” – I’m still learning about all the costs associated with printing and distributing a book like this.
I think you can probably even go up to $30, especially if you decide to add content in the form of additional short stories, background info, etc. as stretch goals. That’s not a bad price for a nearly 200 page HC. Also, make sure not to ignore shipping. Many Kickstarter projects run into this issue, especially now with the increase in postage rates that were instituted a few weeks ago. Many projects that are in the black end up losing money when they finally get around to sending all the stuff out.
Also, check with other project owners of both successful and unsuccessful campaigns. They can give you some good tips. Paul Roman Martinez of 19XX fame has run a couple successful campaigns for his HC printings of both chapters of his web comic.
FYI, we spent a long time on the phone today talking about some of the ideas you’ve offered in this comments thread. Keep them coming, gang!
Late to this
Like others have said sketches are always a fun thing. Something like Lady Sabre themed playing or tarot cards may also be fun (don’t know how easy that would be to do). Otherwise patches are pins are always a good thing. Maybe a limited edition even fancier version of the book?
I love having a section in the back listing the contributors (alphabetically, don’t make the Cyberforce mistake ^_^), as well as a sketch or commission option (if for a reasonable price). And low international shipping. 10 or 12$ seems reasonable, 20-25 ridiculous.
200pgs for 25-30$ sounds more than acceptable. Stretch goals could increase the page count (with the additionals on the site, for instance) at the same book-cost, and I think you’ll need those stretch-goals. A kickstarter of this (and I’ve backed a few) will attract a LOT of interest.
International shipping options are a challenge; it’s one of the reasons the rates are so broad. There’s no cheap option that provides tracking that we’ve found as yet, and it’s important to us that we provide tracking. I’ve had difficulties sending books internationally without – more than once, the package hasn’t arrived.
When you talk of contributors, are you referring to a “Thank You” section?
Thanks for your comments!
Oh and in regards to your later question: I also would much rather have a big book than a small one. Don’t go the Marvel Wolverine & the X-Men in HC route, thank you!