Romance Writers & Readers discussion

So, I'm wondering if anyone here has been part of one of those multi-author boxed sets. I've heard they are a fantastic cross-promotion opportunity, and a way for other authors to promote each other without it being weird. I'd like to do one, probably just a series of about 5 novellas give or take, but I don't know whether I should try to join someone else's boxed set (which seems presumptuous) or to set up my own (which seems like a lot of work, and also presumptuous). Dilemma!

If someone has done one before, how did it come about? Were you invited, or did you set up your own? And if you did set up you own, how does it work in terms of payments and division of labour, etc.?

Thanks!

Great questions about this topic, Aislinn! I'm totally clueless because I haven't participated in one or attempted to yet. Hopefully we have some other people who can help you with this:)

Thanks. :) I hope so, too!

Ooooh, fantastic question, Miss Aislinn!

This is something I also plan to do in the future but haven't had a chance to look into all the nitty gritty yet. I reckon one person has to register the equivalent of a small press and pay the other authors as contractors/employees (I dunno the correct author-y term haha). I'm not 100% sure if a LLC is required but my guess would be yes.

Personally, I'm gonna do an "all proceeds go to charity X" type thing to avoid all this. At least for the first go around anyway. And even then, it would be on an honor system cuz technically, the "organizer" (me) could just take off with the moolah, eh? Would NEVER do that. Just saying, though.

Yeah, sorry that's not much help, eh? I only have experience setting up companies in Canada so I'm not even sure how to go about paying people internationally.

Good thread, though! I'll come back and update as I gather more intel ^_~ Best of luck!!

Hugs,
Ann

Thanks Ann, much appreciated! I've heard of companies that you can do the set through. Like, they upload it and divvy up the payments to be fair to all the authors - a neutral third party, if you will. I'm not sure what they company is called, or how exactly it would work, though.

I do know an author who set up her own. She said it was quite a bit of work, but worth it.

And thanks! I will look forward to your updates. :)

Ah, that makes sense!

Yeah, I can't hand over those responsibilities to a 3rd party. I have control issues...

*wry grin*

Lemme know what you find if you end up deciding to go through a middleman. I'm interested to see how it comes together XD

I'm involved in a box set at the moment, and I was invited. The organiser has produced two/three other ones this year with 4 authors in each. She has taken on the task of preparing the anthologies, contracts and divvying up the proceeds, if there are any after her expenses are covered. I'm hoping for publicity, not big bucks from the venture.

However, I have also been considering organising a series of box sets (in different genres) for my goodreads group. I'd put them in KU for a minimum price to make sure they were in select.
Authors would NOT get any royalties as the group has over 2,500 members and if only a fraction of those joined, the logistics would be a nightmare.
The advantage would be getting publicity for their other works, and yes, I might make a little to cover my own time and expenses.

but I'm still thinking about it. I'm juggling a few plates at the moment and I don't want to take on too much - it might mean me dropping a few and I hate letting people down.

Such an interesting topic! Keep us updated, Aislinn, if you decide to go ahead and do one!

Will do! :)