Pledge goal reached - Time to stick it to the man!

So Tefler, what's the latest update on your fiscal situation? Do you know yet if you're really actually going to quit your job, or is $1500 per chapter after expenses and including pledge limits that cut in on subsequent chapters in the month enough?!? I'd really like an update on this post!!!

7OO Tnega Terces

Eh, I would probably give that pipe dream up Jedi ;) As of right now it's not even a given that Three Square Meals will make it to the record. If I remember correctly, back when we were around 1.2m words Tefler said there were probably around 800k more words to go. As of right now the longest novel that I can find is a 17th century romance novel with 2.1m words. Of course, it doesn't look like that novel is actually counted as the longest, with that honor going to an early 1900s book with roughly 1.26m words. All that aside, however, it's just not something that's often done, presumably for economic reasons. For example, it's FAR easier to convince a person to purchase 7 books at $9 apiece than it is to convince them to purchase a single, massive book for $60ish. The majority of people won't want to make that kind of investment for something they've never read before. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

m pretty sure that we would all prefer you make sure your income is sufficient and reliable than create a problem by jumping too fast to quickly. None of us (besides crazy) would begrudge a progressive transition to full time professional author. We love you, you beautiful bastard.

thomas

I'

thomas

Even if you decide not to "stick it the man" it is truly empowering to be to say it.

DCM

I've about down with my something like 8th read of the entire collection. I'm picking up a few errors and unclear paragraphs. I will try to assemble a list, but so far I get too wrapped up in the story to stop and make notes.

DCM

Tefler, can I recommend you set up a update schedule for each chapter. Like once every two weeks on a Saturday, or something similar. This would allow you a little more freedom in how much time you spend writing, and let you build up a que so that if you go on vacation this summer like last summer, we don't suffer a month long withdrawal. Even if it's just temporary for a month or two before your vacation, that would help us 3SQ junkies.

DemonHunterCole

Okay, so the Lord of the Rings may not have been the best example. Point is, chopping up 3SM in to a bunch of smaller books, each with their own title or sub title, and having them be able to stand on their own as a book unto themselves, just won't work for this story. It would be too much of a change of pace to the story, and would immediately disqualify it as a contender for World's Longest Novel. And I want to be able to say I've read the World's Longest Novel, damn it! :-D

Jedi Khan

Actually Jedi, even with your Lord of the Rings analogy...the overall story continues through each book, but each book also has a clearly defined ending as well, typically after a relatively major event. I would compare it to essentially any trilogy written. You know the story will continue in the next book, but each book also stands on its own. For an example that's closer in word count, look at Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Every single one of those massive books has a clearly defined beginning and end, but it's clearly understood that they are also part of a whole. Having that clear separation between books/volumes is what makes it easier to convince consumers to spend extra money on the next book. I imagine that buying a book and then finding out that it does not actually "end" at the end of the book, and that you just need to buy another volume to continue the story (only to find the exact same thing at the end of THAT volume), would get annoying to the average consumer. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

lol I'm not saying it has to be one big massive physical tome. It can be split into smaller, more manageable physical books known as volumes, but there can't be a clear separation in the text that defines each volume as a separate book. So think more Lord of the Rings, which was written as one story/book, rather than Harry Potter with it's clearly defined books. Also, I'm pretty sure there's a way to translate being a World Record holder into more money. Someone with a head for marketing can probably make it happen.

Jedi Khan

While that's true, that record doesn't exactly put money in Tefler's pocket so I couldn't care less lol. People are more likely to drop money on multiple large-ish novels than they are an analogous amount of money on a gargantuan novel lol. Generally speaking, from a business standpoint, it's easier for consumers to justify the smaller payments to themselves, even if the final payment comes to the same total amount. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

And we're at 900 patrons!

Jedi Khan

Yeah, I would suggest using some caution and play this the smart, rational way. Crazy however... Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead! Yeah...

Jedi Khan

If we want this story to have a chance at the record for World's Longest Novel, it would have to be one continuous novel. It can probably be split up into volumes, but they can't be distinct books with clear lines of separation between them.

Jedi Khan

Actually, I think if it were to just be toned down a lot rather than eliminated, the sex could help it sell. It would allow the story to be "edgy" without being "dirty". It's already not a stroke story, but if some of the extra blowjob scenes were eliminated and some of the other filler-style scenes were glossed over or treated as a "fade to black" type of thing, I think it could sell pretty well. The biggest problem I think Tefler would run into is the need to rework the chapters so that there was better flow between them, and a natural break every once in a while, so that it would be sold as a multi-book serial rather than just a single gargantuan book. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

When I first heard of Patreon, I thought the concept was overpriced as well, in most instances. The more I think about it these days, though, the more I realize that Tefler is basically giving us books about the size of each installment of The Green Mile, and Those cost about four bucks off the shelf when first published as a serial. For those who haven't read it, it was a six installment novel. Even at $3 a chapter, it's still a great price.

Lord Winter

FYI: From a purely financial viewpoint, I think it would behoove you to rewrite a PG version of this story so you can milk the most out of it. All the sex is going to be hard to sell but if you can find a way to clean it up (i.e. he's a psychic healer using chi or some such) you might be able to make a killing. Not that I personally have any objections to it, but you know how uptight society is.

Never thought I'd be paying $3 a chapter for a scifi story. But your story gives me much more enjoyment from the bai drinks I buy every day for $2 a pop. Keep it up Tefler. Hopefully when it's all said and done you can make a nice book out of this.

Tefler, I don't want to dismiss your goal nor your magnificent achievement in any way, but I agree with Morningfrost on this. As has been said, the $1500 per month per chapter goal has still not yet been reached, since Patreon gets its cut, PayPal gets some more, and so you're out over $100 off the top, just on the first chapter. Don't get yourself into a financial bind by moving too quickly! I think it's very wise of you to plan to see how this all plays out for at least a month or two, so that you know what your actual rate of return will be on that pledged amount. I know that everyone wants to see more of this story done more quickly over time, but I'm reasonably confident that no one wants to see you get hurt in the process, and even Crazy - not to mention Jedi Khan - would agree that it's better for you to be a bit cautious in making that particular leap. Having said that, again, felicitations on achieving such a momentous milestone in your efforts to become a full time author! I'm hoping to see more of your work sooner than later, as you proceed into the future.

Evan

Congratulations Tefler! Reading the post though, are you considering leaving your job even though it's currently only the first chapter of the month that gets the $1500? I imagine subsequent chapters are probably half or less? ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

Maybe commissioned art would be the next goal? Say, get up to $2,000 for that first monthly chapter, and then every month there's a new pinup release? Could include it as part of the first chapter release of the month, if he didn't want to charge a separate release for it. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

MrRugg3D, with a guess of 4/21. ~Morningfrost

Morningfrost

CONGRATALATIONS Tefler!!!!! You have earned it and more.

Thanks very much for the messages everyone! I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all your comments on the site over the last few months, and all the positive feedback you've given me makes the writing so much more rewarding!

Tefler

Congratulations Tefler

I don't think we have to worry too much about a drop in quality. I don't see Tefler settling for anything less than his current level of quality. Keep in mind, Tefler's current level of quality and output is with him still putting in a regular 40-hour week at work. Getting that time sink out of the way can only lead to good things for us, and hopefully for Tefler as well!

Jedi Khan

Congrats Tef! So, any thoughts on what the next goal should be?

Jedi Khan

Congratulations Tefler! It's really exciting to be part of this loyal group of readers and continue to support you as a writer. I've read a lot of scifi authors but none of them have the depth and the creativity you put into your work. I guess it's being able to find balance in all the elements that you use to make one great chapter time and time again. Cheers!

Chefy

Hope it works out that you can start the new full time job as soon as possible. : ). Will we get to read the resignation letter? I have always dreamed of being able to write one of my own.

Congrats. I've read the story over and over again while you write and it's awesome to see it growing. I'm glad that you've reached a point where full time is an option. I hope it works out for yards.

Dragonkain

Congratulations! Been with you since chapter 20 something and planned to pledge before you got to 1500 but never got around to it. Nonetheless very well deserved.

Jason Chan

Congratulations Tefler.

Congrats, well deserved for such an awesome story.

Byroz

If your other job allows it. Working 2 days a week can be a good way to keep one foot in the workforce, if you're afraid of a pledge reduction after the end of TSM. Personnally, be sure that I won't quit 'til you stop writing.

I second that or even ask for unpaid leave for a trial basis As a side note id rather the quality remain the same than an increase in frequency

A very smart idea one way you could try it is if your place of employment has an extended leave instead of out right quiting as a trial as well.

Congrats, Tefler! Keep up the great work! Morningstar- who "won, the pool?

CJ Mora

Congrats, Tef!

It's a great story, and well written, how could we not tell everyone about it. Congrats man!!

That's so fucking awesome. Keep up the great work and we'll keep paying.