Kindle Vella is a way for me to keep a promise I made to myself.
More about that in a bit...
Kindle Vella is Amazon's answer to the serialized stories that have been populating internet sites, like Wattpad, for years. Amazon is banking on the shifting dynamics in how customers consume video content - fast, short, highly specialized, binge-worthy, mobile-first storytelling - spilling over into how people consume stories.
Amazon launched Vella in July 2021, and they are highly motivated to succeed. To attract quality authors (and to overcome the sting of much lower royalties than authors are accustomed to from KDP), they're sharing profits (called bonuses) with authors who play the game the right way: great content and consistent uploads of new episodes.
Episodes are typically 1500-5000 words. Anyone may sample the first three of any serialized work for free. Beyond installment three, readers use tokens to unlock stories, episode by episode. The higher the episode word count, the more tokens required to unlock. Currently, readers may purchase 200 tokens for $1.99, which unlocks approximately 8 episodes of any Vella story. At 50% royalties, this makes your author's profit abysmal. Truly. But before you say, "Um, no...next!" consider the following:
Ready to team up?
Pick the level of Vella partnership that best meets your goals:
A Vella Consult is a 3-hour, highly individualized assessment of your project, goals, market, how-to instructions, and decisions unique to this platform. After the consult, the client is responsible for all uploads, scheduling, and content. $199.
No Vella story will be effective without meeting reader expectations of quality. Episode edits (developmental and line) before posting ensure your readers will pay tokens to keep pushing ahead in your story. Select the number of story edits that work best for you: $35 per episode; $100 for five episodes; or $899 for up to 100 episodes. One editing pass per episode.
Full Vella Support means that I use my skills to adapt your project (including ghostwriting, if needed) and upload at a schedule of your choosing. Take advantage of this growing market, revitalize unfinished or problematic manuscripts, and free yourself to focus on the part of being an author that brings you the most joy. $1999 for a project's entirety or up to 100 episodes. Don't forget: when your story is complete on Vella, you'll have a quality story ready to publish in e-book, paperback, or audio.
I encourage you to visit the Kindle Vella portion of Amazon's site and browse your genre to familiarize yourself with the platform. How much of an impact Vella will have on the publishing industry is anyone's guess. It's essential to know your why for becoming a Vella author.
Me? I've been blessed to have a thriving freelance business, but it has not come without a cost. My why is to consistently devote time to my personal writing and find readers who respond to my voice. A promise to myself, kept.
If you think Vella might be for you, head to my contact page or drop me an email (la-mitchell@la-mitchell.com), and we'll discuss if it's right for you.
How many of you have dreamed about having an audiobook version of your novel or non-fiction book, but the task seemed impossible? How many of you want to be the definitive voice of your brand? How many of you can afford the exorbitant prices and excessive time and energy to find narrators and producers, then learn how and where to upload for distribution?
How many of you would pay a reasonable amount for the experience to come to you?
Say no more. I've got you, fam.
First, the reasons you should have audiobooks as part of your revenue stream:
A non-fiction book or memoir narrated by the creator of the material is the ultimate one-on-one experience. A no-brainer in authority marketing. As intimate as a conversation with an expert or friend.
For fiction, hiring a narrator is a sound option. Not all of us like the sound of our voice (although I'm learning that this common dislike eases the more you hear yourself) or can level up the storytelling to give listeners a satisfying experience. However, consider the following . . .
Ready to learn more about how we can save you hundreds, maybe thousands, on your audiobook dream and have fun in the process? Jump below the logo for process and pricing.
| How It Works |
| With a small cluster of the right high-quality equipment, I come to you. Any small space or closet can be adapted to the perfect sound booth. We'll start with specialized training so your listener (and you) get the most out of the experience. I'll be there each step of the way as you record your narrative, chapter by chapter, offering feedback and reassurance. (I promise it's okay if you make mistakes or accidentally bump the microphone). I'll edit the audio while we're together to ensure proper retakes. Together, we'll choose a 1-5 minute sample of your best and most compelling storytelling to put up on retail sites, and the rest is on me. You return to your wicked busy life as an author or authority speaker and look forward to having a distributed audiobook in about three weeks. Simple and fun. Additional discounts if you provide accommodations. Bookings are available starting Feb 1, 2023. |
| Personalized Narrative Sessions |
| Includes: specialized training on how to narrate your content effectively recording sessions, including intro and outro. full audio edits, including retakes complimentary adaptation of cover art by a graphic artist for audio sales, if desired. live upload assist and distribution services to your desired platform(s). Domestic US fee: $2999.00 Additional fee for international bookings |
| A Narration Retreat! |
| Sounds like fun already, right? I'll come to the location of your choice. One author's home or a vacation rental works well. Everything in the personalized narrative session is included. Up to four authors. Per-author rate of $2000.00. Email me for additional information. Are you ready to start your audiobook journey? |
| First booking (individual or group) for audiobook service will receive a 10% discount! Email me FMI: la-mitchell@la-mitchell.com |
There is a moment I search for every holiday season that brings me to the fullness of all I am supposed to feel this time of year. Some years, it comes in a crowded pew, staring up at the gigantic painted crucifix above the altar and laughing inwardly at the memory of my son as a toddler pointing at the blood depicted and saying “Uh-oh, uh-oh, uh-oh” during a quiet portion of mass. Some years, it comes on the warm smile of a stranger. One year, it came on an icy Christmas Eve, waiting in a frigid ditch with a scared family for paramedics to arrive. Sometimes it is humor. Sometimes pride. And sometimes, it is in the ordinariness that I neglect to appreciate most days.
These moments pull back the curtain of numbness that prevails in life. The daily have-tos and the occasional want-tos are cleared away in one transcendent breath of clarity.
What a gift.
When the moment passes, all is right again. If I never have another of these moments all season, I am satisfied because I reconnected to the human experience in a powerful way.
My moment came yesterday.
It stole in, unannounced, at twilight. The house was quiet but for an app on my phone, playing an instrumental Christmas station, barely above a whisper. The kitchen was dim - one light over the stove. A saucepan steamed a lone artichoke. If you’ve ever steamed an artichoke, you know how long it takes. Minutes became elastic. Time stretched. I can’t say how long I stood there, watching the steam rise, feeling its heat, and listening to a lazy, nostalgic tune on saxophone.
It was in that moment I felt my dad close. With me. This year’s moment, my moment, was one of profound sadness for losing him this summer. Instead of pushing it away, as I have done so many times in the chore of being strong for others or because the emotional hill was too steep to climb, I settled into the moment's languid and tearful pocket. And what a moment it was.
Yesterday was his birthday, but I received the gift.
My wish for all of you is that you find your moment. Be watchful. The moment steals in when you least expect it, awakens the numbness, and leaves an enigmatic human afterglow.
I continue to be humbled by all of you - my readers, my clients, my friends - who give me the opportunity to live my best life doing what I love. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
If Christmas is yours, I pray you all have a blessed season. And if you find celebration in other ways this time of year, I wish you joy and love and peace.
I actually have about three dozen time travel-esque photos saved on my hard drive for such an occasion as this, but I ran across this image on Unsplash and thought it needed love. I mean, how many people will actually use this? Also, some days this is me, catapulting myself on a moving walkway into a time portal, all blurred, with my shirt riding up.
I must confess something. Two things, actually. Really get them out there lest I feel like a smooth poser in the world of time travel. I am no stranger to fandoms. I'll jump on board obscure fandoms like NBC time travel shows that get canceled after one season, fandoms like LOST that go on for a bit, and crazy avant garde movies like Memento. But there are two time travel fandoms I have ignored.
Until now, Vortexers.
I have never read Outlander or seen the series
&
I have never watched Dr. Who.
Let's clarify the Dr. Who confession: I was subjected to the original. In my footie pajamas in the 1970s, for two weeks when my parents traveled, our sitter was crazy-obsessed and the television did not leave PBS. Pretty sure that's when my dislike took root. One of my writing friends adores the Dr. Who reboot. I've been meaning to start. It just seems so daunting, so far back.
And then this scene came up on my YouTube feed, a suggested video. Holy heck, I thought. Where have I been all my life? I'm a little nervous that the comments say this is the pinnacle of Dr. Who. Will the rest be reminiscent of those 1970's days?
At any rate, I can't call myself a time travel-obsessed writer if I don't fill in my fandom gaps. That's where you come in! Everyone has the voting bug right now, so voting in the Vortex is underway. You decide which fandom I jump into next. I'll give periodic updates along the way.
So I had such a response from last week's newsletter that I couldn't let a special day like February 29th go by without some special Vortex love. CMT channel is broadcasting LEAP YEAR this Friday night. If you've cut the cable cord, have no fear. I've included links below to find out all the ways you can watch along with us.
For those of you who haven't participated in a Twitter party before, it's easy: just be sure to include the hashtag #vortexleap every time you tweet a comment during the movie. To read the comments of other Vortexers, type #vortexleap into Twitter's search box. Be sure to refresh often to enjoy the comments in real-time.
Even if you can't stay awake for the entire movie, pop in for a bit. Other Vortexers would love to meet and follow you. I'll be hanging out and chatting until the credits roll.
For those of you who don't have CMT, try this link.
Other places to stream.
For those of you who already own the movie: I'll be tweeting when to start and stop to allow for commercials so we can all watch together.
And to get you jazzed for the movie, here's the trailer.
See you Friday night for the fun!
It's December. Time for the annual roundup of writer-ly gift ideas from people whose romanticized idea of a writer comes from movies or legends handed down from the Edwardian age. Even Writer's Digest is guilty this year. A notebook? Really? Where is the creativity? Where's the sensitivity? Give a writer an expensive moleskin notebook and you might as well have gifted him a crippling case of writer's block. A 15-cent spiral on clearance from a big box store after the back-to-school rush? Now you're talking. Three hundred pages of permission to write crap with a cartoon turtle on the front equals productivity. And the gift of a subscription to Writer's Digest? Wow.
Have no fear, Vortexers. Straight from the 20-year trenches, I present what the writer on your list really wants for a gift.
Time
Time is one of the hardest gifts to give, but it's the gift most writers need. There is never enough of it, and sometimes we fritter it away when the ideas aren't flowing and the prose isn't sliding into place. Figure out the have-to-do chores on your writer's list and select ones you can do. Multiple times. Like a week or a month's worth. Something the writer in your life can count on consistently. The best part? This gift is absolutely free.
Space
If your writer doesn't have a dedicated space to devote to her craft, make one. It doesn't have to be a glammed up she-shed in the backyard or a Hemingway-themed treehouse (though both of these sound amazing). It doesn't even have to be a dedicated room. A corner or desk in a quiet space will do nicely. If space is at a premium in your world, an AirBnB gift card at a local spot for a nice stretch of time would be heaven.
Craft Books
Do not purchase a Writer's Market tome or a Guide to Literary Agents for the current year. By the time the book goes to print, the information is already outdated. A Google search will score the writer in your life the most current information when it comes to getting published. And please no books with writing prompts. Every writer I know already has enough ideas to fill 20 lifetimes. Instead, investigate the best how-to plotting/writing resources that fit your writer's genre. If you're unsure, lean on screenwriting technique-oriented plotting books. Look up the most recent bestsellers in the category of writing. Ask your writer's critique partners or mentor for suggestions.
Knowledge
An extension of craft books, why not purchase an online workshop for the writer in your life? A few hours with a reputable writing coach or developmental editor? A writing retreat or conference? Beyond enhancing his craft, he will make connections, find his tribe of like-minded people, build his network. So much of the great things in this industry are the relationships and the who-you-know along the way.
Tools
Step away from the fancy pens and textured paper. Serious writers today need an arsenal of technology. If a laptop isn't in your budget, consider writing software like Scrivener or programs for editing, productivity, or note-taking. Check around before purchasing. Almost always, online discounts abound.
A Website
This is a deeply personal but necessary part of a writer's personal brand, so unless you have knowledge of exactly how your writer wants to present herself to readers, give the gift of a site consult, an initial design, a hosting/domain package or a mini-course on how to set up a site. If you have design talent and wish to do the work for your writer, sit with her for a few hours and listen to her website needs. Read her work. Get a feel for the colors and textures and tones of other successful writers in her lane. Create it and then gift her the autonomy to run with it.
Books
The greatest teacher for any writer are the greats who have come before. If he writes horror, don't gift him the latest NY Times Bestselling memoir. Dig deep. Find out what critics and readers consider to be the BEST in that genre then hit the discount bookstore and bundle them all up together. If you're unsure, a gift card to his favorite bookstore is always a win.
Experience
Let's say the writer in your life is trying to capture WWII. Why not give her a tour inside the cockpit of a vintage aircraft? If he's writing a police procedural, how about a citizen ride-along or a day at the shooting range? Writers already have to stretch to capture what we do not know on the page. Anything to help with that stretch is most welcome. Experiences spark creativity and create lasting memories.
Apparel
One of the best writer-ly gifts I ever received was a T-shirt imprinted with my entire story. Yes, it gets awkward when I'm wearing it in a long check out line and I can feel people's eyes on it, but writers love wearing things that put us squarely inside our niche culture. Edgar Allan Poe pajama bottoms. Little Women slippers. Just remember, we don't dress in our Neiman Marcus best when we write. Out of necessity, we write dressed comfortably. It's impossible to slip into an alternate universe in a tweed coat and loafers that pinch.
If you have other suggestions, we'd love to read them in the comments below. Happy shopping!
About two weeks ago, I participated in a career day for local sixth graders. I spoke about being published and what it was like to have a book signing. I did a fun speed writing exercise which then turned into a lesson about ghostwriting, complete with money exchanging hands and someone else getting credit for the work. And we talked about what an editor does to help a story become the best it can be.
When I taught, I adored this age: old enough to have fresh ideas about the world, young enough to still be this side of sass. Today, "the feels" came in a manilla envelope, packed full of handwritten thank you notes. Each and every one is special, but here are some fun quotes I wanted to share with my peeps:
"The paper I wrote was actually chapter 9 of my up-coming novel. And I'm so glad you came to teach me about things I didn't know yet." - LR
"P.S. I'll never forget, keep writing um..um..um. LOL" - Caitlin
"I didn't even know ghostwriting was a thing! You have stood out from the others on this career day!" -Maya
"You were fun. I liked the little activity we did and I think your career is cool. "Ghostwriter." I hope you have a great writers life even though they [the books] might not have your name on it." (with additional sad face) - Natalya
"At first I didn't want to be a writter, but you got me a little interested in writing for a living. I probably would be a ghostwriter because it would be easier on me." - Kaitlyn
"You have inspired me to go the extra mile in my writing. Also, I enjoyed the writing activity very much! I will definately be using that if I have writer's block." - FM
"I really enjoyed what you said about ghostwriters. I love writing and ever since you talked to me about ghostwriting, I'm really interested in being a ghostwriter someday." -Savannah
"I, myself, have considered being a writer and you allowed me to venture into the possibilities of being maybe a ghostwriter. You also inspired me when you told us to "Just write." That may be my new favorite motto!" -Ellie
"Thank you for being here today. It was a great honor. You expire me to be a writer." -Catherine
"You have encouraged me to start to write some more in my free time." - Jessica
"Wright on!" -JB
"I am the bruised bannana. I hope you like my story." - John
Yesterday, the annual bombardment of perfume and cologne samples clogged my mailbox, slipping from glossy Black Friday ads like seduction bombs delivered by the cosmetic industry. Here's the thing: as a writer, I save every one of them.
Remember how I always say that music is the short cut to Storyland? If music is the short cut, fragrance samples are the high-octane vehicle that gets me there. Sure, some smell more like the inside of a heiress's steamy regrets, but sometimes I am able to attach just the right scent to just the right character and magic ensues. One whiff, and I'm right there with that imaginary character.
So in celebration of this olfactory phenomenon of writing (and because some of you may be considering purchasing a fragrance for a loved one - don't, please don't - that never works out), I give you the latest four that just tumbled from my mailbox:
Estee Lauder - Modern Muse
Aside from the writerly squees that occurred to me at this perfume's title and the pitch line: Be an inspiration, this scent is one of your rich characters. Heels most of the time, the target market of every DeBeer's commercial and just a hint of spice to indicate she moonlighted as a high-priced escort to pay her way through college. No PTA mom here. This chick will cost your hero. And betray him.
Coach - Poppy Wildflower
This character is a kindergarten teacher before she has crayola paint and boogers smeared on her skirt. She's your little sister, Taylor Swift and Paris in the sunshine all rolled into one. You adore her initial sweetness, but it suffocates after a time. Like headache suffocate.
Ralph Lauren - Romance
Seriously, could this fragrance be any more targeted to my demographic? The ad even portrays a hunky guy and a woman trotting side-by-side on twin white horses. He leans over for a smooch, but kisses her eyeball instead. To so boldly proclaim that these notes of odoriferous emanation will deliver romance is a heady promise. What does it truly deliver? The perfect balance of everything, with not too much of anything but the glue meant to hold the sample closed. It's like the Switzerland of Romancelandia. Kinda forgettable. Except for the eyeball kiss. And at $91 for 3.4 ounces, I would have expected something more. The UPS guy, for instance, to give an eyeball kiss upon delivery. Something.
Donna Karan - Cashmere Mist
Oh, wow. The name is already trying too hard, right? It's like someone shoved a Harlequin novel into a phallic bottle. No man on this ad to suggest anything more than a scent, which is a good thing. This one is your futuristic antagonistic heroine who rose to too much power and must now be taken down. She doesn't live entirely in her steel-and-glass fortress. Every now and then, she ventures out into the cashmere mist to frolic with squirrels.
Bottom line, don't throw the samples away and don't sniff them to death. Even if you dislike the scent, you never know when it will be the perfect connection to a character.
What do your favorite (or not-so-favorite) characters smell like?
Don't judge me too harshly for tuning into the first week of Fox's new show, Utopia. In my defense, I lasted about twenty minutes. And ABC has yet to cast Dean Butler in the role of old TV star on Dancing With the Stars. The Utopia concept is solid, the behind the scenes production is slick, the host is delightfully quirky in that Boulder/Austin/Johnny Depp/rubber-nose-and-glasses kind of way. What is the problem, you ask?
The casting is abysmal.
No, really. I wouldn't even sick these people on my backdoor neighbor. I get that Fox wanted conflict. Conflict is the engine that drives stories (even if they are manufactured in the mind of a producer instead of an author). But if you're going to tout this as some kind of revolutionary social science experiment, lets not scrape the bottom of humanity's barrel. It's like Lord of the Flies meets MTV. Where are the engineers? Doctors? Survivalists that might actually teach the audience a thing or two about life beyond a nudist colony?
Sadly, I'll never get those twenty minutes of my life back. However, it did make me wonder what a writer's utopia might look like:
Every citizen would have his/her own "retreat," complete with noise-cancelling headphones, propane-heated stoves and napping space.
Every citizen would be limited to 500 words or less during tribe meetings to keep from composing dissertations and novels on the merits of starting a fire Kerouac-style.
Citizens who write horror are not allowed to give the post-dinner pep talk.
It isn't enough to sell your work for money. You must also pitch in your soul. No doubt, the soul will generate more income for the tribe.
The babbling brook running through the compound would be brimming with coffee. That Utopia smells like your old high school social studies teacher is an unfortunate side effect.
Once per week, editors and agents would visit the gate, fat contracts in hand. Citizens could then vote them off in a grand "slush pile" ceremony.
What would your Utopia look like?
