Canister X – A.P. Fuchs: Zombie, Paranormal Romance and Superhero Novelist, Blogger, Artist, Publisher

Recently I sent a letter to Dave Sim and one of the things within was my outline for how, at the time, I approached publishing my Axiom-man comic book series. The other day I got an email from the A Moment of Cerebus website along with a letter from Dave suggesting that Tim, the owner of the site, run my 8-step model. So I said yes and the 8-step model ran on the site today. I’ve copy/pasted the 8 steps here for archive reasons, but please visit A Moment of Cerebus for the article, Dave’s comment, and also for the other cool Cerebus-related stuff on that site.

Since my company is web-based, with 95% of books ordered being online (whether for print or eBooks), the remaining 5% sold at conventions and booksignings, and since I’ve been able to sustain a living for close to three years based on that, and given the state of tech these days, I think I’m onto something.

Though I’ve slipped recently due to a major burn-out but am now getting back on track, I agree that, as you’ve stated – can’t remember where – that when folks ask you for the secret to Cerebus’ success, you said keeping the book on time is the reason. I believe you. On-time books keep readers interested, give them their fix at regular intervals, and, assuming the sales are there, enables the creator to maintain a steady level of interest as he can sink all his time into his book instead of dividing the comic against a day job.

Here is my current model for Axiom-man. I’m open to any feedback and/or suggestions and/or “what you’re doing is crazy” comments:

1) Release the book on time in print, electronic download, and twice a week post a page from the comic on Mondays and Thursdays. The reason for the webcomic is to raise awareness of the character to help feed print sales and downloads, likewise, if folks like what they read, they will be apt to pick up one or more of my novels.

2) Forego Diamond for the print periodicals. Due to finances, discounts and such, I’m opting out of Diamond Distribution for the monthly book, instead releasing the copies of the comic for direct sale, short-running each issue at 300 copies. This cost enables me to keep the price low on the book and still make close to a buck an issue. Direct sales include direct ordering, conventions, booksignings, and trunk-of-the-car sales.

3) Release each print issue through Ka-Blam (which is like ComiXpress), and utilize their print and digital storefront at Indy Planet and Indy Planet Digital respectively.

4) Release each issue in digital format through as many channels as possible (Kindle, Nook, iPad et al.), treating each download as if they are the print counterpart. A sale’s a sale, after all.

5) Once a particular story arc is complete, collected into a graphic novel. Also, ala Mike Mignola, include a bonus story to set the graphic novel apart from the periodical book.

6) Use Diamond for graphic novel distribution.

7) Use my printer’s amazing distribution system to make the graphic novel available to all the online hotspots like Amazon.com and its sister sites, Barnes and Noble.com, and others. Also offer for direct sale, whether by order, conventions, booksignings, trunk-of-the-car sales, etc.

8) Offer the graphic novel at a fair price for digital download via all the same channels the periodical was. Perhaps offer the same direct as long as I can ensure proper shopping cart procedure and security through services out there that specialize in online digital product ordering.

Part of being a one-man-band, as you know, is time management as it would be all too easy to turn the running of the company into the fulltime job and not the creating of comics. All of what I mentioned above–aside from direct sales–is based on the do-the-work-once-than-don’t-worry-about-it model I’ve been using for eight years. This then frees up time for creating, marketing, and personal time with family. Might even be time for sleep, if you’re into that sort of thing. Har har.

Added for the sake of the article:

The idea(l), I think, is to cast as wide a net as possible distribution-wise without unintentionally getting yourself into a sea of paperwork and a big mess of places to keep track of, in turn losing yourself in the chaos and losing money and time as a result. Streamlining is so critical when it comes to being a one-man operation. I’ll keep an updated list of distribution channels on my blog How To Self-Publish Books & Comics The Right Way.

Want some free money? Who doesn’t these days in today’s economic climate. Well, here’s your chance and I hope it’ll help with the Christmas shopping season starting up.

My birthday is coming up in November–the 13th–and instead of being the one who receives, I’m going to switch it and instead give out a couple things. What are they? Two Amazon gift cards. First place is for $50, runner-up for $25.

How does it work? Real simple.

This contest is a determine-your-own-odds contest where you can enter in as many times as you like by doing one or more of the things below.

Thing One: Review any one or more of my books on Amazon.com. By putting up at least a couple sentences–Amazon is known to delete reviews 20 words or less–you’ll get yourself one entry into the draw for the $50-gift card per review posted. I do, however, ask that you review books of mine that you have indeed read so that it’s fair. This is on the honor system.

Thing Two: Purchase an A.P. Fuchs eBook and get two entries into the draw per book purchased. Grabbing a printed issue of the Axiom-man comic book series will also get you two entries per purchase. Free eBook downloads don’t apply.

Thing Three: Purchase an A.P. Fuchs paperback and get three entries into the draw per book purchased.

When one or more of the above is done, simply email me at coscomentertainment at gmail dot com –of course replace the “at” and “dot” with the appropriate characters–and provide proof of purchase and/or link to your review and the name you wrote the review under. Your name will then be entered into the draw as outlined above. You can enter as many times as you want until the end of the contest.

Contest runs until midnight end-of-day Nov. 12 2012 with the drawing to take place on the 13th. First name picked gets the $50. Runner-up gets the $25 one. If your name ends up being drawn twice, and in the interest of “sharing the wealth,” another name will be drawn so your fellow competitors have a chance at winning, too.

The winners will be announced here on this blog and also via my social media outlets.

Why am I doing this?

A trend I’ve been noticing in the small press is the problem with Amazon.com reviews. Seems to me that a lot of the time, people only speak up when they don’t like something and stay silent when they do. I’m not the only author who deals with this as I’ve spoken to others behind-the-scenes. This contest will no doubt look extremely transparent in its intent, and to be honest, I want it that way. I want people to know that it’s okay to like something and say so, that it’s good to let an author, artist, musician, etc. know you like their work by leaving a positive review at point-of-sale. Though the private messages and emails with pleasant words mean a lot and are sincerely appreciated and often give me a boost when I need it, I’m coming out and asking for those who liked my work to say so on Amazon.

Sound cool? It’s a sweet deal all around, but it’s also important because all of us–myself included–should support indie artists by letting them and others know their stuff is worth checking out.

Ready? Set? Get writing those reviews!

Here’s a Master Link to my paperbacks and Kindle books on Amazon.com

Thanks, everyone. I look forward to seeing who the winners are.

Thanks. God bless.

To help raise funds to print the third Axiom-man issue, I’m offering this set of original artwork Axiom-man sketch cards. Pics below.

Please support independent comics by getting one or more of the cards below. Thanks in advance for your support.

Specs:

Axiom-man Sketch Card Series One. Eleven cards, each an original piece of art never to be reproduced. Signed and dated by A.P. Fuchs on the back. Topside signatures can be arranged upon request.

Each card measures 2.25″ by 3.5″, neatly trimmed, black-and-white artwork with gray highlights.

Cards are $5 each, postage included.

Set retail value at $55. Pick up the whole set and save, just $50.

Pls PM on Facebook or email if interested.

Cards (click for larger image):

Just finished crunching my numbers for my personal book sales in 2011. I set out at the beginning of last year with a 5000-book goal. The Lord’s blessed me with more than that. Last year, I sold over 5850 Fuchs books and comics!

Amazing, especially since in 2010 I sold 1889 books and comics, so that’s, what, a roughly 300% increase? Truly blessed and thankful.

In this day and age when reading is on the decline and most folks would rather watch TV or play video games, to sell nearly 6000 books in a year for a single author/artist is very special. You readers are great, Jesus is great, and fandom is great.

In last year’s post, I mentioned 2011′s 5000-book goal, so to do the same this year, let’s see if we can hit 8000 books for 2012. Anything you can do to help me reach that goal would be sincerely appreciated. Nearly all my books are less than $5 on Kindle, and paperbacks range from $7-15. Comics are at $2.50-$3.00. Nothing to break the bank.

But I also want to repay you readers on a regular basis and offer stuff for free, so right now the first book in my paranormal romance vampire series, Blood of my World–Discovery of Death–is free on Kindle, Nook and Smashwords. Also, here on this blog I have a serial post-apocalyptic zombie love story called Zomtropolis, which I recommend for those looking for a different take on the undead than what’s usually offerered on bookstore shelves.

So once again, thank you for such a great year in books and comics.

Blessings,

A.P. Fuchs

A couple months back I was kidnapped and dragged down into a basement studio, a black bag over my head. When it was yanked off, I found myself face-to-face with the Clown Prince of Crime himself–the Joker! After ruining my underwear and excreting several litres of panicked sweat, I discovered the Joker’s been given a bad rap and is actually a stand-up guy who’s been grossly misunderstood.

Mr. J asked to interview me about my work, publishing and comics. I’m not sure what happened after that though I know I kept eyeing the array of knives on the desk in front of us. Everything else is fuzzy. I vaguely remember a rubber mask, something about cards and not touching teeth, and running towards a car amidst gunshots. The rest is a blur.

Turns out it was taped and the video is below.

Let’s see what really went on that night. I’m dying to know. Hahahahahahahahahaha…

You can watch it on Youtube here.

Just before the weekend, the A.P. Fuchs Library Vol. 1, Boxed Set (The Axiom-man Saga – Four Books Plus Bonus Short Story) had been released. I wasn’t able to blog about it due to attending a weekend-long comic and toy expo, and then yesterday was my first day off since who knows when.

Anyway, I’m letting you know today that The Axiom-man Saga boxed set is out and is a sweet deal as opposed to getting all the Kindle books separately. ($12.95 vs a mere $7.99 for the set.)

See details below, and thanks in advance for downloading a set.

Contained herein are four books and one short story about the Canadian Cobalt Crusader, Axiom-man.

Summaries below.

Praise:

“Axiom-man is that unique breed of superhero that seems almost lost amid today’s gaggle of the dark and tormented. He’s nice, he cares, and his strength comes not from his fantastic powers, but from his soul. A.P. Fuchs has written a defining superhero novel.” – Frank Dirscherl, author/creator of The Wraith

“Reading Axiom-man is refreshing, like reading about the early days of Peter Parker, but with a cooler villain as well.” – Jon Klement, author/creator of Velocity Girl and Xuàn Hú

“Axiom-man was well worth reading and recommending. The broad appeal is amazing—from youth to adult, guys and girls. Superheroes might just become my thing.” – Susan Kirkland, reviewer, Calhoun Times

“Fuchs brings to life a wonderfully imaginative hero we can all relate to . . . . If you’re looking for something different, something truly creative, yet filled with action, look no further. Axiom-man is the end of your search.” – David Brollier, author of The 3rd Covenant

“I found myself picking the book up at various points in the day, just to read a little more.” – Darryl Sloan, author of Ulterior and Chion

“Plenty of surprising twists and turns in this highly enjoyable story. It’ll leave you wanting more. Axiom-man is a delightfullly human superhero with true depth and spirituality.” – Grace Bridges, author of Faith Awakened

“If you’re an action fan with moral sensibilities you’ll not just enjoy Axiom-man, you’ll wish you were he.” – Frank Creed, author of Flashpoint

“If you dig superhero tales that are loaded with action and fun, look no further.” – Nick Cato, Horror Fiction Review

“A must read that I cannot recommend enough.” – Joe Kroeger, Horror World

Brief summary of each book:

Axiom-man: One night Gabriel Garrison was visited by a nameless messenger who bestowed upon him great power, a power intended for good. Once discovering what this power was and what it enabled him to do, Gabriel became Axiom-man, a symbol of hope in a city that had none.

Episode No. 0: First Night Out: The messenger has fled, leaving Gabriel alone with mysterious abilities he knows little about. As he embarks on the path of discovery, Gabriel must try to understand why he was chosen to receive the most powerful of all gifts and, with the help from no other, come to a decision as to what to do with them. Even if it takes the death of an innocent to convince him.

Doorway of Darkness: Gabriel Garrison’s secret identity has been compromised and the timing cannot have been worse. Redsaw has become more powerful than when Axiom-man last fought him, and he has determined to attain unstoppable power through the only means he knows how: murder. Chaos ensues and Axiom-man must find the means to stop Redsaw before the whole world is swallowed in a web of death.

Episode No. 1: The Dead Land: A young boy goes missing. No clues. Nothing except the remnants of a black cloud, like the one coughed up from inside the Doorway of Darkness. A black cloud that takes Axiom-man to a world not his own. A dead world, where a gray and brown sky shrouds an entire city in a miasma of decay. The streets are empty. The young boy is nowhere to be found. Those he does find…are dead. And walking.

Black Water: Bodies litter the sand of a friendly beach. Axiom-man flies down to Florida to investigate only to discover this isn’t your average series of murders. Something else caused the deaths of these innocent people, and something else has caused them to rise. Something unnatural, perhaps even supernatural. Something . . . from beneath the ocean’s black water.

Please visit this link to download a set of your own. Thanks for reading my books and taking flight with Axiom-man.

I noticed late last night that Amazon has several of my books for sale under their 4-for-3 program. Basically, yeah, buy 3 paperbacks get 1 free. Not bad. Can’t get a deal like that offline (unless you visit me at the C4 Con).

Here are my titles available for this promo. Just click on the thumbnail to be taken to that book’s Amazon page. This would be a great opportunity to try out one or more of my books, or finish off your collection and save money at the same time.

I don’t know how long this sale will last so I encourage you to jump on it straight away so you don’t miss out.

Thanks.

Blood of my World Trilogy:

From The Axiom-man Saga:

On the 5th of January, I put my book, Zombie Fight Night: Battles of the Dead, up for free at Amazon after joining their Amazon Exclusive program. Right now, the book is still free even though it was meant to be a five-day promotion, which should have ended yesterday. Perhaps they’re keeping it free and will eat the cost of paying me from today onward? Or maybe it’s just free and I won’t make anything. Regardless, I don’t mind it being free right now as, to me, it’s one of the geekiest and coolest books I’ve ever written and I simply want to share it with people. If you as a reader want to support my work–I do feed my family off my publishing–then by all means please check out the Kindle books on the left of this page, or the paperback versions on the right. Thanks, if you do.

Since the 5th, and as of 1:07CST today, Zombie Fight Night has been downloaded 1377 times across all Amazon platforms. Not bad at all. I’ll have to see how the free thing goes behind-the-scenes and if Amazon’ll start charging for it or if I’ll have to manually do something. Regardless, now’s a great time to get a couple free books from me, no strings attached.

What’s the other free book? It’s book one of my Paranormal Romance series, Blood of my World, called Discovery of Death. Memories of Death and Life of Death are the sequels. Discovery of Death became a freebie in September of 2011 and has been downloaded 15,976 times, and that’s on Kindle only never mind Nook, iPad, etc. I plan on keeping it free for now as it’s helped move copies of its sequels.

Here’s the point: I’m fortunate to have been writing long enough to have enough of a backlist that I can put books up for free while still earning a living off the other ones. Ever since I started writing, money has never been a motivator. The only “motivation” dollar-wise was to be able to make enough to live on so I can write and publish fulltime. Also, by having a large backlist, this enables me to conduct these experiments without taking too much of a hit or any at all. Like I posted last time, I try these things out on myself first before considering adopting it as part of my business model for those I publish so as to ensure it’s worth doing so on the money front. To short change an author with their own work . . . yeesh. No, thanks.

Will the risk of offering Zombie Fight Night for free pay off, or will it be a loss monetarily but a gain readership-wise? Time will tell. Watch this space.