If you have followed this column for any length of time, you will know that I am a huge fan of the “special edition,” the kind of premium physical product made possible by platforms like Kickstarter, and the focus on analog and artisanal creations. Beautifully crafted work, often in physical form, typifies the value for creators in finding a niche and building a deep relationship with true fans. It was at the heart of the 1,000 true fans right back at the start of the indie online revolution. And it’s at the heart of Self-Publishing 3.0.
ALLi News Editor, Dan Holloway
So I was thrilled to find two stories to make a perfect weekend post. Each of them has a focus on the niche, artisanal approach we can learn so much from.
First up is Spiracle. It’s a very simple concept that has a “why isn’t everyone already doing this?” kind of feel. Spiracle makes physical cards. Think greeting cards, not credit cards, though I LOVE the idea of doing something similar with Moo cards (other brands of business cards are available). Those physical cards are available to buy from bookstores. And via a QR code, each of them comes with an audiobook, making them an ideal gift. The company is focusing on audiobooks by small indie publishers to retain an artisanal vibe.
There have been bookstore gimmicks before that haven’t taken off. Do you remember those pocket-sized books with thousands of really small pages that were on the front counters at Waterstones and elsewhere about a decade ago and then disappeared? This may join those ranks, or it may really take off. Either way, it’s an idea to think about and play with.
And then there’s Chally Pop. I have to say, I’m not sure it’s as good a name as Spiracle. But I do like the concept. Kind of. Created by the Tandem Collective, it is designed to reward highly creative influencers in the book space who might not have a huge following but do have fabulous ideas. That’s great. And it does go well with the increasing emphasis on niches. It’s also something for those with small budgets—like us as indies—to think about as an alternative to yet more Facebook ads.
It works by having publishers post challenges (hence the name) which creatives bid to fulfill. They submit their responses. Judges rank them. The publisher posting the challenge rewards the winners with small cash prizes.
The execution of the idea is where “I like it” gets qualified by “sort of.” It does feel very much like a bookish version of the hugely popular “one-minute briefs.” It also has a whiff of Fiverr about it. The founders claim it’s a win-win for publishers and creatives. I’m not 100% convinced of the latter (it also has a faint odor of “you’ll get exposure”), but I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.
And while I’m on the subject of the importance of analog artisanal creativity, anyone in the Vancouver region is highly encouraged to apply to exhibit at the Word Vancouver Book Fair, which advertises itself as for “Art, Zines, and In-Betweens.” This is the perfect event for indie authors to showcase their beautifully made wares.
