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It's that time of month again. The server bills are due, payments on the debts we owe, and some money to keep Piper from having to look for other work.
Anything you can spare will be appreciated, and if you can't give, well, we know that that happens.
Electronic giving can be done through the Hatbox or through Janglewood or send me a PM for a snail mail address.
Thank you all and Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Erin, Piper, Cat and the volunteers
P.S. Things are happening behind the scenes with perhaps a new site to be added to the BC family! - E,P,C&V
Comments
Thanks
$50 sent through Hatbox.
I still love this site and what you're trying to do. However, I do feel less and less mainstream BC.
That leaves me on the outside on the sidewalk, catching my first glimpse of what's called "TV" through a "pain" glass, store window.
The average BC reader isn't interested in what I write. Because my blogs and comments are largely ignored, I assume the majority also have no interest in me.
Yet, I will continue to support BC because I appreciate all you've done for me, Erin. I wouldn't exist today without the shelter BC has provided. You've allowed me to feel good about myself. . .all of me.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Well said.
you make some interesting points. Sometimes I feel a lot like you.
I'm in my sevent decade and am certainly not trying to sell 'e-books'. I write for pleasure and relaxation from my job of writing software.
Like you most of my stories are singles. To date I have only a couple of stories here that are more than two parts and like you, I'm not into Universes, super-hero's etc.
The downside is that I'm from the UK but have travelled the world and continue to do so for my job.
The other downside is that I still ride a two-wheeler but mine has a 1050cc engine between my legs.
There are times when I get down but reading some of my stories can often bring a smile back to my face.
Keep Calm and Read A Story.
$50 on its way.
Even I feel the same a lot of the time, Jill.
While I am moving more and more into the average or mid-range of the ages that use the site, I've spent a lot of my time here as one of the youngest members (being a member since I was, what, 19? Something like that.) I don't read a lot of what gets posted now, because a lot of it doesn't appeal to me, and the types of stories I write, though usually serials of a sort, are typically VERY character driven in nature, while for a lot of what people read here it seems the events seem more important than the person they happen to. I like science fiction, sure, and I love to indulge in fantasy, but honestly? I prefer non-TG for both because of the themes that tend to be part and parcel to the TG versions of such stories. My favorite stories are teens-to-twenties real-world sweet and sentimental things, which doesn't seem to be a massively popular genre at the moment.
So, I feel your pain, and I understand where you're coming from.
Also, we DO care. You're a great writer, a great contributor, and if you weren't here, the entire BC landscape would be less interesting. Some times, the only way to get what you want out in the world is to put it there yourself, and that's just what me and you will have to do: keep on providing the kind of content that interests us, because even if it's more niche, the fact that we get the reads and comments we do means we're not the only ones who want it, ad that counts for something, right?
Melanie E.
(PS: I've got Minnifer bookmarked to read, I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Sorry!)
Write the content you want to read...
Seriously, these things run in cycles. I've been running this site for 15 years and at any given time there is some segment complaining that they don't see enough of what they want. The solution for a crowd-sourced site like BC is if you don't see what you like, write more of it yourself. :)
Also, many people would probably be surprised at what the average age of viewers on site is. I know for a fact that at 66, I'm older than whatever an average would be. But most people who don't know me except through my existence here would guess me to be 20 to 30 years younger. :) Many of our most popular writers are in their second half century. What does that mean? I have no idea. I suspect the idea of an average age here is kind of bogus, like the average cost of renting an average apartment in New York City. :)
To all writers, commenters and donors, thanks and hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Tastes do vary...
As a UK writer, and one who is now selling some of my work, I feel I have to give my ha'penny worth. Oh, and I think I last rode a bike about thirty years ago, and that was a motorbike.
I've been visiting this site for around thirteen years, but as a member for ten and a bit. I am rapidly approaching 60, so am not that far behind you, Angela.
We all have different tastes in what we read, and that can vary depending on where we are at in our real lives. I tend to write character-driven books, as it is my way of setting free the person that I feel I should always have been, despite my characters having a far more exciting life that I'd ever wish for.
I did think hard about selling my work, and very nearly didn't. This was from no moralistic reason, but simple economics. At that time I was working in a time-consuming, but reasonably well-paid job, so had neither the time to write as much as I would have liked, nor the burning need to supplement my income. Now I'm retired, I found that although my pension is reasonable, I needed to work to build up my income to that which I was accustomed. So, in April 2011 I posted my first offerings onto Amazon Kindle. Incidentally, you can still find most of my work posted here... for free!
I have now reached the lovely position of not needing to go out to work, as my book sales have almost matched what I would have earned in a part time job - albeit as a self-employed training consultant.
I still post here, and will continue to contribute, but as I am officially an author as far as the Inland Revenue service is concerned, I suppose I'd better do what I can to fulfil that.
With such benefits as an income, comes a responsibility. As I do get paid for my work, and as I do use this site as one of many locations that I can advertise my work, I also regularly donate/pay for that privilege. It is only right and proper that the site that gave me the boost in the first place should be repaid, and those who support me can still enjoy the site that gives so much to so many.
I do not get the time to read as much as I would like, and find that many of the work posted here is not to my taste, but that should not deter others. I occasionally revisit old stories by established authors, but find it rather time consuming to trudge through to locate them.
What goes around, comes around.
Tanya Allan
There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!
Not A Negative
Some of my favorite BC authors are from the UK. Some of my favorite people on this site are from the UK AND ride a bicycle. My comments weren't meant as a charge against anyone, just a statement of fact that makes me feel outside the norm.
I think it is wonderful that some have found a way to sell their work. After I retire I might join your ranks.
I understand the ebb and flow of styles and genre.
JIll
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
$50 on the way
Here is 50 to Janglewood over P*Pal, with thanks again for all your hard work!
Hugs,
Miriam
If the snail mail address in hatbox link works
... then please refer people to click on said link, eliminating need for a PM.
Reasons
There are reasons, multiple, not to do it that way, but yeah, if you look around the site you can find my actual mailing address in several places. I like to know if something is coming though. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.