Please, if you can, help us keep BC alive and kicking. All the bills this week added up to about $1400, including internet connectivity, hosting and various software licenses we had to renew. It doesn't have to be a big check or a big gift, every little bit helps.
While it doesn't always look like it, we put in quite a few hours running the site and keeping the sites we help support healthy. Between the four of us, there's about 80-120 hours a week of work. And as long as we can pay our own bills, including paying down 15 years worth of debt building the site, we can keep doing this.
We get some money from our advertisers and that helps a lot but the biggest part of our budget, by far, is what people who enjoy BC give us. And the monetary gifts, of course, are just part of it. The authors, bloggers, commenters and volunteers are what make BC worth maintaining.
So you all know who you are. Thanks to every one of you.
If you want to give toward our expenses the contribution links are in The Hatbox in the right hand column.
Hugs to everyone,
from Erin, Piper, Cat, Katie, Sephrena, Frank and all the volunteers, too
Comments
done
It's in today's outgoing ( hope it does not get to rowdy) mail.
Thanks hon
I've been sick all week so I haven't been watching these as much as I usually do.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Monthly extra
Erin,
Just dropped a second payment for this month into the Hatbox. You can thank the lower gas prices for me having the extra cash. Many thanks and blessings for all you and the other "Angels" do to keep this wonderful site up and running.
Big hugs for everyone, Sarah Ann
Thanks, again
We'll all enjoy the low gas prices while we can. :)
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Hans Is Not the Only Solo
Thank you for bringing the random solo back.
I'm constantly amazed at the complexity of this site and the effort you make to improve.
I've just sent another $50 via Hatbox.
I hope when people read these old stories they find on Random Solo they take a moment to comment. Nothing is sweeter to a writer than appreciation for an old story.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Maybe a Vol-Meter
I created a fund-raising non-profit a decade ago and it has been quite successful. What helped us a lot was to quantify total volunteer hours. It took a little effort, but when the hours were added together it made an impressive . . . and contribution-inspiring total. We've raised nearly $5 million.
Perhaps you could create a total of time given to this site. The hours would be mammoth, if you were to ask authors, bloggers, etc. to total their monthly hours, as well as the volunteers.
When I see a note from you asking for contributions, I have two reactions. The first is to ask myself how on earth can you have trouble getting donations for such a worthy cause. The second is to feel anger at those who fail to acknowledge that there is no such thing as a free lunch. I run a website and have an idea what your time commitment and expense can be. You have to be incredibly efficient to make this happen, for the amounts you suggest.
In the past, Hatbox has worked to generate contributions. Unfortunately, many genres aren't represented in Hatbox. I can't imagine why so few stories are donated, by so few authors. Maybe they fear few readers. Maybe they worry about not getting comments and kudos. I have far more stories in Hatbox than any other author. My agreement with you is that a year after I post a story to Hatbox I publish it for free for a period of time. That way you have your cake and I get to eat it as well.
Some of the really amazing BC authors need to show their support for you by slipping a story into Hatbox. If more genres and more authors were in Hatbox the $$ would follow.
Good luck.
Angela Rasch (Jill M I)
Thanks, to everyone, and TJ in particular
Thank you for donating and I have passed along your thanks to the behind the scenes crew.
Thanks to everyone.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Hatbox donation
Here's another $50 via P*ypal - sorry it couldn't be more! Thanks again to all of you for bringing so much pleasure to all of us!!
Hugs,
Miri
Expect a bit more by mail
FWIW
It is january, land of chrimbo bills.
I did suggest you keep a hedge.