Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inkshares?

Inkshares is a crowdfunding publishing company headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Readers determine what books they publish, and they follow a process that combines crowdfunding and traditional publishing. Authors can post drafts of projects as they’re writing and gain followers, then when the project is ready, the author can put it into “funding” mode to begin accepting pre-orders. Once a project reaches its pre-order goal via crowdfunding, the team at Inkshares works through the traditional publishing process – including editing, cover design, production, and distribution – to publish the project. Think of it like Wattpad meets Kickstarter meets a traditional publisher.

What is Tubby & Coo’s Inkshares imprint? What is an Inkshares “collection”?

A publishing imprint is a trade name or brand name under which books are published. Most of the larger publishers are broken down into smaller “departments,” or imprints. For example, Tor Books is a popular science fiction and fantasy imprint under the Macmillan umbrella. Tubby & Coo’s has partnered with Inkshares to establish our own imprint, or “collection,” under the Inkshares umbrella. An Inkshares “collection” is essentially a third party imprint run on Inkshares. All titles that are part of an Inkshares collection receive the branding/marketing of the collection owner and become discoverable as part of that collection on the Inkshares website. In exchange for marketing/promotional efforts as part of its collection, Tubby & Coo’s will receive 25% of publishing royalties and have an opportunity to co-develop your work into other media, such as TV, movies, and digital productions. For more information on Inkshares collections, click here.

What does it mean if I’m chosen for Tubby & Coo’s Inkshares collection?

If you are selected as one of our top five finalists, you will receive marketing support and backing from Tubby & Coo’s to push pre-orders for your work. If the finalists accept our invitation, your work will also be officially added to the Tubby & Coo’s Inkshares Collection. The project that receives 1,000 pre-orders first will win a launch party. Once your project reaches 1,000 pre-orders, it will then carry the Tubby & Coo’s dragon logo on it, receive marketing support, and receive all the services that come with traditional publishing, including editing, cover design, production, and distribution. Your book will be prominently displayed and hand sold and recommended by Tubby & Coo’s staff. You will also be invited to future events at Tubby & Coo’s as an official “Tubby & Coo’s Author.” In exchange for marketing/promotional efforts as part of its collection, Tubby & Coo’s will receive 25% of publishing royalties and have an opportunity to co-develop your work into other media, such as TV, movies, and digital productions. For more information, see “How the Submission Process/Contest Works” and the Tubby & Coo’s Inkshares Collection Terms.

What rights will I maintain if I become part of Tubby & Coo’s Inkshares collection?

You will grant Inkshares the right to create and extend your intellectual property. Inkshares offers non-exclusive rights, meaning you will retain ownership of the copyright to your work. Inkshares does receive the right to register any copyright related to your work. You can read all of the lawyer-ly stuff about rights here.

What if I’m selected to participate in another Inkshares collection?

You may only be a part of one collection at a time. If you are chosen for another collection, it will be up to you as the author to decide which collection best fits with your publishing goals. If you decide to go with another collection, please notify us immediately so that we can extend the opportunity to be part of our collection to another author.

What’s the best way to increase my number of pre-orders?

Inkshares offers credits that can be used like money to purchase or back any book to first time users, referrers, backers, and endorsers. We recommend exploring credits to see how they can work for you. They are especially useful to encourage family and friends to support you. Inkshares also offers a great crowdfunding guide that we recommend checking out.

What happens to the pre-orders if I don’t hit the 1,000 goal?

Just like Kickstarter, if you do not reach your goal, backers are not charged. If your book is not published, anyone who backed it will remain a follower on Inkshares so you can continue updating them on the status of the project.