Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitey1981

Marshy, just questioning how much time you need to publish an e-book?

If you're aiming to get this published in print you've got about as much chance of losing 10/20 kg eg fuck all.

I'm not trolling, I'm being realistic.

So... the ebook?

It seems pretty easy to me.
Maybe I'm missing where you need to incur large costs that require a large funding of money.

http://www.geeksugar.com/How-Self-Pu...Ebook-21143432

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitey1981

It seems pretty easy to me.
Maybe I'm missing where you need to incur large costs that require a large funding of money.

http://www.geeksugar.com/How-Self-Pu...Ebook-21143432

I want enough for print-on-demand hard copies, an edit, and manuscript appraisal. The variable is how many hard copies I need to print, this will depend on demand, hence the crowd-funding initiative to determine initial demand.

I'll do an ebook too, and believe me I've researched it, but part of me would like to have a hard copy option as well. And this initiative is geared towards both dreams.

Photo of pharmacy scales is fine. Same with just using it for the first and last weigh ins, if you're going to be O/S part way.

Alright, last logistical consideration is clothes on the scales then? I guess if I wear the same clothes for first and last weigh-in I should be fine?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwah

Alright, last logistical consideration is clothes on the scales then? I guess if I wear the same clothes for first and last weigh-in I should be fine?

Jeans, t-shirt, socks, no shoes, should give you a consistent baseline.

Roger, roger.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwah

and one more to recoup money lost to Bism.

So it's clear and not ambiguous. I have to accept a taker on this thread, and will confirm..

Quote:

Originally Posted by CircusMidget

I'll bet $200

if you win, I'll pay you $160.69 in 2 years, but only if you keep the weight off for that 2 years

please confirm

Quote:

Originally Posted by CircusMidget

please confirm

No deal. Next.

Right so.

Weigh in today?

I'm tempted by the $200 bet. I think it's easy money but I'd much rather see you succeed and lose the weight Marshall. Infact I'm even contemplating joining in the festivities and lose a couple of Kgs myself... mainly just to rub it in that I did it if/when you fail.

As a person interested in health and well being, I'll be following this thread, again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fangoriously

Right so.

Weigh in today?

Yes.

But the pharmacy scales are no-go, I went past three pharmacies on the way to work today and no-dice.
If anyone knows of pharmacy scales near Pyrmont, Sydney, I can do it.

Alternatives are to purchase some scales and entrust a third party to ensure they are tamper-proof, or if Mike-O-Sito has a set, I can get weighed and he can play arbitrator as I'm temporarily flatting with him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zodiac

I'm tempted by the $200 bet. I think it's easy money but I'd much rather see you succeed and lose the weight Marshall. Infact I'm even contemplating joining in the festivities and lose a couple of Kgs myself... mainly just to rub it in that I did it if/when you fail.

I have to admit the level of smug I'm basking in at the moment as an ex-tubby is quite pleasureable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwah

Yes.

But the pharmacy scales are no-go, I went past three pharmacies on the way to work today and no-dice.
If anyone knows of pharmacy scales near Pyrmont, Sydney, I can do it.

Alternatives are to purchase some scales and entrust a third party to ensure they are tamper-proof, or if Mike-O-Sito has a set, I can get weighed and he can play arbitrator as I'm temporarily flatting with him.

Not your room mate. Official scales need to be held by some disinterested 3rd party.

I nominate John Biggs to hold onto them. Lololol.

Ok I don't.

I dunno, though - someone that we both know and trust....

B-Money?

All good, apparently there is scales at Harbourside in Pyrmont. Going to check out at lunch.

Dexa scan before and after. Takes all the variables out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwah

Yes.

But the pharmacy scales are no-go, I went past three pharmacies on the way to work today and no-dice.
If anyone knows of pharmacy scales near Pyrmont, Sydney, I can do it.

Alternatives are to purchase some scales and entrust a third party to ensure they are tamper-proof, or if Mike-O-Sito has a set, I can get weighed and he can play arbitrator as I'm temporarily flatting with him.

Try and find one of these, they're in most malls/pharmacies. It will give you a nice printout and is a lot more science than some $20 bathroom scales.

Agree with Ed, DEXA scan would be the most reliable and valuable source of data for this exercise. But the scales Bism pointed out would work too.

And for waht its worth, I'm not going to join this betting malarky, because seeing Marshy on a regulat basis, and some of the things he is doing with his life right no, I am almost certain he can do this. I will though, be part of the crowd funding, but that was always the case.

:brofist:

If you're so certain, chuck your money up.

Alright, Marshy, I'm in on the bet, on the proviso that if you dont make the 20kg, I'm not taking your money.

Gentlemans agreement or somesuch.

Yeah you clearly don't know how bets work.

Yep. If you're so sure, take the guy's money.

Consider it extra motivation for him - if he doesn't do it, he lets down someone who is presumably a good mate.

Shit man, that'd motivate me to put the pint down and waddle around the block a few times.

Bism - Bet you $100 I do.

Morphee - if you don't want to take the money you can donate my funds to charity. But I think it needs to be a plain and fair bet, I appreciate the gesture (and your kind words earlier) but I think we need to ensure the stakes are high and transparent for this.

I remember the old days when I dropped 20kg purely because I decided men should not have tits.

Simpler times.

Ok, I'm in on the bet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bism

I remember the old days when I dropped 20kg purely because I decided men should not have tits.

Simpler times.

I did that and still have tits.

Spose I could lose another 20kg....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morphee

Ok, I'm in on the bet.

Confirmed. One spot left.

Sounds like a hell of a challenge!
Good luck mate!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morphee

I did that and still have tits.

Spose I could lose another 20kg....

I used to think I'd look pretty awesome if I lost 5-10kg, I ended up losing twice that and I could still strip a few more off. We're pretty good at bullshitting ourselves about how fat we are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike-O-Sito

Sounds like a hell of a challenge!
Good luck mate!

You've done it recently, so he's got no excuse not to follow your example!

What's going on? Weight loss challenge? What are the rules?

Quote:

Originally Posted by trAse

What's going on? Weight loss challenge? What are the rules?

100 bucks a tit, to fund a book about men with tits.

You in?

Oh, we getting our transgender on? I'm fucking in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bism

I remember the old days when I dropped 20kg purely because I decided men should not have tits.

Simpler times.

8 months ago I think my advice on google plus was "Fuck bets, do it because it's the right thing to do you drama queen"

I think it's still valid.

I liked the bit about Google Plus. I don't think you'll do it Marshy; mainly because of the euro trip and how much booze you'll be tucking away. I wish you luck in both endeavors though.

While the success stories are well-documented, there is a growing list of stillborn projects where money has been collected by the project owner (95 per cent) and by Kickstarter (five per cent) but donors haven't received their promised returns.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/busines...#ixzz1wDvSX7Ef

Oh dayam, he's living with that dude who lost 19kg?

Spoiler:

Media Player

The Wedding Singer Brought to my attention yesterday - YouTube

Okay, it's officially on. Details here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

Anyone wanna give me $200 on losing 20kg in 6 months? I'll even let you backdate the bet to late january so it ends in a couple of months....

I'll do it and backdate, so people can pay me now.

Just chucking out some harder questions as I'm sure this isn't the last time you'll be asked them.

Why aren't you getting a manuscript appraisal before you're asking people for money to fund self publishing? Surely you're putting the cart before the horse?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't your manuscript already be rejected by a publisher/s?

Also, why wouldn't you have had your manusript edited before sending it to a publisher?

Basically there doesn't seem like much that makes this seem like a good investment at this point...?

edit: also, why are you worried about print on demand at this point? You are making the assumption you are going to sell enough copies that it warrants the investment of hundreds of dollars. From where I'm sitting you are being overly optimistic and perhaps aren't going about this the best way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

Just chucking out some harder questions as I'm sure this isn't the last time you'll be asked them.

Why aren't you getting a manuscript appraisal before you're asking people for money to fund self publishing? Surely you're putting the cart before the horse?

I am.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marshwah

"Book fund" in this case will be an account manged by me to help self-publish my book.

Self-publish in this case will mean having it appraised, edited, cover design, getting an ISBN, other miscellaneous things, and eventually print-on-demanded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't your manuscript already be rejected by a publisher/s?

While parties have been approached to gauge interest, none of them have seen a manuscript. (A lot of feedback has been sourced from ITM for it though).

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

Also, why wouldn't you have had your manusript edited before sending it to a publisher?

I think you're jumping ahead, I haven't sent it to a publisher, and I'm not even looking at having it edited yet. It's still not finished.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

Basically there doesn't seem like much that makes this seem like a good investment at this point...?

Cool. Don't invest. I don't know what you would invest in as I haven't even opened it up to investment. However, some good gentlemen on this forum decided they wanted to wager I couldn't lose 20 kilos, and kindly offered to put money up for the book if I delivered on this.

Forgive me if the opportunity to put $800 towards my dream has me putting my running shoes on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

edit: also, why are you worried about print on demand at this point? You are making the assumption you are going to sell enough copies that it warrants the investment of hundreds of dollars. From where I'm sitting you are being overly optimistic and perhaps aren't going about this the best way.

I think you need to bone up on print-on-demand. After going to the Emerging Writers Festival - I picked up on a lot of things, and one of them is that going down the traditional publisher's path is not how I want to do things.

Thanks for chucking out the "harder" questions - I find it a little condescending that you've jumped to the conclusion I haven't considered all of this already.

I'd double like your post if I could Marshy

Considering you're on here offering investment opportunities in your manuscript (don't worry, I wasn't waiting for an investment invitation; however, you did start an ITM thread so the general public can read it), it surprised me that you would be asking people to invest in something that clearly hasn't even been tested by someone who can actually provide you with an informed opinion on your work (sorry ITM feedback wouldn't count to a normal person, nor would friends, nor people who just like to read).

Therefore I was scratching my head, because most people who are serious about (self, whatever kind) publishing their work work really hard at their craft, finish their book, belong to critique groups, get manuscript assessments, etc etc before they are so confident about their own skills that they start selling shares in their book. This confidence that you seem to have in your own success at this early point (ie. you haven't finished your book), indicates to me that you have an overabunance of confidence and haven't actually considered a lot of the important things. Sorry if you find that condescending.

And no, just because I work for a publisher, doesn't mean I think everyone should use a publisher, but I do think that everyone that self publishes should be armed with a fuckload of strategies and knowledge to do the best for their book (and in your case, your investors).

HOWEVER, if this is just a "hey everyone lets play an ITM game and give Marshy monies for his book" type scenario, then please ignore any serious thought I've given to this situation. I've obviously completely missed the mark and will get back in my box

Are there any excerpts floating around?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clonakilla

Are there any excerpts floating around?

Just this. Will release excerpts when the crowd-funding starts in earnest.

Oh Lordy. *cracks fingers*

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

Considering you're on here offering investment opportunities in your manuscript

What's currently happened is that I have mentioned my intention to crowd-fund something that's in the works. I don't know what your preoccupation with the word "invest" is. There's no investment. A wager has been made and takers have come (after offering first).

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

(don't worry, I wasn't waiting for an investment invitation;

I wasn't worried.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

however, you did start an ITM thread so the general public can read it),

Thanks for pointing out that I posted a public post in a public Internet forum so the public can read it. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

it surprised me that you would be asking people to invest in something that clearly hasn't even been tested by someone who can actually provide you with an informed opinion on your work

There's that word invest again. What are you? A venture capitalist that shits on really microscopic ideas? Sourcing an informed opinion of my work (as well as the inputs of friends and family who have a pretty good dial on my personal life) is something I'm doing. I'm not sure if you're reeling from the smackdown I delivered and just repeating yourself with different words or are actually contesting that I'm not already doing this stuff. Just because I announce some of what I'm doing on ITM doesn't mean I'm not doing more?

It's at this point of your post, I start to question your motives for posting at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

(sorry ITM feedback wouldn't count to a normal person, nor would friends, nor people who just like to read).

You just made my head explode. Are you saying ITM people are different to normal people? And different from people who just like to read? Here's a foreign notion, what if someone from ITM is a normal person and likes to read? Boom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

Therefore I was scratching my head, because most people who are serious about (self, whatever kind) publishing their work work really hard at their craft, finish their book, belong to critique groups, get manuscript assessments, etc etc before they are so confident about their own skills that they start selling shares in their book.

I've spent 4+ years pouring my life into a memoir and broadcasting personal details to the world, I've encountered trolls, been told to kill myself, and even had a mailed note delivered to me of a handwritten play about infecting me with AIDS. And still, this is up there with some of the most condescending things I've ever read. To question my seriousness in this project is not only wrong, it's insulting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

This confidence that you seem to have in your own success at this early point (ie. you haven't finished your book), indicates to me that you have an overabunance of confidence and haven't actually considered a lot of the important things. Sorry if you find that condescending.

I'm sorry if I have the courage to put myself out there and have a go at something. I'm not the first-person ever to try and crowd-fund an unfinsihed book. Yes I'm confident, but your conclusions about what I am and aren't doing based on limited knowledge is ridiculous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

And no, just because I work for a publisher, doesn't mean I think everyone should use a publisher, but I do think that everyone that self publishes should be armed with a fuckload of strategies and knowledge to do the best for their book (and in your case, your investors).

I bolded it for you. Achievement unlocked. Love how you slipped it in. Bravo.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smilla

HOWEVER, if this is just a "hey everyone lets play an ITM game and give Marshy monies for his book" type scenario, then please ignore any serious thought I've given to this situation. I've obviously completely missed the mark and will get back in my box

You're right to call this a game. Gamification is an interesting concept and has seen crowd-funding explode.

I started a thread to see what to do about a particular situation, and people offered a wager. I accepted. That's all there is to it so far.

Why don't you just save up some money and marshfund it?