FAQs

Why are you putting the rewrite behind a “paywall"?

There are two reasons:

1. Since I still plan to pursue traditional publishing, I need to limit the distribution of my book. Publishers are usually okay with authors sharing a chapter or two publicly, but not the entire manuscript.
2. My publishing software, Ghost, relies on membership features in order to keep content segmented and private.

How do I sign up to be an Early Reader?

Joining as an Early Reader is by invitation only. I occasionally offer open enrollment periods to my newsletter subscribers. If you’d like to be notified about these open enrollment periods, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter.

What if I had been an Early Reader in the past? Would I be part of this new program?

No. This new program will be opt-in, meaning that if you were an Early Reader before, you will not automatically be part of this new program. I’m doing this to clear the decks, as it were. It has been several years since I started the Early Reader program, and people who signed up back then may no longer be interested or able to make the time commitment.

What do I get as a Compañero?

As a Compañero (paying supporter), you get access to my manuscript and Craft Notes, and a few extra perks:

• Monthly video calls where we discuss the work together (~1 hour).
• Access to call recordings if you can’t attend live.
• A personalized ePub of the finished book, featuring a signed and dedicated cover image written using e-ink.

How often will new material for the rewrite be released?

That’s a really good question. My goal is to release a chapter or two every week, but realistically, it might be every other week since some chapters need more work than others.

There may also be times when I get busy and won’t be able to publish as frequently. I will do my best to communicate when I am entering a busy period.

What are the monthly Craft Notes?

Once a month, I'll create a Craft Notes post (I’m still working out the format) that examines one aspect of the book I'm currently working on. For example, the first post will focus on my recent breakthroughs with the book's theme. These posts give you insight into my creative decisions and the "why" behind certain choices. All Los Testigos members (both free and paid) get access to these.

Tell me more about the monthly calls.

Comañeros can join a monthly video call (about 1 hour) where we discuss the Craft Notes and what you've read so far. Think of it as a book club with the author while they're writing the story. Calls will be intimate, I’m keeping the group small intentionally, and I'll record them so you can watch later if you can't attend live.

Please note: Calls will pause when I'm not actively drafting new material. This is part of the program's BETA nature as I figure out what works.

How do I provide feedback about the writing?

Each chapter has its own page on my website (you'll need to be logged in to access it). You can leave feedback in the comments section or by replying to my emails. I may occasionally send out surveys about specific aspects of the writing.

What kind of feedback are you looking for?

I’m mostly looking for your general impressions, what you liked about the material, and what wasn’t working for you. Please do not worry about spelling or grammar mistakes, as the book will be reviewed by a professional proofreader at some point. You can note those errors if you'd like, but they're not the priority.

Is there a minimum participation requirement?

No! Read and comment as much or as little as you'd like. Even occasional feedback is helpful. This is a flexible, low-pressure arrangement.

Can I share the rewrite with others?

Please don’t share the manuscript with anyone outside of the program. As noted above, when the rewrite is finished, I plan to pursue traditional publishing, and sharing the text widely could jeopardize a book deal. I’m trusting Los Testigos members to keep this work private. You can, of course, discuss the book in general terms with anyone you’d like.

What happens after the rewrite is complete?

After the rewrite is finished, Los Testigos will continue in some form, although I’m not exactly sure what that will look like at the moment. I have other writing projects I would like to pursue, so it could possibly pivot into a behind-the-scenes look at one of them. I’m also open to suggestions.

Whatever happens, I will be sure to give Los Testigos members plenty of time to decide if they would like to be part of the new direction.

Can I switch tiers?

Yes! If you start as an Early Reader and want to become a Paying Supporter, you can upgrade using this link.

Also, if you would like to cancel your membership, you can do so from your account page. You will no longer have access to my work, but you will continue to receive my monthly Author Updates.