Thank you to JP Watson at The Pound Project and to you all for coming along live to hear us chat. If you do have questions for the The Pound Project team, do post them in the comments and JP might get chance to answer a couple.
Learn more - https://www.poundproject.co.uk/
And MOST importantly - buy Amie McNee’s book for three weeks only!!
LOOK at this beautiful graphic recording of our chat… thank you so so much Cara Holland ✨
Ai Summary - thanks Claude…
This is an interview between Claire Venus (engagement consultant and Substack expert) and JP, founder of Pound Project Publishing. JP shares the origin story and business model of his independent publishing house.
Key Business Model:
Uses crowdfunding as the primary publishing mechanism
Creates affordable, small-format, beautifully designed books
Minimal upfront investment required from authors
Community-driven support system
Origin Story: The Pound Project emerged from three motivations: disillusionment with traditional creative industries, the rise of crowdfunding as a viable business model, and a desire to create something sustainable and democratic. JP started by writing and self-publishing his own book, which became the template for the publishing house.
Recent Development: JP discusses launching “Tear and Share” - a new initiative supporting artists through gift card-style prints, created in response to declining Instagram reach for visual artists.
Key Quotes
On community support: “The creative community amongst writers and artists can be so supportive. If you’re willing to ask. And I think that intertwines with that point I’m saying about having a belief in yourself.”
On business advice: “Make sure everything is really hot and professional and there’s a website and there’s a presence before you bring it to market.”
On the payment model: “We’re giving 50% net profits on any sale post print to the person. So the person actually recoups what they’ve put in because they’re getting 50% of anything they sell.”
On Instagram’s impact on artists: “I’m like apoplectic about what’s happened with social media reach and photography and illustration and art... I don’t think I can think of an example of a business biting the hand that has fed them more than what’s happened with Instagram.”
On Amie McNee new book: “The first book is essentially a manifesto about believing in creativity... kicking off and railing about how we’ve all been brainwashed into believing that work is what it is. And then the second bit... is actually advice on how to have self-belief, how to build a sustainable community of people who want to support you.”
