frequently asked questions
dollaraword.com faq
1. What’s the big idea?
The concept of the site is simple—I write a novel as people sponsor me one word at a time. Each word costs $1, so for every dollar donated, I write a word. If you donate $1, I write one word. If you donate $10, I write ten words. If you donate $100, I write a hundred words. All of the money raised will be donated to various nonprofit groups that support writing and writers.
2. Weren’t you originally raising money for yourself?
Sort of. Originally my plan was to donate half of the money raised to nonprofit groups and use the other half to live on while I wrote the book, with a donation equaling the other half of the donations made once the book sold. Fortunately, I’m now in a position where I can immediately donate ALL of the money raised to nonprofits groups, which is really cool.
3. Do I get to pick the words I sponsor?
That’s a really fun idea, but no. I get to pick all the words.
4. What’s the point?
The point is to get people thinking about what having art in their lives is worth to them. Artists can only keep producing art if they get paid for it. What would happen if all the writers stopped writing because they couldn’t afford to do it anymore? What if writers only wrote the words that people were willing to pay for? That’s what I want people to think about.
5. What if you don’t have enough donations to finish a sentence?
Then I stop. I only write what people sponsor me to write. That means when the number of words equals the amount of the current sponsorships, I stop, even if I’m in the middle of a sentence. If people want to read more of the story, someone has to sponsor me.
6. Will the words I sponsor appear right away?
That depends. If sponsorships come in slowly, then probably. But if they come in very quickly, or if I get a particularly large sponsorship, it will take a little longer.
7. How many words are you going to write?
The novel will end when it ends, but I’m estimating that it will come in at around 100,000 words.
8. So that means you want to raise $100,000?
Right. At each $5,000 mark a donation of $5,000 will be made to a different nonprofit group.
9. What groups are getting the donations?
I don’t know yet. I’m asking groups who would like to be considered to contact me and tell me about themselves. I also want site visitors to recommend groups they think are worthy of receiving donations. I would like to support a wide range of groups, including groups that provide writing workshops for people in prison, groups that support women writers, groups that encourage minority voices, groups focusing on writing programs for young people and disadvantaged communities, and groups that help writers living with HIV and other illnesses. I know there are a lot of wonderful groups out there, and I want to hear from them.
10. That gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, but I’d kind of like to get something a little more, well, substantial from my sponsorship.
And you will. Here’s how it works. Everyone who sponsors some words gets recognized on the sponsors page of the site. In addition, sponsorship at various levels entitles you to have your logo placed on the site linking, of course, to your own site. For information on the different sponsorship levels and what you get for them, kindly visit the sponsorship levels page.
11. Is there a minimum level of sponsorship?
No. But remember, you get what you pay for. If you send me a buck, you’ll get one word. And if that word turns out to be, say, and or the, you’re probably going to feel that you’ve gotten the short end of the stick. If you’d prefer to be responsible for the appearance of something like, “Hearing the explosion, Lars couldn’t help but think that Sergio really ought to have stuck with his resolution to quit smoking, especially around open flames,” then consider a larger sponsorship amount.
12. Is my sponsorship tax-deductible?
Because I am not a not-for-profit, sponsorships are not deductible. However, if you are sponsoring me as part of a business, you can probably deduct your sponsorship as advertising costs. You’ll have to ask your accountant about that one.
13. So really, then, this is all about getting people to pay for advertising their sites?
People expect to receive (and should) something for their sponsorships. If you give money to the symphony, they put your name in the program. If you donate to your local PBS station, they give you a tote bag or the DVD of Anne of Green Gables or whatever. I’m giving sponsors advertising space. That’s what I have to offer. However, there is also a spot on the site’s main page reserved for nonprofit groups. There is no charge to appear in this spot. So if you’re part of a nonprofit group and would like to have me put your logo in the nonprofit spot, please e-mail me and tell me what you’re about, and I’ll see what I can do for you.
14. What if I sponsor you and then I don’t like the book?
Then I’ll feel very bad. And chances are, some people won’t like the book. But a lot will, and—because people are incredibly curious creatures—they will check out the sponsor links and visit your site whether you like the book of not. So for a little investment, you’ll get a ton of publicity.
15. What if you don’t get enough sponsorships to finish the book?
Then I don’t finish the book. I’m not doing this for fun (well, maybe a little bit for fun). I’m trying to make a point. If art is worthwhile to people, they will be willing to pay for it. If people want artists to continue creating art, they have to support them by buying the product. If not enough people want to keep reading my book, then I guess there’s not much point in writing it, right?
16. How do I know you’re not just going to rip me off?
I’ve been a full-time professional writer for almost 20 years, and have published more than 50 books. You might not have heard of me, but a lot of readers, editors, and publishers have. I’m not about to risk my reputation by pulling a con on anyone. If you really need proof that this is legitimate, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with my agent. He’ll be happy to talk to you, at least about this.
17. All right, so I want to sponsor you to write some words. What now?
Go to the buy words page and follow the directions. It couldn’t be easier.
what is this?
dollaraword.com is an attempt to start a discussion about what art—and artists—are worth in our increasingly media-focused society. Award-winning author Michael Thomas Ford will write a novel as he is sponsored, at a dollar a word, to keep telling the story. Proceeds from the project will go to help other writers in financial need. For more information about Mike and the project, read the faq, read the blog, or contact Mike.