Q: How does compensation work?

Creative

AJ will typically provide assignments in advance so that you can give your estimated time to complete. We know that creativity is sometimes hit and miss so we don’t want to constrain it to specific hours. AJ will provide specifics and give you a word estimate, such as 1,000 - 2,000 words. You would then provide your estimated hourly for the project within our system. There, you’ll detail your process and then provide your estimated hours. For example: I would like to research some old Germanic customs in regards to this region that might fit well within their myth system. (2 hours). I then would like to consult with the High Chamberlain on an editing matter. (30 min), and then writing should be an hour. Total Estimation: 3.5 Hours. - Once approved, this is what we’d pay you for unless the project is highly variable.

For most writers, the creative process varies in speed. While you may at times go over your hours, it’s likely you also will go under on other projects, and it all evens out by the end of the month. There is likely a learning curve for yourself as well, to understand how slow or fast you are. The longer you are with us, your estimation accuracy and writing speed will improve. AJ has said that on certain days he could write up to 5-7 pages and then the next day one paragraph—although that is novel writing, of course. AJ will provide training and teach exercises and techniques to loosen your mind up to improve your overall effectiveness. To be transparent, how effective you are with your time, along with the quality level of the content you produce, will determine your eligibility for a full-time position in the months ahead.

Analytical

Similar to the above for anything that requires writing. Standard editing methods, reviewing manuscripts, conversations with AJ, or with other team members are tracked hourly. Put simply, activities that can easily be tracked are hourly. More creative abstract endeavors are as outlined above.

Business

For project set-up, it will typically be based on estimations. For example, if one of your tasks is to research and create a list of book influencers to contact, you would provide the estimate on the “researching and creating a list”. Once you’re actually doing the calls, reaching out, etc., then you’d be on the clock and can track your hourly in real time. We again find this method to be optimal for being flexible with your schedule.

As far as business roles that have “performance” or “semi-performance” formats, you would tally up the performance-related bonuses or payouts earned and put them on your end-of-month timesheet. For example, if you’re doing endorsements and you obtained three tier one endorsements (typically $250 each), you would earn an additional $750 for the month.

Note: There is, of course, miscellaneous tasks that come up often. AJ or other management will always provide direction on how to handle those. All payments are provided at the first of the month after turning in your timesheet for the previous month.

Q: What if I don’t get my contracted hours in or I go over?

We will always have enough work for you to get your contracted hours in. In the rare case we do not, we’ll let you know. Much of this, however, depends on your speed. For example, if a 3.5 hour job takes you longer than a week to complete for whatever reason, and the month is nearly over, it will be difficult for us to provide you with enough hours within a shortened timeframe. Pacing is important as well. We can provide soft deadlines for projects to keep you on pace if desired.

Q: Will the Business, Analytical, and Creative hours all be equally distributed?

Yes, we will always strive to keep an equal balance. At times they may intersect, and depending on your definition, they may be all in the same. For example, managing and creating activities and events for a fantasy expo could be seen as all three. Otherwise, yes, it is our prerogative to always strive for a balance. We believe it will provide the best atmosphere for all three to flourish as each gives the other meaning.

Q: I really like the idea of the performance based options for the business side but will I have enough opportunity and training to do well?

For something like the Strategic Negotiations Executive, which is Semi-Performance based (Hourly + Payouts), yes, it’s very straightforward. An example would be offering a popular influencer 1% of our crowdfunding if they talk about us in their next four videos and send an email to their network about our crowdfunding. You need good presentation skills, this is not hard sales. The idea is to present something you are passionate about, and explain to them why it’s a good deal for both of us.

In terms of payout, you receive 5% of any crowdfunding revenue generated through strategic partnerships you secure, typically through influencers, platforms, or promotional partners. For example, if you negotiate a deal with an influencer (like example above) whose network audience contributes $20,000 to our campaign, your payout is $1000. Platforms like Kickstarter ask backers how they heard about the project, which can be used to verify your contribution. The same 5% payout applies to merchandise sales, app downloads, memberships, or other revenue streams resulting from the deals you negotiate. If you bring in sponsors, vendors, or strategic relationships tied to events or licensing, you receive 5% of the resulting revenue or first-year deal value.

This position has very high earning potential, and can easily become more lucrative with the more time you put into it. As far as the paid hourly base, it’s $15/hr of your total business side hours of the three roles. (i.e. Creative, Business, Analytical).

The Endorsement Specialist role requires a more calculated approach. Which is also why it is more lucrative. However, it still is not sales, but intelligent networking. It also depends on where you’d like to spend your efforts. For example, getting an endorsement with commercial rights, so we can use it, would yield the following, depending on the tier (which we would provide and detail the criteria for):

• People like Brandon Sanderson, George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, Sarah J. Maas, or well-known celebrities within the fantasy genre can earn you up to $20,000 - $25,000. These would be a Tier 5.

• Popular but less direct figures from the fantasy genre, such as bestselling authors, directors, actors, or producers involved in major fantasy franchises, would earn $10,000–$15,000

• More common or easier-to-obtain endorsements that fall into the $250–$1,000 range come from people with respected titles or who have worked on popular projects but aren’t well-known personally. This could include fantasy concept artists, semi-popular authors or writers from game studios or movies, directors, and so forth. Example: John X, director from the popular fantasy videogame X, or Kara X, Professor of English at X University.

We will educate you on the best methods and strategies (non-sales) of networking to reach all these tiers, but it will depend on your own performance and critical thinking to achieve the best outcome. As a seasoned businessman and as one of the nation’s former top real estate professionals, AJ has a working knowledge of strategies that work, and he’ll take the time to walk you through those. This role is 100% performance-based due to the high payout.

For the Crowdfunding Campaign Manager, this is much like being a general or a chess player. You’re not on the front lines, but you have the ability to know what pieces need to go where and see all that must be done. You have a working knowledge of what makes a good campaign, and you ensure all the departments are providing you with what you need. You might coordinate with our team and present a clear proposal outlining campaign needs, including suggestions for promotional videos, graphics, and other materials to meet your proposed vision. While this is technically a business position, a lot of creative vision is required to ensure you convey Mystic in an effective way. You’ll also need to learn or educate yourself on the various crowdfunding platforms (i.e., Kickstarter). This position is 100% performance-based, with no hourly due to the very high payout. Currently, we’re offering 7% of the net profit of each campaign. On a $100k campaign, that would be $7k, and we plan on doing 10 to 12 campaigns in the next 12 months.

For the semi-performance-based role of Patreon Manager, the structure is fairly straightforward. Compensation will include a percentage of net revenue from select events and merchandise, including items sold through our website. This role may initially be combined with the YouTube Channel Director position due to overlapping responsibilities. During the first few months, you’ll receive hourly compensation while we finalize and prepare core materials for publishing. Once we're operational, your base hourly payments will go down, but you’ll now have the opportunity to earn up to 10% from a range of revenue streams tied to community engagement and digital content.

If I previously applied for another job, do I have to re-apply?

If you made it to the Second Round of a previous job hiring process, then no. Please just email us @ careers@brightstonebooks.com and express you interest, we'll know who you are. We'll then let you know if we need anything else.

HIRING FAQ