tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post5676006868830675909..comments2024-03-18T06:16:18.802-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Steal This EbookJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-48147924221690829762012-07-17T00:39:31.155-05:002012-07-17T00:39:31.155-05:00I followed you from MOBILISM and I find what you h...I followed you from <a href="http://forum.mobilism.org/viewtopic.php?p=1080989#1080989" rel="nofollow">MOBILISM</a> and I find what you have to say about this subject fascinating. Truly.<br /><br /><i>3. There is ZERO reliable evidence that file-sharing hurts sales. A shared file does not equal a lost sale, any more than someone reading a library book is a lost sale.</i><br /><br />This has long been a point of mine as well. Unlike (many probably), if I find a book either on one of the share sites or in the library, and I actually <b>LIKE</b> it, then I will definitely go to B&N or Amazon and purchase it!<br /><br />But you can't get your panties all twisted up because someone 'shares' your work. Truthfully, as you state and I believe, then you should be getting pissy with libraries, hospitals, hotels and many other places. What they do is no different; they just have an 'official' title to them is all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00813026833247147604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53700532353729754262012-03-13T02:41:24.910-05:002012-03-13T02:41:24.910-05:00I am an avid book reader. I admit that after worki...I am an avid book reader. I admit that after working in a bookstore I also became a book snob. I like my hard covers and my first additions displayed on my shelf. It is comforting to sit on the couch and turn their pages and read through a favorite chapter. I have had more than a few moves in the last few years, and alas most of these books are stuffed away in boxes and trust me it is a serious crusade to figure out where one is when Im in the mood to read it. Did I mention I also reread my favorite novels. When I like a specific offer I also go to great lengths and sometimes expense to have my works signed. Thus my collection is growing inspite of popular pirating. I have to agree with what some people say though I cant speak for everyone. I like being able to download a free copy of an author that I wouldnt have particularly looked at previously. I love having my nook present me with picks for me as if I have a profile that might match me with a good read that may not be viral as of yet like Hunger Games or Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. Not all stories are lucky enough to be made into movies and therefore create a lemming run on a specific book. In my opinion I think it would be a good marketing ploy to allow free access to the first book in a series and charge for the remaining novels. I just have to know what happens next, the suspense is hard to take. <br />I love my nook as a back up that I can take on trips without carrying a book bag thats 300lbs. Alot of books on my nook I downloaded free because I have a hardcopy already and I hate to pay more than what I did for a paper book for a digital copy just for the sake of carrying it around with me. I also frequently loan my books out at work or school. Normally they come back a little worse for wear, and I hate loaning out my hardcovers and first editions for this reason. The digital copies passed around on a thumb drive eleviates the angry look on my face when a loved novel is returned with a newly creased binding or dog eared pages. A few books have gone to a bitter end due to being left on a hot dashboard so that the binding glue melted and the pages all fell loose. I dont mind buying the book once, but I love having a digital copy I can carry around without having to worry about getting the pages wet or dirty or torn. Thank you technology. As to the piracy hurting the music industry, I never bought as many cds as when I was in school networking mp3s with class mates. Alot of people like hardcopies inspite of the free copies available. If you are concerned about people picking and choosing all the good songs off an album, then dont put bad songs on an album as filler. People will still buy quality. There are always the few who arent going to pay for anything and are going to abuse the situation, but then there is also always going to be the shoplifter that stuffs the new releases in his jacket and walks out without paying. Not to say its right to steal. I just dont know that everyone should be condemned for downloading a pdf file just yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-75309059990666983222012-01-01T09:52:22.946-06:002012-01-01T09:52:22.946-06:00I think I have a unique experience in terms of pir...I think I have a unique experience in terms of piracy of literature related to real-life profits. Unfortunately, I have not and likely will not ever read Mr. Konrath's work as it isn't my cup of tea though I agree with the fundamentals of his argument.<br /><br />This story actually relates to a "do-it-yourself" sort of book. I'm a martial artist who just happens to download a lot of books pertinent to the subject. In this specific case, I downloaded a book about a martial art so I could study the history and fundamentals of the art. The book was downloaded entirely free but would have cost me around thirty bucks in the local bookstore.<br /><br />I read the book, enjoyed it, even played around with some of the stuff in it. Then I found out that the man who wrote it actually taught in my area. I've been attending his classes now for about three years, at fifty bucks a month.<br /><br />Thus, my teacher has made something to the tune of $1800 off of me, minus the thirty bucks I didn't pay for that book. The moral of the story is (I suppose) that even though I didn't buy his initial book, I ended up paying him far more than the book itself would have cost in the long run. It's a bit different than a pirate enjoying a book from an author and choosing to pay for additional books but the fundamental idea is the same.<br /><br />As an aside, I would like to note that the only industry that has thus far been able to actually prove a detriment to profits is the software industry who still make massive amounts of money in spite of pirates.jmiller1980https://www.blogger.com/profile/00918627210972072170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-44572718429541859682011-08-04T12:27:05.029-05:002011-08-04T12:27:05.029-05:00There have been of recent a fun conversation on ju...There have been of recent a fun conversation on just this subject on the ebook general discussion at http://bolt.cd/board/forum.php<br /><br />You may find some fun thoughts. Hope you can join us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33670987051546835222011-08-03T13:25:26.350-05:002011-08-03T13:25:26.350-05:00Mr. Konrath has such a valid Point. I have discove...Mr. Konrath has such a valid Point. I have discovered author Blake Crouch. After reading Serial. I went and paid for Serial Uncut. It was only 3 bucks.<br /><br />Then started buying his other stuff. At 3 bucks for most his stuff cant go wrong. <br /><br />Pirates make money by stealing. They get paid for people downloading the stuff. As a fan of reading, I would much rather see the author get the Money. <br /><br />3 bucks is nothing. I will gladly pay that. I will tell others about my find. <br /><br />After Reading Mr Konrath's free release, Seeing most his stuff is pretty cheep, Im off to amazon and got the credit card out. Time to buy some more books!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20324606721556504972011-02-16T14:24:04.885-06:002011-02-16T14:24:04.885-06:00Let me say as one who never intended to read your ...Let me say as one who never intended to read your works nor had ever heard your name that I appreciate your actions immensely.<br /><br />You have not lost a sale.<br /><br />You have gained a reader.Conorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03090517020646087634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59594129951103407002010-11-17T11:04:18.758-06:002010-11-17T11:04:18.758-06:00In response to what "author Scott Nicholson s...In response to what "author Scott Nicholson said...<br />Sure, this isn't a scientifically valid experiment, but what else do we have? Scott Turow's monotone droning about some vague threat to multimillionaire authors, or bizarre rounded-off figures given by the publishing industry? Steve Jobs?<br /><br />You'll never be able to measure the direct impact of something that is beyond tracking. You may as well argue faith.<br /><br />Joe is forward-thinking and may in fact be accelerating the actual Ground Zero date of when nobody wants to pay any sum for ebooks. But guess what? He will still be ahead of the curve, because he'll be going to Ford Motor Company and Jack Daniels Distillery and saying, "Hey, my books got 37 billion downloads. What's it worth to you to reach those people?""<br /><br />I never even thought about the above statement and what it could do to the electronic book format, or the print version for that matter. <br /><br />Wonder what would happen if, let's say, every 15-25 pages, a full page ad for some such widget or gadget was included in the book. The author wouldn't have to worry about royalties for any pirated or non pirated versions of the book. Just have to worry about keeping track of its distribution to allow for payment of advertising revenue. It would be possible for pirated versions to have their advertising removed, but honestly, who would bother to remove the advertising from their 'free' copy?<br /><br />That would eventually be a win-win for everyone, and have a pay for advertising free version too. Who knows, that just might be the future.vernonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15509727935039964421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20278868237587878132010-11-17T10:13:01.944-06:002010-11-17T10:13:01.944-06:00responding to the comment by Steve Lewis, I'd ...responding to the comment by Steve Lewis, I'd like to agree with his statement about Baen Books. Another author, David Weber, has also done something like this. His sales have increased also.<br /><br />I personally have obtained a book from one of his series in a not completely legal fashion. That got me hooked on his series, and him as an author in general. I didn't get anything really from the blurbs and excerpts from his books, it took me a few chapters to get into the book, but once I did, I became a complete fan.<br /><br />Since I had and still have a conscience, I bought his books in dead tree (read print) format, and also went ahead and bought the electronic versions that I had 'pirated'. I sent an electronic copy of my receipt to Mr. Weber, and to the publisher, Jim Baen.<br /><br />Not that I was required to by any means, since I already had the goods, but they were so well created, that I felt that I had an obligation to support both the author and the publisher.<br /><br />Most of us out here, we do care about the other guy. Sometimes we do get carried away, but in the long run, we do pay for what we would normally buy anyway, no matter how we obtain the 'first' copy.<br /><br />So, I believe this experiment should be a success regardless of how it may be interpreted, as giving away something for 'free' and getting paid for it, or allowing it to be 'stolen' and still getting paid for it.<br /><br />As regards to your book for this experiment, I haven't downloaded the book yet, but from the 'publicity' which has been generated so far, I believe I will go and buy this one. I don't normally read this genre of books, my favority is sci-fi/fantasy, but it has intrigued me enough to support this effort, even if i hated the book. Doubtful that will be the case though :-)<br /><br />Thanks for sticking your neck out and trying to make life easier instead of more rule bound and complicated.vernonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15509727935039964421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-51893101126419884922010-10-02T04:34:49.192-05:002010-10-02T04:34:49.192-05:00I like this experiment. I downloaded the free zip ...I like this experiment. I downloaded the free zip of the stories, and then bought four other titles by Joe.<br /><br />The Agency 6 publishers' behaviour is pushing people into piracy. If you're not "allowed" to buy the ebook you want (e.g. territorial restrictions), you are going to be pretty keen to find it elsewhere, especially if it's the next title by a favourite author or of a favourite series. This is a sore point for me, because I am disabled and can only read ebooks. I don't have the option of buying a paper copy (which I _am_ allowed to buy, oddly enough).<br /><br />Just taking in my personal experience, before geographic limitations were imposed by the Agency 6, I bought over 2000 ebooks in two years from Fictionwise. Since the geolims were imposed, I have bought only a handful of titles. That's a lot of money lost to publishers and authors, just from one person alone.<br /><br />And no, I haven't pirated titles to make up for the books I'm not "allowed" to buy. I've started reading blogs instead, and looking for author websites where I can buy directly from the author. ;)Clytiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17277014279419795602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38610517482948946672010-09-27T23:29:40.967-05:002010-09-27T23:29:40.967-05:00BTW, getting a copy of an actual book in Word Doc ...BTW, getting a copy of an actual book in Word Doc format alone is worth the download.Daniel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12214334186482741716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-73131303901806877432010-09-27T14:06:40.608-05:002010-09-27T14:06:40.608-05:00Posted to my Facebook.
BTW, I downloaded the free...Posted to my Facebook.<br /><br />BTW, I downloaded the free version for my Kindle. My thought process is this:<br /><br />Times are tough so I don't really have any extra money right now. However, I expect I might donate a little via paypal later if I like it. Furthermore, this is the first taste of your writing that I get to sample (again, every dollar counts in this economy) but if I like it, I'll want more and you'll get more sales and another fan.<br /><br />How many books do you have on Kindle now?Daniel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12214334186482741716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-35454377499259590462010-08-09T20:48:41.368-05:002010-08-09T20:48:41.368-05:00Like to know if the pirate project boosted sales?
...Like to know if the pirate project boosted sales?<br />I was recommended the Jack Daniels series by Mark of BookMarks in Mount Prospect when I was in the States last time and have enjoyed them very much. I recommend them to customers looking for a new crime author but other than the ones I have brought back or ordered in they don't seem to be readily available in AustraliaTherese Hollandhttp://www.mcleodsbooks.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-911224960861775202010-07-08T12:06:10.188-05:002010-07-08T12:06:10.188-05:00Posted on my Facebook :)
Great idea!Posted on my Facebook :) <br />Great idea!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-30521296952049204522010-07-02T10:55:48.047-05:002010-07-02T10:55:48.047-05:00You mention the use of WinZip as an .zip extractor...You mention the use of WinZip as an .zip extractor, I recommened 7-zip instead, it's open source and free forever!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15535818933839141361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-41688262964250427502010-06-26T16:51:20.246-05:002010-06-26T16:51:20.246-05:00No, Selena. You'll get 70% of the price Amazon...No, Selena. You'll get 70% of the price Amazon lists it that. They price it that way to match competitors. If you have a discounted Amazon item, that means it sells elsewhere for less. If you want to get 70% of your list, you have to make sure your ebooks are priced the same everywhere.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-53639870710094410552010-06-26T16:44:06.376-05:002010-06-26T16:44:06.376-05:00"In order to make the 70% royalty, ebooks mus..."In order to make the 70% royalty, ebooks must be priced at least $2.99."<br /><br />@Joe: This applies to "publisher listed" price, right? So if you price your book at $2.99 and Amazon discounts it to $0.99, you're still getting 70% royalty on $2.99, correct?Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15042346249786645812010-06-18T23:48:01.684-05:002010-06-18T23:48:01.684-05:00For the last few days, my sidebar has said $2.99. ...For the last few days, my sidebar has said $2.99. I'll change it on the blog post...JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-70061923391936201332010-06-18T23:44:18.940-05:002010-06-18T23:44:18.940-05:00same anon - I don't have an issue with your bo...same anon - I don't have an issue with your book being $2.99, I think that is still a bargain. I was just curious about the price increase because your blog piece still says "I'm currently selling my ebook JACK DANIELS STORIES for $1.99 on Kindle" when, clearly, you are not. Just wondered why you raised it, and your explanation took care of my question. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-90598456125852946152010-06-18T23:23:46.764-05:002010-06-18T23:23:46.764-05:00So, why has the Kindle price gone up to $2.99?
I...<i>So, why has the Kindle price gone up to $2.99? </i><br /><br />In order to make the 70% royalty, ebooks must be priced at least $2.99.<br /><br />That means, instead of 70 cents per book sold, I'll be earning $2.04 per book sold.<br /><br />That means I'll be making enough money to write more books instead of doing all the self-promo crap I was previously notorious for.<br /><br />I believe my books are worth $2.99. That's less than the price of a DVD rental, or a coffee at Starbucks, or a magazine, or pretty much anything else you could get 8 hours worth of entertainment from.<br /><br />Since going up to $2.99, I've seen a very small drop in sales, which has been offset by a rise in profits. Those profits will double come July 1. <br /><br />And so far, piracy isn't hurting my sales any more than the price increase is hurting my sales.JA Konrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38826531778376304822010-06-18T22:58:01.104-05:002010-06-18T22:58:01.104-05:00Weird stuff going on at Amazon lately. I know they...Weird stuff going on at Amazon lately. I know they're testing their new DTP Kindle upload system and they recently confirmed with me that their real-time DTP sales reporting is off.Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-38226496704329451762010-06-17T18:29:42.942-05:002010-06-17T18:29:42.942-05:00So, why has the Kindle price gone up to $2.99?So, why has the Kindle price gone up to $2.99?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-81786803596366678642010-06-15T03:04:25.537-05:002010-06-15T03:04:25.537-05:00I just dropped by to see what technical advice you...I just dropped by to see what technical advice you had for self publishing and I got caught up in this. <br /><br />The underlying problem is copyright. <br /><br />The reason this is such a hot button issue is that corporations want to control IP forever and stop public domain) keep changing the laws. <br /><br />Corporations should not be dictating laws (like the <a href="https://www.eff.org/wp/unintended-consequences-under-dmca" rel="nofollow">DMCA</a>) to government without the citizens being heard as well. <br /><br />Especially since there are no reputable "piracy" stats. Look at <a href="http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4958/125/" rel="nofollow">Michael Geist: U.S. Government Study: Counterfeiting and Piracy Data Unreliable</a><br /><br />So although you aren't conducting a proper scientific experiment, your numbers have just as much credibility (if not more) than any thrown around by DMCA pushers.<br /><br />Also: the music biz is hurting, not by piracy but by Independent Musicians. According to <a href="http://this.org/magazine/2009/11/10/legalize-music-piracy-file-sharing/" rel="nofollow">This Magazine</a> Bands don't have to sign into indentured servitude-- and give them their copyright-- with record companies anymore-- 30% of the Canadian record biz is Independent. <br /><br />Which is why the RIAA, MPAA etc. are leading up to shutting down p2p/torrents etc.... cheap distribution is their enemy, because it allows the Indie creators -- their competitors -- to thrive. That goes for writers & self publishers too.Laurel L. Russwurmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05101152597435097587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-2995656692867103862010-06-12T22:15:22.813-05:002010-06-12T22:15:22.813-05:00The Pirate Queen retires:
http://selenakitt.com/b...The Pirate Queen retires:<br /><br />http://selenakitt.com/blog/index.php/2010/06/12/pirate-queen-retires/Selena Kitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17783685215421352626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-3730080908545761172010-06-11T21:15:24.469-05:002010-06-11T21:15:24.469-05:00Well, seems like it's not such a fun argument ...Well, seems like it's not such a fun argument anymore. Wonder what happened...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204564819654789578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-20257425704627700852010-06-11T20:32:42.557-05:002010-06-11T20:32:42.557-05:00I'm having a fun argument here with Tardif. Co...I'm having a fun argument here with Tardif. Come and add to it, but don't spam please.<br /><br />http://cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2010/06/konrath-says-steal-this-book-tardif.htmlUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204564819654789578noreply@blogger.com