tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post410308288000054038..comments2024-03-28T02:00:11.260-05:00Comments on A Newbie's Guide to Publishing: Fisking the Authors GuildJA Konrathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08778324558755151986noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-74816597631934382772023-10-02T03:09:23.392-05:002023-10-02T03:09:23.392-05:00The question is, given that this is dated 2015 and...The question is, given that this is dated 2015 and recommending strike against contracts, and now it's 2023 and the WGA just won better contracts through nearly 6 months of strike, whether do you count as a prophet. Or is it too different from what you had in mind to count?ai83https://www.blogger.com/profile/18412593235486209707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-4662428923750177952016-01-29T22:44:20.359-06:002016-01-29T22:44:20.359-06:00The Australian Society of Authors takes a similar ...The Australian Society of Authors takes a similar position. I think it comes down to a deep lack of understanding about the value of discoverability and a complete inability to see monetary value in anything except actual money. And an inability to see beyond the walls of the traditional-publishing fortress. I've been planning to blog about this topic for a while; since you and I seem to think so much alike on this subject, I'll make sure to link to your article and try to cover some different points when I get around to it. Good article, thanks!Luke J Kendallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05896353294808175635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18761833766448940272015-12-28T15:12:36.097-06:002015-12-28T15:12:36.097-06:00I'm trying to get started as an E-writer. Tha...I'm trying to get started as an E-writer. Thank you for your service.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08734276687910919889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86579688079831588992015-11-21T07:31:49.837-06:002015-11-21T07:31:49.837-06:00Clearly this person does not understand copyright ...Clearly this person does not understand copyright or its benefits. If the article's author had their material released by the incompetence of a company that has copied it to increase their own brand value perhaps the author would understand why having digital copies stored by a company for the expansion of its own brand value isn't in the best interest of anyone who is an author or publisher. A mere promise "we won't be hacked" is a bull excuse for copying an entire work without permission.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-5874264538146084492015-11-10T08:22:38.263-06:002015-11-10T08:22:38.263-06:00Bryan Higby,
I think it depends on who is butteri...Bryan Higby,<br /><br />I think it depends on who is buttering and on which side the bread is buttered.<br /><br />Neil Gaiman, a successful and notable figure, has published works with numerous publishers. People who buy his work aren't necessarily loyal to a publisher, but to him and his works they like. Dropping one work by one publisher for free may be a wise decision For Gaiman to raise awareness of his name and all works by all publishers.<br /><br />However, if that's the one work by Gaiman that one publisher has, it ain't doing them a lot of good to not be paid for it; they'd much rather prefer it was another Gaiman work by a different publisher.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-47991416257896673102015-10-25T17:19:41.346-05:002015-10-25T17:19:41.346-05:00"Really fucking stupid" is a technical l..."Really fucking stupid" is a technical legal term. I know, because I probably went to law school. Walter Knighthttp://www.waltknight.yolasite.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-13526885595059754792015-10-22T12:41:19.382-05:002015-10-22T12:41:19.382-05:00Informative, inspiring, and funny once again, Joe....Informative, inspiring, and funny once again, Joe.<br /><br />In your spare time, can you start that new guild for writers? <br /><br />Looks like we need to make a fresh start. Patrice Fitzgeraldhttp://www.patricefitzgerald.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83202068678076645082015-10-22T12:17:27.371-05:002015-10-22T12:17:27.371-05:00I have left the writers Cafe at kboards and starte...I have left the writers Cafe at kboards and started my own indie author forum, Joe.<br /><br />Thought it might be okay to post here. All writers are welcome to join, its a public forum and I will be running the show there.<br /><br />http://indiepubclub.com<br /><br />Come swing by and start a discussion!!<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Gorvince, aka G aka Gnizgnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-60229352242067644782015-10-21T22:09:13.779-05:002015-10-21T22:09:13.779-05:00"We have a massive system to regulate creativ..."We have a massive system to regulate creativity. A massive system of lawyers regulating creativity as copyright law has expanded in unrecognizable forms, going from a regulation of publishing to a regulation of copying."<br /><br />Lawrence LessigAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10367339993442245704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-61168142672635862462015-10-21T06:46:09.200-05:002015-10-21T06:46:09.200-05:00Excellent! So very true in all ways!
Excellent! So very true in all ways!<br />Kenny A. Chaffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594992494662507238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-59368495115933933602015-10-21T04:40:17.176-05:002015-10-21T04:40:17.176-05:00Hmmm, if a guy had to pay for a book he read in th...Hmmm, if a guy had to pay for a book he read in the bookstore, can I demand to be paid back for the books I've bought but haven't read? Same logic (for questionable values of logic).Mauserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11732614352398473302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-18004586304385170372015-10-21T04:09:58.489-05:002015-10-21T04:09:58.489-05:00I honestly think we owe the Authors Guild our sinc...I honestly think <a href="http://www.teleread.com/apple/happy-with-the-e-book-world-today-thank-the-authors-guild/" rel="nofollow">we owe the Authors Guild our sincere gratitude for being so lousy at pushing for publishers' rights</a>. If it weren't for them, it's possible our digital landscape now might look very different.Chris Meadowshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04298615284856498608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-17717013209861912552015-10-20T18:30:35.274-05:002015-10-20T18:30:35.274-05:00Thanks, Joe.
Brilliant as damned near always.
I’l...Thanks, Joe.<br />Brilliant as damned near always.<br /><br />I’ll join if you make the mistake of devoting the time it would take.<br />Ryan Pettyhttp://www.authorbusinessceo.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-83966231064516974552015-10-20T15:55:46.689-05:002015-10-20T15:55:46.689-05:00Hey Joe,
I wonder how Authors Guild would treat my...Hey Joe,<br />I wonder how Authors Guild would treat my giving away freebies on my website or Wattpad etc? Can my readers or I be sued for stealing my royalties?<br />Thank goodness for the used book decision. Half my sci-fi collection is made up by old paperbacks found in used bookstores. I love them--the dustier the better (I take an extra dose of allergy medicine before visiting one).<br />And I like your ideas. Maybe we indies should start our own Authors Guild?<br />r/Steve Steven M. Moorehttp://stevenmmoore.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-33508321604806546122015-10-20T15:19:38.267-05:002015-10-20T15:19:38.267-05:00Joe-
It's not the The AG that has some misguid...Joe-<br />It's not the The AG that has some misguided ideas. I just spent a good part of the morning Tweeting on #notchilled how Romance Writers of America was too slow to tell its members not to send work to Ellora's Cave, after years of issues and complaints from authors of nonpayment of royalties and possible mismanagement. It was a year after EC's SLAPP-like lawsuit was initiated against blogger, Dear Author, for RWA to say anything to its members.<br />This is not an organization working for its members and neither, as you have so frequently pointed out, the Authors Guild.<br />Authors, especially those who are published with a small press, need an organization that has their back.<br />It seems that most author organizations are in bed with publishers.<br />I'd join your organization and pay dues. I'll use the money I'm no longer giving RWA.<br />Mitzi Reinbold w/a Mitzi FlyteMitzihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15429148644855477143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-43542991040920164152015-10-20T05:19:26.949-05:002015-10-20T05:19:26.949-05:00In days gone by, I would've chuckled out loud ...In days gone by, I would've chuckled out loud and say, "Are you serious?" to all of those court cases that you quoted.<br /><br />However, I work for a guv'ment entity and the amount of stupid that I've seen people successfully pull off for monetary gain, makes say out loud, "This doesn't surprise me."<br /><br />Sad to say, people should be very afraid of AG successfully winning a suit based on stupid.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/author/gbmjrofct" rel="nofollow">Amazon</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11563321320225513382015-10-20T01:13:37.990-05:002015-10-20T01:13:37.990-05:00Sounds like the "J.A. Konrath Guild of Author...Sounds like the "J.A. Konrath Guild of Authors Living In The 21st Century" (working title) might be a popular one. All you need is the time to do it :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-15648081426815312442015-10-19T22:34:06.669-05:002015-10-19T22:34:06.669-05:00@antares
The situation with Flint and Mother of D...@antares<br /><br />The situation with Flint and Mother of Demons gets even better. After being free for 25 years it was released in a leather-bound hardcover and sold very well.David Langnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39801232087140647042015-10-19T20:54:32.571-05:002015-10-19T20:54:32.571-05:00I'm not kidding, Joe.
I think we should creat...I'm not kidding, Joe.<br /><br />I think we should create a new guild to truly attempt to represent authors' interests, and I think you should be the first president.<br /><br />This is not a joke. I don't agree with everything you say or write and we've had differences on this very blog somewhat recently. But I do think that it would behoove indies (and traditional authors who are interested) to have a REAL guild that would help negotiate big picture issues and give us some future bargaining power/leverage.<br /><br />Any interest in starting something? gnizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043750358888135458noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-77099373296762453112015-10-19T18:49:05.875-05:002015-10-19T18:49:05.875-05:00Joe, You are indeed a jewel, still.
"The cou...Joe, You are indeed a jewel, still.<br /><br />"The court dismissed the case, on account of it being really fucking stupid."<br /><br />You have just given me a new priceless acronym, RFS!<br /><br />Keep up the greatness. We love it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650618703761755628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-67753822646860720052015-10-19T14:45:20.389-05:002015-10-19T14:45:20.389-05:00I actually think the Author's Guild policy ref... I actually think the Author's Guild policy reflects the beliefs of the membership.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-11957415359184656022015-10-19T12:43:37.465-05:002015-10-19T12:43:37.465-05:00This is ludicrous. Why would they want to stifle w...This is ludicrous. Why would they want to stifle what free publicity? Of course I don't want all of my books being given away, but you never truly know where your readers are going to find you, and once they find you, you're set. You are completely right when you say that most people would pay for Google exposure, so why is that a bad thing for authors? 16% is really not much at all. You can offer up to 20% of your book as a free preview on some retail channels. You want people to sample your writing. If you're so worried that people won't buy your book once they've sampled it. . .there's another problem there.<br /><br />Like A.G. Claymore said, these people getting your books for free could be the praise you need to really start selling well. I've recently made some of my books permafree to try to get the same kind of buzz going!Wyrding Ways Presshttp://wyrdingwayspress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-86049501074637176082015-10-19T12:36:31.184-05:002015-10-19T12:36:31.184-05:00I found a pirate site once where someone was askin...I found a pirate site once where someone was asking if anyone had a copy of book 2 in one of my series. Before I could get angry, I read the comments he made about book one, including an exhortation to leave me a review if others liked it as well...<br />How can you get upset at that? They're not 'feed you to the sharks' pirates. They're more like the charming, slightly drunk version played by Johnny Depp.<br />They were having so much fun passing the book around, I didn't have the heart to tell them it's now permafree...<br /><br />I know a few writers who load their own books on pirate sites.<br /><br />Folks who absolutely don't want to pay for your book are, (surprise surprise) unlikely to pay for your book. <br /><br />But they <i>might</i> tell their friends about it...A.G. Claymorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109502266487845431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-39560782589437347232015-10-19T12:26:39.268-05:002015-10-19T12:26:39.268-05:00You know the piracy thing is entertaining. One of ...You know the piracy thing is entertaining. One of my favorite traditionally published authors, Neil Gaiman, once talked on this topic. His publisher was up in arms when they found out that one of his books had been circulating the internet royalty free. He just laughed and let the pirating happen and his BOOK SALES sky rocketed. Don't give away the farm but by all means be aware of how many options there are to allow readers access to your work and that those readers are why you write. BRYAN HIGBYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01126595775432851053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11291165.post-21564299830723114062015-10-19T12:18:51.490-05:002015-10-19T12:18:51.490-05:00Whether one is for or against present copyright la...Whether one is for or against present copyright laws, the legal reality is the costs of bringing an infringement suit for an indie author is prohibitive, and certainly not practical.I defended one against a visual artist that was definitely ripped off by my little darlings, along with four other defendants.The end result? Because ye artist made a technical booboo in his registration, he recovered only twenty grand, but it cost him forty to get the twenty. You can't make that up in volume. By the way that was forty grand in 1991 dollars. So on planet earth,unless you have deep pockets, it is copyright shmopyright.w.adam mandelbaumnoreply@blogger.com