In Praise of Fictionwise

[CraigMBeckett]

HOW MUCH DID YOU SPEND ON THE RECENT FICTIONWISE SALE?

Being a new owner, and wanting to build up my stock of books, and being amazed at what was available, (books I have not seen for years in the book shops I frequent), I therefore spent over US $400 plus my membership costs. Still have $85 in micropay rebates.

Most of the books I bought are ones I own or have owned before and want/will read again.

I work in different countries and spend most of the year away from home, and usually away from any decent book shop, so ebooks and a reader are the way to go.

My only problem, and it is a little one, is that most ebooks are available from US sellers and I find US spelling irritating. I would imagine the irritation is reciprocated by US educated people.

Craig

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by CraigMBeckett

Being a new owner, and wanting to build up my stock of books, and being amazed at what was available, (books I have not seen for years in the book shops I frequent), I therefore spent over US $400 plus my membership costs. Still have $85 in micropay rebates.

Most of the books I bought are ones I own or have owned before and want/will read again.

I work in different countries and spend most of the year away from home, and usually away from any decent book shop, so ebooks and a reader are the way to go.

My only problem, and it is a little one, is that most ebooks are available from US sellers and I find US spelling irritating. I would imagine the irritation is reciprocated by US educated people.

Craig

I believe that I read on their website that when one spends a substantial amount of money - and to me, $500 is indeed a substantial amount - that one gets an extra discount above and beyond the membership discount. Or perhaps that's only for the Micropay account? I always use Micropay, which is essentially giving them capital to work with - advance money - because I've always used my prescribed amount. When I have more books than Micropay will cover, I just up the Micropay amount.

Did you get any extra discount above the membership discount for spending about $500 ?

Don

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by CraigMBeckett

My only problem, and it is a little one, is that most ebooks are available from US sellers and I find US spelling irritating. I would imagine the irritation is reciprocated by US educated people.

Craig

It's the publishers fault, not the sellers.

[CraigMBeckett]

Dr. Drib,

Did you get any extra discount above the membership discount for spending about $500 ?

If you spend $100 to $199.99 you get an additional 10% rebate in to your micropay account. If you spend $200 and over you get an additional 15% into the micropay account. Yes I got the additional rebate, spent most of it already.

GeoffC

It's the publishers fault, not the sellers.

I was not blaming anyone, just bemoaning the fact. It would be nice if "both languages" were available from the same seller.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by CraigMBeckett

I was not blaming anyone, just bemoaning the fact. It would be nice if "both languages" were available from the same seller.

It depends on the publisher.

I've recently bought a lot (in fact all the 57 currently available ) Agatha Christie books from FictionWise and they are all the British HarperCollins editions.

[Jellby]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've recently bought a lot (in fact all the 57 currently available ) Agatha Christie books from FictionWise and they are all the British HarperCollins editions.

Are they good ebook editions (no mistakes, proper formatting, etc.)?

Can anyone comment on the P.G. Wodehouse works available?

[HarryT]

They're very nicely done, with all the figures, etc., from the printed book (maps of the house, illustrations of hand-writing - that kind of thing). In addition, each book has an interesting essay about the writing of that book from Christie's biographer.

There are a small number of mistakes, yes, but not at the level where it becomes objectionable. Mainly things like additional spaces before punctuation marks. I've not spotted any actual "typos" in the text.

I just wish that they were all available. It's irritating that, for example, 39 out of the 40 "Poirot" books are available, but one's missing ("Hickory Dickory Dock"). Not FictionWise's fault - it's not available from the publisher apparently. Hopefully the 20 or so Christie books not currently available as eBooks will appear at some point in the not too distant future. Still, the 57 books I have should keep me going for a while . If I run out, I can always buy the "missing" ones as pBooks.

[CraigMBeckett]

HarryT,

It depends on the publisher.

I've recently bought a lot (in fact all the 57 currently available ) Agatha Christie books from FictionWise and they are all the British HarperCollins editions

That is interesting to know, unfortunately one complete set I bought from the same source, Terry Pratchett's Disk World, are all American editions. At least the ones I have opend are, the cover pictures certainly are American editions not the ones seen on British/Australian.

Seems like it is a case of pot luck!

Craig.

[jaxx6166]

I have to throw my hat into the ring here...

Fictionwise is going out of their way to try to repair my broken lit file of Perdido Street Station, I've never experienced such a high level of customer support...Their "tech support specialist", Lynn, truly deserves praise.

And even more kudos if she can finally find my missing chapter 5.

To quote:

Hi,

I am sorry about all the trouble with this ebook file. I have
contacted the provider once again informing them that the file is
still incorrect.

As soon as I hear from them I will let you know.

Thanks!

Best Regards,

Lynn
Fictionwise Support Team

================================================== ==========
You wrote:
The original issue was not resolved.

Several weeks ago I advised you that my Microsoft LIT file
was missing all of Chapter 5. You confirmed this through
your versions and told me you fixed the error. I then
attempted to download the complete repaired file and found
that it was a PDF version, which I downloaded.

So, I opened another ticket and you replaced my PDF with
the original LIT file I purchased.

However, this "updated LIT" file that you claim to have
restored is not the updated file. It is the original one
that I complained about several weeks ago.

I compared the PDF version that I downloaded from you last
week with the newest LIT file.

My LIT file still completely skips over chapter 5.

There are 12 pages unaccounted for from the PDF to the LIT
file, that I know of.

My PDF File lists chapter 5 starting with:

"Isaac waited, facing his guest. The garuda stood silent.
Isaac could see it was concentrating. It was preparing to
speak."

This is page 38/55.

My LIT file starts Chapter 5 with:

"In this city, those who look like me are not like me. I
made the mistake once (tired and afraid and desperate for
help) of doubting that."

This is page 55/67 on the PDF.

Where are those missing pages? Could you try to get with
Del Ray again and get this issue resolved?

I appreciate your continued support and patience."

[Dr. Drib]

Well, I just spent some more money on Fictionwise!

Seems like they're having a Father's Day special on their Science Fiction.

I have no affiliation with them, but they sure do have an affiliation with my Checking Account!!!


Don