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Originally Posted by lilac_jive
I was one of those who paid for it when you waived the fee for MR book club members. It was totally worth it too. I'm glad that you posted this actually, because now I know you're on Smashwords. I've been wanting to read another one of your books. Loved Refuge!
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Thank you, lilac_jive. I've enabled 50% sampling so you needn't risk another dime!
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Originally Posted by Ben Thornton
On another thread, the idea of refunds was raised. Even without any new technology, one could offer books on, say, smashwords at $4.95 with 100% money-back if not satisfied. I'd expect that not many people would take advantage of that, but it might be good marketing to say that a book is "no risk".
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Might be a bit complicated to arrange, since the author only gets a share of that $4.95 (max. $3.83 if the sale is through Smashwords, and a good bit less if sold through a premium affiliate like B&N). The sampling thing is a good compromise, since authors can allow up to half the book to be read without payment.
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Originally Posted by Elfwreck
I know quite a few authors capable of producing 500,000 words/year, split up into several novels. And a ridiculous number capable of producing 250,000 words per year.
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That's amazing. I reckon it's a good day if I can get 500 words done!
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Originally Posted by Kali Yuga
Well, I hope this doesn't come off as too blunt, but... 
Seriously, is anyone surprised that the vast majority of human beings are freeloaders? ...
But really, this is the fundamental reason why a donation model just is not sustainable. The self-publishing author who is on a budget now needs to be his or her own writer, editor, retailer, manager, publicist, marketer, web master, accountant, and now fund-raiser as well? ...
As to the "get inside an author's mind," it's been done. I don't recall the writer's name (though I'll keep looking if I have time), but a couple of years ago he basically posted rough drafts of a book in progress to a website, and incorporated the immediate feedback into his writing process. He may have set up a webcam as well. At any rate, I cannot imagine that any such schemes a) will really work more than a few times, after that it gets pretty boring (or at least, the novelty is gone), and b) let's face it, even a few hundred donations is not going to match up to a £50k or even £25k advance.... |
Sad to agree with you, but when you're right, you're right.
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Originally Posted by Sparrow
I've read Stephen King and Harlan Coben - fine writers both of them; but I liked Richard's books better.  |
