MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Was in Shanghai yesterday and ebook readers were everywhere

Xanthe · 03-17-2010, 01:02 AM

I just wonder how many authors are now receiving income just because some of their work reached a broader audience via the torrent sites? Two copies of a debut novel with no publicity budget, in paperback form sitting on a bottom shelf at Barnes & Noble vs. being on one of the major torrent sites and being seen by hundreds of thousands of people? You writers might lose some sales, but then again, you might develop a loyal following of readers that you never would have had otherwise - ones who will put pressure on your publisher to find out when your next book is coming out when your three-book deal ends.

Not to mention out-of-print authors being introduced to a whole new audience just because someone took the time and effort to turn their work into an ebook.

I understand your POV, but I don't think that the old business model fits very well in today's digital world, and to cling to it to the exclusion of all else will harm the writer in the long run. It may not seem fair, and it may not be what people in other professions face, but it is what it is, and it's going to be up to you authors to decide whether or not you want to demonize a portion of your readership, or if you are willing to accept a certain amount of "breakage" of your product, as manufacturers do.

03-17-2010, 01:02 AM	#18
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	I just wonder how many authors are now receiving income just because some of their work reached a broader audience via the torrent sites? Two copies of a debut novel with no publicity budget, in paperback form sitting on a bottom shelf at Barnes & Noble vs. being on one of the major torrent sites and being seen by hundreds of thousands of people? You writers might lose some sales, but then again, you might develop a loyal following of readers that you never would have had otherwise - ones who will put pressure on your publisher to find out when your next book is coming out when your three-book deal ends. Not to mention out-of-print authors being introduced to a whole new audience just because someone took the time and effort to turn their work into an ebook. I understand your POV, but I don't think that the old business model fits very well in today's digital world, and to cling to it to the exclusion of all else will harm the writer in the long run. It may not seem fair, and it may not be what people in other professions face, but it is what it is, and it's going to be up to you authors to decide whether or not you want to demonize a portion of your readership, or if you are willing to accept a certain amount of "breakage" of your product, as manufacturers do. Last edited by Xanthe; 03-17-2010 at 01:11 AM.