Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
Ah, but what if I don't know if I like the author's work?
The big purpose of secondhand books is, "Hey, I liked this; maybe you'll like it too--try it for free and find out." And ebooks are eroding that aspect of literature. The concept of "1purchase=1reader" has never been how books worked. Would never let them flourish.
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Actually, I'm very glad you posted this. Saves me a lot of wordage.
After a good night's sleep, I find my attitude quite changed.
I've always been a huge supporter of used books. What I write isn't for everyone. It's complex and intense and long. A book generally takes me at least two years to write and edit. I don't like the work I slaved over languishing unwanted or, worse, in a garbage bin somewhere. Anything that gets it into the hands of those who can appreciate it, I'm for.
On the CC site, we operate completely on the honor system. We even say flat out that we don't have a problem with lending the file, just please, if the person likes it, remember how we make our living and come buy a legitimate copy. We all of us write books designed to be reread. If you like it once, you're going to like it better the second and third time through.
I totally agree about the community thing. I posted elsewhere about the critical mass syndrome of publishing that has been completely destroyed by the Thor Tool decision. In that sense, ebooks will, I'm convinced, be the saviors of true alternative, quality fiction. For a less common-appeal book, a given physical community might have only a handful of readers who truly enjoy it. The chances they'll meet is small. They enjoy it in private, try to parse the questions provoked in the privacy of their own mind, rather than clarifying their reactions in social dialog. Online, they can google the author and find, increasingly, a whole community ready to share and discuss.
As for physical social events, there's nothing to stop local readers groups from choosing an ebook to read and discuss. And then there's the global readers' group. The fact that ebooks are universally available means people who have met online and are headed for a convention from all ends of the country can read the same book, meet in the bar and talk about it, with no one held hostage to a local B&N buyer.
It's really pretty exciting, and just getting started.