A perfect example how to sell e-books and build a community

Liviu_5 · 09-19-2008, 05:59 PM

As mentioned in another post, David Weber mistakenly released the whole - unedited but relatively final - draft of one of the most eagerly awaited novels in years from Baen - Storm from the Shadows - HH #14. The previous book in the series sold more than 100k copies, was on the NYT bestseller lists, so we are not talking about an obscure book or author here...

Some people got that release before it was pulled, others got it after by various means, but there was an outcry both from people who did not get it and from people who got it and wanted to pay both Baen and Mr. Weber.

So by popular demand today Baen offered the draft for sale as "The World's Largest Snippet"

I gladly paid the 10$ and I will get the final edited e-arc in two months or so for an extra 12$ though I was one of the lucky ones getting a free copy - read twice so far - of the whoopsie release

Write books that appeal to people and build a community listening to your customers and I would bet that a lot of the larger piracy worries will diminish.

But of course the attitude that it's much better to try and lock people, try and extract the last penny and stand on the moral high horse also is hard to shake

Link:

http://www.webscription.net/p-914-st...ws-oopsie.aspx

delphidb96 · 09-19-2008, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liviu_5

As mentioned in another post, David Weber mistakenly released the whole - unedited but relatively final - draft of one of the most eagerly awaited novels in years from Baen - Storm from the Shadows - HH #14. The previous book in the series sold more than 100k copies, was on the NYT bestseller lists, so we are not talking about an obscure book or author here...

Some people got that release before it was pulled, others got it after by various means, but there was an outcry both from people who did not get it and from people who got it and wanted to pay both Baen and Mr. Weber.

So by popular demand today Baen offered the draft for sale as "The World's Largest Snippet"

I gladly paid the 10$ and I will get the final edited e-arc in two months or so for an extra 12$ though I was one of the lucky ones getting a free copy - read twice so far - of the whoopsie release

Write books that appeal to people and build a community listening to your customers and I would bet that a lot of the larger piracy worries will diminish.

But of course the attitude that it's much better to try and lock people, try and extract the last penny and stand on the moral high horse also is hard to shake

Link:

http://www.webscription.net/p-914-st...ws-oopsie.aspx

Yep. Baen has the *FINEST* reputation in the ebook world. And they've earned every bit of it.

Derek

HarryT · 09-20-2008, 11:01 AM

How does something get "mistakenly released"? Where was it "released"?

DMcCunney · 09-20-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

How does something get "mistakenly released"? Where was it "released"?

Baen releases periodic "snippets" - usually a page or so - of upcoming works on their website to whet reader interest. David Weber released the entire uncorrected manuscript as a "snippet". It got pulled within a few hours, but meanwhile...
______
Dennis

HarryT · 09-20-2008, 11:43 AM

I see. Thanks.

igorsk · 09-21-2008, 06:44 PM

Snippets get posted on Baen's Baer and a few sites, including Eric Flint's blog:
http://www.ericflint.net/index.php/category/snippets/
The whoopsie version got posted only on the Bar. Apparently David wanted to post a few already snippeted chapters with some fixes, but by mistake attached the whole thing.

Eagleeye · 09-22-2008, 10:12 AM

In fact, Eric Flints page is the main source for new snippets (at least, concerning books of David Weber, Eric Flint or David Drake). Any other ones (like the ones in Baen's Bar or at jiltanith.thefifthimperium.com are only copies from there ...)

Some other authors (John Ringo, forex) are snippeting themselves and publish their works in their own conferences in Baens Bar. But these snippets you'll find also at jiltanith - thanks to Joe Buckley.

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09-19-2008, 05:59 PM	#1
Liviu_5 Books and more books Posts: 917 Karma: 69499 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: White Plains, NY, USA Device: Nook Color, Itouch, Nokia770, Sony 650, Sony 700(dead), Ebk(given)	A perfect example how to sell e-books and build a community As mentioned in another post, David Weber mistakenly released the whole - unedited but relatively final - draft of one of the most eagerly awaited novels in years from Baen - Storm from the Shadows - HH #14. The previous book in the series sold more than 100k copies, was on the NYT bestseller lists, so we are not talking about an obscure book or author here... Some people got that release before it was pulled, others got it after by various means, but there was an outcry both from people who did not get it and from people who got it and wanted to pay both Baen and Mr. Weber. So by popular demand today Baen offered the draft for sale as "The World's Largest Snippet" I gladly paid the 10$ and I will get the final edited e-arc in two months or so for an extra 12$ though I was one of the lucky ones getting a free copy - read twice so far - of the whoopsie release Write books that appeal to people and build a community listening to your customers and I would bet that a lot of the larger piracy worries will diminish. But of course the attitude that it's much better to try and lock people, try and extract the last penny and stand on the moral high horse also is hard to shake Link: http://www.webscription.net/p-914-st...ws-oopsie.aspx

09-20-2008, 11:01 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	How does something get "mistakenly released"? Where was it "released"?

09-20-2008, 11:43 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I see. Thanks.

09-21-2008, 06:44 PM	#6
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	Snippets get posted on Baen's Baer and a few sites, including Eric Flint's blog: http://www.ericflint.net/index.php/category/snippets/ The whoopsie version got posted only on the Bar. Apparently David wanted to post a few already snippeted chapters with some fixes, but by mistake attached the whole thing.

09-22-2008, 10:12 AM	#7
Eagleeye Fanatic Posts: 591 Karma: 100000 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Halle/S. Device: BeBook, Pocketbook 360°; Kindle 3G	In fact, Eric Flints page is the main source for new snippets (at least, concerning books of David Weber, Eric Flint or David Drake). Any other ones (like the ones in Baen's Bar or at jiltanith.thefifthimperium.com are only copies from there ...) Some other authors (John Ringo, forex) are snippeting themselves and publish their works in their own conferences in Baens Bar. But these snippets you'll find also at jiltanith - thanks to Joe Buckley.

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