Free E-Book: Strange Attractors by Jeffrey A. Carver - Page 3

Elsi · 09-06-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

And that, indeed, is the theory behind giving away ebooks to promote the tree-books. Which was what got me going on this whole enterprise, initially.

This theory ... which Cory Doctorow explains in his introduction to the electronic version of Little Brother

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory Doctorow

What's more, I don't see ebooks as substitute for paper books for most people. It's not that the screens aren't good enough, either: if you're anything like me, you already spend every hour you can get in front of the screen, reading text. But the more computer-literate you are, the less likely you are to be reading long-form works on those screens — that's because computer-literate people do more things with their computers. We run IM and email and we use the browser in a million diverse ways. We have games running in the background, and endless opportunities to tinker with our music libraries. The more you do with your computer, the more likely it is that you'll be interrupted after five to seven minutes to do something else. That makes the computer extremely poorly suited to reading long-form works off of, unless you have the iron self-discipline of a monk.
...
So ebooks sell print books. Every writer I've heard of who's tried giving away ebooks to promote paper books has come back to do it again. That's the commercial case for doing free ebooks.

And, if I only had a PC on which to read electronic books, I'd agree with Doctorow. But, technology has come up with a viable substitute for paper with the hand-held readers. Those of us who have adopted this technology now look at free eBooks differently. For us, they aren't a come-on to the print/paper books. For us, they *can* be a come-on to purchasing books in electronic formats -- if they are available. So it's not encumbent upon the authors and publishers to see that among the other formats -- hardback, trade paperback, mass-market paperback -- they bring books out for the electronic readers.

Timoleon · 09-06-2008, 07:35 PM

I just got back from vacation this afternoon --- was nowhere near a computer all week, but I had my copy of Neptune Crossing on my Sony and thoroughly enjoyed every page of it.

After I was done reading it I thought, "Damn! When can I get Strange Attractors to see what happens next?"

And lo and behold, here I am back at my computer and I see this thread

Another trip to the tip jar for me! Thanks, Mr. Carver --- I really like your style of writing and ability to tell a good story.

Tim

starrigger · 09-06-2008, 11:03 PM

Thanks to Jon, Strange Attractors went up today in Sony .lrf format.

P.S. Thanks for the cheery words, Tim. Glad you liked Neptune Crossing.

JSWolf · 09-07-2008, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

Thanks to Jon, Strange Attractors went up today in Sony .lrf format.

P.S. Thanks for the cheery words, Tim. Glad you liked Neptune Crossing.

You are very welcome. Glad to help out. This is quite a processes. One that I feel is very good for everyone involved.

starrigger · 09-07-2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You are very welcome. Glad to help out. This is quite a processes. One that I feel is very good for everyone involved.

Quite a process, indeed. I'm heading off on a writing retreat for a few days and shifting my attention away from this for a bit. I expect probably in a week or so, I'll be putting The Infinite Sea into downloadable format. It's almost ready now, but not quite.

JSWolf · 09-07-2008, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

Quite a process, indeed. I'm heading off on a writing retreat for a few days and shifting my attention away from this for a bit. I expect probably in a week or so, I'll be putting The Infinite Sea into downloadable format. It's almost ready now, but not quite.

Look forward to it. I notice your upcoming appearances are all going to be in Massachusetts. Finally an author who knows where to appear.

RJ_Cruze_Jr · 09-07-2008, 11:05 PM

Thanks Jeffrey!

I haven't read any of your books, but I figure this is a good excuse to start

(Of course, I'm guessing that's the general idea...)

Again

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-08-2008, 04:48 PM

Since I'm one of those who purchases e-books in lieu of paper books, I left a donation. Thanks, Jeff! (and BTW, loved Galactica!)

Edit: It's great when an author is willing to offer free e-books to promote paperback or hardback books. (Especially if they have a publisher and printed books!) But I don't see e-books as only good for free give-aways, especially as the economies of scale, the emergence of digital technology, and the opportunities inherent in global outreach, are rapidly making e-books viable products of their own. (After all, the real value is in the words, not the package.)

Before too long, they may be considered too valuable to give away for free...

mazzeltjes · 09-09-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Since I'm one of those who purchases e-books in lieu of paper books, I left a donation. Thanks, Jeff! (and BTW, loved Galactica!)

Edit: It's great when an author is willing to offer free e-books to promote paperback or hardback books. (Especially if they have a publisher and printed books!) But I don't see e-books as only good for free give-aways, especially as the economies of scale, the emergence of digital technology, and the opportunities inherent in global outreach, are rapidly making e-books viable products of their own. (After all, the real value is in the words, not the package.)

Before too long, they may be considered too valuable to give away for free...

The only way then
is DRM ?

pdurrant · 09-09-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazzeltjes

The only way then
is DRM ?

Not at all. Just sell non-DRM eBooks. Most people will pay for things they like, provided it is easy to do so (easy to find, easy to buy, reasonably priced).

DRM doesn't stop people downloading unauthorised copies of ebooks. DRM is easily broken, if all else fails by scanning a paper copy. It only takes one person to do it, and then there's a non-DRM version available to all who seek it out.

DRM is only a problem to customers who have actually paid money for the ebook.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-09-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazzeltjes

The only way then
is DRM ?

If a DRM system came along that maybe limited the number of copies of an e-book to 2-3, without requiring a code of some kind to unlock the book itself... I might actually go for that. Otherwise, I'd leave DRM alone. At any rate, at the right price, DRM is a non-issue.

bwaldron · 09-09-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

At any rate, at the right price, DRM is a non-issue.

Not for me, it isn't. I really have no interest in free eBooks that are DRM-infested -- unless I have a way of breaking the DRM. I'd much rather pay for DRM-free content.

It's a matter of owning vs. "renting" -- and (at least some reasonable chance of) being able to re-read the book years from now.

starrigger · 09-09-2008, 06:30 PM

Thanks for the various replies, above, folks. I'm away on a writing retreat right now (imagine that, back to writing!), so I'm not checking in as much.

On the other hand, I just finished drafting an article on this whole process from my point of view, including a whole section on the incredible help one finds in a community like this.

JSWolf · 09-09-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starrigger

Thanks for the various replies, above, folks. I'm away on a writing retreat right now (imagine that, back to writing!), so I'm not checking in as much.

On the other hand, I just finished drafting an article on this whole process from my point of view, including a whole section on the incredible help one finds in a community like this.

Wonderful! I look forward to reading your article. I've just started Neptune's Crossing. So far so good. Only up to chapter 3 at present.

starrigger · 09-09-2008, 09:42 PM

Okay, this is something that never happens. Ever. I wrote a 13-page article on the whole process of getting an ebook out, including the community aspect I've happily encountered here. I wrote it at one sitting (that's part of what never ever happens), and sent it to the editor of the SFWA Bulletin. (SFWA is the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.) Twelve minutes later I had an email back saying he was going to run it.

Talk about instant gratification.

Someone in another thread said I ought to let other writers know about the help we can get from communities like this one. I think I just managed to do that.

09-08-2008, 04:48 PM	#38
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Since I'm one of those who purchases e-books in lieu of paper books, I left a donation. Thanks, Jeff! (and BTW, loved Galactica!) Edit: It's great when an author is willing to offer free e-books to promote paperback or hardback books. (Especially if they have a publisher and printed books!) But I don't see e-books as only good for free give-aways, especially as the economies of scale, the emergence of digital technology, and the opportunities inherent in global outreach, are rapidly making e-books viable products of their own. (After all, the real value is in the words, not the package.) Before too long, they may be considered too valuable to give away for free... Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 09-09-2008 at 11:51 AM.

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09-06-2008, 07:35 PM	#32
Timoleon Time Enough at Last Posts: 387 Karma: 1151316 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New England Device: iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle 3, Fire, Sony PRS-350	I just got back from vacation this afternoon --- was nowhere near a computer all week, but I had my copy of Neptune Crossing on my Sony and thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. After I was done reading it I thought, "Damn! When can I get Strange Attractors to see what happens next?" And lo and behold, here I am back at my computer and I see this thread Another trip to the tip jar for me! Thanks, Mr. Carver --- I really like your style of writing and ability to tell a good story. Tim

09-06-2008, 11:03 PM	#33
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	Thanks to Jon, Strange Attractors went up today in Sony .lrf format. P.S. Thanks for the cheery words, Tim. Glad you liked Neptune Crossing.

09-07-2008, 11:05 PM	#37
RJ_Cruze_Jr Member Posts: 24 Karma: 58 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Thanks Jeffrey! I haven't read any of your books, but I figure this is a good excuse to start (Of course, I'm guessing that's the general idea...) Again

09-09-2008, 06:30 PM	#43
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	Thanks for the various replies, above, folks. I'm away on a writing retreat right now (imagine that, back to writing!), so I'm not checking in as much. On the other hand, I just finished drafting an article on this whole process from my point of view, including a whole section on the incredible help one finds in a community like this.

09-09-2008, 09:42 PM	#45
starrigger Jeffrey A. Carver Posts: 1,355 Karma: 1107383 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Device: Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus, Droid phone, Nook HD+	Okay, this is something that never happens. Ever. I wrote a 13-page article on the whole process of getting an ebook out, including the community aspect I've happily encountered here. I wrote it at one sitting (that's part of what never ever happens), and sent it to the editor of the SFWA Bulletin. (SFWA is the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.) Twelve minutes later I had an email back saying he was going to run it. Talk about instant gratification. Someone in another thread said I ought to let other writers know about the help we can get from communities like this one. I think I just managed to do that.