Backlist Ebooks--A source for inexpensive author-published out of print books!

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by Hitch

Let me rephrase: I tried 5 searches from within Facebook itself and not one returned their page--not even one in which I used their URL. My point was that I can send authors there--but if it doesn't turn up in any type of FB (or SE) search results, it's not very useful.

A list of "backlist ebooks" in which authors are pimping other midlisters isn't that useful; it's the DorothyL of Facebook, if you see what I mean, upon which there are 3 actual real-live readers and 3,998 authors all trying to get those three readers to buy their books.

I'll give the link to my authors. {shrug}. I'm sure they'll participate, regardless.

Hitch

Okay...

A link to http://facebook.com/backlistebooks does do the trick, Hitch. And if people want to search from within Facebook, all they have to do is type "Backlist Ebooks" into the search field, and voila! Not sure why you're having trouble with it.

Not sure where the attitude is coming from either, to be honest. The FB fan page, a precursor to the website we're working up to, has been live for a couple of weeks, during which time we've acquired 470 fans, the vast majority readers, not other authors. As for your "midlister" sneer, so far our rapidly growing ranks encompass a wide range of authors, including NYT and USA Today bestsellers, Nebula, Hugo, & RITA winners, etc.

The idea to provide one central list of print authors self-publishing their backlist was inspired by readers asking for this in forums and blogs. So far, the feedback from readers about our nascent project has been extremely positive. Yours is the first negative reaction I've encountered, and I find it a tad bewildering.

Pat

[rhadin]

Patricia,

A dumb question or two. I have never used Facebook and do not plan to ever use it -- in fact, I've never even visited it and have no desire to do so -- so else how can I find these backlist books? Are they available at a single free-standing website or only at Facebook?

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Patricia,

A dumb question or two. I have never used Facebook and do not plan to ever use it -- in fact, I've never even visited it and have no desire to do so -- so else how can I find these backlist books? Are they available at a single free-standing website or only at Facebook?

Hi, Richard... You're certainly not alone in your disdain for Facebook! It's an interim measure, just to get the list of authors out there while we're working on a website. As a matter of fact, we're planning on a simple, interim website while the final, ambitious one is being built. I'll let everyone know (here) when that site is live.

Pat

[ficbot]

Rich, I have most of the Facebook list---and some others---on my website.On the iPad right now so I can't post a link, but it's on page 5 of the thread.

[Doranna Durgin]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you want to be able to check out books in the two most popular formats, my suggestion is to get both a Sony Reader PRS-650 and a Kindle 3. That way you can see how things look when you have your eBook made.

You know, I've been thinking just that. The cost is an issue, of course, so I do need to decide which to get first, but it seems to me that they're different enough so they'd fit different niche uses.

[Doranna Durgin]

Originally Posted by starrigger

But the ability to easily upload corrections and tweaks on SW is something I haven't seen in other systems. Kindle store isn't bad, but SW is better.

I really like that aspect of it, too. It makes it easy to fix the "D'oh!" moments...

[Doranna Durgin]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

Okay...

A link to http://facebook.com/backlistebooks does do the trick, Hitch. And if people want to search from within Facebook, all they have to do is type "Backlist Ebooks" into the search field, and voila! Not sure why you're having trouble with it.

Also, in a Google for "backlist ebooks," the FaceBook link tops the list; one doesn't have to be signed into FB to check it out (although some may choose not to). Once we get the web site up, I imagine our two main resources will be dueling for that top placement.

We're very pleased with how things are going, and hope that readers and authors alike will find Backlist Ebooks to be a useful resource. Those who don't, of course, always have the option of creating something that works for them. We've understood from the start that we can't be all things to all people.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

Many thanks to you and Ficbot for these names! So far, Doranna and I haven't been actively recruiting authors--we can barely keep up with those who've been seeking us out. But it behooves us and our readers to have as large and diverse a pool of authors as possible, so maybe we ought to shoot off a few emails... after my daughter's wedding is over (this coming weekend) and my life returns to normal.

Pat

Pat, well I may have added to the mayhem... I mentioned you to Mary Ellen Hughes, who belongs to a Yahoo group I'm in. I know at least three of the authors on that list have backlist titles that are either out or they want them to be out in ebook.

All the authors on that list are Cozy mystery authors so that if any of them bite, that'll give you some more diversity, too.

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Pat, well I may have added to the mayhem... I mentioned you to Mary Ellen Hughes, who belongs to a Yahoo group I'm in. I know at least three of the authors on that list have backlist titles that are either out or they want them to be out in ebook.

All the authors on that list are Cozy mystery authors so that if any of them bite, that'll give you some more diversity, too.

Oh, we're all about the mayhem, Shel! Seriously, thanks for spreading the word. I'd love to get some more cozy mystery authors.

Pat

[Patricia Ryan]

Hi, all... I'll be incommunicado for a few days, because my husband and I are heading off to Cape Cod for our daughter's wedding, so don't think I'm ignoring you. Any questions about Backlist Ebooks can be fielded by our lovely and talented Doranna Durgin.

Pat

[SensualPoet]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

I unfortunately allowed my Kindle books to be DRM-protected before the issue was fully on my radar, and now I regret it, because it can't be undone.

Well, yes it can. Though there is an Amazon policy that DRM is one way, nothing stops you from issuing a revised edition with a new preface. In fact, in the preface you could talk about how awesome e-book evolution is. Plus, of course, add some further background about each title. Just a thought.

You might even generate a little commentary in the print press and blogosphere which wouldn't hurt sales.

Kobo would also welcome your books without DRM if they are being provided directly rather than through Smashwords. (I do not know details of the Smashwords distribution deal.)

[Hitch]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

Okay...

A link to http://facebook.com/backlistebooks does do the trick, Hitch. And if people want to search from within Facebook, all they have to do is type "Backlist Ebooks" into the search field, and voila! Not sure why you're having trouble with it.

Not sure where the attitude is coming from either, to be honest. The FB fan page, a precursor to the website we're working up to, has been live for a couple of weeks, during which time we've acquired 470 fans, the vast majority readers, not other authors. As for your "midlister" sneer, so far our rapidly growing ranks encompass a wide range of authors, including NYT and USA Today bestsellers, Nebula, Hugo, & RITA winners, etc.

The idea to provide one central list of print authors self-publishing their backlist was inspired by readers asking for this in forums and blogs. So far, the feedback from readers about our nascent project has been extremely positive. Yours is the first negative reaction I've encountered, and I find it a tad bewildering.

Pat

Patricia:

Hell, that's NOT a sneer. ALL, repeat, ALL of my clients are midlisters. I'm delighted to have their work and to create their eBooks for Amazon, iBooks, Nook, Sony, etc. The entire ebook production community is comprised of people like me who create ebooks for midlisters, because the vast majority of backlist books that are OOP and rights-reverted ARE from midlisters. No sneer here, to go Suessian. I simply got frustrated when, after three pretty normal searching attempts from within FB, I couldn't find your page. And I'm a moderately sophisticated user. Don't know what FB's issue was.

I am DELIGHTED to press-release your site in my next newsletter to my authors. No kidding. If you'd send me a suitable email addy by PM, I'll be happy to send you a copy.

Hitch

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Well, yes it can. Though there is an Amazon policy that DRM is one way, nothing stops you from issuing a revised edition with a new preface. In fact, in the preface you could talk about how awesome e-book evolution is. Plus, of course, add some further background about each title. Just a thought.

You might even generate a little commentary in the print press and blogosphere which wouldn't hurt sales.

Kobo would also welcome your books without DRM if they are being provided directly rather than through Smashwords. (I do not know details of the Smashwords distribution deal.)

Actually, my backlist ebooks are already on Kobo, via Smashwords. Well, four out of the twelve are; not quite sure what the hold-up is with the others. And of course they're available DRM-free from Smashwords.

I'm not sure what you mean by adding a preface. Are you saying I should say something about DRM in the preface?

Pat

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by Hitch

I am DELIGHTED to press-release your site in my next newsletter to my authors. No kidding. If you'd send me a suitable email addy by PM, I'll be happy to send you a copy.

Hitch

Much obliged, Hitch. I've just returned from my daughter's wedding on the Cape, so I may have missed your deadline. If not, you could send it to patricia@patricia-ryan.com.

Thx,
Pat

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

I'm not sure what you mean by adding a preface. Are you saying I should say something about DRM in the preface?

No, merely that a new preface makes it a new edition, which can be uploaded sans DRM. What you say in the preface is up to you, though if you want to sneer at DRM, no one here is likely to object...
______
Dennis