Hi from Patricia Ryan/P.B. Ryan

[ImogenRose]

Hello and welcome to MR!

Imogen

[ficbot]

What a great attitude, Patricia! Book piracy IS a problem in some circles (although my opinion is, it is less of a problem than people think, and there are other things which are greater problems) but to me, the greater mistake would be to sacrifice the real, true customers one already has in order to try and address a small population who was never going to buy it in the first place

I have proven myself as a book buyer. I probably spend at least $50 a month, between things like cookbooks which I still prefer to buy in paper, and fiction which I always buy in ebook. It continues to boggle my mind that publishers don't want to make it as easy as possible to extract this money from me. When business is already tough, why make it harder than it has to be?

As a reader, all I want is for the books to be a) of a level of quality worthy f my time and money and b) available to me at a reasonable price, regardless of where I live or what device I use to read it on. That's really it!

I sent you a PM, btw. Check your mailbox!

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

As far as the signature line is concerned you need at least 10 posts and a week since registration ..... but don't let that hold you back in the meantime !!!!

Okay, I've posted more than 10 posts and been registered more than a week, but I still can't figure out how to add the signature line. Could someone give me more information about where to do it? I've looked all over the User CP area and can't figure it out.

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by Patricia Ryan

Wow, that's a really good post, and you articulate some great points. Book piracy is a big problem right now, so honest customers who are willing to pay a fair price are more valuable than ever to authors and publishers. Respect goes both ways. Everyone knows it costs less to digitally republish a previously published book than it does to publish one from scratch, either traditionally or electronically. There can be costs involved--scanning and converting older titles, cover art--but with a digital reprint, there's no editing or marketing staff to pay, no manufacturing or physical distribution. I actually worked in the publishing industry when I lived in NYC years ago, and I can tell you the profit margin for traditional books is pretty freakin slim. So charging the same amount of money for a digital reprint as for a newly published book... how can that not feel like a rip-off?

I'm not saying other authors republishing their backlist need to price their work at $2.99, like me. I'm trying to introduce my books to new readers and build my audience. But I do think we need to be realistic.

LOL about Smashwords being the world's biggest slush pile. There are pros and cons to that. It can be like a treasure hunt, but having read a lot of e-originals, well, it's also a crap shoot. That's why I like samples and excerpts.

Pat
patricia-ryan.com

Just a quick word: Bought one of your mysteries. I love historical mysteries and your's (at least the one I have read so far). Still Life With Murder is a great start to a series with a well thought out plot and great atmosphere. I like the main character. It would have been a real shame if those great novels would have been lost in a back catalogue somewhere. I love this one and look forward to read the others. Thanks for taking this route.

[Rolando]

Originally Posted by Rolando

Okay, I've posted more than 10 posts and been registered more than a week, but I still can't figure out how to add the signature line. Could someone give me more information about where to do it? I've looked all over the User CP area and can't figure it out.

Well, I came across another post that showed me how to do it, but now I'm noticing that my old posts don't show the signature. Does it only show up in posts after the signature was added?

[joycedb]

Hi and welcome to MR, Pat. Glad you finally found this lovely community. Enjoy.

Joyce

[Patricia Ryan]

Originally Posted by mtravellerh

Just a quick word: Bought one of your mysteries. I love historical mysteries and your's (at least the one I have read so far). Still Life With Murder is a great start to a series with a well thought out plot and great atmosphere. I like the main character. It would have been a real shame if those great novels would have been lost in a back catalogue somewhere. I love this one and look forward to read the others. Thanks for taking this route.

Thanks so much for buying Still Life, and for letting me know you liked it! We write in a vacuum, and it's always so great to get feedback. And yes, it was sad when these books were just out of print paperbacks. God bless electronic publishing!

Pat