tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post7456568233110019700..comments2023-04-06T11:51:16.564-04:00Comments on Dr. Syntax: How to Make a Small Fortune in Publishing, or, A Bit More on the E-Book WarsPeter Ginnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678504299313188170noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-62756076715466568102009-12-23T11:24:11.566-05:002009-12-23T11:24:11.566-05:00That's an interesting post--one might say a ra...That's an interesting post--one might say a rant, but an understandable rant--at Michael Stackpole's blog. It must be maddening for an author like him, whose work has been released in e-formats so haphazardly, and who sees titles being sold online for which he apparently sees no royalty. I can see why he is frustrated with his publisher. <br /><br />I disagree with much of what he says about both Google and e-books, and some of his facts are wrong. (I find the comments of JediBear below his post more accurate.) Nonetheless, if he is already selling books through Apple's App Store, he's obviously a savvy author who may well prosper selling e-books directly.Peter Ginnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678504299313188170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-57100442308244549782009-12-23T11:08:47.117-05:002009-12-23T11:08:47.117-05:00Commenter #1, I agree with you. Most authors are m...Commenter #1, I agree with you. Most authors are more interested in their writing than in battling over contractual issues or becoming their own publishers. That's why there *are* publishers--doing the job of a publisher is a lot to add on top of doing the job of a writer. <br /><br />Ellie, when you speak of instant gratification I'm not sure whether you're referring to *purchasing* books instantly, or *distributing* them instantly. I'm certain the reason the Kindle has caught on is the ease of downloading a new book whenever you want it. That's certainly my favorite feature. <br /><br />It's also possible to publish an e-book, if not instantly, within a matter of days or even hours of having a final manuscript. That's something publishers have hardly begun to exploit yet, but will be increasingly important.Peter Ginnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678504299313188170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-42578066580504066962009-12-23T08:20:10.075-05:002009-12-23T08:20:10.075-05:00I find the whole eBook future fascinating. It'...I find the whole eBook future fascinating. It's like a re-run of what happened in music ten years ago. What's interesting is the responses I have read.<br /><br />Here's an author's blog that I read who has taken a different approach from what I have read on editor's and agent's blogs:<br /><br />http://www.michaelastackpole.com/?p=852<br /><br />I think he makes some really fascinating points. Check it out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-44089213658789007502009-12-22T20:09:36.901-05:002009-12-22T20:09:36.901-05:00I think what looks most attractive about e-booking...I think what looks most attractive about e-booking is the comparatively instant gratification.Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10637001710961200469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-59288035805362455402009-12-22T00:42:48.517-05:002009-12-22T00:42:48.517-05:00Perceive. I was born without the spelling gene.Perceive. I was born without the spelling gene.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4316886317870996102.post-3887782098279616752009-12-22T00:05:08.843-05:002009-12-22T00:05:08.843-05:00On one end of the teeter-totter sits the "who...On one end of the teeter-totter sits the "who needs publishers" crowd. On the other sits the "publishers have a valid claim on e-book rights" group. But there is a third group. <br /><br />They're sitting in the middle of the see-saw plank (tapping away at their keyboards)and they could slide either way depending on whether they percieve the royalty split from e-book sales to be fair.<br /><br />If they percieve it as fair, they'll have little incentive to slide toward the "who needs publishers" side. They'll likely just keep typing undisturbed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com