Comments on: Discussion Post 9: Publishing in Today’s World http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/ a blog for lib100 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:13:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alex Zacharias http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-408 Alex Zacharias Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:10:01 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-408 By giving his books away, the author is able to grab the audience that might not have read his book before because they either could not afford it or they did not want to spend the money. If the book is free, someone sees no risk in getting it and would take the chance to read it. This strategy expands his fan base because he has confidence that people will enjoy his writing. He could be, however, losing an opportunity to make guaranteed profits on his publication. But, by expanding his audience, he hopes to make up those profits and more in the future. By giving his books away, the author is able to grab the audience that might not have read his book before because they either could not afford it or they did not want to spend the money. If the book is free, someone sees no risk in getting it and would take the chance to read it. This strategy expands his fan base because he has confidence that people will enjoy his writing. He could be, however, losing an opportunity to make guaranteed profits on his publication. But, by expanding his audience, he hopes to make up those profits and more in the future.

]]> By: Matt Reed http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-353 Matt Reed Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:22:24 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-353 I think this author shows a great deal of foresight by attempting to reach his audience in this manner. "Free Ninety-Nine" is a term becoming more and more accepted. The general public has come to adopt the policy of "If it's free then what do I have to lose?" The more popularity gained by the author (which will inevitably be gained at a more rapid and widespread pace) will inevitably result in capital gains. Advertising on his website, paid positions as a motivation speaker, and book signings are just a few ways to generate capital while distributing his work for free. I think this author shows a great deal of foresight by attempting to reach his audience in this manner. “Free Ninety-Nine” is a term becoming more and more accepted. The general public has come to adopt the policy of “If it’s free then what do I have to lose?” The more popularity gained by the author (which will inevitably be gained at a more rapid and widespread pace) will inevitably result in capital gains. Advertising on his website, paid positions as a motivation speaker, and book signings are just a few ways to generate capital while distributing his work for free.

]]> By: Joe Mohr http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-341 Joe Mohr Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:19:34 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-341 This approach to give away books for no cost is very interesting. As I see it, there are strong positives and negatives to this concept. A positive to this is that because there is no charge for reading his books, many people may see the information in them as essential and very enlightening. Due to the fact that money seems to be a secondary reason for his publications, readers may see this as an opportunity to broaden their horizons and opinions. However, if in fact monetary influence takes precedence, then I do not think his approach is that profitable. It would be extremely hard to make money if his ideas can be obtained for free. If many authors begin to use this approach, then I think we may begin to see the end of hard, paper novels. It does not make much sense that anyone would purchase a book when they could find it for free online or through any other means. We have seen this in the music industry, with all of the pirated music. People have began to download music online and not buy the CD in the store. In my opinion, I would not give away my publications for free in fear of losing great profits. This approach to give away books for no cost is very interesting. As I see it, there are strong positives and negatives to this concept. A positive to this is that because there is no charge for reading his books, many people may see the information in them as essential and very enlightening. Due to the fact that money seems to be a secondary reason for his publications, readers may see this as an opportunity to broaden their horizons and opinions. However, if in fact monetary influence takes precedence, then I do not think his approach is that profitable. It would be extremely hard to make money if his ideas can be obtained for free. If many authors begin to use this approach, then I think we may begin to see the end of hard, paper novels. It does not make much sense that anyone would purchase a book when they could find it for free online or through any other means. We have seen this in the music industry, with all of the pirated music. People have began to download music online and not buy the CD in the store. In my opinion, I would not give away my publications for free in fear of losing great profits.

]]> By: Aaron Payne http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-339 Aaron Payne Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:28:35 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-339 I think I would read his work just to see if it's worth purchasing. This kind of goes along with how you rent a movie or go see a movie before buying it. Sure you pay the little bit it costs to see it, but you get a preview, and with this preview you get to decide whether the movie is worth buying or not. I would probably still donate a little bit of money even if I didn't like the book. Every little bit helps, so he would probably make a lot of money anyways. If more writers published this way, I think publishers would go out of business and writers would flourish. I think I would read his work just to see if it’s worth purchasing. This kind of goes along with how you rent a movie or go see a movie before buying it. Sure you pay the little bit it costs to see it, but you get a preview, and with this preview you get to decide whether the movie is worth buying or not. I would probably still donate a little bit of money even if I didn’t like the book. Every little bit helps, so he would probably make a lot of money anyways. If more writers published this way, I think publishers would go out of business and writers would flourish.

]]> By: Zack Bogan http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-326 Zack Bogan Mon, 02 Mar 2009 07:31:24 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-326 This idea is very interesting to me. I really think the idea to basically give the book away is a good one because it allows an author to get his or her work out to potential readers. I think that it is a very good idea and I am more likely to read the book since I can get it for free. I am also more likely to donate money to the author if I enjoy reading the book. I think many authors would find more success if they published books this way. More people would be willing to read books if they did not have to buy them. This idea seems much like giving music away or some companies giving their products away for free. It is done to get the name out there and to get people to try something that they may not try if they actually had to pay for it. I have been to stores where samples of shampoos or razors have been given out. It is a good way to find which product a person really wants to use. The same concept applies to books because if a book is free and people like it, they are more inclined to want to read more by the same author. This idea is very interesting to me. I really think the idea to basically give the book away is a good one because it allows an author to get his or her work out to potential readers. I think that it is a very good idea and I am more likely to read the book since I can get it for free. I am also more likely to donate money to the author if I enjoy reading the book. I think many authors would find more success if they published books this way. More people would be willing to read books if they did not have to buy them.

This idea seems much like giving music away or some companies giving their products away for free. It is done to get the name out there and to get people to try something that they may not try if they actually had to pay for it. I have been to stores where samples of shampoos or razors have been given out. It is a good way to find which product a person really wants to use. The same concept applies to books because if a book is free and people like it, they are more inclined to want to read more by the same author.

]]> By: Angel http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-325 Angel Mon, 02 Mar 2009 01:48:18 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-325 I actually just saw an article titled, "Why Are Book Publishers Making The Same Mistake The Record Labels Made With Apple?" I think Doctorow's approach to selling books is a smart one. With articles pointing out the mistakes that Publishers are making, clearly seeing the mistake that the music industry made with music corporations, it relieving to see someone who is avoiding those same mistakes. Even with music, artists are realizing that their money is going to come from performances more so than actually selling their music. And, it is the same with Doctorow, he realizes that the bulk of his money is probably going to come from touring. So, it makes perfect sense to try and get as much exposure as you can so that more people will come out to your book tours. If more writers start sublishing this way, it become more accepted within the reading community. I see books, and publishing taking a very similiar route that music did and having alot of books becoming available online to read, and eventually to listen. I actually just saw an article titled, “Why Are Book Publishers Making The Same Mistake The Record Labels Made With Apple?” I think Doctorow’s approach to selling books is a smart one. With articles pointing out the mistakes that Publishers are making, clearly seeing the mistake that the music industry made with music corporations, it relieving to see someone who is avoiding those same mistakes. Even with music, artists are realizing that their money is going to come from performances more so than actually selling their music. And, it is the same with Doctorow, he realizes that the bulk of his money is probably going to come from touring. So, it makes perfect sense to try and get as much exposure as you can so that more people will come out to your book tours. If more writers start sublishing this way, it become more accepted within the reading community. I see books, and publishing taking a very similiar route that music did and having alot of books becoming available online to read, and eventually to listen.

]]> By: Allan Lunkenheimer http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-322 Allan Lunkenheimer Sun, 01 Mar 2009 22:48:57 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-322 I feel that it is a good idea that Doctrow is making his e-books available to all for free in an attempt to reach a greater audience. I feel that this approach will have great success in reaching a larger audience than if he would have just released his book in paperback form to the bookstores. I feel that this will create a larger and more devoted fanbase than most other people will have from just selling books. If his fans really have enough interest in Doctrow than they will either also purchase his paperback copy or make donations to the author to support his career. This could potentially be a problem if too many people just take his book for free and make no donation at all, however, I feel that the majority of people will make some form of donation or purchase his paper book also. If many people published this way, I think that they would also expand their fanbase and support. I feel that it is a good idea that Doctrow is making his e-books available to all for free in an attempt to reach a greater audience. I feel that this approach will have great success in reaching a larger audience than if he would have just released his book in paperback form to the bookstores. I feel that this will create a larger and more devoted fanbase than most other people will have from just selling books. If his fans really have enough interest in Doctrow than they will either also purchase his paperback copy or make donations to the author to support his career. This could potentially be a problem if too many people just take his book for free and make no donation at all, however, I feel that the majority of people will make some form of donation or purchase his paper book also. If many people published this way, I think that they would also expand their fanbase and support.

]]> By: curtis http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-320 curtis Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:44:11 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-320 After reading these articles I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cory Doctorow. It seems as though he is more passionate about his ideas and writing than he is about money, this I truly admire. His approach definitely increases my desire to read some of his work. I think its a gutsy thing to do but if it works it can really benefit. I believe it would be great if more people published this way, it gets people reading. After reading these articles I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cory Doctorow. It seems as though he is more passionate about his ideas and writing than he is about money, this I truly admire. His approach definitely increases my desire to read some of his work. I think its a gutsy thing to do but if it works it can really benefit. I believe it would be great if more people published this way, it gets people reading.

]]> By: Ally Petta http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-318 Ally Petta Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:21:04 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-318 I think that this technique of his was very wise in trying to extend his support network as an author. He already is a successful writer so by giving out free books it can show the people his commitment to writing regardless of the monetary rewards. It allows him to keep attracting different people who might not have been interested in the book if it were not free. Free things in general can attract a wide array of people and by doing so it exposes him as an author to various types of individuals. I agree that this technique can be very risky and it takes patience in waiting to see the benefits from it in the future. But, I think more and more companies or individuals are realizing that this technique proves very successful and that the risk is definitely worth the reward. I think that this technique of his was very wise in trying to extend his support network as an author. He already is a successful writer so by giving out free books it can show the people his commitment to writing regardless of the monetary rewards. It allows him to keep attracting different people who might not have been interested in the book if it were not free. Free things in general can attract a wide array of people and by doing so it exposes him as an author to various types of individuals. I agree that this technique can be very risky and it takes patience in waiting to see the benefits from it in the future. But, I think more and more companies or individuals are realizing that this technique proves very successful and that the risk is definitely worth the reward.

]]> By: Chris Tumminello http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/2009/02/24/discussion-post-9-publishing-in-todays-world/#comment-317 Chris Tumminello Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:23:59 +0000 http://blog.zsr.wfu.edu/infoverse/?p=75#comment-317 This blog post response is going to be very similar to my last post which focused on how important it is that products can sell themselves if they are of good quality. Doctorow even agrees himself that exposure is the key, not the topic of his book. When he was not giving out the book for free, people wouldn't bother to waste their money on a book by an author they had never heard of. But now people are willing to open their ears when the information is free. The same goes in the music industry with bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails who took a chance on abandoning record labels in order to see if their audiences would support their cause. In the end, loyal fans along with a brand new wave of fans donated tons of money (while some people like myself may have received the album for free...) and their products became huge successes. This type of idea is not even a risk anymore - one would be naive not to take a chance with Doctorow's concept. This blog post response is going to be very similar to my last post which focused on how important it is that products can sell themselves if they are of good quality. Doctorow even agrees himself that exposure is the key, not the topic of his book. When he was not giving out the book for free, people wouldn’t bother to waste their money on a book by an author they had never heard of. But now people are willing to open their ears when the information is free. The same goes in the music industry with bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails who took a chance on abandoning record labels in order to see if their audiences would support their cause. In the end, loyal fans along with a brand new wave of fans donated tons of money (while some people like myself may have received the album for free…) and their products became huge successes. This type of idea is not even a risk anymore - one would be naive not to take a chance with Doctorow’s concept.

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