Comments on: Snippets http://writerunboxed.com/2009/01/12/snippets-12/ about the craft and business of fiction Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2009/01/12/snippets-12/#comment-98565 Kristan Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:28:20 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/01/12/snippets-12/#comment-98565 I don't think the used book market (or libraries?!) should be considered "the enemy." What I do think is that publishers and authors and everyone in the industry needs to figure out how to make up for it. I guess I compare it to the music industry, in which people FREAK OUT about illegal music downloads. Well you know what? If they weren't willing to pay for it in the first place, they probably wouldn't have gone and bought it in a store anyway. (I would say this is true for a majority of people who download, because now buying legally off iTunes or Amazon is relatively inexpensive and easy.) But they MIGHT still pay to go see that artist in concert, or buy merchandiser, or whatever. So what's the equivalent for authors and books? What can we do that's like a concert (readings? book tours? maybe...) or merchandise (er, merchandise also?). I don't necessarily have the answers, but I think it's worth pondering. And as for huge advances on blockbusters... well, okay, as an aspiring author obviously it'd be nice to make a ton of money, BUT do you know what I would prefer? Making a modest advance and using the extra dollars on marketing instead. I'd rather have a livable income and a strong seller than a bajillion dollar advance that prevents other good books from being published. But maybe that's just me... Thanks for the snippets! Obviously it's a Monday, because my opinion machine is all rested up from the weekend and going strong. ;) I don’t think the used book market (or libraries?!) should be considered “the enemy.” What I do think is that publishers and authors and everyone in the industry needs to figure out how to make up for it.

I guess I compare it to the music industry, in which people FREAK OUT about illegal music downloads. Well you know what? If they weren’t willing to pay for it in the first place, they probably wouldn’t have gone and bought it in a store anyway. (I would say this is true for a majority of people who download, because now buying legally off iTunes or Amazon is relatively inexpensive and easy.) But they MIGHT still pay to go see that artist in concert, or buy merchandiser, or whatever.

So what’s the equivalent for authors and books? What can we do that’s like a concert (readings? book tours? maybe…) or merchandise (er, merchandise also?). I don’t necessarily have the answers, but I think it’s worth pondering.

And as for huge advances on blockbusters… well, okay, as an aspiring author obviously it’d be nice to make a ton of money, BUT do you know what I would prefer? Making a modest advance and using the extra dollars on marketing instead. I’d rather have a livable income and a strong seller than a bajillion dollar advance that prevents other good books from being published.

But maybe that’s just me…

Thanks for the snippets! Obviously it’s a Monday, because my opinion machine is all rested up from the weekend and going strong. ;)

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