A quick feasibility study . . .
I think I'm going to go ahead with self-publishing a print-on-demand collection of short-stories. Since there's no overhead on my part, I've got nothing to lose and, at least potentially, some readers (and conventional publishers?) to gain.
My question to readers of this blog: Given the opportunity, would you purchase a science fiction trade paperback from Lulu? I haven't looked at the site in great detail yet, but I don't think the cost of the book should exceed $15 or so.
As far as the content of the stories goes, expect many of the themes that occupy me here at Posthuman Blues: environmental disaster, artificial intelligence and alien visitation. Some stories will be previously published; others will be salvaged from "exclusive" never-before-seen content. (And before you ask, no, I haven't decided on a title.)
I don't see why I wouldn't, although I have never done so before. On the other hand, there was a day when I bought all my new music in a physical music store. Nowadays I buy most of direct from the artists, and the remainder from Amazon et al. I haven't set foot in a music store in years. One of the reasons is that I feel happier when I'm giving the money to (or close to) the actual artists involved.
ReplyDeleteI expect that books would be the same sort of deal, at least once the pricing for on-demand stuff comes down a bit more.
All of which is a long-winded way of saying yes, I would buy such a book.
I'll buy one.
ReplyDeleteI've got a few "taster" stories here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mactonnies.com/other.html
Andy--
ReplyDeleteExcellent point. I guess I hope to cross the digital divide, if only slightly. Since the book will be, in a way, an advertisement for myself, it would be cool if it didn't require a computer to be read.
Mac -
ReplyDeleteTo put it simply, real books RULE. During power outages it's cool to light a candle and curl up with a book...none of the usual distractions. I can't do that on my PC. I don't own a laptop or PDA.
PDFs ARE very cool as a distribution means for e-books, but there are often restrictions on where (on what device) they can be read.
Anne and I own over a thousand books between us, and are always re-reading them. Plus, we each have several hundred PDF e-Books on our respective PCs.
Anne (an IT professional) dislikes reading them on the PC, but they are mostly work-related and unavailable in other formats. I like reading on my flat-screen ok, but it certainly pales compared to the portability, convenience, and tactile ergonomics of the good old book. If only they can figure out a way to not kill trees in the process... :)
At any rate, I'll be happy to purchase your anthology. I might even get Anne to publish her extensive body of erotic fiction this way. There's some good stuff in there...Lulu looks like a perfect solution.
Kyle
UFOReflections.blogspot.com
"I'm cuckoo for Lulu!" (tm)
ReplyDelete(Thanks for the feedback, everybody.)
OK, I am w-a-y late (what else is new?)
ReplyDeleteWhen you publish through Lulu, a downloadable version is automatically included.
I finally got my PDF edited for the 800th time, and set up my storefront. I can't buy the ISBN yet, 'cause they raised the price from $39 to $99, but I can sell it through Lulu.
If you need any pointers, I've made every mistake possible, be happy to share what NOT to do with you - LOL
My storefront is at:
http://www.lulu.com/martilawrence