What do you think of free book downloads? - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T20:27:02Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:127413?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A127526&feed=yes&xn_auth=noOkay, well, I've read BEAUTIF…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-12:537324:Comment:1302742008-03-12T17:20:44.945ZJohn McFetridgehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
Okay, well, I've read BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. Actually, I didn't read the download on my computer. I read, I don't know what to call it? the 'real' book?<br />
<br />
As my friend who reviewed it for the Toronto Star said, you have to forgive him his years of creative writing training and read the book anyway. It's literary where it doesn't need to be, too long and too concerned with style, but often enough it gets to the heart of the characters in such a simple, enlightening way that it's more than worth…
Okay, well, I've read BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN. Actually, I didn't read the download on my computer. I read, I don't know what to call it? the 'real' book?<br />
<br />
As my friend who reviewed it for the Toronto Star said, you have to forgive him his years of creative writing training and read the book anyway. It's literary where it doesn't need to be, too long and too concerned with style, but often enough it gets to the heart of the characters in such a simple, enlightening way that it's more than worth it.<br />
<br />
I don't know if you can call it exactly a 'crime' novel - but does it concern a missing boy.<br />
<br />
If the free download helped it get attention then it was a good move. Don't forget book lovers don'…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-07:537324:Comment:1288872008-03-07T22:44:50.777ZDeirdrehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Deirdre
Don't forget book lovers don't just love to read. They love the smell of the paper, the feel of the cover in their hands and thoroughly enjoy the book in its physical form. Whether library or book store the search for that perfect read... is almost as fun as reading the actual book.<br />
<br />
Free portions of the book does entice one who loves books, if they like what they see they will look for that particular story and author on their next shopping spree.<br />
<br />
Deirdre
Don't forget book lovers don't just love to read. They love the smell of the paper, the feel of the cover in their hands and thoroughly enjoy the book in its physical form. Whether library or book store the search for that perfect read... is almost as fun as reading the actual book.<br />
<br />
Free portions of the book does entice one who loves books, if they like what they see they will look for that particular story and author on their next shopping spree.<br />
<br />
Deirdre Okay:
JohnD wrote, "One prob…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-06:537324:Comment:1286992008-03-06T19:13:55.749ZJohn McFetridgehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
Okay:<br />
<br />
JohnD wrote, "One problem with publishing is that, like other industries, there has been a lot of consolidation, to the point where only a handful of companies run the majority of the industry. In music this is the case also, with I think only 5 major companies."<br />
<br />
So, I wonder, what is the magic number for a free market economy to work? Old style market theory would say you only needed 2 companies for competitive pricing becuse one would just lower the price and sell more so the other…
Okay:<br />
<br />
JohnD wrote, "One problem with publishing is that, like other industries, there has been a lot of consolidation, to the point where only a handful of companies run the majority of the industry. In music this is the case also, with I think only 5 major companies."<br />
<br />
So, I wonder, what is the magic number for a free market economy to work? Old style market theory would say you only needed 2 companies for competitive pricing becuse one would just lower the price and sell more so the other would have to lower the price to compete until the price was as low as possible.<br />
<br />
But if that doesn't work with 5, why would work any better with 6 or 16 or 36? I dropped the dang "d," but I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-05:537324:Comment:1284822008-03-05T16:05:37.157ZSue Dawsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueDawson
I dropped the dang "d," but I thought of another line my musician husband would say to club owners that wanted him to audition for free: "I will audition for free if you will let me audition one of your steaks for free."
I dropped the dang "d," but I thought of another line my musician husband would say to club owners that wanted him to audition for free: "I will audition for free if you will let me audition one of your steaks for free." My late husband had been a pr…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-05:537324:Comment:1284782008-03-05T15:37:24.466ZSue Dawsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueDawson
My late husband had been a professional musician all of his life--a member of the union at the age of 13 when he played his first gig at the Oregon State Fair. At that time, the Musician's Union (Sorry, I do not remember the number.) was strong, and one had to show proficiency in one's field, i. e., read music, be fluent in the playing of his chosen instrument(s), etc.<br />
Over the years the Portland Musican's Union was watered down. I could join now, and I do not play any instrument or sing well.…
My late husband had been a professional musician all of his life--a member of the union at the age of 13 when he played his first gig at the Oregon State Fair. At that time, the Musician's Union (Sorry, I do not remember the number.) was strong, and one had to show proficiency in one's field, i. e., read music, be fluent in the playing of his chosen instrument(s), etc.<br />
Over the years the Portland Musican's Union was watered down. I could join now, and I do not play any instrument or sing well. Money was the engine that powered the membership train, so my husband dropped his membership after MANY years. He had been classically trained and was a college graduate. In all of his years in the Portland, Oregon, area he used to say that he got only two gigs as the result of his membership. All other jobs he found on his own. He did tell me that when he took an passed the competency test in Los Angeles, it was a "real test.." One had to be able to read music, transpose on the spot, and be fluent, i. e., play or sing as part of the test. He felt, and I still feel the same, that removing music and art from so many schools in the public school system was a big mistake. As a retiired high school teacher, I feel that we do no service to the students by lowering the standards of achievement, no matter what the subject matter is, be it math, music, or science.. You can teach this old dog so…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-04:537324:Comment:1283652008-03-04T22:29:33.172ZSue Dawsonhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/SueDawson
You can teach this old dog some new tricks, but I like holding a "real" book in hand--with a nice splash of ice tea as I sit in my glider. I can read inside or out as the weather permits and am able to look at the squirrels, deer, and other critters. I have only downloaded a couple of e.books. I prefer listening to unabridged tapes and reading my books in the paper format. I pick up books via the Net or pay the piper and get autographed copies of favorite authors via Seattle Mystery Bookshop…
You can teach this old dog some new tricks, but I like holding a "real" book in hand--with a nice splash of ice tea as I sit in my glider. I can read inside or out as the weather permits and am able to look at the squirrels, deer, and other critters. I have only downloaded a couple of e.books. I prefer listening to unabridged tapes and reading my books in the paper format. I pick up books via the Net or pay the piper and get autographed copies of favorite authors via Seattle Mystery Bookshop (online) or maybe pick up a book club copy (belong to two mystery clubs with fulfilled contracts). It took me a LONG time to get to this financial stage in life, and I do really enjoy my golden years--no dumpster diving for me. Then inside of my head comes my mother's oft said comment, "Pride goeth before a fall." :-), but then my late hubby's voice counters with "Go for it, girl!" I'm about halfway through BEA…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-03:537324:Comment:1280402008-03-03T14:19:44.420ZJohn McFetridgehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnMcF
I'm about halfway through BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN and it's fantastic. Really, any kind of promotion that'll get people to read this book would be great.
I'm about halfway through BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN and it's fantastic. Really, any kind of promotion that'll get people to read this book would be great. I don't think there is any wa…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-02:537324:Comment:1278282008-03-02T18:28:39.097ZDonna Carrickhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DonnaCarrick
I don't think there is any way to stop the inevitable changes in the way we write, read and market our work. All we can do is to try to harness any potential benefits to the best of our ability. As artists, the single most important thing next to the creative process is exposure, so any exposure must be a good thing. Having said that, will quality find it's way to the top of the sea of available literature?<br />
One hopes...
I don't think there is any way to stop the inevitable changes in the way we write, read and market our work. All we can do is to try to harness any potential benefits to the best of our ability. As artists, the single most important thing next to the creative process is exposure, so any exposure must be a good thing. Having said that, will quality find it's way to the top of the sea of available literature?<br />
One hopes... On the other hand, I honestly…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-02:537324:Comment:1277612008-03-02T02:25:41.439ZBarbara Fisterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bfister
On the other hand, I honestly don't want to own all the books I read. There aren't many I'll read over and over. They are often "only" worth a single read (though I value that reading very much). So of course people give them away, borrow them, swap them. Any business model that is predicated on "you have to pay per view" will either require a very inexpensive book - or will be digging its own grave.<br />
<br />
The fact is, there is too great a supply of these objects (and of writers feeding their work…
On the other hand, I honestly don't want to own all the books I read. There aren't many I'll read over and over. They are often "only" worth a single read (though I value that reading very much). So of course people give them away, borrow them, swap them. Any business model that is predicated on "you have to pay per view" will either require a very inexpensive book - or will be digging its own grave.<br />
<br />
The fact is, there is too great a supply of these objects (and of writers feeding their work into the publishing pipeline) for most writers to support themselves with writing fiction alone. And much as it's important for readers to support the industry, they aren't a Writers' Benevolence Society.<br />
<br />
Personally, I'm very happy that I have job I like. Which happens to be in a library. Whoops. I agree. But I also bought it.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-02:537324:Comment:1277582008-03-02T02:16:40.710ZBarbara Fisterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Bfister
I agree. But I also bought it.
I agree. But I also bought it.