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E-books

Posted by luigi_pagano on May 8, 2011 - 17:01

Three of my poetry collection have now been published as e-books at ludicrously low prices:
IDLE THOUGHTS $0.99
REFLECTIONS $0.99
NAUGHTY BUT NICE $1.99

Here is the link for purchases and reviews:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/luigipagano

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maisie | May 9, 2011 - 04:15

I'm really unsure of downloads, mostly because alright - they don't help the artist. Also because they cut out jobs in print industries, and in postag e/haulage/carrier firms.

Then there's the instant gratification link - people do better if they don't access that. Let alone the mind to text link which is closer with a book.

Books aren't selling either - even Terry Pratchet had the problem - so it is general literacy or ?

luigi_pagano | May 9, 2011 - 08:35

Dear maisie, whilst I sympathise with your concern re. jobs (print industries et al) there are other considerations to be taken into account.
Firstly is nigh on impossible to find a publisher willing to accept an unknown author especially if the work is poetry, which leaves the alternative of self-publishing and self-marketing.
I have taken that route and it can be quite expensive;
many people cannot afford the cost and in addition one has the task of shifting the book.
Even with a short run I still have a few unsold copies, so you see I can still provide you with a printed edition of one of my collections (the second one on my list) should you wish at the cost of £5.00 + P.&P.
The eBook solution is free to the author, gives ample opportunity to showcase one's work and it is inexpensive to the readers.
As I see it it isn't a question of literacy but one of affordability.
Best regards, Luigi.

Dom | May 9, 2011 - 12:01

As the publishing world closed itself in to a water tight cartel, writers who had put up with the stifling arrangements decided to break free from years of unheralded artistic efforts by plunging themselves into the new medium of electronic downloads. In most cases, it's not for lack of trying. It is mostly for lack of reception from publishers and also agents with set ideas on whom to sign up and what sort of ideas they will entertain and what they will not. Writers have to do for themselves what independent bands have been doing for themselves for years. Self release and push,push,push!

andrea | May 9, 2011 - 12:43

'...The eBook solution is free to the author, gives ample opportunity to showcase one's work and it is inexpensive to the readers...'

And, of course, it saves an awful lot of trees...:-)

http://www.ukauthors.com
http://www.ukapress.com

maisie | May 9, 2011 - 14:11

Luigi

i want to assure you that i wasn't criticising you, i know how hard it is, especially for poets.

it's a shame because i think poetry will make a comeback soon, due to most people's time ratios - its easy to read a poem = more than it is a full size book.

i found people didn't download very often, if i put mine out free, probably mine arn't good enough. i'm truly sorry if i hurt your feelings.

regards rosalind.

luigi_pagano | May 9, 2011 - 14:22

Hi Rosalind, I am not in the least offended by your post, I was only commenting on why I chose to e-publish. The income one can get from this kind of venture is minimal. So far I have only sold three e-books and one which was free was downloaded twenty-four times.

Best, Luigi

luigi_pagano | May 10, 2011 - 15:50

blighters rock, good on you for taking the plunge. I wish you much luck in your initiative and may your drive be rewarded. I shall take a look at your website when it's up.

Best, Luigi.

andrea | May 10, 2011 - 21:19

Well done Blighters! And good luck in your endeavour.

http://www.ukauthors.com
http://www.ukapress.com

Tjwell01 | June 20, 2011 - 19:42

I read a real great e-publishing success story in the NYT about Amanda Hocking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/magazine/amanda-hocking-storyseller.ht...

I'm glad there are legit sites like InkPop.com that help you make self-publishing not only easy but successful given the quality of the writing. It's a weird time to be a writer, but also revolutionary. It's also awesome they use the site to get their users to help them produce the kind of books their readers want.

I used to post work on their old site because I liked the fact that their editors actually want to publish the best work on the site--which is an amazing feature I think. Everyone talks about e-publishing and self-publishing but InkPop also does that. Also like that the site feels like a real forum that listens to concerns. We all know what it's like to live in packed yet quiet forum when it seems like no one is listening...this is my recurrent reality at least.