Comments on: An experiment in generosity

By: terryt8

terryt8 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:07:20 +0000

It’ll be a great experiment. Keep in mind though, that you’re using only one book, and a rather quirky book at that. If the program fails, how will you determine whether the problem was with the program itself or with the particular book?

Can you launch this experiment with at least 3-4 different books at the same time?

By: Beth Cunningham

Beth Cunningham — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:01:24 +0000

I’d love to be in on this experiment! Having been in animal rescue for over 25 years, the cats-as-characters idea really appeals to me. I also know that the Warriors series by Hunter (a kids’/teens’ series) was and is highly sought after by kids, YAs, and adults as well; and that’s a cats-as-characters theme as well.

I’d like to have a copy to own and would tip accordingly. How do we sign up to get on the list to receive one?

I think the part that especially appeals to me is that it would be consumer-driven. If we like it, we’ll spread the word & hopefully make money for the author while also gaining exposure for him/her. In this way, good works will profit. And what sinks or swims ultimately will be determined by how it’s received and not by what’s published and put out there for us based soley on it being a huge cash cow for the ‘big boys.’ It’s “Mooches’ Book Club” instead of Oprah’s!!

Please keep us updated!!

Beth C

By: Shannon Yarbrough

Shannon Yarbrough — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:28:01 +0000

As I myself am a POD author and have a huge interest in the POD publishing world, and also run a POD review site, I’d love to participate in this and explore the findings. Heck, I’d love to do the same with my own out of print book if it meant I could get rid of some extra copies and make a buck or two. Definitely keep us posted! And good luck!

By: carol

carol — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:54:59 +0000

My cat and I will be waiting in line for this one.

By: Valerie Vogrin

Valerie Vogrin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:26:33 +0000

I’ve put several copies of my own novel, published by a university press, in my inventory, as an experiment to see if I can garner a few more readers in this way. Since it’s a university press, theoretically my book will never go out of print, as long as any copies remain. Yet there’s no press or publicity for a four year old novel to encourage sales. I figure if people can read my book (a brand new signed copy) for the price of postage, they may pass it along, or even purchase a new copy online to give as a gift, or? We’ll see. This does seem like an opportunity for authors whose books already exist (as opposed to those to be printed on demand).

By: Alix

Alix — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:04:16 +0000

Sounds a really wonderful idea. Since finding bookmooch I have read many books I wouldn’t normally have.
Peer to peer recommendation seems to be increasing especially with the rise of blogs.

By: henitsirk

henitsirk — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:24:54 +0000

I am a freelance copy editor, so I’m not prepared to say that I want the publishing industry as it stands to go away anytime soon! But I also think it’s interesting that people either want to make sure the author gets more of the purchase price, or they don’t want to pay for books at all (or only are willing to pay a price that is artificially low because of economies of scale for mega-publishers and mega-bookstores).

Just as an FYI, a copy editor can be paid the equivalent of $2.50 per page (typically much higher). Any author, even if self-publishing, needs someone to review their book for errors. So right there, you are looking at a minimum cost of $250 for a 100-page book, $500 for a 200-page book, and so on. The author needs to recoup that, whether he or she wants to make a living from the book or not!

I think the self-publishing model is wonderful–low overhead, the author can set the price–but there is something to be said for the marketing, editing, and distribution power of publishers.

That said, if you and Mr. Wood are willing to front $24 per book for the initial mooches, and then theoretically make a profit after the first 3 moochers per book tip him $10 each, then I think those prices are quite reasonable. I don’t think $10 is too high for a nice paperback (this appears to be more of a trade paperback size, not a mass market paperback).

And do please make sure that you check on the permissions for the illustrations–that is indeed completely separate than the text copyright.

By: Bobbie Pepper

Bobbie Pepper — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:17:13 +0000

It sounds like a very creative idea. I would be interested.

By: dognose

dognose — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 17:40:34 +0000

i think this is a very good set of questions and proposals. i would gladly partake. i salute good work, woof woof!

also, you look a lot different than the sort of twentysomething mac-programming scruffy-bangs flats-o’berkeley don’t-own-a-suit wind-surfing mountain-biking kind-of-guy i had imagined.

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:24:51 +0000

Now you’re talking! This is similar to the underlying ethic of ’share-ware’ wherein (whatever the technicalities) basically an Author lets you have the software (rather, actually grants you the right to use it — freely or temporarily) and only asks that, if you like it and use it, that you voluntarily pay some reasonable fee. It’s a middle-ground — an oasis — between ‘totally free’ and the high-dollar commercial ‘name brand’ [you're favourite (or least favourite) company name here] application software.

It’s an economy based on trust and good behaviour. These are ideas which persist in enough of us that it can work. Big business takes over partly because of their strange ability to lever us away from our basic communal instincts.

I say this ‘gift’ economy idea is super. Let’s make it work — and show the leviathans that they’re not all they’re cracked up to be.

namasté
~joan