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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 14, 2023 0:33:58 GMT
www.readersmagnet.com/self-publishing-in-2023/Although like many such places, it is trying to sell a product even though that short article is interesting. But always be wary of such places. Also perhaps interesting, but trad publishing dead? Hardly. www.reviewsxp.com/blog/the-6-biggest-self-publishing-trends-of-2021/ (strange that the web-address says 2021, but the words say 2023. Although when you read down, it does seem to be about 2021) When it claims Handmaid's Tale was self-published as a success story for SP? Was it though? It's published by Vintage who belong to Random House. Another place >> miblart.com/blog/self-publishing-trends-2023/ Some of the stats on that site could be misleading. 45% of Americans listen to audio books? I suspect in reality it may mean 45% of people who actually bother with any kind of books. And suggesting trying AI for book covers? Hardly original work then? Although I was chatting with a cover designer on Fiverr (a place where people do stuff or $5 ...) he creates covers using images from some stock photo site, so I suspect the images each gets used a lot because such sites often charge more than $5 for the use of them! And last but not least, as they say, selfpublishingadvice.org/self-publishing-facts-and-figures/Odd that almost all of such sites are American, but not the last one.
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davidatthegrove
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Nov 26, 2023 16:34:00 GMT
Post by davidatthegrove on Nov 26, 2023 16:34:00 GMT
Interesting articles, but they seem to be very Amazon-biased. Amazon this, Amazon that... like without them, there would be no self publishing market. It's kind of like how tech news sites credit Apple for creating the personal computer industry. Uhgh. Although it seems to me like the number of people who still prefer to read books printed on paper has reduced, I think the market is far from dead. I was disappointed, however, when Reader's Digest cancelled their condensed book publication. Those books were part of our family for years. My father had a huge collection of those books, which he and I enjoyed. But, because of their cancellation, I guess I turned more of my efforts onto publishing my own book compilations of the classics (non-condensed, of course). And it's been great fun for me, putting these books together and discovering some excellent novels in the process. I say, give it time and we may just see more people turn back to physical books for entertainment, as governments continue to force digital content filtering and our digital device grow more intrusive in an attempt to mold our thinking patterns. When the EMPs hit, I'll still have my books to enjoy!
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Nov 27, 2023 0:11:04 GMT
Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 27, 2023 0:11:04 GMT
Interesting articles, but they seem to be very Amazon-biased. Amazon this, Amazon that... like without them, there would be no self publishing market. Well in one way there would not. Not as Print On Demand anyway. Lulu was quite forward with the DIY aspect of SP. Basically via Lulu you could create the PDF files for a book (if you knew how to create the files to upload to their Wizard apps in the first place) get a free ISBN and set the ball rolling towards potential sales by buying a Proof at cost. When Amazon's Createspace was moved to Amazon KDP that too became more or less free to publish there, without the need to even buy a proof. Prior to that, and still at most other places, SP was not at all free. It's kind of like how tech news sites credit Apple for creating the personal computer industry. Uhgh. Again, pretty much true. IBM made the first desktop PC I believe and it cost even then around $10,000. They thought there was no future in them, I mean, who would even need/want a PC on their desk, so they did not bother to copyright or patent them or continue to make them. Apple started to make small PCs as expensive kits, which geeks liked. Later, other companies joined in (one brit one is still around and owns the copyright for various chips used in mobile phones) and dozens of companies started to churn out IBM PC clones, all using windows at a trade cost of $40 each. No wonder MS became rich!Although it seems to me like the number of people who still prefer to read books printed on paper has reduced, I think the market is far from dead. It's not easy to discover who reads books or not. Sales figures are based on new sales. I, like a lot of people, buy my books from secondhand shops! Often for just £1! The fact that I perhaps read a novel a month will not appear in the stats. Also, asking people if they read or not, they may answer yes, even if they don't. They don't want to appear 'thick'. I was disappointed, however, when Reader's Digest cancelled their condensed book publication. But who really wants an incomplete book?! I am not sure how, but they shortened books. Those books were part of our family for years. My father had a huge collection of those books, which he and I enjoyed. Did you compare them with the originals? Maybe you would have enjoyed those more. RD were a joke in the UK, at least. "you have been chosen from 65,000,000 to enter our great prize giveaway!" Which usually meant buying some expensive book, and joining a book club that expected you to buy at least one book a month. Did anyone ever win? No one really knows! The last I heard of RD they were advertising life insurance on TV. But, because of their cancellation, I guess I turned more of my efforts onto publishing my own book compilations of the classics (non-condensed, of course). And it's been great fun for me, putting these books together and discovering some excellent novels in the process. Really? Many places, such as Amazon, do not like retreads of existing books. They once had a mass purge of them. And let's not forget this place >> www.gutenberg.org/I say, give it time and we may just see more people turn back to physical books for entertainment, I doubt that. There's too many other distractions nowadays. as governments continue to force digital content filtering You mean like removing fake news? Good! But there's many other things to read on line. and our digital device grow more intrusive in an attempt to mold (fungus?) our thinking patterns. That's been the case since writing was invented.When the EMPs hit, I'll still have my books to enjoy! My devices are in a lead box But I don't think EMPs wipe data from the likes of DVDs etc.
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davidatthegrove
Librarian
Frickin' cold riding the "polar vortex"!
Posts: 42
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Post by davidatthegrove on Nov 27, 2023 1:32:08 GMT
Mold is the US spelling of mould. So, I suppose, being Canadian, I should have used "mould". Project Gutenberg is a great site. There's also a Canadian version of that at fadedpage.com. These are great sites for getting digital versions of these public domain books. But, I do like having them in physical form, too. I know many people look down their noses at RD's condensed books. But I liked them. Sometimes an author can go on for too long trying to get to the point. I tend to get bored and skip over all the extra commentary and get to the point. RD's process kind of did that when it could be done, without taking away from the plot or character development. Not everyone appreciates that, but I did. They were also pretty cost effective, too. We didn't have a lot of spending money in our household. So, with the RD subscription, you could get several books in one volume to enjoy for the month. Also, the selection of stories were pretty good. I wound up reading books that I enjoyed that I would have never bought individually on my own, if I saw them at the book store. And, if I really liked a particular book, I could go buy the full novel later. There was always the library, but we lived out of town in the country. So, trips to town as a kid was usually due to necessity. The RD books came to our mailbox... and no return time.
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Nov 28, 2023 0:32:53 GMT
Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 28, 2023 0:32:53 GMT
Mold is the US spelling of mould. So, I suppose, being Canadian, I should have used "mould". Spellings often originated so a reader could tell what was meant. I would not want to make a jelly in a mould. Don't Americans get confused?Project Gutenberg is a great site. There's also a Canadian version of that at fadedpage.com. These are great sites for getting digital versions of these public domain books. But, I do like having them in physical form, too. True, but what once happened was people started to download them, turn them in to books, and stick them on Amazon. So often you had dozens of the exact same texts there, and that's when Amazon had a purge.I know many people look down their noses at RD's condensed books. But I liked them. Sometimes an author can go on for too long trying to get to the point. That's no reason some company should mess around with them. Trad books go through editors recommending changes. There should be no reason for further modification. A book is what the writer intended, like it or not. I tend to get bored and skip over all the extra commentary and get to the point. Gosh. Some do go on a bit, but why bother to read it at all if you avoid what you cannot be bothered with? RD's process kind of did that when it could be done, without taking away from the plot or character development. Unless you also read the original, how do you know in what way condensing it harmed it? Not everyone appreciates that, but I did. Indeed, most considered them to be a joke. Which is a shame because their factual books were impressive. They were also pretty cost effective, too. Well yes, each page costs money to produce, so remove the need for some results in a cheaper book. Or greater profit ... Other publishers, once the initial costs are recouped they reduce the price anyway. Such as paperbacks and reprints. It's one of the reasons that POD seems so much more expensive in comparison. We didn't have a lot of spending money in our household. So, with the RD subscription, you could get several books in one volume to enjoy for the month. No library? No charity shops selling books for £1? Also, the selection of stories were pretty good. I wound up reading books that I enjoyed that I would have never bought individually on my own, if I saw them at the book store. They can be expensive when one is short on dosh. And, if I really liked a particular book, I could go buy the full novel later. What would be the point? But is that not a clue to the condensed ones being lacking?There was always the library, Ah! but we lived out of town in the country. So, trips to town as a kid was usually due to necessity. That can be a problem. When I was a kid I passed one on the way from school. The RD books came to our mailbox... and no return time. Really? you had the chance to read an entire book, return it, at no cost?!
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davidatthegrove
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Frickin' cold riding the "polar vortex"!
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Nov 28, 2023 1:28:05 GMT
Post by davidatthegrove on Nov 28, 2023 1:28:05 GMT
I would not want to make a jelly in a mould. Don't Americans get confused? I'm not American, so I can't speak to that. But, I'd say, If it tastes strange, you've used the wrong one! LOL!! Gosh. Some do go on a bit, but why bother to read it at all if you avoid what you cannot be bothered with? I bother to read it because, apart from the droning on about something irrelevant to the overall plot, I'd miss out enjoying an otherwise good story. Unless you also read the original, how do you know in what way condensing it harmed it? Good point. I suppose, without the original to compare, I don't. But, if I enjoyed the condensed version in the end, who cares? If authors really didn't want their books published in Reader's Digest, because it damaged the integrity of their literary masterpiece to a point of misrepresenting their skillfully crafted work, then I'm sure they (and their agents/publishers) would have put an end to it. But, I think the royalties probably weren't anything to sneeze at and neither was the publicity. But, I can only speculate, as I'm not an author nor did have anything published in Reader's Digest. No library? No charity shops selling books for £1? Back in the 80s in our little town? Nope. What would be the point? But is that not a clue to the condensed ones being lacking? None. I never did... which is why I said "I could". Really? you had the chance to read an entire book, return it, at no cost?! I think you missed my point, or more likely I didn't make it well enough. We kept the books because we bought them. I was trying to make the point that we didn't have to make a trip to the library to return them.
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Nov 28, 2023 15:44:18 GMT
davidatthegrove,
My mother collected a ton of RD condensed books. Not certain what happened to them. The RD books beat reading the cereal box.
When living out in a more rural zone, it also makes sense to avoid unnecessary trips to town.
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davidatthegrove
Librarian
Frickin' cold riding the "polar vortex"!
Posts: 42
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Nov 28, 2023 16:00:15 GMT
Post by davidatthegrove on Nov 28, 2023 16:00:15 GMT
The RD books beat reading the cereal box. LOL! Well, at least there's that! I suppose the main reason I look so fondly on RD's books is because of my dad. I look at them on the shelf and have fond memories come flooding back. And when I read one every so often, I get a feeling of closeness to Dad, enjoying something that he once did. Call it a sense to keeping a family tradition alive. The so called "charity shops" practically give them away.... so you can't beat the price!
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Nov 28, 2023 18:53:20 GMT
Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Nov 28, 2023 18:53:20 GMT
The RD books beat reading the cereal box. LOL! Well, at least there's that! I suppose the main reason I look so fondly on RD's books is because of my dad. I look at them on the shelf and have fond memories come flooding back. And when I read one every so often, I get a feeling of closeness to Dad, enjoying something that he once did. Call it a sense to keeping a family tradition alive. The so called "charity shops" practically give them away.... so you can't beat the price! I could contact my oldest brother to see what he did with our mother's collection [he took care of things for her during her final years], but since I wasn't particularly close to her there's not a lot of point.
On the other hand I have my father's collection of old paperback westerns . Some are decent reads, others are more like a bodice ripper.
I'm starting some new traditions with my kids [I'm old, they're young], as passing down generational trauma doesn't quite feel appropriate.
Be glad you have fond memories from childhood.
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davidatthegrove
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Nov 28, 2023 21:54:10 GMT
Post by davidatthegrove on Nov 28, 2023 21:54:10 GMT
I'm starting some new traditions with my kids [I'm old, they're young], as passing down generational trauma doesn't quite feel appropriate.
Be glad you have fond memories from childhood.
Oh, if you can get them interested, yes, that's a fantastic thing to do. I may not have appreciated all of our traditions at the time, but I look back on them now with such great memories. I also wish I could go back and show a little bit more appreciation for them, but that's life. I don't know if this would be considered a tradition, but when I was in grade-school (and even later in high-school), my mother had a notion to draw a funny face on the banana or orange she packed in my lunch and write "I love you". Uhgh! The embarrassment at lunch hour! But you know, looking back, I'm grateful. It kept me humble and from getting too big for my britches too quickly back then. Yes, I consider myself very fortunate for those fond memories.
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Post by Retread-Retired-Cameron on Nov 28, 2023 22:37:25 GMT
One thing I'm instilling in them is service to society, while avoiding positions of authority as those can have dire consequences attached.
Regarding childhood I appreciate surviving it.
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Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 29, 2023 0:11:50 GMT
I would not want to make a jelly in a mould. Don't Americans get confused? I'm not American, so I can't speak to that. But, I'd say, If it tastes strange, you've used the wrong one! LOL!! It was some American chap a while back who decided to compose a dictionary removing what he considered to be unnecessary letters. Which is surely an insult to the many countries 'English' derived its words from.Gosh. Some do go on a bit, but why bother to read it at all if you avoid what you cannot be bothered with? I bother to read it because, apart from the droning on about something irrelevant to the overall plot, I'd miss out enjoying an otherwise good story. So, a murder was committed. It was Fred. The end? Unless you also read the original, how do you know in what way condensing it harmed it? Good point. I suppose, without the original to compare, I don't. But, if I enjoyed the condensed version in the end, who cares? If authors really didn't want their books published in Reader's Digest, because it damaged the integrity of their literary masterpiece to a point of misrepresenting their skillfully crafted work, then I'm sure they (and their agents/publishers) would have put an end to it. But, I think the royalties probably weren't anything to sneeze at and neither was the publicity. But, I can only speculate, as I'm not an author nor did have anything published in Reader's Digest. Money talks, which explains all the novels often ruined by turning them in to film or series.No library? No charity shops selling books for £1? Back in the 80s in our little town? Nope. In the 1980s I assume? So none selling them for 10p then?What would be the point? But is that not a clue to the condensed ones being lacking? None. I never did... which is why I said "I could". Really? you had the chance to read an entire book, return it, at no cost?! I think you missed my point, or more likely I didn't make it well enough. We kept the books because we bought them. I was trying to make the point that we didn't have to make a trip to the library to return them. Ah, but often the fine for not returning is less than the book is worth.
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Nov 29, 2023 0:13:36 GMT
Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 29, 2023 0:13:36 GMT
davidatthegrove, My mother collected a ton of RD condensed books. Not certain what happened to them. The RD books beat reading the cereal box. When living out in a more rural zone, it also makes sense to avoid unnecessary trips to town. There's often so much detail on packaging now it is almost like reading a novel, that you have to read with a microscope.
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Nov 29, 2023 0:19:43 GMT
Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 29, 2023 0:19:43 GMT
The RD books beat reading the cereal box. LOL! Well, at least there's that! I suppose the main reason I look so fondly on RD's books is because of my dad. I look at them on the shelf and have fond memories come flooding back. And when I read one every so often, I get a feeling of closeness to Dad, enjoying something that he once did. Call it a sense to keeping a family tradition alive. The so called "charity shops" practically give them away.... so you can't beat the price! I have a complete set of Charles Dickens. I have no idea how old they are, but they are old and have no copyright. I am not sure what they remind me of, apart from to dust them.
By Charity Shops I mean just that. They are owned by charities. People donate stuff. Often very good stuff. They sell the stuff. Use the money for some good cause or another. Many people have got in to the habit of buying decent clothes from them, after being told that just in the UK around 50,000 tons of clothing is chucked away every year because people have got 'bored' of it. Recycle is becoming the byword
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Nov 29, 2023 0:27:28 GMT
Post by And Kevin 2024 on Nov 29, 2023 0:27:28 GMT
LOL! Well, at least there's that! I suppose the main reason I look so fondly on RD's books is because of my dad. I look at them on the shelf and have fond memories come flooding back. And when I read one every so often, I get a feeling of closeness to Dad, enjoying something that he once did. Call it a sense to keeping a family tradition alive. The so called "charity shops" practically give them away.... so you can't beat the price! I could contact my oldest brother to see what he did with our mother's collection [he took care of things for her during her final years], but since I wasn't particularly close to her there's not a lot of point.
On the other hand I have my father's collection of old paperback westerns . Some are decent reads, others are more like a bodice ripper.
I'm starting some new traditions with my kids [I'm old, they're young], as passing down generational trauma doesn't quite feel appropriate.
Be glad you have fond memories from childhood.
My dad had some interesting books, and when he died decades ago they slowly vanished. I suspect my mother gave them away. She had no idea of their value, but her friends did ... One he had was huge, around A3. It was the history of the first American railroad. A very limited edition of 50. A gift from a fellow writer he helped out.
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