Tag Archives: Essays
Ebook Rentals? I don’t get it.

Ebook Rentals? I don’t get it.

I’ve been seeing a lot written about how the rental of ebooks is the next big thing on the digital horizon. Most often the argument is framed as “looking for the Netflix of ebooks.” On the surface, when framed like that, the concept is brilliant. After all, look what Netflix did for Blockbuster. Borders is […]

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Why I’m Signing the New Night Shade/Skyhorse agreement

Why I’m Signing the New Night Shade/Skyhorse agreement

As has been bruited about all over the ‘Net, Skyhorse heavily amended its letter of agreement to authors earlier this week. I’ve finally been sent a copy, got a chance to review it, and have decided I’ll sign. The agreement isn’t perfect. I still have my royalties cut, but not nearly as drastically as before. […]

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The Night Shade Books/Skyhorse Publishing Deal: Why I’ll Take A Pass

The Night Shade Books/Skyhorse Publishing Deal: Why I’ll Take A Pass

It’s no secret that Night Shade Books has had financial trouble over the last several years. Jason Williams has been quite frank about their difficulties, both in public and in private conversations with me. I sympathize—Night Shade chose to expand their list just as the economy collapsed and as digital books sales became an increasingly […]

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Used Ebooks: The Sky is NOT Falling

Used Ebooks: The Sky is NOT Falling

  There’s been some growing discussion over the fact that Amazon and Apple have both applied for patents to resell “pre-owned” ebooks. Lots of folks have decried this effort for a variety of reasons (like authors not getting paid). Most importantly, it’s been suggested that discounting pre-owned ebook prices would drop the bottom out of […]

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7 Traits of Enduring Characters

7 Traits of Enduring Characters

Most folks reading this know me as a writer. A smaller percentage know that I also teach writing at workshops and conventions. I really love teaching writing. I was lucky enough to have had a number of older writers who shared their wisdom with me as I was starting out. It is a great thrill […]

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Clutching at Relevance

Clutching at Relevance

As some of you may have noticed, my blog has been rather quiet of late, especially in terms of addressing digital publishing. Lots of reasons for that, like Wasteland 2, Secret Project #1, Secret Project #2, conventions, teaching classes, figuring out how to do two POD books for conventions, and so forth. I’ve been kind […]

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Is the removal of DRM really significant?

Is the removal of DRM really significant?

On Twitter, Tim W. (@hawkins8142) send me a link to a BBC article about TOR books deciding to remove DRM (digital rights management) software from their ebook titles. It’s a good article and correctly points out that other publishers (including indies) have been going without DRM for a while now. In fact, the TOR announcement […]

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