Hello everyone
I was just wondering if anyone would pay to read the finished copy of Nicole. If you would just email send me a pm. Also which are the good online publishers and do they allow authors to post on free sites like BCTS because I like writing here and i've noticed a couple of people here have stuff in the public domain thats available for sale as well. I won't stop writing for free but monetary appreciation would be welcome!
Sydney Moya
Comments
I could be wrong,
But I think you almost have to offer something free, to show your wares so to speak.
BC is an embarrassment of riches, but there are authors I like more than others. There are so many stories I will never read everything here, but if a story comes out from someone I like then I will take the time to read it.
When I go to the book store I look for a small list of writers. I know they are good, and trust any story I buy from them will be enjoyed. Sometimes I'm wrong, but overall it works. Occasionally I will try someone new, if the synopsis looks interesting, but it is rare. If I like the story they get added to the internal list.
The competition is very stiff. I have never read anything of yours, and don't know your name, so the answer is no, I would not pay. This is not personal, but we have never been introduced.
This site is interesting in another way, the regulars are almost all wannabe writers. I have a few stories out myself. The odds of you reading my submissions is almost nil, unless you are bored and I peak your curiosity somehow. This is the charm of Random Solos on the home page, it allows new writers a chance for a new audience.
I agree
I agree with you in general so thanks for the feedback. I just need to know if it can be done.
Sydney Moya
Just because a story has been posted here to be read free ...
that does not place it in the public domain. If it has a copyright notice, it is not in the public domain.
Public domain works are those whose intellectual property rights have expired, been forfeited, or are inapplicable. Examples include the works of Shakespeare and Beethoven, most of the early silent films, the formulae of Newtonian physics, and the patents on powered flight.
The term is not normally applied to situations when the creator of a work retains residual rights, in which case use of the work is referred to as "under license" or with permission.
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Holly
Thank you
I was a bit confused about that so thanks for clearing that up>
Sydney Moya
Selling your stories
Holly's information regarding copyright and public domain is very important, and answers your question. "Public domain" and "selling in public" are two different things, and I would guess that those of us BCTS authors who sell books online still retain all of our copyrights.
"Nicole" is yours, not public domain. The purpose of copyright--whichever of the many paths you take to establish it--is to establish a Who created the What, as well as the When. Needless to say, the structure was originally for printed physical materials (only talking about books here, not other art forms), and things have gotten complicated since the first BBS. Perhaps one of the BCTS readers knows sufficient copyright law to state categorically, but as far as I understand it, your posting of "Nicole" on BCTS establishes the Who, What, and When should any legal complications (meaning plagiarism suits) unfortunately crop up. And they'll only crop up once you're making money, usually!
I once met a very famous music publisher who told me that he loved plagiarism suits against his songwriters. I asked why, and he chuckled and said, "Because then I know I have a hit! Nobody sues a flop!"
Amazon, Lulu, Smashwords, and all the other online publishers will publish your ebooks but you retain the copyright. And, once again, publish "Nicole" on Amazon and you've got a pretty substantial Who-What-When claim!
A further confusion lies with ISBN numbers the publishers attach; there is not one single number attached to a book--each "version" (an Amazon version, a Lulu version, etc.) has its own unique number. Stephen King's "The Stand", as an example, had an ISBN number for the hardcover, a different ISBN for the paperback, and yet another for the audiobook. Then he went and added 100,000 more words (a new edition of "The Stand") and there was another ISBN for the hardcover, one for the paperback, etc.
Consider "Nicole" as a collection of your words, so to speak, but that collection of words, if published by Lulu, will have an ISBN number that tracks it as a Lulu-published work. Your Smashwords version--again, the identical collection of words that comprise "Nicole"--will have a different ISBN number that tracks it as a Smashwords-published work. But you retain copyright!
(And, because they dance to nobody's music but their own, Amazon has their own internal number, ASIN, instead of an ISBN)
All of the online sites allow you to publish at the other online sites, as well as on BCTS.
Offering your work for free is certainly an inducement for new readers to discover you. Amazon now seems to have a $2.99 minimum pricing, but the others let you post for free or 99 cents on up. Or to let the readers pay what they think is fair--best once you've established yourself.
Did I confuse you sufficiently?
Just neaten up your manuscript and pick a site and go for it! (Personally, I'd recommend Lulu to start because you will have problems and confusion until you get the knack of formatting--we all do!--and Lulu's tech support Live Chat is one of the best I've ever encountered).
You write 'em and we'll read 'em!
Karin