A while ago I had an idea for a book, engineering related, and contacted a publisher about it.
They were lukewarm at the idea but said they would do it.
Their offer was to up front a small production run and offer royalties on copies sold.
The figure for the royalties was a pittance.
OK they take a risk but I do the work.
Second enquiry was to go it all myself. Same work and about 3K up front money for layout, printing and shipping but they get to hold the plates and it's overseas.
Rethink on this and realise that things are rapidly changing.
CD's, DVD's internet etc.
Publishing a book on CD or DVD in pdf format with printable tables, drawings etc for workshop use means I can keep this all in house and sell cheaper to make the same amount of money at what is a commercial enterprise.
Could also fit small movies onto the same disk
Copy control also comes into it as regards getting copies ripped off and sold.
I don't envisage a vast run all at once so modest home production means I can 'protect' the publication by encrypting a personalised watermark into the book, something like "This book is the property of Joe Bloggs " in small text, out of the way.
If Joe Bloogs decides to give a copy to a friend then he takes the risk of it going further.
If it doesn't I have lost nothing as his friend wouldn't have bought a copy anyway, hard but fact of life.
Basically what I'm asking is would you buy a book in this format, [ not forced to be my book ]and if so what would you expect?
If not, what might convince you to buy an electronic book ?
John S
They were lukewarm at the idea but said they would do it.
Their offer was to up front a small production run and offer royalties on copies sold.
The figure for the royalties was a pittance.
OK they take a risk but I do the work.
Second enquiry was to go it all myself. Same work and about 3K up front money for layout, printing and shipping but they get to hold the plates and it's overseas.
Rethink on this and realise that things are rapidly changing.
CD's, DVD's internet etc.
Publishing a book on CD or DVD in pdf format with printable tables, drawings etc for workshop use means I can keep this all in house and sell cheaper to make the same amount of money at what is a commercial enterprise.
Could also fit small movies onto the same disk
Copy control also comes into it as regards getting copies ripped off and sold.
I don't envisage a vast run all at once so modest home production means I can 'protect' the publication by encrypting a personalised watermark into the book, something like "This book is the property of Joe Bloggs " in small text, out of the way.
If Joe Bloogs decides to give a copy to a friend then he takes the risk of it going further.
If it doesn't I have lost nothing as his friend wouldn't have bought a copy anyway, hard but fact of life.
Basically what I'm asking is would you buy a book in this format, [ not forced to be my book ]and if so what would you expect?
If not, what might convince you to buy an electronic book ?
John S
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