Where are the other Stories Online type sites of erotic or non erotic stories both amateur and professional? including archive sites?
Where are the other Stories Online type sites of erotic or non erotic stories both amateur and professional? including archive sites?
Thanks for the links Doc/DS.
I am always surprised by website designers like those who designed The Fifth Imperium website by their use of things like brown text on a black background. They evidently think it is great, but I find it hard to read.
Baen is a fine place to read great sci-fi and fantasy. Its stories have no DRM attached to them.
Baen is a fine place to read great sci-fi and fantasy. Its stories have no DRM attached to them.
Has anyone here ever posted there, or is it exclusively a 'public access' for no-longer copyrighted books?
@Lazeez:
But speaking of sites offering books, I've long though it may benefit SOL if he had a facility to sell books written by SOL authors (separate from his offering different formats of the online stories). It would (theoretically) offer a new revenue stream, though it would also add an entirely new level of complexity to the site. What's more, I don't believe there are many SOL authors currently publishing. Most who decide to publish, yank all their books from sites like this, which hurts both readers and the site. It would be nice, if that happened, if Lazeez could offer a direct link to the revised books, potentially with a SOL discount.
However, I'm not holding my breath. While many sites do offer such services, I can't see Lazeez jumping on board.
Has anyone here ever posted there, or is it exclusively a 'public access' for no-longer copyrighted books?
Given that Baen is a traditional dead tree publisher and this quote from the Baen free library link above
Baen Books is now making available — for free — a number of its titles in electronic format. We're calling it the Baen Free Library. Anyone who wishes can read these titles online — no conditions, no strings attached.
I suspect that it's books still under copyright from Baen's back catalog.
I suspect that it's books still under copyright from Baen's back catalog.
The same rules apply to both sites. In fact the site I listed for cd versions pulled at least one file at the request of Baen publishers. There is a little variation in which books are available however since the cd's had many books on each one. Its possible to get a listing of what books are included before downloading however.
The download and free library also suggest the actual purchase of copy as well if the reader enjoys the story.
The same rules apply to both sites.
Not quite. The free library is Baen's own site, not an independent operation like the Fifth Imperium.
Baen Books is now making available — for free — a number of its titles in electronic format. We're calling it the Baen Free Library. Anyone who wishes can read these titles online — no conditions, no strings attached.
I suspect that it's books still under copyright from Baen's back catalog.
Baen has stated that a major factor in the Free Library is an attempt to get people to read works by their authors, mostly the first book(s) of a series, so as to evoke interest in buying their later works.
There have not been any new free CDs for several years, and Baen did revoke the right of allowing viewers to download individual works from the Fifth Imperium Baen CD listings, leaving the right to download the entire CD.
The Baen Free Library is Baen's on site. The control the copyright to the books they published, they can do anything they want with them.
On the other hand, The Fifth Imperium is an independent site. Baen is under no obligation to let Fifth Imperium operate on the same terms as they run their Free Library.
On the other hand, The Fifth Imperium is an independent site. Baen is under no obligation to let Fifth Imperium operate on the same terms as they run their Free Library.
True for a long time you could read the individual stories at that site without having to download the cd which had the book included. At Baen's direction however now the only way to read those books or stories is to download the actual cd file and unzip it on your computer. The only cd's available are those which were distributed with the statement to copy and share them with others. That little provision in the distribution is probably the only thing which keeps them legally available. All the books and titles included in the cd's are also available through Baen's site for purchase however some books listed in the cd's are no longer included in their free library's selection as free to read.
The Baen Free Library is Baen's on site. The control the copyright to the books they published, they can do anything they want with them.
On the other hand, The Fifth Imperium is an independent site. Baen is under no obligation to let Fifth Imperium operate on the same terms as they run their Free Library.
I wasn't complaining about Baen's actions, I was just explaining the change. Personally, I think it's great. I was able to replace some of the books that got lost in one of the several moves I had to make when I lost my job a while back. I have also purchased books from Baen after reading the first book(s) of a series and wanting to continue, which is the main intent of the Free Library. Before Baen rearranged their site a few years ago there was some commentary linked to the Free Library page that discussed the whole idea of the library, the pros and cons, and some info from some of the authors concerned about how it has helped sales of their backstories. The discussion also segued into the concept of free copies of early songs and albums by musicians, and how placing some of their work on the web for free had enhanced their overall sales.
Most who decide to publish, yank all their books from sites like this, which hurts both readers and the site.
The main reason they do that is they're trying to get the maximum royalty from sites like Amazon where they offer a higher royalty (70% as against 30%) if the story is exclusive to them. Mind you, even then the high royalty isn't as high as the standard one from Lulu 80%.
Amazon where they offer a higher royalty (70% as against 30%) if the story is exclusive to them. Mind you, even then the high royalty isn't as high as the standard one from Lulu 80%.
Yes, but given Amazon's greater reach and popularity with the book buying public, it's probable that in the long run, a 70% royalty or even the base 30% royalty from Amazon is worth more than the 80% royalty from Lulu.
Yes, but given Amazon's greater reach and popularity with the book buying public, it's probable that in the long run, a 70% royalty or even the base 30% royalty from Amazon is worth more than the 80% royalty from Lulu.
On three different occasions I tried selling books on Amazon and the combined sales through Amazon, B&N, Apple, Nook, and Kobo never reached 1% of the sales through Lulu for the same period, with the exception of the guidelines I posted through them for zero charge. They, especially Amazon, have a large readership who are only interested in free books or ones for next to nothing.
The main reason they do that is they're trying to get the maximum royalty from sites like Amazon where they offer a higher royalty (70% as against 30%) if the story is exclusive to them. Mind you, even then the high royalty isn't as high as the standard one from Lulu 80%.
No, most often, when that happens, they got a contract from a Traditional Publishing house who demands they yank any 'public access' stories, less they cancel their contract.
For those who publish on Amazon, their 'exclusivity' period is short (only 90 days), and there's little reason to yank more than a single story at a time (as you publish your newest work).
In my case, I publish, and then after the sales drop off, I post here to get the needed feedback and rejuvenate the stagnant sales. However, the only countries you're restricted to 30% on are few and far between (when's the last time anyone sold any books in Japan?).
But speaking of sites offering books, I've long though it may benefit SOL if he had a facility to sell books written by SOL authors (separate from his offering different formats of the online stories).
Letting the cat out of the bag a little early, but this is actually coming. Through a different domain of course.
A good detective should be able to find the upcoming site.
Letting the cat out of the bag a little early, but this is actually coming. Through a different domain of course.
Damn! Sign me up (once I've read the TOS, of course). Most of my sales are to SOL readers anyway, so selling directly to them on the site (or nearby) benefits everyone, Lazeez's enterprise included.
Letting the cat out of the bag a little early, but this is actually coming. Through a different domain of course.
Picture me jumping up and down while shouting, "Tell me more."