Despite Inflammatory Headline, UK Authors Society Looking To Embrace Free, Not Fight The Internet
from the history-says-otherwise dept
There's a really inflammatory headline and opening paragraph in an article in the Times Online in the UK stating that "book piracy on the internet will ultimately drive authors to stop writing." This claim is actually unsubstantiated by history (which has actually shown book piracy ends up helping authors) or, actually, by the rest of the article. Rather than a reactionary RIAA-style response from the UK's Society of Authors, the article shows that the group isn't so much fearing internet piracy, but simply noting that business models need to change. Once you get beyond the headline and first paragraph, it's actually a rather refreshing article, as the head of the Society of Authors basically says that new business models are needed, and even suggests a few.This isn't a "doom and gloom" story as the opening suggests, but rather a "let's figure out how to change before it's forced upon us uncomfortably." While many are covering this story as if the authors group is acting like the RIAA, the head of the Society even notes: "We have to evolve and create a very different pay system, possibly by making the content available free to all and finding a way to get paid separately." That seems like a rather reasonable and thoughtful approach to a changing marketplace, rather than a "sky is falling! run! run! run! sue! sue! sue!" response. The group seems to recognize that shared files can act as promotion, and the article even highlights the story of the first known literary "pirates" who were later applauded by the author, who was thrilled at the publicity the piracy generated.
This actually is a really interesting (and even surprising) recognition by authors that the business model they're used to is changing. It's just too bad that the Times Online chose to portray it in a totally inaccurate manner.
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Filed Under: authors, business models, embracing, free, piracy, uk
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Welcome....
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Re: Welcome....
(In case you're wondering, I am British and middle class, and can therefore state with some authority that all our cultural stereotypes have extensive basis in fact.)
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piracy before obscurity
There are some authors I will buy their newest book right off the shelf without a second thought because I like the author and know I will enjoy the book. But I don't branch out, buying authors I haven't read before, because I don't know whether it will be worth the $30 for a new book.
Maybe authors could start to think more like rock stars. Write a book and post it for free (money and DRM) on their own web site. Then go on tour. Sign copies, read exerpts, talk about your inspiration, introduce the people your characters are based on, the whole playing to the scarcity bit.
Thinking about it, most rock stars need to come to grips with this concept, too.
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Re: piracy before obscurity
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Re #2, another mike
Although, I really need to read more novels. =(
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In fact, the first book to go to press (Think Guttenburg) was the Bible.
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