money flows to the writer

TCO · November 4, 2007, 14:15

It's a common refrain of those UNABLE to get published by legit houses because their books are NOT GOOD ENOUGH to pass a reader test, that they prefer to vanity publish (self publish). And there are a gazillion articles on the web about how vanity presses extract money from such silly people.

http://www.sff.net/people/yog/

"Got that, everyone? Mortgaged his house in an economically depressed area, to pay a vanity press run by blatant scammers. Talk about believing in your work. Talk about betting the farm. "

TCO · November 4, 2007, 14:29

Here is 5 DAYS IN MAY on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Five-Days-May-...4189555&sr=1-1

Note that it has ONE review. And that from a personal associate of Chris's. The sales ranking is 2 and a half millionth! I wonder how many copies that is? I wonder how many full time employees can exist on that revenue stream.

Velociryx · November 4, 2007, 14:31

Recommend reading it before making a value judgement.

As to sales rankings...I don't much care what it is...as long as it keeps enabling us to pay the coder.

-=Vel=-

TCO · November 4, 2007, 14:42

http://www.sff.net/people/brian_plante/chronicles.htm

TCO · November 4, 2007, 14:46

How can you say you don't care the sales rank but only that it pays the coder? The two concepts go together, Chris. If you are making peanuts from the books, then you only have peanuts for funding development. And you should stop putting on airs about "hiring" a coder. What have you made? couple hunderd bucks? What have you pad? couple hunderd bucks? stop trying to put on airs. REal writers like Steinbeck cut to the truth. Not bulshit.

I wonder how many hours of coder time you can pay for. what's the going rate for an hour of coder time and how many hours required to complete a game? especially one of the scope that you put forward.

Velociryx · November 4, 2007, 14:50

Incorrect, TCO.

What I care about is creative control.

Demonstrating that there's more than one way to skin a cat, and doing something I really enjoy doing.

There are artists out there (believe it or not!), whose main aim is NOT money.

I know...it's a tough concept to wrap your noggin around, but that don't make it any less true.

We have a way of doing things here that's not your way...hell, it's not even the norm.

That doesn't mean it's not working, and that must really gall you.

-=Vel=-

TCO · November 4, 2007, 15:12

Then don't put on airs about paying employees, Chris. Real writing is about stripping away lies and getting to truth. Not fluffiness. Think Jack London.

Velociryx · November 4, 2007, 15:18

Who's putting on airs? LOL...I've been accused of a lot of stuff over the course of my life, but that's never been one of them.

You sir, have achieved a genuine first!

And on that note, I'm going outside to enjoy some of this lovely day.

Get some air, TCO...it'll do you good.

-=Vel=-

TCO · November 4, 2007, 15:20

Sales rank is a bit of a mystery, but you can google it and find some interesting stuff. One site had a chart that said that one millionth rank meant selling 0.1 copies per week. That means single digits per year of books sold (on Amazon). I mean, cripes! That's not a business model. That's smoke and mirrors.

http://www.fonerbooks.com/surfing.htm

TCO · November 4, 2007, 15:22

http://dearauthor.com/wordpress/2007...ll-meaningful/

"Strangely enough, I thought I was #1.7 million something. Guess my mom has been placing orders. :-)"

Velociryx · November 4, 2007, 15:37

And IF Amazon was the only place the books were sold, I'd be worried.

Good thing that's not the case, eh?

-=Vel=-

TCO · November 4, 2007, 15:40

If, if, if. You never bring any facts. Just "what might be occuring". You're full of it. Go get air and sweet tea in the emerald forest.

TCO · November 4, 2007, 15:46

Chris: this analysis implies it may have been several months since you sold a SINGLE COPY of Five Days on Amazon.

"With no more known sales in the interim, it will stand around 2,000,000 today, eight months later."

http://longtail.typepad.com/the_long...odology_f.html

TCO · April 26, 2008, 01:23

.

Dale · April 26, 2008, 02:33

Until you read what Vel is offering you (a read of a complete story), and make some intelligent comments, we're ignoring you.

Velociryx · April 26, 2008, 03:15

Seconded.

We can repeat the same thing in every old thread you dredge up.

Put up, or shut up.

We're offering you bullets for the gun. Take it. Don't take it.

Makes no difference to me.

But if you're not planning to take it, then you're just blowing so much hot air, when you *could* be making a real critique.

-=Vel=-

TCO · April 26, 2008, 18:33

When he wanted to publish his debut book, the usual procedure was not an option for him. Publishers were appalled at the fact that he as the author wanted to make the decisions regarding the book’s design. So, Tufte took out a mortgage on his home, purchased a large garage and has since published all of his books himself. “My view on self-publishing was to go all out, to make the best and most elegant and wonderful book possible – without compromise. Otherwise, why do it?” he explains.

http://blog.bissantz.com/a-day-with-tufte

Velociryx · April 26, 2008, 20:47

Not sure how this helps your case, but...okay...

-=Vel=-

TCO · April 27, 2008, 23:35

it doesn't