tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post112868376759164906..comments2024-03-28T13:18:28.238+00:00Comments on Grumpy Old Bookman: Tom Evslin: Hackoff.comMichael Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11338398159818400930noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1129020415500318222005-10-11T09:46:00.000+01:002005-10-11T09:46:00.000+01:00I found the first chapter about as exciting as rea...I found the first chapter about as exciting as reading a corporate report. Fake press releases. Fake obituaries. Fake message boards with a built in flame war.<BR/><BR/>The problem with all of the above is that they make no pretense to any literary quality and have none. This is not an entertaining way to tell a story. Speaking of which, there was nary a hint of a story so far.<BR/><BR/>As to Evslin's claims about how he's participating in some revolutionary endeavor: balderdash. Ultimately, what matters isn't the delivery system for the book, but the quality of the book. And this book just isn't very good.Peter L. Winklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005846686173676213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128973599059245342005-10-10T20:46:00.000+01:002005-10-10T20:46:00.000+01:00From all I've heard and read of late, self-publish...From all I've heard and read of late, self-publishing is already in full-swing (with lots of success stories). The traditional publishers seem to have their heads in the sand about it, though. There are a lot of good "how-to's" available that cover the self-publishing process, including hiring book designers and which method of publishing to use. <BR/><BR/>Once I discovered the idea of self-publishing (and that's it's not to be confused with "vanity press"), it lightened my angst load. It's so easy to get discouraged when writing - "Geez, it'll never be published, anyway, so so I even bother?" etc. The thought of having some control of your publishing and marketing process is very freeing. <BR/><BR/>Amazon, plus several of the large booksellers, have systems in place to deal with self-publishers now, which makes that big publishing mountain not seem so high. You still need a quality product, but it opens wide the doors for writers across the board, which is a very exciting thought.MaryBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02412656596874731198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128960749743227072005-10-10T17:12:00.000+01:002005-10-10T17:12:00.000+01:00Other thoughts and questions about self-publishing...Other thoughts and questions about self-publishing: I was with more than 200 writers and would-be authors during the weekend where the question of self-publishing arose. It seems the group was divided into two camps. One camp said: "Self-publishing is the same as giving-up. Those who self-publish are throwing in the towel and thereby recognizing that their work is inferior." The second group says: "The act of writing is all that matters. Publishing (self or traditional) is an after-thought of the entire process." I'm wondering what the GOB would say to these two groups?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128955577754844082005-10-10T15:46:00.000+01:002005-10-10T15:46:00.000+01:00I just returned from the well-attended Southern Fe...I just returned from the well-attended Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, Tennessee, USA where I attended 13 sessions with authors, agents and publishers. I found it curious how little mention of the Internet there was and how electronic publishing, blogging, etc., were almost ignored. Authors seemed to love their agents and publishers. Everyone was happy. Perhaps the collegiality of the event was to blame for the lack of challenge to the status quo. It seems to me many writers who entered the book world in the traditional ways may have their collective heads in the sand. Perhaps I am only jealous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128950797684359712005-10-10T14:26:00.000+01:002005-10-10T14:26:00.000+01:00A friend pointed me to Evslin's blook www.hackoff....A friend pointed me to Evslin's blook www.hackoff.com. It is a good read for those of us who lived thru the bubble and rubble as he puts it. I especially like the faux company site that seems to be updated as the book is rolled out. The medium allows for so much more reader interaction! Fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128950470417339792005-10-10T14:21:00.000+01:002005-10-10T14:21:00.000+01:00If the music industry is anything to go by, I susp...If the music industry is anything to go by, I suspect that the publishing giants will keep their heads in the sand for a while longer.Kate S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16897618197257393697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6656468.post-1128950165213624222005-10-10T14:16:00.000+01:002005-10-10T14:16:00.000+01:00Hi Mr. AllenI thought I would compliment you on yo...Hi Mr. Allen<BR/>I thought I would compliment you on your writing …it makes very interesting reading!! Since you post quite regularly would like to introduce our new free software - Qumana to you. It has some pretty great features. For instance you can drag-and-drop pieces of text and pictures while surfing and edit on the fly. It also features Technorati tags. You could download it from http://qumana.com/download.html hope you can try it out. You can email me at luanag@netscribes.com and let me know what you think of it. Thanks..Luan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com