Comments on: Author Douglas Preston ‘entitled’ to change his mind

By: Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:36:57 +0000

the practice of rating a book simply because one is upset with the publisher (or the author) is as good a reason as any. Infinitely better than the practice of giving a five star rating to a book simply because they like the author’s previous books.
How else will the paying public show their displeasure at the arrogance of a idiotic author who has risen so high as to have lost all semblance of contact with his readers. I usually read a pbook, but i still think the author deserves a one star rating for his statements and his subsequent childish attempts to assuage the feelings of the aggrieved public.

By: Scott Nicholson

Scott Nicholson — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:40:50 +0000

As an author, I can tell you they are getting shafted on their ebook royalties and are kind of stuck–they have to hope their publishers’ strategy of artificially high prices preserves paper books for a while. But it’s only temporary. Contracts vary, but if authors are getting the standard 15 percent royalty rate for ebooks in contracts that lock them in for years if not decades (if not the entire life of copyright), well…let’s just say more than a few will be eyeing that 70 percent royalty rate Amazon will be offering this summer.

Scott Nicholson
http://hauntedcomputerbooks.blogspot.com

By: Mike Orange

Mike Orange — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:39:30 +0000

Maybe we should be hurting the authors? Ficbot posed this idea a few weeks ago. I think in general it’s a bad idea, though I think it sparked some discussion that was meaningful and valuable.

But in this case, perhaps not. Preston’s original arrogance, continued arrogance in the Amazon review comment, and continued arrogance in his ‘apology’ letter are disgusting. It’s a very clear case of someone who has forgotten who pays his bills because he’s been insulated from them for too long.

He says he has no control over what his publisher does? Nonsense. He has some say in it. Presumably they make money on his books. If he pulls his future projects away from them and switches to a publisher that respects customers, that sends quite a clear message — much clearer than his ‘apology’ letter.

The next move is yours Preston, show us you care.

By: Nico Vreeland

Nico Vreeland — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:21:39 +0000

I like your debunking of Preston’s “open letter,” Chris. I disagree with one point: I don’t think he’s backpedalling “as fast as he can,” I think he’s backpedalling at a leisurely rate that doesn’t hurt his pride too badly.

He didn’t, for instance, apologize. Nor did he even acknowledge that he insulted his readers. On a scale of one to contrite, I’d give his statement a two.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:58:44 +0000

Preston should have remembered one of the great Internet Dictums: don’t feed the troll. There’s no point arguing with those who have an inflated sense of their own self-importance.

This is the ‘new world order’?
ORLY oO

By: hapalochlaena

hapalochlaena — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:45:01 +0000

This is what Mr Preston really thinks of his readers (engage sarcasmometer first): I'm just devastated I have lost Mr. Reardon as a reader. I simply don't know what I'll do.

By: Richard Askenase

Richard Askenase — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:56:21 +0000

I have been active in the disagreement with Mr. Preston. I wrote the original 1-star negative review protesting the delay of the ebook. And I was called out BY NAME by Mr. Preston in subsequent posts. Then, he spoke to the NY Times and put his foot in his mouth that much deeper. Then he apologized.

It is very clear from Mr. Preston’s remarks and actions that he supports the delay of ebooks, despite what his fans/readers want, and probably agrees with prices well above $9.99 as well. Well, he is certainly entitled to his opinion, and now he is bearing the fruit that he has wrought.

I said before to Mr. Preston, and I say it again now, that I do not buy his protestations that he has NO role to play in the delay of his ebook. Sorry- not good enough. He is a big enough author that he could push his publisher to co-release the ebook and the hardcover. He CHOSE not to push his publisher to do so(probably because, as we have seen, he supports the delay), so the reader protests are well justified.

What is really sad is that he just doesn’t get it- and, my fear, is that many authors don’t get it, either. Get what? That ebook readers are a VERY ACTIVE customer base, that we are BUYING many many books, that we can have a pretty direct dialogue with authors, and, therefore, that we are empowered on our own consumer behalf. This is the new world order.

Other writers need to learn from his stupid example- badmouth your readers at great cost. THEY are your customers, NOT the publishers. And burying your head in the sand and saying “Everything is in the hands of my publisher and I have no say/role” just doesn’t cut it. Get active with and on behalf of your customers, and you will be the big winner.

Hopefully, lesson learned.