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2 years ago ::
Aug 24, 2011 - 4:00PM
#21
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Date Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
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I wonder if some enterprising techie could create a program whereby an author could digitally sign an ebook. Hmm . . .
While digital signatures have been around for a while, I’d be worried about its capacity to be lifted from the document for darker reasons. Often these are made as an overlay to the true document, which once removed can be embedded in another document. So security could be a problem. Besides the personal value of the signed copy, there is also an inherently increase value to certain collectors. I was offered $500 for my signed, 1st print, copy of Jordan’s “Wheel of Time’; but since I’m a collector myself I turned it down. Perhaps it will be with something to my heirs. I'd like to suggest that we all post in this thread with the stated goal of finding a reasonable solution that makes everyone happy (you, me, WotC). This should not be just about airing unhappiness but rather discussing solutions.
Simple solution – publish a print version. You and WotC will get more circulation; consequently, more money and perhaps new fans and gamers; and I get what I want. Otherwise WotC, as well as yourself and other writers, have lost the cabal of book lovers and myself.
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2 years ago ::
Aug 24, 2011 - 4:37PM
#22
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Date Joined:
Jul 12, 2009
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Simple solution – publish a print version. You and WotC will get more circulation; consequently, more money and perhaps new fans and gamers; and I get what I want. Otherwise WotC, as well as yourself and other writers, have lost the cabal of book lovers and myself.
No doubt that SEEMS like a simple solution, but simply saying it that way fails to take into account the many variations of print publication. Major print and distribution as they've done before, limited runs, print on demand, etc., etc.
I do want to clarify that *I*, the author, am not the one making these decisions. If I could personally print physical copies and fly to your house and put them in your hands, believe me, I would do so. Heck, if I could go on a tour where I just sat around and read the book to halls full of people, that would be great. But I understand that WotC has to consider its means and the market.
But it is extremely worthwhile to talk about your desire (or even demand) for print versions.
Cheers
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2 years ago ::
Aug 24, 2011 - 6:03PM
#23
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Date Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
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No doubt that SEEMS like a simple solution, but simply saying it that way fails to take into account the many variations of print publication. Major print and distribution as they've done before, limited runs, print on demand, etc., etc. But I understand that WotC has to consider its means and the market.
As Holmes said "Data, data, data – I cannot make bricks without clay" (The Adventure of the Copper Beeches) without data we cannot come up with a true solution; so we the consumer must stick with what we view as the simplist – PRINT. I do want to clarify that *I*, the author, am not the one making these decisions. If I could personally print physical copies and fly to your house and put them in your hands, believe me, I would do so. Heck, if I could go on a tour where I just sat around and read the book to halls full of people, that would be great.
But it is extremely worthwhile to talk about your desire (or even demand) for print versions.
Hopefully, WotC is also listening to our talks here, including yours, for a print version. Your earnest offer to “fly and deliver” shows how much you, as an author, value both your consumers and fans. Hopefully they will too. I’ve been to author book readings and like a great movie trailer they highlight the book through selected excerpts living wanting for more. Not to mention the face time that comes with the experience. 
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2 years ago ::
Aug 25, 2011 - 9:09AM
#24
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Wishful thinking is just that: wishful thinking. But if I had my wishes come true, I'd find the means to finance Realms author readings in bookstores (retail and locally owned/operated), FLGSs and Cons. I'd also finance a limited print run of Shadowbane: one that can only be had if you come to the reading of same and collect the book from the author's hands after you've shaken his hand. Or is that railroading? 
The Forgotten Realms: It's an ugly baby, but damnit it's our ugly baby.
WotC, please don't wreck the Forgotten Realms a third time in order to introduce the latest version of the D&D rules.
Give us back 3rd Edition's Magic Television concept instead.
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2 years ago ::
Aug 25, 2011 - 4:14PM
#25
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Date Joined:
Jul 12, 2009
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As Holmes said "Data, data, data – I cannot make bricks without clay" (The Adventure of the Copper Beeches) without data we cannot come up with a true solution; so we the consumer must stick with what we view as the simplist – PRINT.
I appreciate the quote, but do you mean print-on-demand? A full printing cycle with international distribution? Totally different propositions.
Logically, to take you at your word, it seems all I have to do is provide the simplest solution, which is print ONE copy, and then claim that it's a printed edition. And clearly I don't want that.
Well, unless I'm the one who gets the copy. :D
Hopefully, WotC is also listening to our talks here, including yours, for a print version. Your earnest offer to “fly and deliver” shows how much you, as an author, value both your consumers and fans. Hopefully they will too. I’ve been to author book readings and like a great movie trailer they highlight the book through selected excerpts living wanting for more. Not to mention the face time that comes with the experience.
Why thank you, and I absolutely do not disagree. Author readings are a great place to sell books.
I'd also finance a limited print run of Shadowbane: one that can only be had if you come to the reading of same and collect the book from the author's hands after you've shaken his hand.
Or is that railroading?
That sounds like awesomeness, actually.
Clearly, someone wants to have Erik's secret love child.
RUN ERIK! RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!
Oh bother! :expeditious retreat:
Cheers
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2 years ago ::
Aug 25, 2011 - 7:18PM
#26
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the one problem with a limited pritn run that you have to get at the meeting with the author is that the authors go only so far and if they don't go near where you live, signed book is not worth the price of gas or a plane ticket....
now if said limited run composes an alternate cover, thats different
a mask everyone has at least two of, one they wear in public and another they wear in private.....
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2 years ago ::
Aug 25, 2011 - 10:25PM
#27
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WotC has shown a willingness to experiment, so alternate covers sounds good to me.
Maybe WotC could work a deal with their printer(s?) to print and bind 100 copies of an already in-print novel with an alternate cover and an alternate, extended forward from the author and/or editor.
These copies could be given away as prizes at GenCon, given away at author signings or randomly inserted in book shipments to retailers.
The kicker would be that both the print and e-versions of book would both have to reach a minimum threshold of sales (to cover the cost of comissioning the artwork and forward).
WotC could post sales numbers and ask us to get the word out to try and drive sales up.
If WotC's making a little extra on e-sales, that's one way to give something back to the fans, esp. if they try to help get books bought.
Edit: WotC could also sponsor a charity give away of books or even a percentage of funds by tying book sales to drives for these services. Might seem hokey at first, but if WotC is accountable (by showing sales figures) to readers, I think some or even most readers would be willing to pay extra for a print or e-book if a portion went to a cause related to reading/charity.
The Forgotten Realms: It's an ugly baby, but damnit it's our ugly baby.
WotC, please don't wreck the Forgotten Realms a third time in order to introduce the latest version of the D&D rules.
Give us back 3rd Edition's Magic Television concept instead.
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2 years ago ::
Aug 26, 2011 - 1:59AM
#28
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Date Joined:
Apr 21, 2009
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I just think its funny that if you want the game books (legally) you have to buy them in print, but the novels are now going to be all digital!? Im sure they will make a print copy, eventually. Im thinking this is just a test, they realease the digital one first and look at sales figures, then a few months later theyll release it in print form and compare sales figures, that what im thinking. And another thing, another thing about having a real book is that I sort of consider myself a collector. Its nice to look over at the bookshelf and see stacks of Realms novels, how in the Sam Hill am I going to add a digital "book" to the stack!? And, Ive just had another thought, Theres a few sites you can go to to get "bootlegged" digital copies of the game books (or so ive been told), so now im wondering, are there gonna be shady characters in alleyways saying, "pssst, hey buddy, wanna buy a print copy of Shadowbane?" 
I survived Section 4 and all I got was this lousy sig
Off-topic and going downhill from there
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2 years ago ::
Aug 26, 2011 - 12:44PM
#29
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Date Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
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Erik, since I've been talking physical print version novels I doubt I'd except print on demand.
I also have no clue how you arrived at the logical conclusion that I would except a single copy being print as a simple solution to the lack of a mass market publication of a print version.
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2 years ago ::
Aug 26, 2011 - 1:00PM
#30
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Date Joined:
Oct 25, 2006
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And, Ive just had another thought, Theres a few sites you can go to to get "bootlegged" digital copies of the game books (or so ive been told), so now im wondering, are there gonna be shady characters in alleyways saying, "pssst, hey buddy, wanna buy a print copy of Shadowbane?"
Yes, bootlegs are easily obtained, but are illegal to do so; additionally, why? The only thing we wind up doing is screwing the industry, which instead of prosecuting the criminals acts in a knee jerk reaction and yanks all the digital products from the shelves. This not only hurt the reputation of the company with its consumers, but also hurt the online business community.
I’d rather buy the print version, than steal the author’s work – and since I do not read e-books (novels) in the first place it seems rather self-defeating to do get a bootleg copy anyway.
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