Yes - I think people who are serious about their work should hire a sub-editor. I would hope they did. I think for a new author they might have to cut them in on future royalties if they don't have the ready cash to pay a fee up front.
In the old days, in addition to their contribution to the final manuscript, I think publishers did some physical distribution co-ordination and provided a quality guarantee. I think the role of the quality guarantee is the one that is going to be hardest to replace.
Like you the price difference between $0.99 and $2.99 or $4.99 isn't likely to influence whether I spend the time on the book nearly as much as the quality is but in a world where price isn't necessarily an indicator of quality because sunk costs are low for the distributor I'm left wondering if I should take a punt on a book based on a particular recommendation. I would trust a recommendation from my dad more than I would some guy on a bus all things being equal. If the guy on the bus recommended a book that cost $0.99 I might be persuaded to try it out more readily than if it cost $4.99.
In fact, that's an interesting experiement right there. What is the premium I would pay for a book recommended by trusted source and a less trusted source?
no subject
In the old days, in addition to their contribution to the final manuscript, I think publishers did some physical distribution co-ordination and provided a quality guarantee. I think the role of the quality guarantee is the one that is going to be hardest to replace.
Like you the price difference between $0.99 and $2.99 or $4.99 isn't likely to influence whether I spend the time on the book nearly as much as the quality is but in a world where price isn't necessarily an indicator of quality because sunk costs are low for the distributor I'm left wondering if I should take a punt on a book based on a particular recommendation. I would trust a recommendation from my dad more than I would some guy on a bus all things being equal. If the guy on the bus recommended a book that cost $0.99 I might be persuaded to try it out more readily than if it cost $4.99.
In fact, that's an interesting experiement right there. What is the premium I would pay for a book recommended by trusted source and a less trusted source?