Interesting Links for 9-10-2011

[andrewducker]

• The 99c novel. I already know people buying these. I wonder where the market is heading
  (tags: books business amazon ebooks)
• Blackboards in Porn - just how accurate are they?
  (tags: porn sfw blackboard maths science)
• You can't have closure. I want to know if it makes you happier if you stop trying to get it.
  (tags: closure emotions life psychology)
• Fascinating piece on how we think can read each other's emotions, even when we can't
  (tags: emotions perception AmandaKnox)
• The Judge Dredd movie is having problems...
  (tags: JudgeDredd comics movies)

Comments

[danieldwilliam.livejournal.com]

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?