Evo Terra's Blog
April 21, 2014
A better way to leverage free, for both authors and readers!
tl;dr version: Just go here: http://scribl.com...
A better way to leverage
free,
for both authors and readers!
tl;dr version: Just go here: http://scribl.com
I hate calling Scribl just another ebook (and audiobook) marketplace, because it's so much more than that. But you'll probably think that once you get there, so let me explain just a few things that are different. (I could go on and on about this at length, so just ask!) I know I get wordy, so I'll just post one at a time over the next couple of days. Today, I'll tackle the concept of CrowdPricing.
** - CrowdPricing™* - This patent-pending system automatically sets book prices based on each title’s download popularity within its genre. That way the less trendy categories don’t have to compete with, say, vampire romance novels.
This lowers the risk for readers, as books have to "earn" their way to a higher price. For authors, CrowdPricing solves the publishing chicken-and-egg problem by automatically setting prices based on popularity. Books start out free, but once people begin downloading it, the price goes up (and the author gets paid.) The more downloads per period, the higher the price.
Tomorrow (maybe) I'll dig into Story Elements, which beats the pants off standard genre listings!
Full disclosure - Scribl.com is a sister site to Podiobooks.com, of which I'm the President. Both Scribl.com and Podiobooks.com are part of the same parent company, of which I am a partial owner/investor.
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tl;dr version: Just go here: http://scribl.com
I hate calling Scribl just another ebook (and audiobook) marketplace, because it's so much more than that. But you'll probably think that once you get there, so let me explain just a few things that are different. (I could go on and on about this at length, so just ask!) I know I get wordy, so I'll just post one at a time over the next couple of days. Today, I'll tackle the concept of CrowdPricing.
** - CrowdPricing™* - This patent-pending system automatically sets book prices based on each title’s download popularity within its genre. That way the less trendy categories don’t have to compete with, say, vampire romance novels.
This lowers the risk for readers, as books have to "earn" their way to a higher price. For authors, CrowdPricing solves the publishing chicken-and-egg problem by automatically setting prices based on popularity. Books start out free, but once people begin downloading it, the price goes up (and the author gets paid.) The more downloads per period, the higher the price.
Tomorrow (maybe) I'll dig into Story Elements, which beats the pants off standard genre listings!
Full disclosure - Scribl.com is a sister site to Podiobooks.com, of which I'm the President. Both Scribl.com and Podiobooks.com are part of the same parent company, of which I am a partial owner/investor.
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Memorializing the first morning commute from my new place to my newish place. 10 minutes door to door...
Memorializing the first morning commute from my new place to my newish place. 10 minutes door to door. Not bad at all.
Moving sucks. But it's kinda fun to play Tetris with the accumulated flotsam and jetsam that surrounds...
Moving sucks. But it's kinda fun to play Tetris with the accumulated flotsam and jetsam that surrounds me in my work space.
This is version 0.1 of my process. By December, I should be at 1.0. And by that time, the gypsy I live with will get getting itchy feet again.
This is version 0.1 of my process. By December, I should be at 1.0. And by that time, the gypsy I live with will get getting itchy feet again.
April 18, 2014
Searching books by genre is so 2013.
Yes, this is another plug for Scribl.com. But the site (yes, I...
Searching books by genre is so 2013.
Yes, this is another plug for Scribl.com. But the site (yes, I have a financial stake) does things no other ebook marketplace does, so it's worthy of my sharing. I promise!
I'm a fan of science fiction. If that makes you roll your eyes, you probably haven't experienced the broad spectrum of SF. Or maybe you found it too broad, hence the eye rolling.
Truth be told, I don't like all science fiction. Over the years, I've gravitated toward a narrow range of books and movies that appeal to me. And most book marketplace don't help me refine search results down to just the kinds of science fiction books I like.
Enter Scribl's Story Elements™ method of categorizing content. As new marketplace, Scribl's inventory is somewhat limited. Even so, there are 23 titles that fall under the genre of Science Fiction. Sure, I could read the synopsis of each to see which ones are for me. Or I could refine my search using Story Elements.
I like SF stories that keep the science somewhat accurate. So I can select the button for "Realism" and then select: World is similar to ours, but plot elements exceed our current tech level. When I do, 23 titles are now reduced to seven. Oh, a much more manageable number.
Or if I'm in the mood of far-future SF that doesn't get all fast and loose with things like gravity, I could select Science of far future, attempts for rigorous accuracy. That leaves me with (for now) just one title. Which I just downloaded. I'll let you know how it goes.
Of course, that's just me. Maybe you're into fantasy books that features nature based survival action that leaves you feeling romantic. Yeah, we have a book that fits that profile on Scribl.
Now keep in mind, with less than 100 books (I did mention it's a brand new site, right?) you're going to find a lot of empty sets. But while you wait on more authors to upload their books, you can get a feel for how customized you can make it your search results. Give it a shot, and let me know what you think!
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Yes, this is another plug for Scribl.com. But the site (yes, I have a financial stake) does things no other ebook marketplace does, so it's worthy of my sharing. I promise!
I'm a fan of science fiction. If that makes you roll your eyes, you probably haven't experienced the broad spectrum of SF. Or maybe you found it too broad, hence the eye rolling.
Truth be told, I don't like all science fiction. Over the years, I've gravitated toward a narrow range of books and movies that appeal to me. And most book marketplace don't help me refine search results down to just the kinds of science fiction books I like.
Enter Scribl's Story Elements™ method of categorizing content. As new marketplace, Scribl's inventory is somewhat limited. Even so, there are 23 titles that fall under the genre of Science Fiction. Sure, I could read the synopsis of each to see which ones are for me. Or I could refine my search using Story Elements.
I like SF stories that keep the science somewhat accurate. So I can select the button for "Realism" and then select: World is similar to ours, but plot elements exceed our current tech level. When I do, 23 titles are now reduced to seven. Oh, a much more manageable number.
Or if I'm in the mood of far-future SF that doesn't get all fast and loose with things like gravity, I could select Science of far future, attempts for rigorous accuracy. That leaves me with (for now) just one title. Which I just downloaded. I'll let you know how it goes.
Of course, that's just me. Maybe you're into fantasy books that features nature based survival action that leaves you feeling romantic. Yeah, we have a book that fits that profile on Scribl.
Now keep in mind, with less than 100 books (I did mention it's a brand new site, right?) you're going to find a lot of empty sets. But while you wait on more authors to upload their books, you can get a feel for how customized you can make it your search results. Give it a shot, and let me know what you think!
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Since 2001, 26 atomic-bomb-scale explosions have occurred in remote locations around the world, far ...
Since 2001, 26 atomic-bomb-scale explosions have occurred in remote locations around the world, far from populated areas. This Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22, three former NASA astronauts will present new evidence that our planet has experienced many more large-scale asteroid impacts over the past decade than previously thought… three to ten times more, This, according to a new visualization of data from a nuclear weapons warning network
I wrote about this in EARTH (1980). Defense folks have long worried about such things triggering a war.
http://www.universetoday.com/111278/astronauts-to-reveal-sobering-data-on-asteroid-impacts/#ixzz2z6FqEBt5
I wrote about this in EARTH (1980). Defense folks have long worried about such things triggering a war.
http://www.universetoday.com/111278/astronauts-to-reveal-sobering-data-on-asteroid-impacts/#ixzz2z6FqEBt5
First Test Flight of the F9R
Stop what you're doing and watch this video of the F9R rocket taking off...
First Test Flight of the F9R
Stop what you're doing and watch this video of the F9R rocket taking off, rising to an altitude of 250 meters, and then landing again. Each time we see one of these tests, SpaceX is getting closer to the dream of a reusable spacecraft.
I love the hexacopter footage... where do I get one of these?
Thanks to +Alessondra Springmann
Stop what you're doing and watch this video of the F9R rocket taking off, rising to an altitude of 250 meters, and then landing again. Each time we see one of these tests, SpaceX is getting closer to the dream of a reusable spacecraft.
I love the hexacopter footage... where do I get one of these?
Thanks to +Alessondra Springmann
April 15, 2014
Ignite Phoenix tickets on sale at 10:00 a.m. PT today!
Do not say I didn't warn you. Tickets for Ignite...
Ignite Phoenix tickets on sale at 10:00 a.m. PT today!
Do not say I didn't warn you. Tickets for Ignite Phoenix #16 will go fast, like they always do. The event is May 2nd, but tickets go on sale -- and will sell out -- today.
No, I'm not speaking. But yes, I'm attending. I've never missed one. Ever.
Do not say I didn't warn you. Tickets for Ignite Phoenix #16 will go fast, like they always do. The event is May 2nd, but tickets go on sale -- and will sell out -- today.
No, I'm not speaking. But yes, I'm attending. I've never missed one. Ever.
NASA and SpaceX are GO for launch tomorrow! On target for 4:58pm ET. Updates @ www.spacex.com/webcast...
NASA and SpaceX are GO for launch tomorrow! On target for 4:58pm ET. Updates @ www.spacex.com/webcast.
Today's launch has been scrubbed due to a Helium leak on Falcon 9's first stage. A fix will be implemented...
Today’s launch has been scrubbed due to a Helium leak on Falcon 9’s first stage. A fix will be implemented by the next launch opportunity on Friday April 18, though weather on that date isn’t ideal. Check www.spacex.com/webcast for updates.
Please welcome +Lucie Le Blanc, our newest moderator. She gets the nod because a) she's passionate about...
Please welcome +Lucie Le Blanc, our newest moderator. She gets the nod because a) she's passionate about indie publishing and b) is a self-described "heartless bitch.".
Thanks for volunteering, Lucie! Let me know if there are things in the guidelines you'd like to tweak.
Thanks for volunteering, Lucie! Let me know if there are things in the guidelines you'd like to tweak.
