Book People Archive

Re: copyright

On 26 Feb 2001, Rod Hay wrote:
> I stand corrected. I didn't know that it was such a big deal. I had heard about
> the movies being copied, but not the books.

Most of the discussion here has centred on putting already printed books
on the Net. However, I've taken the step recently of making two of my
own books available electronically. One (Homeomythology) is a critical
examination of the origins, development, and present state of
homeopathy, and the other (The Assassins of Alamut) is a historical
study of the mediaeval Iranian heretical sect. 

Why I have I done this? Well, it isn't because I'm incapable of getting
my stuff published commercially. One of these books, the homeopathy one,
is actually a greatly revised version of a previously published book
which is now out of print. I have had a number of books published in the
regular way and in fact I have two more due out this year. 

However, although money is a good reason for writing, it isn't the only
one. Another is simply to please yourself: you're deeply interested in
the subject, you want to clarify your thinking about it, you want to
share your enthusiasm. Books written in this way may not find a
publisher very easily these days, and even if they do, the returns, at
least in my experience are modest. 

Since putting these books on the Net a couple of weeks ago they've been
accessed well over 3000 times and are both getting hits at the rate of
about 25 a day, so at least I'm being read.  Of course, I'm in full
control of length, content, format, and publicity, and I can revise or
add material as often as I choose. The freedom is delightful! 

I intend to carry on publishing in this way, though not to the exclusion
of ordinary commercial publishing. Anyway, if I change my mind at any
time, I can withdraw the books at the press of a button!




-- 
Anthony Campbell - running Linux Debian (Windows-free zone)
For electronic books, skeptical essays, and over 120 book reviews, go to:
http://www.cix.co.uk/~acampbell/

"The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in the
palpably absurd. It is the chief occupation of mankind." - H.L. Mencken