Kindle versions of BFS journal and other publications

[cavscott]

I personally think that fiction should always have a place in the Journal. Yes, I'm very happy to see more articles than ever before, but I do read the fiction and I'm sure a lot of other people do to.

Whether there are small presses or not, its a great way to try out new writers you may not have found before.

[Peter Coleborn]

I think it's rather good that the bulk of the membership fees get spent on publications. For most members that's all they really get back from the society. I don't know how many make regular use of the website and/or forum, but looking at the forum that's definitely a tiny minority. I doubt if more than a minority would want their publications digitally either and, if they do, how many would expect a reduction in membership fees in return?

Totally agree with David. Just because one or two people favour e-versions, don't assume everyone else is. It would be interesting to know how many people would remain in the BFS if the society only offered eBooks?

[Peter Coleborn]

Yeah, paying for printing and postage of the publications is exactly what the subs have always been for, with a bit going towards the awards, short story competition etc. The irony is that there is rarely any sign that anyone actually reads those publications!

At some point the BFS will introduce ebook-only memberships at a much reduced rate. The membership/value for money ratio is out of whack at the moment - I paid £40 for joint membership for Ranjna and me, and for that we'll get something like four or five paperback zines? It compares really badly with, say, a joint sub to Black Static/Interzone.

If the BFS would let me be a member without making me pay for the print & postage I don't even want, it would be much better value...

I thought you now *liked* real books, Stephen 

[Peter Coleborn]

Yeah, paying for printing and postage of the publications is exactly what the subs have always been for, with a bit going towards the awards, short story competition etc. The irony is that there is rarely any sign that anyone actually reads those publications!

At some point the BFS will introduce ebook-only memberships at a much reduced rate. The membership/value for money ratio is out of whack at the moment - I paid £40 for joint membership for Ranjna and me, and for that we'll get something like four or five paperback zines? It compares really badly with, say, a joint sub to Black Static/Interzone.

If the BFS would let me be a member without making me pay for the print & postage I don't even want, it would be much better value...

I must admit I rarely if ever read any of the fiction in the Journal. The articles, interviews, Ramsey's Rant, etc, etc are all I normally look at. For me, we could either publish a much shorter version of the Journal without any fiction or, now being the proud possessor of a kindle, an ebook version would be fine - at a reduced membership fee. When Dark Horizons was first published it was an excellent vehicle for members to get their stories published, but nowadays, with so many small presses, perhaps there's no longer so much of a need. Would members miss the fiction? Could we get away with a slimmed down Journal and a much smaller membership fee? Would this not, in fact, make membership of the BFS more attractive?

Just to prove that I don't agree with everything Mr Riley says -- he is wrong about excluding fiction from the Journal. The BFS is an important apprentice ground for new writers to appear alongside other previously published writers, and it would be criminal to take that opportunity away. And I am not sure why other small presses should be allowed to publish fiction but not the BFS. Why would you think that?

Speaking personally, as someone who edited the fiction content, my heart sinks when I hear that X or Y doesn't read the fiction in the Journal/Dark Horizons. It makes me sad that all my effort in selecting excellent stories and editing them for the membership is considered worthless. I hate to think what the writers feel...

[Peter Coleborn]

I personally think that fiction should always have a place in the Journal. Yes, I'm very happy to see more articles than ever before, but I do read the fiction and I'm sure a lot of other people do to.

Whether there are small presses or not, its a great way to try out new writers you may not have found before.

Quite right, too

[Peter Coleborn]

Nice! But what's to stop Joe Bloggs from forwarding the email to all his mates so they can download a free copy without being a member? Or is it all going to link into the new online membership thingy that Del was working on? That would be really clever.

I have these same fears. Why not keep it just as a Kindle version, at least until the secure area is set up?

I think that'll be my final post for now 

[Stephen Theaker]

Even I can't resist a bargain like the one PS is offering, Peter... For anyone who hasn't taken advantage of Peter Crowther's largesse yet:

http://www.pspublishing.co.uk/13-hardcover-novellas--showcase-collections--postscript-anthologies-1255-p.asp

[cavscott]

I have these same fears. Why not keep it just as a Kindle version, at least until the secure area is set up?

I think that'll be my final post for now 

Because Joe Bloggs could do exactly the same with his Kindle version anyway.

Oh and a lot of work has gone into the new shiny e-book versions. No more just email a word document, on no 

[Stephen Theaker]

I have these same fears. Why not keep it just as a Kindle version, at least until the secure area is set up?

Let's bear in mind that the grand and venerable secure area for members was first planned four years ago... And even once it was created there would be nothing to stop the downloaded files being emailed between friends.

And there's nothing whatsoever to stop the Kindle versions being emailed around.

To be honest, the BFS should be so lucky as to have people caring so much about its publications that they want to pirate them.

[cavscott]

Or indeed just lending someone their journal...

[CarolineC]

It would be interesting to know how many people would remain in the BFS if the society only offered eBooks?

Well, I definitely wouldn't. And I wouldn't remain a member if the Journal was non-fiction only. Much as I like my non-fiction, I agree with Peter that fiction is an absolute must - especially as a valuable starting point for new writers.

From my point of view (and I know this will be contentious), the only value I get from my BFS membership is the Journals. I'm not a writer, so I don't get any value from peer support in terms of my writing. I can't get down to London (or Brighton) so I don't get any value from BFS events. I must admit, the BFS provided me with much more value for my membership fee when it also did other special publications, but I can fully understand the financial constraints and why it doesn't now do them. But if the Journal was "slimmed down" any more (and made ebook only) there'd definitely be no reason for me to keep paying my subs.  

[cavscott]

I honestly can't see the Journal going ebook-only anytime soon.

And more value-for-money schemes are in the pipeline. All will be revealed when we can.

[Peter Coleborn]

To be honest, the BFS should be so lucky as to have people caring so much about its publications that they want to pirate them.

The Pirates of the Journal. Maybe a movie? I have the rights  

Damn, that's another post by me!

[cavscott]

Coming soon from Aardman - The Pirates! In An Adventure With Fantasy Writers.

[Jec]

Well, I definitely wouldn't. And I wouldn't remain a member if the Journal was non-fiction only. Much as I like my non-fiction, I agree with Peter that fiction is an absolute must - especially as a valuable starting point for new writers.

I'm with Caroline...

Non-fiction only pubs are often very 'worthy' but frequently also terribly dull... imho