There was an interesting article on BBC News Technology this past week that involved the author Ray Bradbury and his famous book, Fahrenheit 451, which has sold more than 10 million copies. His contract with his publisher was about to expire. His publisher was willing to sign a new contract, but only if Bradbury agreed to include the e-rights to his book.
Bradbury said no. He’d said no before when Yahoo wanted to put his books into eform. He, in fact, said: “Prick up your ears and go to hell.” Now his publisher was pressing him.
It came down to Bradbury sticking to his guns, but losing his contract because his publisher said no e-book rights then no contract. Or giving in, signing the new contract, and having his books become available on eReaders, adding to the spread of technology, something he does not like.
In the end, he chose contract over taking a stand.
That may sound like a cop-out, but what would you do?
1 year ago
Wow, I don't know what I'd do, but I kind of wish he'd made a stand.
ReplyDeleteTough conflict, but goes to show, writers are human too.
ReplyDeletehmmm...love Ray Bradbury - one of the last of the great bad boys of sci fi. I'm not sure what I think as I'm unaware of his reasons for disliking ebooks. But for sure, as always Helen, you can bet I'm going to look into this story - your posts always get me rambling.
ReplyDeleteHi Helen .. just sent you an email ..
ReplyDeleteand I think he probably took the easy option ...
Cheers Hilary
I can't blame him. I want my e-books to be available to all readers, regardless of which device they use, but if Amazon offered me a contract that required exclusivity, I'd take it. We all need to make a living.
ReplyDeleteI think he did the right thing. You can't stop progress regardless of one's personal feelings and better that he get a cut of his ebook sales rather than it get pirated and he get nothing. Because with a book of that popularity, someone would have pirated it and made it available in some kind of crappy e-format.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say if he made the right decision without knowing his problem with ebooks. If it was a stand on principle, then it was a cop out, but silly when it's obvious that ebooks are not a passing fad.
ReplyDeleteAll of y'all made such great points. E-books are indeed here to stay (until some new thing arises, anyway). Unfortunately, pirating is as rampant as it was, and is, for music. And L.J., I'm with you. I wouldn't pass up a contract - I don't think.
ReplyDeleteHolding out would've been foolish. Either sign the contract or put out the ebooks yourself, but to say no to either option is like author suicide these days.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is here to stay and e-books are the books of the future. I'm not sure why he wouldn't want his books available to as many people as possible.
ReplyDeleteAnn
Yeah, if his books aren't available as eBooks, he'll lose most of his readers.
ReplyDeleteAnd really ironic that a science fiction writer would hold out against technology. I embrace it!
Selling 10 million copies, he can probably afford to say whatever he wants >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Like Alex, I find it humorous that a sci/fi writer is so against technology.
ReplyDeleteIf ever I have that much influence, I hope I'd have the courage to take a stand. Remember Marlon Brando and his refusal of the 1973 Best Actor Oscar as a protest against the treatment of Native American Indians? Taking that stand never affected his movie career in any way. So, Bradbury, with 10 million copies under his belt, caving in on his beliefs, does seem a bit of a cop out. Maybe I'd cop out to, in that position, but I'd rather hope not!
ReplyDeleteJudy, South Africa
I can't imagine ever being in such a position, however I've been known to financially 'cut my own throat' to make a point, so if I had very solid reasons for the stand I'd probably choose to lose the contract. I'll be interested to hear what Jan finds out. Sue
ReplyDeleteI admire his courage to consider saying no. Maybe financially he felt he should give in, there may have been other underlying reasons.
ReplyDeleteMe? I might have said no and set up on my own. If your reader base is solid then they will find your books regardless of where they were published.
Hmmm ... tought choice. I hope he's happy with his decision! :)
ReplyDeleteHelen, if I HAD a publisher, I'd be the sort of client that car salesmen call 'a lay-down'.
ReplyDeleteMany people like Breadbury struggle with change. Amazing to think this could be true considering the content they write about. But sometimes you have to change, even wen you don't want to.
ReplyDeleteIt takes that leap of faith. Just because a big corporate giant challenges your traditional belief systems doesn't mean you are right and they are wrong.
Sounds more like integrity. The publisher opted out, but that doesn't mean another publisher won't jump at the chance, without e-rights, to sign Bradbury. He's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, it shows that publishers are aware of how important it is to have their books in their stable put into eForm.
ReplyDeleteThe world of the writer is changing; and maybe standing on a principle doesn't mean what it used to.
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy with the popularity of e-book publishing either - but I did buy a Kindle cuz I know the way of progress.
I'm hoping not to have to inde-pub my books - but I understand why so many go that route now. Getting an Agent is nearly as impossible as getting a Big Six publisher. (Not a total complaint; just an observation)
........dhole
I'd like to know his reason for not liking ebooks before I pass judgement. But I usually like people for swear by their stand more.
ReplyDeleteMy Darcy Vibrates…
It's tempting to root for someone making a stand, but there are so many things to take into consideration, it's never that simple. Bradbury is one of my favourite authors and I'm pleased that his books are even more accessible now - especially to the younger generation, who might never have picked up a hardcopy with an out-dated cover.
ReplyDeleteIf it were me, I'd agree to the e-rights. I don't see any gain for writers or readers in resisting. Ultimately, those are the people books are written for. It's about reaching out, not huddling in a familiar corner on the off-chance someone might come along.
Bradbury is luckier in this situation because he's already so well-known and well-loved. Most people have heard of him or are aware of his books, even if they haven't read them. For a newer or lesser known author, it's totally different.