If you haven’t tried Google Book Search yet, try it out on a few of my books.
If you have the time, you can read the whole book online:
- Critical Care: A Novel, by Richard Dooling;
- White Man’s Grave: A Novel, by Richard Dooling;
- Brain Storm: A Novel, by Richard Dooling;
- Bet Your Life: A Novel, by Richard Dooling
Google’s book scanning project is controversial (see, e.g., Google’s Moonshot, by Jeffrey Toobin at The New Yorker), but a quick survey of the titles available shows that most publishers are wisely going along with the plan.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Boy, I really appreciate your stuff being free, but I guess I’m just too old fashioned to truly enjoy reading a book online. I tried reading the only book of yours I haven’t read yet, WHITE MAN”S GRAVE, but I need to be on the couch on my back with the actual book in my hand. I like the texture of the binding, the feel of turning the pages, the weight of the thing.
Maybe one day they’ll come up with an electronic book reader that simulates that experience, but I haven’t seen it yet. For reference materials, the readers are probably great. But pleasure reading for fiction demands the real thing.
When can we expect your next work of fiction?
Why is this a good thing? To put it bluntly, do we get paid when people read our books? Please explain….
Dear Brian:
I’m hoping to complete my next novel by Fall of 2009. It’s longer than the others and has been with me through many other projects.
RD
Dear Susan:
Some argue that it is time for the publishing industry to ask itself the same questions the music industry has been forced to consider: In an age where “content” is easily duplicated and shared, does it make sense to fight technology with technology? Or is it better to review pricing, delivery, and even “free” alternatives (i.e. other ways to make money besides selling paper with black marks on it) See for example:
“The 26th Story, Publishing on the Edge: http://tinyurl.com/55blru
Or see the separate post called “Giving It Away,” featuring Cory Doctorow in Forbes Magazine:
http://tinyurl.com/5lxoej
I don’t think there are right or wrong answers. I think it’s interesting to explore ways to get more readers, even if it must mean letting them read one or more of your books for free.
Thanks,
RD