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Try this one on... Asshat parker

This is reason #1 why I don't allow comments on my weblog or any other site I run. Have you read the comments most people post on these things, anyway? They're even more asinine than the weblogs themselves...

Not every single web site needs to be a two-way communication system. That's what email and discussion groups are for.

99% of blogs exist solely to promote their creators and their works -- I know that's what mine is for, he said with no trace of irony. If anything, this just gives people a chance to stop droning on and on about themselves for a second. Seriously... I think the blog community is nifty, but honestly I'll be glad for the break from navel-gazing.

PS Anyone need a plug? Paypal me...

With regard to the price, I agree it's too high. That's the one of the main problems with Xlibris: The otherwise fair contract, which grants the author all rights, lets Xlibris set prices without consulting the author. The reason for that is that Xlibris is set up to make money off of authors rather than readers. A friend of mine recently published his own novel as well and I suggested that he avoid print-on-demand. By using a traditional printer and a short run of 1000 or so books, he can price his books around $14 and still make a decent profit. I get about $2 per book sold at Amazon...Amazon and Xlibris get the rest.

With regard to the post, "Self publishing could be a sign of bad quality" that's true, unfortunately. I like to think Reflecting Fires is among the exceptions because I make a living as a writer and editor. Still, that's not really my call to make. But also note that the primary consideration of publishers is not quality but commercial potential. The state of the publising industry is beyond the scope of this post, but for those interested, check out Holt Uncensored. Here's a quote from one of her newsletters...

It seems to me that the toughest thing facing an author
today is an industry that's going to ask for one compromise after
another: Change your book to suit our needs, publishers say. Don't
expect us to nurture you. Find your own manuscript consultant before you
submit to an agent or editor. Create a marketing plan - write the pitch
we'll consider for jacket flaps and catalogs and sales reps (then be
quiet). Don't expect us to advertise - learn how to promote your book in
publicity interviews (many of which you'll have to set up yourself).

Thanks for listening.
Thomas Claburn

This story reminded me of a similar tale about a Las Vegas company (of course) trying to set up a launch pad for space tourism in the Nevada desert. Here's one of the earlier pieces on it - http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/text/199 9/sep/10/509288711.html (from 1999) -- though googling for NDS Development Corp. takes you to press releases, et al. all the way back to 1996, at least.

Too bad this idea looks stillborn, though it's not terribly surprising. If anyone can figure out whatever became of this idea, I'd love to hear about it.

chrisnull.com - read my book, Half Mast - filmcritic.com - New Architect

Our review is here: http://filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/84dbbfa4d7 10144986256c290016f76e/97dd7b74d233c3d288256c1c007 0aeaa?OpenDocument ... a positive review, though my guy at the Telluride film festival thought it was pap.

That baby freaks me out.

chrisnull.com - read my book, Half Mast - filmcritic.com - New Architect

Over the lifetime of the Macarthur Grant,

12 people have won in the category of DANCE, while 11 people have won in the category of PUBLIC HEALTH

Dance, genius, dance!

chrisnull.com - read my book, Half Mast - filmcritic.com - New Architect

chrisnull.com - read my book, Half Mast - filmcritic.com - New Architect

- Christopher Null

chrisnull.com - read my book, Half Mast - filmcritic.com - New Architect