***The opinions expressed in this chat are not necessarily those of The Other*Worlds*Cafe or America Online.*** HOST EBK Mars: Zette...can you start us off tonight by introducing yourself? LazetteGifford: Okay. I'm Lazette Gifford, and I'm a crazed writer who hasn't missed a single day of writing in over a decade. I live in Nebraska. That probably explains it. HOST EBK Mars: That's a lot of writing Zette...how much time... HOST EBK Mars: do you commit each day to writing? LazetteGifford: Every free moment I have. And I have a lot of them. Generally a few hours. I average at least 1000 words a day. HOST EBK Mars: That's about...4 pages double spaced? LazetteGifford: About. But that's the low end of what I write. Usually it's much more. HOST EBK Mars: Do you find it difficult to maintain this regimen? For the new writers who may.. HOST EBK Mars: read this... how to you contend with distractions? LazetteGifford: I started out years ago saying I would do 250 words a day. I like keeping records and I don't like to break a streak. Word count went up over the next few years, and I kept going. LazetteGifford: But starting low -- 200 to 250 -- was the key. LazetteGifford: After awhile it becomes just a part of what you do every day. LazetteGifford: It also helps to be crazed and obsessive. HOST EBK Mars: Lazette...have you always been a fan of fantasy, and is that what you would call yourself... HOST EBK Mars: a fantasy author? LazetteGifford: I am an author. I write a lot of fantasy, but I also write SF and Young Adult. And poetry. And anything else that strikes me at the moment. LazetteGifford: You need to have a lot of things to write when you write this much. (grin) HOST EBK Mars: Excellent. Are most of your works published electronically? OnlineHost: BG1818 has entered the room. BG1818: Hello Lazette and Mars HOST EBK Mars: We're running tonight's chat under PROTOCOL. If you have a question for our guest, please TYPE A ? INTO THE CHAT SCREEN. I will add your name to the queue and call you when it's you're turn. BG1818: How are you two this evening? BG1818: ? LazetteGifford: All of my publications have been electronic. And I am a firm believer in the future of this form of media. HOST EBK Mars: Beth..you need to switch fonts for me. OnlineHost: FIJAGDH has entered the room. LazetteGifford: But I still try for print publication. There's room for both in the world. BG1818: How is this? HOST EBK Mars: Thanks Beth! LazetteGifford: Hi there! BG1818: Hello FIJAGDH: Hiyas. I gotta change my font, too? HOST EBK Mars: Okay...we have a question here... How did her eight-book deal come about? HOST EBK Mars: 8 book deal? What's this Zette? HOST EBK Mars: Figgy...you're font is fine 8^D HOST EBK Mars: Figg, we're running tonight's chat under PROTOCOL. If you have a question for our guest, type a ? into the chat screen and I will add your name to the queue. LazetteGifford: I was in contact with another writer at Double Dragon Ebooks. She said that the publisher was interested in some new sf and fantasy material. So I pitched the series to him. LazetteGifford: I just sold (a couple days ago) an eight book fantasy series. BG1818: ? FIJAGDH: ! HOST EBK Mars: Excellent! Is this electronic or pulp, Zette? FIJAGDH: Wow. Good going, Lazette. Congrats. LazetteGifford: I knew it was never going to go with a paper publisher because (1) it was eight books and (2) it veers over to some sf elements midway through. LazetteGifford: The two heroes are tracking down pieces of a staff that were scattered in different 'realities' including places with star ships. HOST EBK Mars: BG1818 your question please! BG1818: Who is your publisher? LazetteGifford: For the new series, it's Double Dragon Ebooks. I also have pieces with Jintsu (Hi Roach), Embiid Publishing, and several ezines. HOST EBK Mars: Figgy...your comment? HOST EBK Mars: Figgy? FIJAGDH: I recently lamented the dearth of Fantasy with SF elements. I'd like to see zapguns in FIJAGDH: the Shire, meself. HOST EBK Mars: Zette...I'm assuming that ... HOST EBK Mars: This 8 novel series and the work you've just published... HOST EBK Mars: with eggplant isn't your first publication? LazetteGifford: Just sold, not yet published. Just finishing up the last edit of hte first book. This is going to take over my life for awhile. LazetteGifford: My first sale was to Jackhammer (sniff) back in July, 1999. BG1818: ? LazetteGifford: Well, I get a little bit of that toward the end of the series, I think. (grin) But it'll be awhile before we get that far. HOST EBK Mars: Zette...speaking of Eggplant... what prompted you to submit the Last Days to Roach? LazetteGifford: She said she was looking for something in that word count range. That is not an easy range to sell. And I liked the story. HOST EBK Mars: It's novella...novelette size? LazetteGifford: Ah... yeah. I think it runs to novella, but it may be a short one. LazetteGifford: (I have forgotten how long it is.) HOST EBK Mars: And from Roach With so many fantasy tales running into the hundreds of pages these days, do you find it hard to write fantasy short fiction? LazetteGifford: Not really. I like writing shorter pieces. I think it's good to find a nice, short tale now and then. HOST EBK Mars: LOL! Okay HOST EBK Mars: BG1818 your question please! LazetteGifford: At the moment I think I have about 14 short stories at various ezines. LazetteGifford: That's available now to be read. HOST EBK Mars: Beth..your question? BG1818: Iwas just curious if you had a history of reading Fantasy or SF? FIJAGDH: ? OnlineHost: Araiused has entered the room. Araiused: Helloooooo? HOST EBK Mars: Ara, we're running tonight's chat under PROTOCOL. If you have a question for our guest, type a ? into the chat screen and I will add your name to the queue. FIJAGDH: Ara! BG1818: HOwdy Araiused Araiused: Evening, everyone :) Araiused: Figgy! HOST EBK Mars: Ara...we're chatting with Lazette Gifford tonight. If you have a question...throw your ? up on the screen. LazetteGifford: Oh yes. Started with Andre Norton and Heinlein (showing my age now) and kept going. I love Cherryh, Fancher, Kim Stanley Robinson, Chip Delaney... Araiused: ? LazetteGifford: Although this year I've read more history than anything else. HOST EBK Mars: What is it that you like best about writing fantasy, since that's a majority of what you write? HOST EBK Mars: The current Queue contains the following users: FIJAGDH, Araiused HOST EBK Mars: Hold on...I'll prompt you when it's your tunr. LazetteGifford: It's not actually the majority, it's just the majority of what I sell. Maybe that's because I write it better? But I generally love the ... LazetteGifford: feel of 'heroic' fantasy, if that makes sense. The feeling that there is something out there that might cure all ills. LazetteGifford: If the MC is strong enough, brave enough, believes enough. LazetteGifford: MC=Main character. HOST EBK Mars: FIJAGDH your question please! FIJAGDH: Lazette, do you read much e-fiction? More than pulp? LazetteGifford: Although that's too simplistic, really. LazetteGifford: By pulp I assume you mean print, and no -- it's about even. I read material in whatever form I can find it, if it draws my attention. HOST EBK Mars: Could you tell us something about Holly Lisle's pages. LazetteGifford: I am Assisant Site Host at Holly Lisle's Forward Motion. This is a community for writers of all levels who want to interact with other writers. HOST EBK Mars: Araiused your question please! Araiused: Have any of those writers you mentioned earlier inspired you? If so, in what way? LazetteGifford: We have classes, boards, chats, etc. And it's all free. You can find info at http://www.hollylisle.com/ LazetteGifford: We also have our own writers ezine - - Holly Lisle's Vision. I'm the managing editor and web designer for that one. http://lazette.net/vision HOST EBK Mars: And the Queue is empty. Throw up those question marks folks! LazetteGifford: Araiused, They inspired me to want to tell tales. I loved the idea of being able to share stories. And I loved their ability to take me away from my own world. LazetteGifford: Andre Norton probably had the most influence in that she was the first. And I recently had a 'cameo' role in one of her books because she wrote it with another friend of mine, Rosemary Edghill Araiused: ! HOST EBK Mars: Zette...you mentioned earlier that you alot time for at LEAST 1000 words a day. How much time do you alot for Webwork as well? LazetteGifford: Only as much as it absolutely needs. As soon as I can get it done, I'm back to writing. (grin) I have no set time for it since the work isn't really steady. HOST EBK Mars: Ara...your comment? Araiused: That's pretty cool! (about that cameo role) :) HOST EBK Mars: You have an online journal at your webpage, does that play any kind of role in your writing? Does it serve any kind of function other than just broadcasting your thoughts to your visitors? Araiused: ? LazetteGifford: It is very nice. It's in The Shadow of Albion, by the way. LazetteGifford: The journal is a nice way just to feel as though I'm staying in touch with others. I see the counter go up, so I know people stop there, for whatever reason. .. LazetteGifford: I think it's for the photography, actually. HOST EBK Mars: Photography? BG1818: ? LazetteGifford: I put a new digital photograph up every day. That's my other love. HOST EBK Mars: Araiused your question please! Araiused: What time of the day do you prefer to write? Mornings, evenings, afternoons? LazetteGifford: The journal is here: http://www.sscdc.net/zj/ LazetteGifford: And I haven't missed a day on that one since I started, October 1, 1998. I am obsessive, in case you can't tell. LazetteGifford: After dark and before dawn. I am a 'literate' vampire. Late night works much better than any other time for me because it's so quiet. HOST EBK Mars: BG1818 your question please! LazetteGifford: But I have no outside job, a very understanding husband, no kids, and too many cats. And they don't care. BG1818: I"m just curious. Is digital photography what got you into photyography? OnlineHost: Athanor IX has entered the room. HOST EBK Mars: Hi Ath! Athanor IX: Hi. Araiused: Hi, Ath HOST EBK Mars: Ath, we're running tonight's chat under PROTOCOL. If you have a question for our guest, type a ? into the chat screen and I will add your name to the queue. HOST EBK Mars: We're talking with Lazette Gifford tonight, Ath. LazetteGifford: No. I started with an old Pentax K1000 -- about as far from digital as you can get. But this is so much less expensive. No more paying for processing and printing. HOST EBK Mars: As if you aren't busy enough, there's another project you are involved with too, The Estand? What's that? BG1818: Hello Athanor LazetteGifford: Ah yes. Estand. That's a web site I created and maintain where people can go and 'browse' what's currently available at ezine and ebook .... LazetteGifford: publishers. It's not as up to date as it should be, but I still work on it. http://www.sff.net/estand LazetteGifford: I also created and maintai the web sites for the town and county where I live, as well as sites for writers Rosemary Edghill and Esther Friesner. HOST EBK Mars: How do you keep that up to date...do you actually go looking or do you get alerts from publishers? LazetteGifford: But really, it's writing that is my real love. (grin) LazetteGifford: I should bug the publishers more often for updates, but this is one site that kind of got lost in the shuffle with so much else. Some of the people still send me updates, but I need to get a regular mailing going. LazetteGifford: And a couple sign up every month, so it's still growing. It lists by genre, by the way. HOST EBK Mars: We've talked about everything but...but I want to give some time to The Last Days...Tell me about this story. HOST EBK Mars: What prompted you to write it? HOST EBK Mars: (btw folks you can read an excerpt at http://www.eggplant-productions.com/jintsu/etext.asp?id=5 LazetteGifford: It's the tale of a young emperor facing the last days of his empire as the barbarians close in, and deciding to make an unusual choice rather than see everything destroyed. LazetteGifford: It started just with a 'vision' of the opening -- the sight of the 'sword in the sky' that he mentions in his journal. And it just went from there. HOST EBK Mars: who? LazetteGifford: The Emperor, Corydon. (I think. I hope. So many stories, so many names...) HOST EBK Mars: Zette...I noticed in the story that the women of Faneh... HOST EBK Mars: Seem to have a matriarchal thing going...am I wrong? LazetteGifford: You're right. They have control of the trade in the empire, and by that have a very strong influence, even over Cory, though he rules and ... LazetteGifford: has control of the armies, etc. LazetteGifford: Trade will always win out in cases like that. People want to live well. HOST EBK Mars: greenspan vs. bush LazetteGifford: At least in my opinion. And it's my universe, so I get to have it work. (grin) HOST EBK Mars: Zette...so it's not so much Matriarchal as a more balanced Matriarch/Patriochracy? LazetteGifford: I think that's one of the greatest things about writing -- you can explore ways in which you think the world would be better. Or worse, some times. LazetteGifford: Yes, I think there's a balance, but the Matriarchs would still have the upper hand in most times. HOST EBK Mars: And yet the "Emperor" is allowed a harim of sorts? LazetteGifford: I liked to see it as working together in their own spheres of influence. LazetteGifford: Yes. Because the harem of the Emperor runs trade, and is a very strong group to belong to. HOST EBK Mars: Ah! I see! LazetteGifford: It's more like a cabinet by marriage. (grin) HOST EBK Mars: Well, it is a little alien to me. Araiused: ! HOST EBK Mars: Did you base this world on a culture/cultures here and now? LazetteGifford: At the point where the story is told, however, you don't see much of that because of the invasion. I was focusing on something different. HOST EBK Mars: Ara..your comment? Araiused: The powers behind the throne :) OnlineHost: mtyler352 has entered the room. Araiused: The harem :) Araiused: Hi, tyler mtyler352: hello LazetteGifford: Not really. I think there's a bit of an 'eastern' feel to it, of course, but I just played with what I wanted to work. HOST EBK Mars: tyler, we're running tonight's chat under PROTOCOL. If you have a question for our guest, type a ? into the chat screen and I will add your name to the queue. HOST EBK Mars: We're chatting with Lazette Gifford tonight. LazetteGifford: Araiused, Very much so, in many ways. But not all powerful. There is a balance, it's just not apparent in this story, at the fall of the empire. HOST EBK Mars: Lazette...do you have plans to return to the world of Faneh-Thenyal in future works? LazetteGifford: I wrote a sequel last year, in fact. HOST EBK Mars: Has anyone got dibs on it? BG1818: Hello Mtyler mtyler352: hello mtyler352: how are you LazetteGifford: No. (grin) It's first draft, and needs a lot of work. LazetteGifford: Almsot all of my fantasy stories take place on one world. My 'Tales from Another Place' world. They may not appear to be linked, but they use the same 'world' background, even if in other areas. LazetteGifford: I never leave the keyboard. That should be apparent by now. HOST EBK Mars: Zette...before we let you go... HOST EBK Mars: How can people meet you to get you to autograph their diskettes containing your work? HOST EBK Mars: Are you attending any conventions this year? LazetteGifford: (grin) I don't get out much. (LOL) But I will be at ConQuesT in Kansas City in May, and I hope to be at both WorldCon and the World Fantasy Con this year. And maybe some others. HOST EBK Mars: Excellent! HOST EBK Mars: Are there any more questions here for Lazette? BG1818: Cool! O LazetteGifford: And I hope that people will stop by my web site and let me know what they think of the different stories. http://lazette.net HOST EBK Mars: Okay and a couple more urls... BG1818: I'm on the board of World Fantasy and I cover World Con and world Fantasy photographicly for Locus. HOST EBK Mars: http://www.cybling.com/artists/gifford.html HOST EBK Mars: And to read an excerpt of The Last Days of Faneh-Thenyal HOST EBK Mars: http://www.eggplant-productions.com/jintsu/etext.asp?id=5 HOST EBK Mars: Folks...let's thank Lazette for joining us in chat tonight! Araiused: Thank you, Lazette! FIJAGDH: Thanks, Lazette! LazetteGifford: Very nice! BG1818: CAn I ask how everybody is this evening now? Araiused: Tired, BG :/ HOST EBK Mars: Yes Indeed! Araiused: Too much work LazetteGifford: Thanks everyone...gotta run! Goodnight! FIJAGDH: <-- floopy BG1818: Good night. Araiused: See ya, Lazette Araiused: <--- droopy :) BG1818: yeah it's late Athanor IX: <--Ennh. Araiused: LOLOL BG1818: Sounds like y'all are working on getting the seven drawfs. HOST EBK Mars: lol Araiused: Everyone else is watching the Olympics, I guess. mtyler352: so how is everyone tonight? Araiused: See above. mtyler352: oh I swear everytime i look away everyone has something to say HOST EBK Mars: Doing fine and dandy here. Araiused: Glad to hear that, Mars. BG1818: I'm fine. I have a cat that keeps hinting he wants to be petted. mtyler352: I guess i caught the tail end of that interview Araiused: I thought you had a dog, BG OnlineHost: BLR WIZ has entered the room. Araiused: Hi, BLR FIJAGDH: Hi Blr BG1818: yes I do. HOST EBK Mars: Hi BLR! Araiused: BLR missed the author :) BG1818: hello Blr wiz HOST EBK Mars: Good to see you this evening. mtyler352: I have a question that I was hoping you could help me with BG1818: I have a dog and two cats. BLR WIZ: Hi, Mars, mtyler352, Athanor IX, Araiused, FIJAGDH, BG1818 Araiused: Shoot, tyler HOST EBK Mars: Indeed. FIJAGDH: If I don't know the answer, mty, I'll make something up. mtyler352: I was told that the best way to get hits on my web site was to get it linked to other sites mtyler352: any suggestions on how to do that? HOST EBK Mars: LOL...waiting to see what Figgy makes up. Araiused: Mars is the expert on this :) HOST EBK Mars: You know mtyler...from a SF point of view... FIJAGDH: One word....... PORN. FIJAGDH: Araiused: Tsk, Figgy OnlineHost: RaechelMoon has entered the room. Araiused: That must wake you up, Figgy. BG1818: You don't have to have porn to have a link to your website. Araiused: Hi, Raechel! BLR WIZ: Hi Rae FIJAGDH: Hi Rae BG1818: Hello Raechelmoon FIJAGDH: Just kidding, mty. :p mtyler352: There is no porn on my web site mtyler352: :-P HOST EBK Mars: Mtyler...there used to be a website group here on AOL. HOST EBK Mars: That's how I first learned to write html Araiused: :-þ my 2 cents :) HOST EBK Mars: But the best way to get linked to other sites... Athanor IX: I can write "HTML" and thus ends my skill. HOST EBK Mars: is to offer to put links on your site from theres. HOST EBK Mars: Check out some freeware banner rotating software... HOST EBK Mars: at some of the online areas... HOST EBK Mars: and offer to run banners for other sites in exchange for your banner on theres. HOST EBK Mars: That's my advice. RaechelMoon: Hey OWC ppls mtyler352: i see but at the same time i want to keep the site profesional looking I cant have a bunch of adds HOST EBK Mars: So, folks...we now have RaechelMoon of Eggplant Productions here to rant at us. Araiused: Is anyone watching figure skating? BLR WIZ: For a start, dosn't the OWC site have links to member sites. HOST EBK Mars: Any particular rant for tonight Roach? BG1818: NO I don't have a tv in the room with my computer.\\ HOST EBK Mars: It sure does BLR. FIJAGDH: I thought I recognized a Cybling name. Hi Roach Araiused: I missed the Canadian broadcast earlier. RaechelMoon: Oh yeah...I read a few weeks ago that identity theft is the fastest growing complaint in America. BG1818: I think I read that too. RaechelMoon: With that in mind I am still amazed by the number of submissiosn I receive from authors that include thier SSN. HOST EBK Mars: In the old days we were told we HAD to do that. So I'm not surprised. RaechelMoon: If I were an unscrupulous scoundrel I'd just set up a fake press, solicit works and start harvesting numbers. BG1818: I only give out my SS# reluctantly. HOST EBK Mars: Roach...how can a new writer protect themselves from that sort of thing from bogus publishers? Araiused: brb RaechelMoon: THey may have said you had to but they had no legal standing to do so. THe only time a publisher needs your SSN is when they send you a contract. RaechelMoon: Don't give out your SSN until you have a contract in hand. RaechelMoon: But of course make sure you've included your postal address, name and e-mail address with your submission. HOST EBK Mars: Yeah, but this was in the old days, before even Internet. There was a time. Before computers, even. So no one had the kind of knowledge we have now, and now not to do it. HOST EBK Mars: and KNOW not to do it. BG1818: Well, it's getting late and time for me to go. So take care FIJAGDH: ....and mother's maiden name, dental records, and bank account number. HOST EBK Mars: Goodnight BG! BLR WIZ: Bye BG FIJAGDH: Later, BG. BG1818: Bye RaechelMoon: That will be needed. I've had a lot of authors send in submissiosn without postal address information and I have to write them back when I want to issue a conract. RaechelMoon: With as much stuff is tied to your SSN it's just dumb to hand that info out without a good reason. HOST EBK Mars: Goodnight BG HOST EBK Mars: Are a lot of young writers being suckered in this way do you think? HOST EBK Mars: Has anyone here been the victim of identity theft? BLR WIZ: NO, I have no identity. FIJAGDH: Nobody wants to be me. RaechelMoon: I don't know if it's an age thing. Since I rarely find out how old my authors are, unless they put their age in their bios, I think it's just ... RaechelMoon: something that was written in a writer's guide book long ago and people just keep coming across the information. HOST EBK Mars: Probably true. RaechelMoon: I just hate to see writers leave themselves vulnerable. RaechelMoon: lol RaechelMoon: Funny Fijagdh and BLR WIZ RaechelMoon: A former professor of mine was a victem of identity theft. He got arrested for a crime that someone else commited in CA. OnlineHost: Araiused has entered the room. FIJAGDH: Re's Ara Araiused: bak :) HOST EBK Mars: I just want everyone to think I'm related to James Schmitz :) HOST EBK Mars: Re's Ara. HOST EBK Mars: We're talking about identity theft with Roach of Eggplant right now... HOST EBK Mars: d the dangers young writers face from bogus publishers. RaechelMoon: Someone had used his name when they were arrested and so the cops came to IL to arrest him. FIJAGDH: ::::dons latex mask of Ath:::: Ennh. Araiused: LOLOL HOST EBK Mars: That reminds me, Roach. Identity theft can be something as simple as wearing someone else's screen name in chat... HOST EBK Mars: or as complex as actually ordering credit cards against their credit. RaechelMoon: ::::nods:::: BLR WIZ: I shredd all credit card applications to keep someone from using them. RaechelMoon: With all the crudola that writers have to put up with (scam agents, scam publishers, internet piracy, etc.) the last thing they should have to do is find out that their credit was destroyed. RaechelMoon: Not that I really believe that it's all gloom and doom out there. RaechelMoon: I just think that people should be a little cautious. BLR WIZ: At least several times a week I get BLR WIZ: something saying that I am pre=approved BLR WIZ: for a loan or a card. RaechelMoon: Let's see...what else is going on lately with writers and writing and publishing? HOST EBK Mars: Do you folks have any questions about ePublishing for Roach? RaechelMoon: The problem is that the last week and a half we've had several computer problems so I haven't gotten much work done and so I haven't had a chance to get a good rant going. ;> HOST EBK Mars: lol HOST EBK Mars: Roach...okay...I was watching TechTv today.. HOST EBK Mars: And they were finally talking about something we've been discussing for some time... FIJAGDH: Sleeptime. Thanks, Mars, Roach, and Lazette! Laters. BLR WIZ: Has anyone really made any money by e publishing? HOST EBK Mars: is the eBook going anywhere at all...or was the King debacle a true blow. BLR WIZ: Bye FIJ HOST EBK Mars: Night Figgy Araiused: nite, figgy RaechelMoon: Who did they have talking? RaechelMoon: Night FIJAGDH HOST EBK Mars: Okay I have my low tech pad here. HOST EBK Mars: They had... on Silicon Spin... HOST EBK Mars: Stephen Pendergrast, co-founder of FictionWise HOST EBK Mars: Tom Turvey - VP of Ebrary HOST EBK Mars: and Geoffrey Nunberg of Stanford University. Araiused: King debacle? RaechelMoon: Okay cool...they had people who knew what they were talking about...or should any way. HOST EBK Mars: Pedergrast answered questions about "Napster" type problems with books. RaechelMoon: Did Harlan's case come up? HOST EBK Mars: No...what's Harlan's case? RaechelMoon: hrm BLR WIZ: Harlan always has a case for something. Araiused: afk RaechelMoon: As I recall Fictionwise is one of the publishing companies that has posted good sales. RaechelMoon: Harlan Ellison has a lawsuit going against people who were pirating his work. RaechelMoon: Heh, BLR. HOST EBK Mars: Were they pirating it electronically? RaechelMoon: yes Athanor IX: Sadly, Mr E has not limited his legal action to these deserving targets. RaechelMoon: He was finding his work posted on newsgroups and webpages w/o his permission. He took several individuals and AOL to court. RaechelMoon: The case is still at trial right now. Athanor IX: He is suing AOL for "contributory copyright violation" or something similar because an AOL subsidiasry played a role in developing the Gnutella protocol. Athanor IX: "subsidiary" OnlineHost: DerHexer has entered the room. BLR WIZ: Hi Der DerHexer: Wow, small group HOST EBK Mars: Hi Der! DerHexer: Must be something great on TV HOST EBK Mars: We're talking with Roach of Eggplant about ePublishing. RaechelMoon: I don't know too many of the specifics. HOST EBK Mars: But these copyright issues aren't with *real* eBook publishers, right? RaechelMoon: I don't know too many of the specifics. RaechelMoon: No Janice, it's all piracy. Not legitimate publishers. RaechelMoon: So what else did they say during the program? HOST EBK Mars: Pendergrast was talking about Napster type piracy... HOST EBK Mars: Saying that he wasn't seeing a lot of it... HOST EBK Mars: in that his sales were still going up... HOST EBK Mars: and that books weren't exactly overpriced CDs. Araiused: bak Araiused: Hi, Der HOST EBK Mars: Aparently the co-founder of FictionWise thinks that readers aren't normally theives. RaechelMoon: Makes sense. Athanor IX: I can't say I have any sympathy for the garbage-spewing machines that are the major music labels. RaechelMoon: ::::roach laughs at the overpriced CDs bit::: HOST EBK Mars: So theft of eBooks isn't an issue according to Pendergrast. DerHexer: Hi Ara RaechelMoon: Well for the most part from what I've seen people who pirate books might not have even read the books. Araiused: Well, U.S. got another gold at figure skating BLR WIZ: It was a close call Ara. DerHexer: So, Raechel, what do they do w/their spoils - resell? HOST EBK Mars: Tom Turvey of VP eBrary... HOST EBK Mars: says the same thing.. HOST EBK Mars: Kids who normally hack aren't looking to get a free copy of Chaucer. Araiused: Yeah, BLR HOST EBK Mars: He says the "cracker" demographics are against any big theft of ebooks from online publishers. DerHexer: They aren't, Mars? I stole my first copy of Chaucer RaechelMoon: So what did they have to say about the future of e-books? Athanor IX: Chaucer has been public domain for 500 years or so... Athanor IX: Unless Disney has bought another retroactive copyright extension from Congress. HOST EBK Mars: The future... DerHexer: I'd laugh, Ath, if it wasn't so almost true HOST EBK Mars: Well they did have results from a poll of pulp publishers... HOST EBK Mars: Saying that 40% believe they will have published their first eBook... HOST EBK Mars: this year. HOST EBK Mars: While the rest said *maybe* next year. Athanor IX: "Congress was standing on a street corner, when Disney drove by waving $20..." RaechelMoon: huh...interesting. BLR WIZ: afk Araiused: Do you equate e-books with pulp? HOST EBK Mars: So it looks like the big boys are on their way. RaechelMoon: Well they were sort of on their way to begin with. DerHexer: I just can't picture myself sitting on the toilet looking at a small monitor reading something HOST EBK Mars: Roach, they were just waiting for you and other small publishers to do the scut work? RaechelMoon: I dunno. I don't usually use the term "pulp" as it can have a genre connotation as well. I prefer the term "Print" although p-book as opposed to e-book seems awkward. BLR WIZ: bak RaechelMoon: Oh I hardly think Random House and Tor, etc, were watching the small press to see how it worked. I think they were just taking their time to ... RaechelMoon: see how things would work out and I suspect they thought it'd be easier than it turned out to be. Athanor IX: I'd want a TFT or active-scan high-resolution flat panel. HOST EBK Mars: Re's BLR Araiused: That's the spirit, Ath :) RaechelMoon: DerHexer: I believe it's a matter of personal preference. I've been on the toilet with both printed books and my palm pilot. Both did their job fine. But some people aren't comfortable with e-books and that's fine. BLR WIZ: I don't think I could read an e book in the BLR WIZ: tub. One time I dropped Dune and I was BLR WIZ: instantly dry. DerHexer: And how would you handle that while riding the bus to work, Ath Araiused: Maybe e-books in the future would carry sound ;) Araiused: Bzzzzzt, BLR DerHexer: LOL BLR Athanor IX: I'll ride the bus to work when they pry my steering wheel from my cold, dead hands . Araiused: LOLOL DerHexer: Not really an answer, Ath RaechelMoon: Good thing a couple of AAA batteries don't carry enough voltage to shock you. Otherwise if you dropped your palm pilot in the bath tub you'd be in trouble. HOST EBK Mars: Oh, at $250 a pop, dropping the PDA in the tub is trouble. RaechelMoon: $250? Try $99 for a Palm 105 HOST EBK Mars: Okay, okay...so I like the high priced spread. RaechelMoon: heh Athanor IX: What kind of screen does that have? HOST EBK Mars: That was what Geoffrey Nunberg of Stanford was talking about too... HOST EBK Mars: cheap book readers. Araiused: Smaller than a 15" Laptop screen DerHexer: When I got laid off from my last job they forgot to ask for their PDA back. I left it on the bus. It had the home phone numbers for the senior executives of the San Frahncisco Federal Reserve Bank DerHexer: I felt real bad for a while RaechelMoon: THat's what we're trying to do now. Is get our e-books in a PDA friendly format. It's proven harder than I had thought it would be. Araiused: Did you get it back, Der? RaechelMoon: HRm...I don't know the specs. I have one and I read off of it all the time but I'm a bad user, I never learn the specs of hte device I'm using. BLR WIZ: Thanks for the chat. Night All. DerHexer: Of course not, I didn't want it Athanor IX: For a dedicated e-book machine, a 10" or so screen would be adequate. Araiused: Nite, BLR HOST EBK Mars: Night BLR. DerHexer: I've gotta go, too HOST EBK Mars: Night Der! DerHexer: Doid you hear that John Thaw the British actor died? HOST EBK Mars: Yikes! HOST EBK Mars: Nobody tell. HOST EBK Mars: FRIDAY, February 22, 9pm-11pm ET -- SciFiKu ! HOST EBK Mars: . HOST EBK Mars: Back by popular demand ... an encore presentation of SciFiKu HOST EBK Mars: Night! Bring your thesaurii and join the phonetic fun in SF HOST EBK Mars: General with HOST EBK Mystik HOST EBK Mars: . HOST EBK Mars: THEN HOST EBK Mars: . HOST EBK Mars: FRIDAY, FEB 22, 10pm-12am ET -- Political HOST EBK Mars: Bandwidth? ~ HOST EBK Mars: . HOST EBK Mars: The face of the American political system has been changed HOST EBK Mars: forever by the advent of electronic technology. Can our system HOST EBK Mars: handle it? What will our government be like in 100 years? Join HOST EBK Mars: HOST EBK Astra for a debate on Politics and the Future. RaechelMoon: I know the Palm screen is smaller than that...it's screen size is measured in pixels not inches. ;> RaechelMoon: Matt and I are leaving for Wyoming tomorrow for a little vacation and I just thought of all the trouble we're gonna cause at the airport: palm pilots, laptops, cell phones, GPS for Matt, MP3 player for me. They're gonna hate us. RaechelMoon: Oh and the digital camera. Araiused: Be prepared to wait, Rae :) Araiused: Anyway, goodnight, folks :) RaechelMoon: and the plain 35mm camera... Araiused: Thank you, Mars! HOST EBK Mars: Night Ara. HOST EBK Mars: I'm not looking forward to my next flight. Araiused: Mars, I've hidden your vroom broom :) HOST EBK Mars: 2 laptops, a pda, digital camera, phone, crossover cables and webcams. RaechelMoon: Oh we're prepared to wait...but they're gonna make us turn everything on before we can board... Athanor IX: My last flight was in 1973 HOST EBK Mars: Thats for ConJose, Roach. Athanor IX: My next flight might be a similar span in the future. RaechelMoon: You're gonna be at ConJose? Cool beans. We'll be there too. RaechelMoon: Okay...I got to call it a night. Still have to pack and take care of last minute stuff. HOST EBK Mars: Thanks Roach! RaechelMoon: Night Everyone!