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Alchemist Author Pirates His Own Books
torrentfreak.com — Paulo Coelho, the best-selling author of "The Alchemist", is using BitTorrent and other filesharing networks as a way to promote his books. His publishers weren't too keen on giving away free copies of his books, so he's taken matters into his own hands.
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- badenglishihave, on 01/25/2008, -3/+88I believe this would work especially well with books since it's difficult on the eyes to read an entire book on a monitor. Give them a taste of your writing, then provide them with a means to purchase a hard copy. It seems like a good start for an internet business model in the book industry.
I have downloaded some eBooks but I still purchase hard copies of all of my books without exception. Even a young, tech-savvy guy such as myself enjoys turning pages and having the ability to lie down comfortably for a good read. I have a feeling that the written word isn't going away anytime soon.- NGliam, on 01/25/2008, -3/+37Definitely agree. Reading books on a monitor just doesn't make sense to me.
- stfucupcake, on 01/25/2008, -0/+6Agree with both of you but the Alchemist is actually pretty short and, well, now it's free.
- BossKey, on 01/25/2008, -2/+3Clearly you are using today's definition of a monitor. When a monitor acts just like paper, the answer won't be so clear.
- jkizzle, on 01/25/2008, -7/+3just get a swivel mount boom arm for your monitor, and enjoy in any position!
- greenlight2001, on 01/25/2008, -1/+6Reading on a monitor for extended periods of time = eye strain
- hellotyler, on 01/25/2008, -8/+3Reading a book for extended periods of time = eye strain
- RangersWin, on 01/25/2008, -1/+6I enjoy reading from a monitor much more and I find myself reading much more than I usually would with a physical copy of a book. Matter of taste I guess or im just weird.
- Murdats, on 01/25/2008, -0/+6I prefer physical books, but I also prefer much more my pda, because its portable, holds many books, plays music, and if I am tired of reading, plays tv shows.
oh and it remembers my page for me :) - CalvinLawson, on 01/25/2008, -1/+1Don't forget about the Amazon Reader! A more open version is coming soon, I'm sure.
- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2Good on him. Reading long material like books while sitting upright at a desk staring into a monitor is hell. Displays just can't compare to the near infinite resolution and thus reading ease of printed materials. It's not going to cannibalize story book sales even it they are free and also provides the ultimate in economical promotion.
Reference material is a bit different because the ability to search and go straight to the relevant section is a great advantage.- badenglishihave, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2Good point about reference material (Wikipedia anyone?) Some things are definitely better suited for the web.
- NGliam, on 01/25/2008, -3/+37Definitely agree. Reading books on a monitor just doesn't make sense to me.
- linktothepast, on 01/25/2008, -10/+1Why doesn't he just put his book into a Creative Commons license?
- stalefries, on 01/25/2008, -0/+13Because his publisher won't let him, probably.
- jpjandrade, on 01/25/2008, -1/+12RTFDescription of TFA
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -0/+8Because he was paid by the publisher. It is not his book.
If he wants to give away his book, then he can do it when he takes no money from a publisher.
This is like the department of Apple repsonsible for the iPod coming together after accepting Apple paychecks for years saying that they want to give away the iPod for free. Like the iPod, this book is NOT his to give away. - robinator08, on 01/25/2008, -0/+4Well he does like money. He has just found a way to get more of it going against traditional logic.
- ClockworksNine, on 01/25/2008, -18/+4Paulo Coelho is a crack-head, he says he's done magical things and seen supernatural spirits. He also claims to have endured El Camino de Santiago but on the last 100+ KM, he took a bus to the end! Pussy. Treat his books like you would treat The DaVinci Code, because that is what they are at best .
- subterfuge, on 01/25/2008, -3/+2"he says he's done magical things and seen supernatural spirits" you basically just declared every "prophet" in human history a crackhead. nice!
- JudgeMonkey, on 01/25/2008, -1/+6Umm.... what? Prophets AREN'T crackheads?
- rowjimmy, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2have you met him, or talked to him? because i have, and i'd venture to guess he's a lot more intelligent than you are.
by the way, his books are this crazy thing called "fiction"; while they still convey lessons and philosophical musings related to life and human agency, they don't have to stand up to an objective test of truth. hence the classification "fiction"
- subterfuge, on 01/25/2008, -3/+2"he says he's done magical things and seen supernatural spirits" you basically just declared every "prophet" in human history a crackhead. nice!
- espempire, on 01/25/2008, -7/+18he wrote it he should be able to do what ever he wants, personally i liked the book.
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -2/+8No..if he wants to do with it whatever he wants, he shouldn't have taken any MONEY from the publisher. That is a selfish move on his part. Anyone is free to write a book and give it away for free. He chose to not do this, but instead take money from someone and then take away an opportunity for his employers to recoup the money they spent on him.
- Nudz, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2you might have missed a certain key element in the article. SALES INCREASED. So the published made MORE money thanks to him doing this on his own since they were too pigheaded to do it themselves.
So no, he didn't take away their opportunity to recoup the money.
- Nudz, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2you might have missed a certain key element in the article. SALES INCREASED. So the published made MORE money thanks to him doing this on his own since they were too pigheaded to do it themselves.
- Neoanarchist, on 01/25/2008, -1/+8When you sign on with a publisher, they own the rights to your book in many cases. This is in exchange for them paying your lazy writer's block havin ass to sit around and send them 3 pages a month.
So thats why he doesn't have a lot of control over the situation. Same thing happens with bands and record labels. - lnxfi, on 01/25/2008, -0/+3I actually work at a publishing company (head of the sales department). Basically, if he's signed a contract with a publisher, that work is no longer is for the duration of the agreement. A publisher does more than just print a book. They have it edited, reworked, layout work, cover work, marketed, printed, shipped, warehoused, invoiced, collections for sales, and etc. Get the point? He's essentially stolen money from the publisher, not to mention made it harder for the sales team (what i'm part of) to sell the book and taking money directly out of their paycheck/commissions.
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -2/+8No..if he wants to do with it whatever he wants, he shouldn't have taken any MONEY from the publisher. That is a selfish move on his part. Anyone is free to write a book and give it away for free. He chose to not do this, but instead take money from someone and then take away an opportunity for his employers to recoup the money they spent on him.
- MutatedNantuko, on 01/25/2008, -1/+9Man, I loved the Alchemist. Beginners luck strikes again.
- Cyrusnov, on 01/25/2008, -1/+3Hey, he has some other great books, so it's not beginners luck. I specially like (and recommend) "The Devil and Miss Prym" and "Veronika Decides to Die".
- BillWaltonsAfro, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1I think he was talking about a theme from the book, not Coelho's skills...
- Edogz, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1The Alchemist is a great book.
It has great teachings in a small package.
- Cyrusnov, on 01/25/2008, -1/+3Hey, he has some other great books, so it's not beginners luck. I specially like (and recommend) "The Devil and Miss Prym" and "Veronika Decides to Die".
- chickentonight, on 01/25/2008, -13/+7Man I HATED the alchemist. Am I the only one?
- kamakazi17, on 01/25/2008, -1/+6i loved the alchemist
- EdgarVerona, on 01/25/2008, -0/+5It really CLOBBERED you over the head sometimes with its all-too-obvious theme... but even feeling that way through reading the book, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
It's kind of like Kino's Journey. You get a great story and interesting commentary with the occasional metal hammer pounded against your face when the creator wants you to notice his already not-so-subtle metaphors. It only makes it moderately less enjoyable though. - SteveMax, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1I don't know if the English translation added (or removed) anything from it, but I couldn't get past the first 50 or so pages of the original Portuguese text. Full of self-help crap, a mystical atmosphere that can't help but feel forced, full of stereotypes... Really, it wasn't a good book. If you want a good Brazilian writer, go for Machado de Assis, João Cabral de Melo Neto or many others; Paulo Coelho is pretty awful.
- alukima, on 01/25/2008, -3/+16This is a really good idea. If I really like a book I am going to purchase a hard copy anyway. Same thing with music and movies.
Digital copies just aren't the same.- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -0/+6you are not everybody.
- darkphenox, on 01/25/2008, -11/+1Thats not piracy, he had the author's permission.
- SgtShazam, on 01/25/2008, -1/+7certainly seems like a safe bet that he did...*facepalm*
- Speed, on 01/25/2008, -1/+7But not copyright holders permission.
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -4/+3Again...if he wants to do that, then he shouldn't be a selfish ***** and TAKE MONEY FROM A PUBLISHER! Writers are employees just like any other job. When you take money, your work is the property of the company you work for. That holds true whether you are a writer, a musician, or a machinist.
- Tarnum, on 01/25/2008, -0/+4I'm quite sure there is a violation of the copyright laws.
Paulo Coelho is the author, but he sold the right to copy and distribute the book to his publisher and was paid for it.
Now his publisher owns the exclusive rights to copy and distribute the book, not Paulo.
- ChromaVita, on 01/25/2008, -6/+3I really wish I had known this before I had to buy the book last year...
- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1More to the point, it would be good to know if a book is worth reading before buying a copy.
- kilgoretrout88, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2It costs £3.89 on Amazon... you'd really rather wait a year for a free book than spend about $8 on it?
edit: oops, meant to reply to ChromaVita, not Myztry. - kicken18, on 01/25/2008, -1/+1That's the same thing as downloading an album to see if i like it before buying though, unfortunatly most people just download the album and job done, I do it to see if I like it though...honestly
- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1No it's not. With music it makes no difference if it's played of a CD or a HardDrive.
A book on the other hand is much more enjoyable sitting on the couch, the beach, in bed, etc well away from a computer...
- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1No it's not. With music it makes no difference if it's played of a CD or a HardDrive.
- kilgoretrout88, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2It costs £3.89 on Amazon... you'd really rather wait a year for a free book than spend about $8 on it?
- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1More to the point, it would be good to know if a book is worth reading before buying a copy.
- segiterrus, on 01/25/2008, -10/+2just COPYLEFT it...
- spootmonkey, on 01/25/2008, -1/+4If anyone hasn't read The Alchemist you really should. Such a great book with lots of lessons to learn from.
- chicoer2001, on 01/25/2008, -14/+12Coelho is overrated. His books are formulaic and simple minded.
- akimbo, on 01/25/2008, -3/+1How is it bad? Source?
- Onyxblaze, on 01/25/2008, -1/+3[opinion]
- rowjimmy, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2somebody has only read the alchemist, eh?
- Kempachi, on 01/25/2008, -4/+1At last someone with a little sense! Coelho's books are for chicks.
- deskattire, on 01/25/2008, -3/+0Thank you. The author sucks. Total chick reading.
- akimbo, on 01/25/2008, -3/+1How is it bad? Source?
- chrisbosh123, on 01/25/2008, -2/+281. Write book
2. Pirate your own book on BT
3. ?????
4. PROFIT!- Myztry, on 01/25/2008, -0/+63. Prove your talent so people will buy
- notahappycamper, on 01/25/2008, -2/+5good for him...i respect any artist, author, etc. who puts more value in sharing their art than on making a dime per copy...
of course making money for what you love to do is best case scenario- merper, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2He already sold 65million copies of the book prior to this.
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -4/+5He aready got paid, moron. He is doing nothig but stealing potential profits from the people that fronted the money that made it possible for him to write the book. Thisis not some guy standing up for hte little people. This is an employee taking money from his employer and then screwingthem. there is absolutely nothing noble about that.
- azazel00, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2Great! I love his books.
- EdgarVerona, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2The book's a good one. In fact, my copy is still sitting in a shack on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. After reading it during my honeymoon there, I left it on a "take a book, leave a book" bookshelf for future adventurous vacationers to find. So if anyone here happens to go to the island and pick up the book, it's from a fellow digger. ;)
- EvanWindsor, on 01/25/2008, -1/+7Music Industry, are you listening?
- Locke23, on 01/25/2008, -0/+5No no... they can't hear you, we've tried.
- wil2200, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2alchemist was totally cool; zahir and 11 minutes were very excellent also;
warriors of light was good and it is comparable to Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet" (which I really liked)
it doesn't matter whether you believe or not, they just make you want to believe
oh yea, i bought like 5 copies of alchemist so i can give out as presents a while back :-)- Kempachi, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1Gibran > Coelho
- xandifenn, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1speaking of which,
EFF: Latest Test for DMCA Safe Harbors: Warner Sues SeeqPod
http://digg.com/tech_news/EFF_Latest_Test_for_DMCA ...
eff.org — The SeeqPod case is different, however, because it is among the first that directly tests how copyright law applies to search engines. This is going to get interesting for Google and the others. - sgiffy, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2Creators of content should control its distribution. Whether thats free on the internets or 10k in the book store.
- sbgskl, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2He CHOSE to sign distribution rights to his publisher. Nothing stops someone from self-publishing, other than the dim prospects of attracting booksellers without the clout of a big name behind it.
- sgiffy, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2No argument here. If one assigns their rights they are exercising control in incurring a contractual obligation.
- sbgskl, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2He CHOSE to sign distribution rights to his publisher. Nothing stops someone from self-publishing, other than the dim prospects of attracting booksellers without the clout of a big name behind it.
- lidong, on 01/25/2008, -1/+3Save the forest..
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -1/+2If you want to save a forest you should want MORE paper products made. Otherwise the paper manufacturing comanies that own the land that iscurrently being used to grow tress SPECIFICALLY for the production of paper will sell that land to the highest bidder. And you can bet your ass that that highest bidder will not be a conservationalist who will keep that land as a forest.
- MoneyShot, on 01/25/2008, -0/+3No real details on what became of his disagreement with the publisher. But it's pretty likely that they figured something out together since he'd likely be sued otherwise. Yeah, yeah, I'm all for "information wants to be free" and stuff, but it would be pretty lame for him to cash the check from a publisher and then turn around and give away electronic copies of the book.
- sbgskl, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1As much as I want to believe him, he doesn't have any causal evidence that torrenting his book helped his sales.
- bingobongony, on 01/25/2008, -5/+2Of course, everybody wants ot make it out like he is sticking up for hte little guy or something, but the people who he is ***** the most are the UP AND COMING AUTHORS. The little guys. The profit that the publishers make off the best sellers are what pays for them to take chances on little known authors. Publishers will just either sign fewer new writers, or they will offer less money up front. And if a small time author whose book sells only slightly well tries this, guess how many publishers will be offering money for a next book? None.
- migsims, on 01/25/2008, -2/+1Your full of it, wait no your full of *****. If there is any platform that will do well with this it's the Book Industry, it's different to sit and read a book, even on my multiple monitor setup with an ebook open on just a single monitor if I really like a book I'll buy it.
Now be honest, how many manuscripts of yours have been rejected so far?
- migsims, on 01/25/2008, -2/+1Your full of it, wait no your full of *****. If there is any platform that will do well with this it's the Book Industry, it's different to sit and read a book, even on my multiple monitor setup with an ebook open on just a single monitor if I really like a book I'll buy it.
- DuffyDirect, on 01/25/2008, -3/+1I thought Ben Jonson wrote the Alchemist?!??!?! :-D
- Locke23, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2Trust me, when you read that book. You will buy it.
To pull off something like that, you have to be confident in your product and Coelho knows just how great his book is. - bassman12593, on 01/25/2008, -6/+1who torrents books?
- ani625, on 01/25/2008, -1/+1That, my friends, is a clever man.
- roblawton, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1The Alchemist helped me with a lot,
It changes lives, and has put me on the right track for my life - unionaire, on 01/25/2008, -0/+2Before he torrents his own book he was known by maybe 100,000 men, after he did, he is known by at least 1,000,000.
The 1% of the latter is the 10% of the former, only MPAA & RIAA wouldn't do the math right. - PurpleSfinx, on 01/25/2008, -0/+1This is a great idea. I don't think I'm the only one who likes to KNOW what they're buying is quality, DOES buy the things they want, and would NEVER buy something without getting a physical copy.
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