Baen is going to start a new digital sf magazine. If you order now you get the magazine for a year for $30 and you can get a pack of books free. They have a bunch of bundles. I got all of the Grantville Gazzettes (five volumes) and another SF collection of stories.
I like supporting Baen, not only because they believe in giving away free books, but because they are anti-DRM. We need to support companies that have a reasonable DRM scheme (i.e. none).
I am signing up for this as well. Their free library is a great way to experience some of their authors without having to pay full price for the books. I have downloaded several of their books onto my PDA and tried them. David Weber, John Ringo, and Eric Flint are among my favorites. If you like military SF, give them a try. This magazine looks to be another way to expand some of their most popular stories worlds, plus you get some free books. I urge everyone to support this great comapny.
I could wish that the extra free book sets were something a little more special. Most of the ones they're giving away free with the Universe purchase are either freely available elsewhere or something I've already purchased (Grantville Gazette 1-5), so it's not really much of a bonus to me. The subscription offerings seem somewhat interesting, especially if you're one of those that likes getting the ARCs.
Yeah, you are right the books could be a little better but I think it is telling they are offering anything at all. Most companies would just offer the magazine. What I found interesting is the "tuckerization" they mentioned in some of the higher priced packages. Having myself as a character in a book would be pretty neat. Granted, not worth the price they are charging but it would be interesting to see how some of your favorite authors put you in the story.
I am a big supporter of Baen. As has been posted I am a little disapointed in the "Bonus" material. However it is something I have signed up for. Anxious to see what the future holds. I think its a great idea to revitalize the "Pulp" era of great short sf or serialized (is that a word) adventures.
I'll subscribe but even if I got the Andromeda Option I already own every book offered except "Imperium" and the Grantville Gazzette issues 2-5.
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Don't Panic!
Bobby
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I did send them an e-mail outlining our discussion becasue I have had it with a couple of other people. In the past when I have written I have gotten response from Jim Baen so I know he does pay attention to the reader base. I just explained that long term supports such as ourselves already had many of the books that were offered as part of the package deal so there was no incentive to go with the higher dollar amount packages. Maybe if enough people write expressing the same feelings he may offer something for the "loyal" membership he alrady has. Jsut a thought.
This is the e-mail address if your intersted: members@baensuniverse.com
I don't think it would hurt for them to get some feedback. I tried to keep it positive but use your own judgement if you do write.
I'm already in contact with them about my subscription to the Baen Universe. I signed up today but got bundle 5 with the 1632 universe stories instead of bundle 6 with the Grantville Gazettes. They need to work on that purchase icon placement.
I'm not enough of a FAN to go with one of the premium bundle offers. I've never been to a CON and I already found my name in one of there stories. When "The Reality Matrix" comes out as an e-book look for the name of the moon base commander. That's me. Well not really me, I don't know the author or anything but that's my name. ;)
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Don't Panic!
Bobby
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Last edited by Don't Panic!; 01-30-06 at 03:37 PM.
Hey guys thought you might like to see the feedback I got today. Wrote them this morning and got the response this afternoon. I cannot complain about that. My original letter is at the end.
And I Quote:
"Thank you for your note, and your comment and THANK YOU for subscribing at ANY level.
We are concerned about the value equation for Baen's loyal readers. The issue is "somewhat complex."
We feel that the magazine, at $30 is a a good value. Six issues at 150,000 words + approx equivalent to a 500 page paperback, for $30, of excellent fiction is a good deal.
We know that the value equation on the benefit books doesn't help our loyal webscriptions readers much, but to be honest, we have a special deal with those authors to accept a reduced royalty on the downloadables. We have no such agreement on future books, and would have to pay full price to webscriptions for them.
Remember also that webscriptions is a fully seperate company from Baen which Jim contracts with to fulfill his e-book sales.
Universe is not affiliated with Webscriptions, so the idea of "future books" just isn't in the cards. We can't afford to pay for them AND pay authors to write for Universe.
If there is a package with even ONE ebook you want, then the value equation becomes even better, since you're getting a free six buck e-book PLUS six issues of the magazine, but even without it, we feel the subscriptions are worth the price.
I hope you choose to agree, and that you can be supportive of us in the forums you mentioned...
-_ Rick Boatright
head geek
Baen's Universe
> I have subscribed to the Universe and I am looking forward to the
> project starting up. However i do want to comment on something. I
> would have been more than glad to start off at the 50$ level but I
> already have all or almost all of the books you offer as a bonus or
> incentive. This was disappointing to say the least. Ok I am not an
> idiot I know that you have to turn a profit and I accept that. Sigh
> but I have been a big supporter and just feel I should let you know
> how I feel. On one of the Forums that I frequent we do talk about
> e-books and most of the time the Baen site comes up as one of our
> favorites ( I do take credit for spreading the word to this
> particular group) and many of the other members expressed the same
> feelings
> about being willing to pay more on the sign up but having most of the
> books
> being offered. Oh well, feedback is feed back right?
> I will be looking forward to the first issue.
>
> Best regards,
>
>
>
> Marty Rawls
>
Volume 1, Number 2 is now available. Jim Baen's death has not stopped publication. I was worried for awhile. We lost a visionary.
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Don't Panic!
Bobby
42 Soft-reset is our Friend To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Yeah Eric Flint is taking over on the Magazine and has an intersting article this month of DRM. He and Jim were much alike in thier thought process, no surprise really.
I agree with everything said. I bought a premium and had to look through all the packages to find one with a book I didn't already have. But I was glad to do it anyway, I hope the magazine takes off.
It was sad about Jim Baen passing, hopefully the company can carry on.
Great to see some others supporting Baen.:approve: I wish some other e-book sites would take a page from their book especially the DRM, what a nightmare that can be other places.
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