Sam Harris on the ‘death knell for traditional publishing’

Over on his blog, Sam Harris — a thinker whose work touches on the messy intersection of science, religion and global conflict — offers interesting some provocative analysis on “The Future of the Book.” Harris draws on his own experiences as a book author, a blogger and a user of social media to examine how free online publishing has altered readers’ expectations of how much they should pay for the written word.

The piece — first published last September — is worth reading in full, but here’s a taste:

I am currently writing a traditional, printed book for my mainstream publisher, the Free Press. At the other extreme, I do a lot of writing for free, almost entirely on my blog. In between working for free and working for my publisher, I’ve begun to experiment with self publishing short ebooks. Last week, I published LYING, my first installment in this genre. The results have been simultaneously thrilling and depressing.

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The essay appears to have had its desired effect on many readers. But others were not satisfied. Some did not understand the format—a very short book that can be read in 40 minutes—and expected to get a much longer book for $1.99. Many wondered why it is available only as an ebook. Some fans of ebooks were powerfully aggrieved to find it available only on the Kindle platform—they own Nooks, or detest Amazon for one reason or another. However, the fact is that Amazon made it extraordinarily easy for me to do this; the Kindle Single is the perfect format for so short a book; and Kindle content can be read on every computer and almost any handheld device. I decided that it was not worth my time or other people’s money to publish LYING elsewhere, or as a physical book.

On the surface, the launch of LYING has been a great success. It reached the #1 spot for Kindle Singles immediately and #9 for all Kindle content. It is amazing to finish writing, hit “upload,” and watch one’s work soar and settle, however briefly, above the vampire novels and diet books.

I would be lying, however, if I said that I wasn’t stung by some of the early criticism. Some readers felt that a 9000-word essay was not worth $1.99, especially when they can read my 5000-word blog posts for free. It is true that I put a lot of work into many of my blog posts, but LYING took considerably longer to write than any of them. It is a deceptively simple book—and I made it simple for a reason. Some of my readers seem not to have appreciated this and prefer to follow me into my usual thickets of argument and detail. That’s fine. But it is, nevertheless, painful to lose a competition with oneself, especially over a difference of $1.99.

One thing is certain: writers and public intellectuals must find a way to get paid for what they do—and the opportunities to do this are changing quickly. My current solution is to write longer books for a traditional press and publish short ebooks myself on Amazon. If anyone has any better ideas, please publish them somewhere—perhaps on a blog—and then send me a link. And I hope you get paid.

Satisfy your jazz jones in Sarasota

“Jazz gets under your skin like a sultry and slightly mysterious woman – improvising, free-form, leaving you never knowing what to expect next.” Read the rest of this week’s Sense and the City column … about all that jazz! Click here to read the online version.

Would you rather go naked? Does anyone love a bare-faced woman?

Somewhere along the line, women bought into the idea hook, line and sinker that to be “professional,” “sexy,” and most of all “acceptable” — we had to put paint all over our faces. Not all women feel this way, of course, but with billions upon billions of dollars spent annually on makeup in the U.S. alone — it’s a fair bet a lot of them do. Read today’s Sense and the City column on the conundrum of the made and unmade face!

Just Dessert Please — And Hold the Homelessness!

I’m going to be a celebrity (as if!) judge at the 4th annual Family Promise of Sarasota “Just Desserts” event on Friday, March 23 at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. And all the proceeds benefit the nonprofit’s work to help homeless families regain self-sufficiency. Open to the public — the $50 entry donation gets you access to an extravaganza of desserts created and donated by local chefs. Come on by and say Hi!

For more information and/or ticket purchase, visit www.familypromisesarasota.org.

Learn more about this great organization by clicking on the link below to read a Sarasota Herald-Tribune article. Just scroll past the first story on Belize. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120321/ARTICLE/120329924?p=all&tc=pgall&tc=ar

Men, Women, & Relationships — A Discussion

I’m speaking at the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota panel discussion on “Men, Women, & Relationships” — March 22 5-7 p.m. FREE! and open to the public; preregistration required.

5th Annual Frances Kraaymes Lecture, March 22, 5-7pm: The Conversation Continues: Men, Women, & Relationships —
Forever a Work in Progress.

Join an illuminating guest panel featuring Margaret Callihan – Chairman, President, CEO of Suntrust Bank; Kelly M Kirshner – Former Commissioner – District 3 and Mayor of Sarasota; Dr. Rev. Bruce Wismer – Co -Pastor, Pine Shores Presbyterian Church; Dr. Karen Hamad – Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, First Physicians Group; Art Mahoney – Chairman of the Board of the Independent Transport Network

Moderated by Dr. Willa Bernhard, a researcher and writer for Women on the Web, (www.wowowow.com) former psychotherapist and educator in New York. Call 366-1700 to register. Or visit www.thewomensresourcecenter.org.

March Birds Herald Sing

Several nights, I’ve slipped quietly from the house to stand in the yard and listen. My eyes wide and searching what I call the “forest” of oaks, practically holding my breath, and unable to resist smiling; but for the life of me …
Read the rest of this week’s Sense and the City column in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune TICKET today

WSLR Community Radio — Raising Funds & Looking for New Members!

Sunday night, March 18, I’m going to be sitting in on the Louisiana Gumbo Show from 7 to 9 p.m., helping them raise funds for WSLR LPFM 96.5 radio. WSLR is a community radio station that airs programming on local politics, health and wellness, sustainable living … oh, and did I mention GREAT music? The station also hosts lecture series and concerts and community days … if you’re not familiar with WSLR, I invite you to check it out at www.wslr.org. Or stream the programs live by clicking on www.wslr.org.

If you want to support the programming, I invite you to call in from 7-9 p.m., on Sunday night and make a pledge — anything from $10 or $15 on up. There are some cool “rewards” for pledging — read about them by clicking here. — everything form free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream to massage to free cd’s to cabin rentals to concert passes and architectural services. To call in and make a donation, 894.6469 or 954.8636. If you want to make a comment or ask a question ON AIR, use 954.8636. I’ll be happy to take questions and make up answers!

Women Make Great Entrepreneurs!

My Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sense & the City column this week profiles Flori Roberts, co-founder of Smart Cover Cosmetics and an honoree this year for Girls Inc of Sarasota County’s She Knows Where She’s Going award. Roberts is a fascinating, charming woman — the kind you’d like for your best friend. Click here to read Flori Roberts Serial Entrepreneur

Spring Break When You’re No Spring Chicken!

Ahhh, spring break. For the college-age set, those words signal a week of carefree bliss at the beach. It seems a tad unfair that once you grow up and leave college behind, spring break is expected to be a thing of the past. So, with that in mind, here are my top three picks for taking a well-deserved mini-break — just a few hours out of your month — guaranteed to restore your sanity and give you the glowing equivalent of a week of fun in the sun … without the sunburn.

Click here to read my suggestions — everything from Nautical Nights at Sarasota Architectural Salvage to benefit Mote Marine, Family Promise of Sarasota’s Just Desserts, and getting some meditation mojo from none other than Gary Halperin.Take a Break for Spring!

Reinvent Yourself at Renaissance Luncheon

I doubt there’s a woman alive who hasn’t wanted – or needed — to reinvent herself at some point in her life. While we don’t have to go as far as Madonna (the boy toys, coffee table sex books and faux British accent), a refresher every decade or so or whenever a major life transition occurs … get ideas for your own reinvention in this week’s Sense and the City column — Reinvent Yourself at Renaissance Luncheon — in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Event features Gail Sheehy, emceed by Michael Saunders, and put on by the Women’s Resource Center of Sarasota County.