Oh, man.... I just downloaded an e-book tonight, a sequel to another book I enjoyed. When I got the first one, I Googled for the writer's blog and went over to say hi and how much I enjoyed it, etc., and RSSed her blog so I'd hear about future books.
So far so good except I started reading this new one, which just came out today, and there's this huge glitch right on page one. Well, it's not a massive file hash or anything but it's a mistake and it's huge to me. I have no idea how it got missed but there it is. [facepalm]
I'm thinking that maybe not too many people have downloaded it yet and maybe there's time to fix it. Can something be fixed in an electronic book after it's been posted? Easily fixed or is it a big hassle?
I went back to the writer's blog but there's no e-mail address anywhere obvious, and I didn't want to post about it right there on her release announcement 'cause that'd be kind of tacky. I went to the publisher's page and there's no way to contact the writer through them. They have a Customer Service e-mail address, but they list major problems like corrupted files and what-not and I don't want them to think I'm hinting to get my money back or anything like that, or even making a huge deal out of it because it's really not. I'm just really feeling for this writer who's all excited about her new book and here's this thing right there on page one. :( I know if it were me (and heck, it might be soon) I'd definitely want to know about it.
I'm used to being able to e-mail a writer if I see something really awful in an online story. But then, I'm used to a system where the writer can dash in and fix something like this in thirty seconds, too. If it were your book, would you want to know? Or rather, would it accomplish anything at all positive to have a reader point it out?
Angie, wincing
5 comments:
Hmmm. I think I'd make that post, public or not. She should have a blind email address at the very least.
WW -- I looked again and no e-mail. Unless it's hiding in the body of a post or something -- I didn't look through them all.
I asked her whether there'd be any point in mentioning it. [sigh] That way I'm not splashing the actual problem right there in the comments to her "Hey, Read My Book!" post, which she's probably hoping a lot of prospective readers will see, but if she wants to hear about it she can say. I'll check back in a few hours and see if she replies.
I just really wish she had e-mail visible somewhere. :(
Angie
Angie... e-mail me at bast_writer at yahoo.com
Mel
I'd want to know. I might feel bad, but not as bad as I would if a lot more people downloaded it before it was fixed.
Charles -- exactly. [nod] My main concern was that it possiby couldn't be fixed in any timely manner, since I don't know what's involved with getting an e-book set up for purchase and download. I wouldn't think fixing something was a big deal, but I didn't know and didn't want to assume. If it couldn't, then saying, "Hey, there's this glitch here!" would just be rubbing the writer's nose in something she couldn't do anything about, which is sort of uncool.
It turned out well, though; I told her what was wrong and where and she was happy to hear about it (well, sorta [grin]) so that's good. :)
Angie
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