Episode 0031: Free Content vs. Paying the Creator

In this episode of The Secret Lair, we’re joined by hacktivist and digital culture commentator Thomas “cmdln” Gideon and a bit later in the episode by author and DIY enthusiast Matthew Wayne Selznick (Brave Men Run). The topic is one near and dear to our hearts: free content. This time out, we’re looking at free content from the perspective of the podcast novelist, and we begin our discussion with the announcement that J.C. Hutchins, one of the most popular podcast novelists, will no longer be offering new content for free.

Discussion: Free Content vs. Paying the Creator

• Our discussion was prompted by a blog post from novelist J.C. Hutchins, author of 7th Son: Descent and Personal Effects: Dark Art.
• Podiobooks.com is home to a wide array of free podcast novels, including the entire 7th Son series.
• Dave Slusher at Evil Genius Chronicles: “Publishing 2010: The Beginning of the End or The End of the Beginning?“.
• How is price related to elasticity of demand? Cory Doctorow discusses this in an interview on Beyond the Book.
• Another author who has used podcasting as a springboard to more traditional publishing is Scott Sigler, author of Ancestor, Infected and Contagious, among others.
• Matthew Wayne Selznick asked (on Facebook), “When was the last time you paid for something creative (music, book, movie, art, etc.) even though it was also available to you for free?” The responses were interesting and sometimes eye-opening.
• Does the podcast novel walk a fine line between marketing tool and gimmick?
• How far is podcasting behind blogging on the adoption curve?
• Is there a sense of entitlement to free works among fans of podcast novelists?
• Mike Masnick at TechDirt says you have to (1) connect with fans and (2) create a reason to buy.
• Selznick: Even providers of free content like Jared Axelrod don’t expect to see direct financial return from that same content.
• What is neo-patronage? Matt explains.
• Thomas provides an example of an artist utilizing neo-patronage: cartoonist/animator Nina Paley.
• Matthew points to Another Sky Press, a publisher that lets customers decide how much they want to pay for a book.
• Matthew also mentions Amanda Palmer.
• Chris mentions Magnatune, which allows customers to set their own prices for music.
• Some artists have used The Ransom Model (or crowd-funding) to support their efforts.
  • Jill Sobule’s 2009 album, California Years, was entirely funded by her fans.
• Did the audience J.C. Hutchins created when he released the 7th Son podcasts let him down when it came time to pony up for the print edition?
• Mur Lafferty offers a variety of content for free: novels, short stories, dramatized fiction and advice for “wannabe writers”.
• John Scalzi is another author who successfully used free content to launch a successful (science-fiction) writing career.
• What does a creator owe their audience?
  • Neil Gaiman: Entitlement Issues; or, George R. R. Martin is not your bitch.
  • Matt isn’t currently working on the sequel to Brave Men Run, and he tells us why. While you’re waiting, you may want to check out Hazy Days and Cloudy Nights.
• Selznick: A better, more ubiquitous form of micro-payments would help make neo-patronage more viable.
  • Could Peter Sunde’s Flattr (currently in beta) be that system?
• The community that has sprung up around podcast novelists is very insular, and incredibly passionate, but have we been drinking too much of our own Kool-Aid? We try to put some perspective to the whole business.
  • Emer Sugrue: Websight: Podiobooks.com.
• Harlan Ellison: Pay the Writer (contains NSFW language).

Lairkeeping

• Our theme music is “Skullcrusher Mountain” by Jonathan Coulton.
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• Got something to say that 140 characters just won’t cover? Say it on our community site.
• Coming up on The Secret Library, The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross.
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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:13:26 — 67.2MB)

Related posts:

1. Episode 0029: Storygaming
2. Episode 0024: Hard Sci-Fi
3. Episode 0030: Love Will Tear Us Apart
4. Episode 0025: I Need a (Super) Hero
5. The Secret Lair Episode 0009: No Fools Allowed

1. 

   J.C. Hutchins says:

   March 7, 2010 at 10:05 pm

   I deeply appreciate the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of this episode, Chris and KJ. I also couldn’t think of two better guests to have on the show. Thomas and Matt brought invaluable insights and experiences to the conversation. Thanks for fearlessly approaching this topic, and sharing your thoughts with your listeners.
2. 

   Nycteris says:

   March 8, 2010 at 12:18 pm

   I am still listening to this podcast, but it has reminded me of the fact that http://www.webcomics.com/ just put their material behind a “$30-a-year” paywall, also surrounded by much controversy.
3. 

   Mike Luoma says:

   March 8, 2010 at 1:05 pm

   Great discussion, guys. My favorite bit came during MWS’s closing remarks – the only people who have any grounds to complain about Hutch’s decision are those that support his work financially. Amen.

   In the “kool-aid” discussion you all made good points about the tendency towards insularity our communities have. Best to remember we’re all operating in the wider world where people are hurting financially. This economic down time is a serious challenge to the Free ideal and related ideas of voluntary compensation like neo-patronage and set your own price. People’s attitudes about spending have changed. They’re still changing… but there’s a fear motivator still keeping people’s purses and wallets shut tight. Maybe we should take a little consolation from the fact the Free models remain viable possibilities?

   Chris, it may be a tad harsh to label those who don’t pay “leeches” – only say that because I’ve gotten email from listeners who apologize for not being able to pay and then ask what they can do to help. I’d argue that fans who rate, review, and proselytize about your work provide a value… I don’t think you’re actually lumping those people in as leeches, Chris, but I did want to put in a good word for that group of listeners/readers.
4. 

   Chris Miller says:

   March 8, 2010 at 2:11 pm

   Mike,

   First off, thanks for all the kind words about the episode. It’s gratifying to know that people are listening, and that we do occasionally say something worth listening to. In all seriousness, thanks for taking the time to tune in.

   About leeches…I consider the current state of community as one in dire need of a wake-up call, especially the fans. I completely understand that there is a tightening of belts, and that not everyone can afford to give. And I do agree that fans who actually help get the word out about a project are providing a service which is valuable to an author. My beef comes with the folks who plead lack of funds but then tweet about buying the latest iPhone, or how many conventions they are going to, or buying the latest XBox game, etc, etc. These are, IMHO, the leeches. Surely the authors and content creators we enjoy are worth at least the price of two Starbucks coffees? At least a one-time donation, but more fittingly, perhaps on a monthly basis? That’s the only real way to sustain the creativity we treasure so much.

   Good example: Thomas Gideon puts out about 100 episodes a year. These podcasts contain some of the most interesting commentary on tech news which I have found in audio format on the Internet. I’ve set up a recurring $5 monthly donation to him because, at the end of the day, I actually value the 8 episodes I get from him a month more than the two coffees I’ll miss out on. I should probably give more, in fact, but for now, this is what I can afford out my mad money.

   If people really enjoy a work, they should donate something to help the creator. It’s only fair.
5. 

   Mike Luoma says:

   March 8, 2010 at 6:07 pm

   Oh, don’t misunderstand me Chris… I do wish more of the people listening to my books felt like you do!
6. 

   Dave says:

   March 8, 2010 at 9:42 pm

   I think that Baen Books has the right idea – they put up some of the older works of their authors up for free. This has turned me on to several authors such as John Ringo and Eric Flint and directly lead to purchasing at least a dozen hardcopies of their various works. Podiobooks has served the same purpose – I own both Contagious and 7th Son. The same thing holds true for music – many times I browse freely available music then buy the discs or downloads if I like the music. Blackmores Night and Nox Arcana are recent examples.

   As a professional artist I think that releasing your prior work for free (while maintaining copyright) after a period of time isn’t a bad idea. I also like the freemium model – giving a taste of what’s available by releasing old or limited content and charging for access to the rest.

   There doesn’t seem to be a universal model that works for everyone. Now is a time of tremendous upheaval in the creative media and there is tremendous monetary pressure on all creative endeavors. JC Hutchins seems to have changed tack, trying to find a method that works for him. I wish him luck and hope for his ultimate success. I also look forward to buying another book of his sometime soon.
7. 

   ceejaydp says:

   March 8, 2010 at 11:27 pm

   this is really such an excellent discussion. i work with creative persons looking into podcasting and social media as a way of building audience. while i am generally very pro-”free content”, i am pointing a lot of my clients here. they need to realize there are pros AND cons.

   generally, i pay for the content i’ve received. i have to point out that many of the books i’ve bought this past year or two i wouldn’t have glanced at in the bookstores if i hadn’t been introduced to the authors online. it is so exciting to have the chance to preview a book before i lay out the cash, and very gratifying that most of the authors i had never heard of before podiobooks/podcasting are the top echelon of the creative community.
8. 

   JJ says:

   March 9, 2010 at 11:21 am

   I may have missed it, but I didn’t hear anybody talk about philanthropic reasons for producing free content. Yes, even these sorts of operations need to be funded in some way, but maybe it’s not a big deal because the creative output is intended to be free from the beginning, no strings attached.

   The idea of producing free content has been on my mind for a while now, and I really appreciated all the points of view presented in the podcast. What I got out of the discussion was “wait and see” and “do what you think is best for you to do”.

   Thanks for the good food for thought Thomas, Matthew, Chris & KJ.
9. 

   Richard Green aka Mainframe says:

   March 10, 2010 at 9:48 am

   EXCELLENT discussion!! I’m one of those consumers of podcast fiction that 1) bought several books from podcast authors 2) has donated on podiobooks.com a few times 3) has a small monthly donation set up for Decoder Ring Theatre & 4) freeloads a lot of other podcast fiction. I try to be a good fan and plug podcast fiction I enjoy. I’ve given feedback, at least on Twitter, for almost all of the podiobooks I’ve listened to. I still don’t think I’ve done enough, but if all podiobooks fans were like me I’m sure more of them could quit their other day jobs. This year, my plan is to do more.

   I’ve bought a few copies of J.C.’s books & made a small donation on podiobooks. As one of those fans who have put up some cash, my word for him is – to do in his career whatever he feels is best. First off, he is the one who has to live his life, and I hope he is fulfilled in the choices he makes. Second, I hope very much to be able to enjoy his work in the future & he does not “owe” me any additional free work. Anything he chooses to do for free, I’ll appreciate, but I certainly don’t have a “right” to any more freebies from Hutch.

   And I feel the same about the rest of the podiobook authors I am a fan of. I’ll send money when I can, but events during this first quarter of 2010 have highlighted for me that I feel that I need to do a bit more to help promote this media, if I’m going to continue to enjoy “free to me” podcast fiction.

   Oh and to anyone out there who may read this who is, has, or is going to put free content out there on the internet for people like me to enjoy – Thanks so very much!

   I really appreciate your comments on the podcast. You guys rock
10. 

    Scott Roche says:

    March 10, 2010 at 12:03 pm

    Great podcast guys! I’ve been in the process over the last few weeks of a) figuring out who I want to stop leeching off of and pay and b) figuring out how to get some money for what I put out.

    You’re absolutely right that podcasting shouldn’t be the only tool. If it is then you start to think that everything should be podcasted and it shouldn’t. And even if it is that doesn’t mean that that’s the only format you can put it out in.
11. 

    Matthew says:

    April 2, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    Hmm… I had a bunch of notes to comment on this show. It seems I wrote those up then forgot to comment. If I still have them I’ll be back.

    That was a great show gentlemen… I mean your Evil Overlordships.

    While I’m trying to remember what I wanted to say I thought I’d leave this link here. It’s Scott Sigler talking about his view of the future of media and he brings up free distribution among other interesting ideas:
    http://media.libsyn.com/media/scottsigler/Keynote_speech_on_The_Future_of_Content_Delivery.mp3

    Carry on.