Andrew Douglas Pitonyak wrote:
... my only surprise was that it was for something other than the entire user's guide.
The OOoAuthors guides are produced in individual volumes to keep the size and cost down. When the other volumes (Calc, Draw, Impress, Base) are finished, I intend to publish printed versions of them too -- unless this group objects strenuously to that proposal. If you mean you were surprised that I left out 4 chapters of the Getting Started book for the printed version, that was (I admit it) a unilateral decision to keep the book size to approx. 200 pages by leaving out topics that are more advanced and/or less likely to be needed by the target audience of the printed book, which is beginners. Re: profit margin Sorry, Andrew. I have just been so busy dealing with family obligations that I haven't had time to write a note to the list on this subject. The books are selling for cost + approx. US$4. BTW, if anyone who is listed as an author on one of the books wants a copy of that book at cost, that can be arranged. Contact me offlist. If you have already bought a copy from Lulu and really want your $4 back, contact me offlist about that too.
It would be useful, perhaps, to understand what we will do with the final proceeds and then determine how much of a profit to have.
I look at this the other way around. What's a reasonable markup? How much money are we likely to raise? What can we do with that amount of money? I think $4/book is a reasonable markup, but my crystal ball isn't giving me a very good indication of how many books we will sell, so I have no idea what sum of money we're ultimately talking about. As for what to do with the money, let's all talk about it on the list. I definitely want to talk about it. It's OOoAuthors' money, not mine! I have some ideas, but none of them are fixed, and I want to hear from some other people before I throw out my own ideas.
One final note. Jean and Ian, I have a lot of respect for both of you for many reasons. I have developed this respect over the years. Thank you for the civil discourse!
Thank you, Andrew, for contributing. I hope to hear from some other people on this topic. Regards, Jean
