- Tim Worstall’s got a book coming out: “2005: Blogged: Dispatches from the Blogosphere” “Featuring writing from the rising stars of online journalism, this is an entertaining guide to the year 2005. From dedicated bloggers to total Internet virgins, this book will be useful for those who want to look back at the big events of 2005, as seen through the writing of the world’s most opinionated bloggers”
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12 replies on “Links for 2005-10-07”
Tim, announcing the first Britblog Roundup, 19/2/05:
“There‚Äôs none of us making any money out of this so it must be the desire to get our views across that motivates us, right? Think of this as a way to do so further, get a few more people to sample what you write.”
Tim, Britblog Roundup 31, 18/9/05:
“Those of you who do not regularly read this blog might not know that there is a book coming out on November 18th. It very much grew out of this here Britblog Roundup and is an attempt to provide people with an idea of the best British blogging of the past year. … Yes, of course I want it to sell lots of copies for selfish reasons but if it is, in any way, a hit, it‚Äôll bring a lot more people into Brit blogging and that has to be a good thing in and of itself.”
Just saying.
To be clear, I think the anthology’s a good thing, I don’t object to Tim making a few bob out of it and I realise that any kind of contributor fee/royalty arrangement would be (a) horrendously complicated (ii) miserly in its output or (3) both. But I do think there’s an issue of IP surrender here – or rather, appropriation & monetisation of previously-surrendered IP – and it would have been appropriate to make that clear upfront. (“Please let me know if you do not want your submission[s] to be included” – that kind of thing.)
Presumably he’s asked people for their submissions though, right? I mean, he’s not just cutting and pasting other people’s stuff is he?
Presumably he’s asked people for their submissions though, right?
That’s rather an obvious possibility, now I think of it, & I’m not sure why it didn’t occur to me before. If that is the case, apologies to Tim for impugning his journalistic wossnames.
Tim did indeed approach people for their permission and, indeed, there is a formal contract involved for contributors, even though no money’s changing hands.
Although nobody’s getting paid to be included, I was quite willing to sign over rights to Tim as I was happy that it’s being produced in good faith (ie whilst Tim’s being paid and the publishers aren’t in it for charity, it isn’t a question of anybody overly profiteering from gullible bloggers providing free content). I think it’ll be an interesting experiment.
It’s not confined to the ’roundup’ – that’s merely what gave them the idea, as I understand.
As JonnyB points out, yes there is a formal agreement and yes (a couple of professional writers) have refused the terms which is sad.
And Phil, You’re on my list of people to ask permission from today.
If I’d known when I woke up that I was going to experience this much embarrassment, this early in the day, I think I would have stayed in bed. May I offer my humble and heartfelt apologies to anyone I may have offended, either in this thread or at any previous stage of my laughably unworthy existence. I shall now concentrate my efforts on locating a suitable hole to crawl into. I may be some time.
PS. Sorry.
Dude! I don’t think you’ve ANY reason to be embarrassed! Absolutely no reason whatsoever. It’s a good thing to have stated clearly out in public! I think the conversation has been incredibly useful! Certainly, I myself am much clearer about the whole thing now.
Booooo… I certainly didn’t mean to contribute to any embarrassment, Phil…
Yeah, ‘sOK. I just felt a bit of a prat for mouthing off about Tim without actually having any reason to.
By the way, Jonny – did you haver? That’s my favourite bit.
Umm, mouthing off about Tim? Where? Suspecting me of base motives and perhaps breaking copyright law? Why’s that mouthing off? I do have many base motives and regulalry break copyright law. On average you’d be right 60-70% of the time.
Fortunately for me not this time when I was questioned about it!
So what’s in this book, Tim? Is it mostly sections of those articles listed on Britblog Roundup? Is any of my stuff in it? (If not, I’ll take you off my Christman card list :-))
But I do think there’s an issue of IP surrender here – or rather, appropriation & monetisation of previously-surrendered IP – and it would have been appropriate to make that clear upfront. (“Please let me know if you do not want your submission[s] to be included” – that kind of thing.)
Also, there’s how bloggers present themselves to the world and allow themselves to be treated.
With this book, it’s essentially a feudal system: you little bloggers do the work and I’ll make all the money. Just be grateful I gave you a roof over your head.
Any reasonable publisher, or friend of the blogger, would at least give one percent of gross to the bloggers to be divided between them. Even if that ended up being tuppence ha’penny each, it would be a show of good faith.
As it is, it’s a case of so long and thanks for all the words.