I’m a huge fan of Lovitiar (and just got the 9th issue yesterday and the damn thing gets better with each issue) and Christian’s philosophy on only providing it in print. I was going gung-ho with this philosophy. Print or death. But after talking to a few people there seems to be an interest in a PDF version. Now here comes me waffling without the syrup or bacon.
I’m still edging towards a just print version, but there is a part of me that says, offer it as a PDF, give as many options as possible. Then there is that original thought of how print is what I originally intended, I should stick with that. Then of course there is the third side that tries to compromise between my embattled voices. Offer the PDF on a delay.
I’ll make a decision by the end of the week. But if anyone wants to chime in please do. Or maybe just tell me this is something I should worry about. Just get the damn thing done.
PDF
Honestly? Offer it in .pdf. You can't get less interest or fewer sales by offering a product in more formats.
ReplyDeletePDF is neat, but if you want to present it electronically, why make a zine? Why not just write longer articles for your blog?
ReplyDeleteAsk yourself why you are making a zine instead of a blog. Then you'll know if you want to present it in PDF.
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ReplyDeletePrint only. Otherwise, as faoladh says, what's the point in making a 'zine?
ReplyDeleteIf you are trying to post profits, then Brendan's point is very valid.
ReplyDeleteIf you are doing this more as a fun hobby, then scottsz, faoladh, and James have a great point.
As a consumer I always prefer print to PDF, but I'm a weird guy with a few thousand books, including some 19th century printings. I don't represent the modern market...
Unless there is some artistic drive to make it print only, do PDF as well.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with the idea that PDF defeats the point of a zine. I write books that are PDF only, there are PDF magazines, and there are PDF products of all sorts available. I'm not really sure how "you lay it out and then print it and mail it to me" is so different that "you lay it out and then email it to me and I print it."
So I say, do both unless you've got some kind of artistic reason not to do PDF. But accept that if I buy it, I'm going to scan it so I can read it on my PC. ;)
I also agree that doing both is a solid option, but I do like the delay of the PDF, giving your print readers first dibs at it..
ReplyDeleteDelay the release PDF by six months or more. The value of the zine is that it is a gratifying hobbyist project. But at some point the PDF becomes a convenience for archival purposes useful for late comers to catch up on the series.
ReplyDeleteAlso takes advantage of using existing infrastructure i.e. RPGNow/Lulu to handle the catalog.
Both. I'm going to have to disagree with James and faoladh. If you've made a 'zine, then you've made a 'zine. It in no way diminishes that goal by allowing some people who want to to access it electronically. Offering a digital version doesn't make the print version or its design any less what it is.
ReplyDeletePDF, definately.
ReplyDeleteIf the availability of a PDF causes less (or none) to read the print version, what is lost? (I suspect the only thing lost besides the tactile element is affect.)
Besides.
A zine is typically small enough to easily print at home if you greatly value the tactile or some other vague and qualitative element.
Print only. I'm behind Mr. Blue's comments 100%, but for the same reason: I prefer to hold something in my hands and smell the ink from someone else's printer/printing press, etc. I'm old-fashioned that way.
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ReplyDeleteBoth.
ReplyDeleteThe arguement for print only fails when the justification is some folks like to hold the printed product. How does offering it in Print and PDF cause someone who wants a printed copy to not be able to get a printed copy? Or do they feel that folks that want it in PDF are having Bad-Wrong-Fun and need to be corrected?
In my opinion, more options to get your words into the hands of people is always better.
Personally, I'd probably grab it in both formats in the end. But thats me ;)
Also, for readers overseas PDF may be the only feasible format.
I hate PDF on the internet. Or for viewing, in general. I find it to be a total nuisance. It always starts up in an unreadable size, and the controls are kludgey and not ready for prime time. HTML/web is a lot more viewable. But I know the weakness there: it's not good for printing.
ReplyDeleteBoth.
ReplyDeleteThe more ways to make your work available the better, I says.
If you can make a version in Denebian eyebrow language go for it. A musical version that you can offer on Itunes or one made entirely out of pancakes, I say swell.
Yep, both. While I like the idea of a physical zine, there's so much stuff out there crying to be bought that I'm more likely to purchase a pdf than pay extra for o/s postage.
ReplyDeleteReading about it over the past few weeks, this zine has come across as a work of loving art.
ReplyDeleteDo whatever makes your heart happiest. This is your expression.
No artist needs to justify why they use watercolor instead of oils - even if oils are really popular at the time.
I could really go for a waffle right now...with syrup AND bacon!
ReplyDeleteMy preference is for print products to use at the table, but I like the ease of .pdf while working at my PC.
ReplyDeleteI also tend to pick up .pdf as a preview of a product since the price is often lower and it is far more convenient.
Offer both, ideally offer both as a combination too. Print appeals to some, .pdf others, ultimately you'll reach more people if you don't discount the reading preferences of half of them.
WotC stopped offering their content in PDF and they are evil. Offering it in PDF is different than WotC and therefore good. ;)
ReplyDelete