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Publishing an Interactive Book on the Internet
The Worlds First Interactive Online Book?
I've been told that I am a visionary - at least that's what various personality tests have told me. I have had the unfortunate experience of inventing something then later on see my invention stolen and millions made (and they weren't mine, trust me!) My fault for not jumping right on the marketing bandwagon for it though. This time though - in true "poor mans copyright" fashion- I am writing this hub so it's known at this point and day that as far as I know , I am writing the worlds first "interactive" book- and yes it's right here at Hubpages.
I'm not just writing this hub to toot my own horn but to sort of put my "poor mans copyright" right here in written form so years from now people will know where this multi-media "paradigm shift" started and who first penned it..... Thanks to HubPages , they have made this possible - through the wonderful writing site they have created here that gives us writers the vision to dream - and create.
A "Paradigm Shift" in Publishing?
I have known for many years that one day I would write a book, but I never dreamed it would be a book like this....A book that I could change, add pictures to, share with and talk to readers about, provide helpful links and resources with.
What does this First Interactive Web Book allow me to do as a writer?
1. I can share my story in "real-time"
2. I can receive comments on my book and I have the ability to respond directly to my readers.
3. My interactive book allows me to make changes and add to my book at any time, keeping the material even "fresher".
4. I am able to add pictures, delete them and change pictures. If I find a picture that I would like to add to a chapter I can add it at any time.
5. I can add links and helpful resources to help my readers research more on the topic of each chapter I publish.
6. I can make revenue through HubPages in a non-traditional way, through the use of affiliate advertising.
7. When I do eventually "hard-publish" my book, I will be able to link it to HubPages, and provide even more interactivity
A wise teacher once told me that most of the jobs in the future would be through visual communications, and I believe I have a discovered a "paradigm shift", right here at HubPages, where the worlds first interactive biography is being written.
Resources for Self Publishing
Will A Publisher Pick Up This Book?
Now, the next interesting test with my Internet interactive book will be this: Will a traditional publisher pick up this book or will I have to end up self-publishing it?
I have been told that by publishing my book here that I have ruined my traditional chances of getting a book royalty to finish my book. To this I have said "so what" (yes little rebellious me) One might ask why? Isn't that the whole point of writing a book - to get someone to pay you to write it? To get it published?
Well to this question I say yes and no. Of course I want to hard publish my book. There is nothing quite like holding a hard copy of a book in your hand, flipping through the pages, all snuggled up in bed (or your favorite reading spot) BUT..... and here is the big but.... if I were to wait to publish this book in hardcover that means I would miss reaching tons more readers on the Internet - people that may not have the money to buy my book, people that maybe really only need the resources on info from just one chapter of my book ( would I be aghast if they didn't read the whole thing? Of course not!! My pride can handle that!) If didn't publish it here online, I would be missing the whole point to the book - helping other people through my life experiences!
So it will be interesting to see what happens - to see if a traditional book publisher will pick up my book, or if I will end up doing it myself.
To which I say....
OK then!! The experiment was worth the risk!