PDF version of Memories of the Future Volume One available now

Before I get to the "Hey, I released Memories as a PDF because you asked for it" portion of this post, I wanted to share some early feedback on Memories of the Future Volume One:

"@wilw's MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE is my TNG DVD commentary of choice. Fun and funny and a blast to read all around. nice work, man." – Matt Fraction

"If you remember ST:TNG with equal amounts of nostalgia and facepalm, you need @wilw's new book, MEMORIES OF THE FUTURE." – Antony Johnston.

"Wil is a funny writer, and funny writers can make anything entertaining, including reviews of Star Trek episodes, especially when he was acting in them as a kid and forced to wear the worst clothes anyone outside of a max-security prisoner or someone from the 1970s forced to wear. I therefore commend your attention to this book as a Funny and also Interesting book that is otherwise about a tv series I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch. Put another way: I wouldn’t keep the tv episodes in the house, but I would keep the book. Yes? Yes." – Warren Ellis. (Who, incidentally, is responsible for the title of the book. Thanks, Uncle Warren.)

Excuse me while I squee, just a little bit…

…and now we're on to business:

In case you missed it on Twitter yesterday, I have made Memories of the Future Volume One available for DRM-free PDF download. It's just $10, and it's available from Lulu.

I had planned to wait a week, so the digital release could coincide with Monday's podcast, but so many people were asking for it – especially people who can afford $10 but not $19.87 and people who are in far off lands where packages are still delivered by steam-powered autogyro – I went ahead and released it last night.

When I did the PDF version of Sunken Treasure, I wrote a FAQ for it. The FAQs are pretty much the same, so…

Q: Can I read it on my iPhone?
A: Yeah, it's a regular old PDF file, so it will totally work on your iPhone's PDF reader.

Q:How will it look on my iPhone, though?
A: I don't own an iPhone, so I can't say from firsthand experience, but I've heard from a lot of people who have read it on their iPhones, and they were happy with the experience. Trying to read it in Stanza is wonky, though.

Q: What about other formats?
A: I'm looking into it. I know lots of people want it for [DEVICE THEY OWN] and when I have the time, I'll figure out a way to make those formats available. At the moment, though, it's not my top priority.

Q: Why not just sell it through Amazon for the Kindle?
A: I may eventually do that, but right now I don't know if I can sell enough copies to make up for the massive cut of revenue I'd have to give Amazon. I'm happy as hell to be selling in the hundreds, but if I went that way, I'd have to either increase the price significantly, or hope to sell in the thousands. I'm not sure that there are thousands of people who a) want to read this and b) also own Kindles.

Q: If I buy this, can I convert it to a different format?
A: Sure. You can use calibre to convert it to a ton of different formats. Calibre is free (speech and beer) by the way. Incidentally, if you're one of the Kindle owners, you can use calibre to convert the PDF to a Kindle format. People who bought Sunken Treasure on PDF used Calibre to convert it to Kindle format, and the images I saw from them looked fantastic.

Q: I already bought the print version. Can I get a copy of the digital version?
A: Sure you can. It's just ten bucks.

Q: I see what you did there.
A: That's not a question, but thanks.

Q: Can I give this to my friend/husband/wife/mom/girl or boy I'm trying to impress?
A: Once you have it, I can't stop you from doing whatever you want with it, and I certainly wouldn't expect you to treat it any differently than you would a paper book. However, I hope that we all understand the difference between sharing with our friends/spouses/famies and "sharing" with an entire forum, or hundreds of people simultaneously. I'm not trying to be a dick about this, and I'd rather people read it than not, but it's only $10, you know? 

Q: If I buy this, can I make my own print copy?
A: As long as you don't sell it, absolutely. However, the economics of it may work out to make it cheaper for you to just buy the print copy. Having said that, if a print shop doesn't want to print it for you, show them this: I give you permission to make one printed copy of Memories of the Future, Volume One, for personal, non-commercial use.

Q: If I make my own print copy and bring it to a con, will you sign it for me?
A: Hells yes I will. That'd be pretty cool, actually.

Given recent events, some of you reading this may be surprised to hear that I remain committed to releasing my books in non-DRM digital formats. For those who have chosen to make me some kind of proxy target for our totally justifiable outrage at the insanity of the RIAA and MPAA over the last decade, I guess that would be a surprise. But consider this, which I wrote when I released Sunken Treasure in a digital format:

[After I released the PDF,] I admit that I had a brief flash of doubt. "Did I just screw myself? Did I just sell one and end up giving away a hundred?"

"No," I reminded myself. "People who will steal from me were never going to support my work, anyway. You're doing the right thing. You're making it available to people at a really fair price, in a super portable format. And maybe people will like it and want a paper copy for themselves or to give as gifts."

I hoped that PDF sales would be solid … well, they were solid, for about ten minutes, and then they exploded. In less than an hour, the total PDFs sold exceed 1/5 of the total print copies sold. People were e-mailing positive feedback, people were Twittering positive feedback, and people were starting to talk about it on their blogs.

"Okay, this is awesome," I thought. "I definitely did the right thing."

I realize that the same people who claim I've lost all credibility due to my unhappiness at recent events may have a hard time reconciling this with my disappointment at seeing unauthorized copies of my work being distributed by douchebags who want to profit from it. I'm not going to spend a lot of time trying to change their minds, which appear to be made up, and stuck in an infinite loop arguing the semantics of the word "steal."

To everyone else, though, I hope you'll enjoy the book in whatever format you choose, and once you've had a chance to read it, you'll let me know – honestly – what you think. Thank you, so very, very much for your support! I am doing everything I can to continue earning it.

70 thoughts on “PDF version of Memories of the Future Volume One available now”

  1. I’m not going to spend a lot of time trying to change their minds, which appear to be made up, and stuck in an infinite loop arguing the semantics of the word “steal.”
    good for you.

  2. “Having said that, if a print shop doesn’t want to print it for you, show them this: I give you permission to make one printed copy of Memories of the Future, Volume One, for personal, non-commercial use.”
    will that really work?? *feels stupid for asking…*

  4. I saw you at PAX 2007, PAX 2009, and have been listening to your podcasts (D&D and Memories). However, this news of releasing your book in PDF format has prompted me to actually post here just to state how cool you really are.
    I just bought the PDF, and I look forward to reading along with the podcast both on my laptop when I’m on the bus, and at home on my desktop.
    😀

  6. Yay! Bought the PDF and read the first ~50 pages during lunch today. Outstanding. Thanks for releasing the digital version so quickly, greatly appreciated!!

  7. just bought both the PDF and the dead tree version – because I just can’t wait a week to get the hard copy in the mail here, in good old London town.
    thanks for writing this book (which I was waiting since the first review appeared on tvsquad), and thanks for the PDF version.
    also thanks for keeping your work (podcasts and books) DRM-free: it maintains my faith that authors and creatives are still interested still in having a soul, along with making a buck with that they create.
    — Emmanuele

  8. In case people are wondering, the PDF looks alright on the Kindle. Some of the fonts are a little hinky, but the main text is fine. (Would like to see it on a Kindle DX….) Thanks for making the e-book available, and thanks for writing it!
    NO VACCINE!!

  9. Thanks, just bought the digital version! I’m not interested in printed formats so much any more, in an effort to save space.
    I’m thinking of reading it while watching the episodes. Anyone want to recommend reading one before or after a viewing?

  10. Wil,
    Thank you for screwing your courage to the sticking-place…
    *childish smirk*
    …and keeping the faith with the non-DRM format. On the strength of this (and nothing, well, almost nothing to do with your consistently entertaining and perceptive writing, by the way), I may have to stump up the cash for a PDF. You evil, evil man.
    And thank you for using Creative Commons music on your podcasts. It’s a subject dear to my heart, so it’s great to see it appear on what is comfortably the nerdiest blog on the net. 😛
    Guilty admission: been reading your stuff since the Free Burrito days. You are internet crack. 🙂
    CTW

  11. I get your position Wil. And I’m sure most people who’ve expended a bunch of brain cells on the DRM debate do too. Not supporting DRM is not the same thing as supporting piracy. People who confuse the two are just mental. DRM is bad because it harms legitimate customers more than pirates. Piracy is bad because it’s stealing.
    And in response to Kevin above me: VACCINES SAVE LIVES! VACCINES FOR (almost) EVERYBODY*!
    *unless you’re allergic or not at risk or your doctor** tells you not to.
    **the real, medical kind, not some dude on the internet, not your shaman, not your chiropractor or any other quack who wants to sell you a “natural” or “homeopathic” remedy.

  12. “Guilty admission: been reading your stuff since the Free Burrito days.”
    Not a guilty admission, friend. Nay, that be one to fly your geek flag high upon!

  14. Bought the dead trees yesterday early. Would love to have the PDF for my iPhone, too, but alas I cannot justify doing both. It’s only ten bucks, true, but it adds up and I’ve got airfare to buy for Phoenix next year!
    *reminds self to be patient, because for the Jedi it is time to eat, as well*

  17. Thanks so much for the PDF version! Awe-sem! Just a thought: it would be cool to release an audio version but a la rifftrax. Where we could play the ST:TNG episode along with each chapter of your book. Dat would be suh-weet.

  18. I have heard from a lot of people who were reading the reviews when they were online that it was amusing to read the article (in this case, chapter) *after* watching it.

  19. That’s crossed my mind, and the humor in the synopses is certainly inspired by MST3K (as is much of my humor), but after trying to do it on my own … holy carp, is it hard.
    Those guys make it look easy, but it is a very specific skill that I’m still developing. If (when) I do figure out how to do it, though, I’d love to create some RiffTrax for TNG. Just don’t hold your breath or anything waiting, because it’s going to be awhile.

  20. Just starting to read the PDF on my PADD err… Cybook Gen3. The font size could be a bit bigger but it’s ok. *mumble* mobipocket format *mumble*
    Thanks for releasing the book as PDF!
    Greetings from Germany.

  21. I can’t tell about all the things I thank you for. My childhood sitting in front of the TV and dreaming of wearing your great space cloths. My adolescence dreaming of places where no one has gone before. My adulthood rediscovering the joy of reading with your books. And especially the PDF versions… That I won’t buy this time…
    Because I bought the print version, live in germany and have an oral exam in about 12 days. So the book will hopefully arrive when I finished the exam and have the time to reward me for the results with the memories of the future and my past.
    — Andre

  22. Lulu -> Paypal -> downloaded -> HAPPY CAMPER. Thanks, Wil! If you’ll be at/signing things at Creation Con in Jan 2010 in SAN Francisco, I’ll hit you up for a John Hancock on something printed from the PDF… mayhaps a mini-poster of the cover art, cuz I love the pulp-novel feel.

  23. Wil,
    Within five minutes of seeing the Big Red Button tweet, I bought two paper copies of the book with the intent of giving one as a gift. Now I can give them both, and not have sneakily tried to read one before giving it away. You, sir, have just sold another PDF copy. Once I get home where my PayPal fob is, that is.
    Can’t wait to start reading!

  24. Hi Wil,
    Any chance of an audio version of the book any time soon? You perform your own written work so well that I’d rather listen to you read it to me than read it myself.
    Thanks,
    Heather

  26. Hey Wil! I want both versions, of course, but I was wondering if you would be bringing any of the dead tree versions to W00tstock on Monday. If so, I’d love to get one from you there and maybe get it autographed? I’ll be wearing my dice tee shirt, BTW.
    Laurie

  27. I bought the PDF, and read the whole thing in one sitting last night. I do have one minor complaint: it’s just the interior! I was hoping I’d get a nice high-res version of that beautiful cover that I could admire, and set to be the book’s icon in Finder, and all that. Any chance of a PDF version 1.01 with the cover included?

  28. I’m curious about what your experience with Lulu has been like. (Full disclosure: I work for one of their competitors). It’s too bad that nobody at (my company) reached out to you… we offer the Kindle version along with the printed version as an extra option.

  29. I was unable to order books in time to have them shipped to w00tstock, so I won’t have any with me.
    This is, I realize, extraordinarily bad planning on my part.

  30. Wil, you might want to check out Smashwords.com. Just upload the .doc, .rtf, or .whatever and they convert it to a dozen different eBook formats automagically. Then you just set your price, assign coupons, and point your links. Really! No, really!! I’ve used them for two eBook projects and had great service.

  31. It’s been absolutely fantastic and effortless, every single step of the way. It’s so easy, in fact, I have to resist the urge to release something every damn month, just because I find myself thinking, “It sure would be fun to make a little book or something out of this.”

  33. I heard via John Scalzi’s Whatever blog that this book had been released – congratulations Wil! Also, thank you for releasing a DRM-free electronic copy – as someone who lives Down Under it’s very much appreciated. I’ve already recommended your book to a few other people I know. One of them is an avid fan of TNG so I think he’ll get a real kick out of it.

  35. Holy crap, that was quick. Thanks Wil! I’m gonna buy the PDF version tomorrow as soon as i get off work. And thanks to the unrestricted PDF, I can print it out too and keep it on my bookshelf! Now that’s what I call awesomeness.
    P.S. Just for the record, when I complained about the reliability of the Hungarian Post Office yesterday, I wasn’t implying that they are using outdated equipment (wtf is an autogyro anyway?) or anything. No, that would be libel, they don’t deserve that. I was calling them godsdamn frakking packet thieves. THAT they deserve.

  36. Dead tree version: Purchased.
    I love the PDF idea BTW, and if anything your post about it reminded to make my purchase. It’s just that this is definitely the sort of thing I want a hardcopy version of.
    Keep up the great work.

  37. Oh, sure! Why not?
    It’s your flag. It can look however you want!
    I personally think an 8-bit clown sweater would make an excellent centerpiece for any design!

  38. i already ordered the book but now i’m going to buy the pdf version as well just because i have “want it NOW” issues. 🙂 i just wish i got to cons because it looks like i’ll never get it (or anything else) signed. *sigh*

  41. I’m all for saving trees as much as the next person, but there’s nothing more glorious than having an actual book in my hands while I’m reading something. Having been an avid reader since the age of four, I just can’t even fathom wanting to read a book on Kindle, the Sony Digital Reader or the iPhone. But that’s just my preference. I’m certainly not trying to knock anyone who enjoys doing their reading in a more modernized format because they’re still reading, which is a beautiful thing.
    For those of you calling the printed version “tree killers,” perhaps an alternative to clear cutting our forests would be for Lulu (and the huge publishing companies, for that matter) to make the switch and only use recycled paper in future releases. With everyone going green right now, that would be a very smart (not to mention popular) move on their part.
    As for the people who are making you feel as if you’ve lost your credibility, don’t even let that shit bother you, Wil. Think about it this way: would your book be selling like hot cakes if you had truly lost your credibility with your fan base? Don’t over-think it, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

  42. YAY for PDF, even so I won’t be buying the PDF version as electronic versions cause my brain to go all buggy and I find them cold and uncaring. I am one of those who love the smell and feel of books and part of reading involves curling up with a book and blanket. Curling up with a phone or electronic reader is just not the same and reading to your children in that format is not just the same.
    Now just because this is my preference does not mean this so rocks for others who like e-formats. Per usual, you are awesome and have once again taken that special extra little step which you so do not have to take.

  46. Wil, very happy to buy a PDF copy. Was looking the other night for just such a thing when you told use you’d released the dead tree version. Counting down to your appearance on Big Bang…

  47. Not bad. I used calibre to convert. The title of each chapter is funky “thenAked noW” and it occasionally drops a letter, typically when it’s like 2 l’s together “total y”, but I have no complaints and the body of each chapter looks fine. Great to read the first few chapters while getting the kids to sleep tonight 🙂

  48. That’s not perfect, but it sounds like it’s getting the job done. I’m so happy to hear that! Hope you enjoy the rest of the book!

  50. Naja Andre Lulu wird Dir gesagt haben… oh wait, speaking German wouldn’t be nice. Andre, Lulu told me if I’d buy it it would be three to five days to arrive. They have printers in Germany as it seems. So most likely you will get it before your mündliche Prüfung. Too bad, eh? 😉

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“The library is a safe place.”

In order to survive, I disassociated for much of my childhood, but I clearly remember the books. That's where I found comfort, companionship, inspiration and validation. It's where the imagination that powers everything I do creatively in my life today was born. And it all started in that library, with that librarian. She was one of the first people I can remember asking me, "What do you like? What's important to you? What do you want to know more about? How can I help you find it?"

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