As has been said we do not want this site to become a commercial operation, with all the overheads and pressures that entails. Simon explained well why we do not want to become dependent on sales income.
Running this site does involve some inevitable expenses, such as web hosting and domain registration fees, but we try to keep those essential costs to a minimum in order to help ensure that we will not be forced to close if we cannot meet those costs. In reality the commissions we're earning at the moment comfortably cover those costs, but even if they didn't, our essential running costs are small enough for us to cover ourselves if we need to.
As I have said we try to keep running costs to a mimimum, but that does not mean there aren't other ways in which we could use our income. It simply means those ways are not essential to the running of the site. Rest assured that we'll use any extra income we get for the good of the site.
We're here for the long term. In every decision we have taken we have tried to ensure that the site would survive no matter what happens, even if we never earnt another penny from any commissions. The site is not here to earn money, it's here to provide news and information to Gor fans, and a whole host of other resources related to the Gor books. The Online Store is simply one of those resources and we would have added something like it even if we did not earn any money by doing so. Although it isn't there to earn us money, I think it's a wise move on our part to use the opportunity provided to us to earn a little in commission, as that will not only help to ensure the long term survival of the site but it will provide us the means to make this an even better site than it is now.
Simon
Posted on: 2007/10/20 6:29
"Have I nothing better to do? Have I not a thousand scrolls gathering dust on my shelves, unread, unstudied?"
Good ideas, and yet... if we would turn this into a commercial enterprise, and start making real money, we would become dependant of that money, and then, if we would start losing money, this adventure and this site would end. Believe me, I've seen it happening more then once and been part of it.
No, let's just do this because we want to, instead of need to. Let this be an ideal, a common goal and a shared dream.
Merchants are a fine caste, but one shouldn't let them rule a city. When profit is gone, they move on. We won't.
Simon_of_Tabor wrote: I should stress that this site will never be a money making enterprise, even though we now have a small income. That income, as Lemuel said, will enable the site to run, and develop, without the need for myself and others to fund it as we did initially, though we will of course continue to put time and effort into the site entirely voluntarily, with no expectation of financial reward.
What about adding more items to the Online Store? Items other than books, such as cute T-shirts with Gor related print, cups, key chains? All gorean of course. These can be immensly popular. They can provide additional funds while being relatively inexpensive to make. Sorry if I am getting into something I am not supposed to. We do a lot of brainstorming at work for increased revenue ideas, and I couldn't help asking this question here. Sorrrrryy :) I do like this store. It is VERY convenient; I'll get the rest of the series here.
Tal Veronkia,
As Simon said, this isn't a money making venture. We really aren't looking for ways to make more money - if the site is self sufficient that's more than enough.
Selling such products really isn't something we're interested in. It would distract from our central purpose. It's much more important to us that Mr. Norman's books are now back in print and we would like to be sure they stay in print so other people that might enjoy them can find them and read them.
Simon_of_Tabor wrote: I should stress that this site will never be a money making enterprise, even though we now have a small income. That income, as Lemuel said, will enable the site to run, and develop, without the need for myself and others to fund it as we did initially, though we will of course continue to put time and effort into the site entirely voluntarily, with no expectation of financial reward.
What about adding more items to the Online Store? Items other than books, such as cute T-shirts with Gor related print, cups, key chains? All gorean of course. These can be immensly popular. They can provide additional funds while being relatively inexpensive to make. Sorry if I am getting into something I am not supposed to. We do a lot of brainstorming at work for increased revenue ideas, and I couldn't help asking this question here. Sorrrrryy :) I do like this store. It is VERY convenient; I'll get the rest of the series here.
You're welcome, and just between you and I the real reason I've been a little quiet recently is much more mundane than has been suggested. I've just been darn busy, it's as simple as that. If you happen to find a way of injecting a few hours of extra time into each day please let me know - that would be an enormous help.
Simon
Hey Simon,
We could apply to the Ministry of Magic to get you a Time-Turner then you'd...
~thwacks forehead~ Oh wait! That's a completely different series of books! ~winks & grins~
You're welcome, and just between you and I the real reason I've been a little quiet recently is much more mundane than has been suggested. I've just been darn busy, it's as simple as that. If you happen to find a way of injecting a few hours of extra time into each day please let me know - that would be an enormous help.
Simon
Posted on: 2007/10/18 16:10
"Have I nothing better to do? Have I not a thousand scrolls gathering dust on my shelves, unread, unstudied?"
Tal, Master Simon {T} ~ Just wanted to say thanx a bunch for keeping up on all of the various ways we can delve into the world of Gor ~ Your dedication is appreciated & admirable.
As we have said we recognise that some of our members are on a limited budget, and also that for various reasons members will not always want to purchase copies of books, especially reference books. For that reason we have added various links and search boxes which you will find <a href="http://gorchronicles.com/modules/tiny ... 1">here</a>.
For those wanting to find books in your local library we have added links to both the WorldCat library search page, and LibWeb from which you will hopefully be able to find the home page for your local library.
For those wanting used books we have added search boxes for AbeBooks in both the US and UK. We also have search boxes for Amazon for those who want to find other new and used books not in our Store.
Finally, for anyone looking for ebooks we have a search box for Fictionwise.
Please feel free to make use of all these links. Over time we may well add more links or improve what we already have.
Please note that we may also receive referral fees for items purchased using the search boxes we've provided.
Posted on: 2007/10/14 3:15
"Have I nothing better to do? Have I not a thousand scrolls gathering dust on my shelves, unread, unstudied?"
No, there was no funding for this site from the publishers. They are supporting us as much as they can, but they were not in a position to make a financial commitment to the site. We therefore took the decision to fund it ourselves, at least initially. Right at the start we discussed ways of funding the site in the long term, and the best way seemed to be through sales commissions. As a result, all the links to retailers that we have given have been special links that enable us to earn referral fees, either from Amazon or Fictionwise. We had no real idea how much income that would generate, though it was never likely to bring in vast amounts of money. We therefore tried to keep expenditure to a minimum and build as good a site as possible on a limited budget, a site we could then improve if we found we had sufficient funds to do so. We therefore very much appreciate those who use the links to books that we've provided, either through the Online Store or the various other links throughout the site.
Posted on: 2007/9/30 3:36
"Have I nothing better to do? Have I not a thousand scrolls gathering dust on my shelves, unread, unstudied?"
I never realised this was not funded by the publishers.
I truly admire your dedication to the books to fund this out of your own pocket, you have my thanks.
While I will only be buying a few of the new books a week I intend buying them through here, and have already made a start buy ordering dancer and magicians the two missing from my own set of paperbacks.
Thank you holly and Mintar for your comments - I'm glad you like the new Online Store.
There was a technical problem that involved Witness, and as a result it has had to be withdrawn and re-issued with a new ISBN. The problem did not affect the actual book itself in any way though so those who already have copies need not worry. The links to Amazon in the Books section for Witness all point to the re-issued edition, though they won't work until it shows in the Amazon catalogue, as is the case with the links for books 1-3. Where I've added graphical links, including the link to Witness in the Online Store, they still point to the old ISBN, though they will be updated just as soon as the re-issued version shows on Amazon. I'm hoping that will be in the next few days, as Amazon seems to update its catalogue over the weekend.
Lemuel has already responded to the question about sales commissions. I should stress that this site will never be a money making enterprise, even though we now have a small income. That income, as Lemuel said, will enable the site to run, and develop, without the need for myself and others to fund it as we did initially, though we will of course continue to put time and effort into the site entirely voluntarily, with no expectation of financial reward. Even if we wanted it to, our income is never likely to come remotely close to enough to properly cover all the time that has been and is being spent on this site. You can rest assured that none of us are in this for the money!
Simon
Posted on: 2007/9/28 21:45
"Have I nothing better to do? Have I not a thousand scrolls gathering dust on my shelves, unread, unstudied?"
Mintar wrote: I'm sure you, or someone, has answered this, but why isn't Witness available yet? I notice it is available on the Amazon website itself.
Actually, <i>"Witness"</i> is available. It appears on the last page of our new online store. I've already received the copy I ordered.
Quote:
Mintar wrote: Does this site get any sort of kick-back from Amazon for the sales made through the Online Store? If I buy the books through your Online Store, does The Chronicles of Gor get any recognition or reward?
Yes, we get a small percentage from each sale initiated through this site. The money goes toward keeping the site up and running by paying server fees, domain name registration fees, software purchases and upgrades, etc.
Simon of Tabor and a couple of others put up the funds to get this site started. Although we do work in close cooperation with John Norman's agent and publisher, E-Reads, we do not receive any kind of financial support from them. Until the books became available all the money for running the site came from Simon's and a few other's generosity.
I'm sure you, or someone, has answered this, but why isn't Witness available yet? I notice it is available on the Amazon website itself.
Does this site get any sort of kick-back from Amazon for the sales made through the Online Store? If I buy the books through your Online Store, does The Chronicles of Gor get any recognition or reward?
Thanks for indulging my questions!
Posted on: 2007/9/28 11:10
************************************************* I wish you well ~*~ Mintar
"What a waste of thumbs that are opposable, to make machines that are disposable" - ani d.
I just have one word .... "cool" .... *grin* Thank you for all your work in designing this, it really is great! I hope it enables a new generation of readers to collect the series as well.
Please be advised that John Norman is not responsible and specifically disclaims any responsibility for any of the content of this website, except for any content that he has specifically written himself. Please also be advised that John Norman has no ownership interest in this website.
Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyrights of all independently created works posted on this site by or with the permission of their authors or other copyright-holders, as the case may be, are retained by their respective authors or other copyright-holders, as the case may be. If you believe your copyright may have been infringed in some way on this site please contact us at copyright@gorchronicles.com.
For further information about copyright matters on this website please view our Terms of Service. For any other information contact us at info@gorchronicles.com.
This site uses cookies. For full details regarding our use of cookies please refer to our Privacy Notice.
