E-Book Resources – Baen Books
A Fantasy and Science Fiction Online Bookstore
Aug 19, 2009 Maria Luisa Antonaya
Baen Books is an online bookstore and publisher specializing in science fiction and fantasy. It offers both print and digital editions, as well as an extensive free e-book library. Its catalogue contains both classic and contemporary authors, including Robert A. Heinlein, Robert E. Howard, C.J. Cherryh, Ursula K. LeGuin, and Jerry Pournelle. One of the goals of Baen Books is to reissue (in paper or digital format) classics of these genres that have been out of print for some time. The store sells books from its own imprint as well as those from science fiction and fantasy publishers like Tor Books, Del Rey, Subterranean Reads, and Night Shade Books.
Webscriptions
In addition to its ample catalogue, Baen Books offers readers the chance to receive advance copies of forthcoming publications. The store does this through its Webscriptions service, which lists a monthly batch of books to be released in the near future. Readers can buy a bundle (usually for around $15 USD) three months before the official publication date, and receive their copies in serialized form (chapters at a time) until they are officially released. Once they are released, subscribers can download the full version of their books.
Webscriptions is a digital-only feature of Baen Books. It is not a fixed monthly subscription, so that readers can buy only the bundles they want. Subscribers can also wait until the official publication date before buying a bundle (which lets them download the complete books instead of receiving them in serialized form), and are also able to order any previous bundle from the Webscription collection.
Baen Free Library
Another important feature of Baen Books is the Baen Free Library, started partly to prove that readers who receive free copies of books and like them are more likely to subsequently buy from the author than to pirate the author's works. Another purpose of the Free Library is to make digital books available to disabled readers who rely on electronic devices. Thus, its catalogue contains only e-books.
Currently, the catalogue includes works from 45 authors, including Harry Turtledove, Lois McMaster Bujold, Mercedes Lackey, and Andre Norton.
Buying from Baen
Baen Books accepts various payment methods, including major credit cards and Paypal. Digital downloads are available in various formats: HTML, Ebookwise/Rocket, Mobi/Palm/Kindle, EPUB/Stanza, Microsoft Reader, Sony Digital Reader, and RTF.
All formats are DRM-free, allowing users to read their digital purchases on any device that can open the type of file they have downloaded.
Online Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books
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