At the next SFinSF event — free readings by and discussions with science fiction writers — Howard Hendrix debates Scott Sigler. Howard made headlines with an intemperate post calling writers who give away their work for free on the Internet “webscabs,” saying “Webscabs claim they’re just posting their books for free in an attempt to market and publicize them, but to my mind they’re undercutting those of us who aren’t giving it away for free and are trying to get publishers to pay a better wage for our hard work.”
Scott Sigler is a science fiction podcaster whose novels Earthcore and Ancestor are distributed for free online. He is a hearty proponent of Creative Commons licenses and free Internet distribution.
Howard’s initial post — which bemoaned “the downward spiral that is converting the noble calling of Writer into the life of Pixel-stained Technopeasant Wretch” — gave rise to Jo Walton’s satirical International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day and a great deal of discussion about the economics and ethics of free online distribution.
Both Scott and Howard are really nice guys, and articulate and smart — and their debate will be moderated by Hugo-winning writer Terry Bisson. This should be a good one.
When: Sept 19: Doors and cash bar open at 6:00PM – Event begins at 7PM
Where: The Variety Preview Room The Hobart Building, 582 Market Street at Montgomery adjacent to Montgomery Street BART
Books for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books / www.borderlands-books.com
See also:
Pixel-stained technopeasants talk about free online fiction
Big collection of Pixel-Stained Technopeasant contributions
April 23 is International Pixel-Stained Technopeasant Day