Baen.com and Baen’s Bar

The WebScription strategy relies heavily on its salivating science-fiction fan base. Throughout the years, Baen’s editors, authors, and publishers promoted Baen novels through the house’s very Web 1.0-style messageboard, Baen’s Bar. Is Baen’s success with e-books due to its status as a niche science-fiction publisher? And if so, would megalithic publishers benefit as readily from Baen’s e-book distribution model?

Baen’s WebScriptions and eARCs

It takes an understanding of Baen’s product line to appreciate how the Baen Free Library and giveaways like it on Baen’s website have enhanced the company’s overall sales. First of all, what percentage of sales comes from e-books at Baen? “As a general rule of thumb, ten percent is still a good figure” writes Weisskopf.