I contacted flatworld*** a few months ago to explore the possibility of writing a text for them. They are open to the idea of a b-law text, but I decided to pass on the opportunity. Being retired, I just don't have the time to write a book! ;>)
Keith A. Maxwell, J.D.
Nat S. and Marian W. Rogers Professor (Emeritus)
Professor Emeritus Legal Studies and Ethics in Business
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA
Adjunct Professor of Business Law
Dixie State College
Saint George, UT
________________________________
From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk on behalf of Virginia G Maurer
Sent: Tue 5/5/2009 09:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: what do you know about free textbooks via flatworldknowledge
Oh wow. This could be a great opportunity for someone.
________________________________
From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk on behalf of Ellis, Liz
Sent: Tue 5/5/2009 11:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: what do you know about free textbooks via flatworldknowledge
I just had a finance prof in my department submit a textbook selection from Flat World - the book is available online & downloadable for free to students. I checked to see if they had a legal environment text and found that they do not yet offer any business law books.
My motive: The legal environment textbook we selected for next fall (one we have been using for a long time) is now over $200 new. When I checked prices on other legal environment books, they generally started at $175 new. NMSU is located in one of the poorest metropolitan areas in the country - the AVERAGE student in finance works 27 hours per week to get by. Many help support their families or even have families of their own. The cost of textbooks is just prohibitive for them. I know that ALSB is funded in part (or at least our conference) by publishers and that we have had a good partnership with them, and I know it is possible that involvement with Flat World could threaten that relationship. At the same time, that might be a small price to pay if we could save our student's substantial dollars in textbook costs.
Their concept is pretty interesting but almost too good to be true. They claim that authors can make MORE money through their service than through traditional publishing, and that they make their money selling the book in easier to read format (printed) and study aids and related products???
What are the Academy's thoughts on this? Do any of you have any additional knowledge about Flat World?
As you will see below, in response to my email inquiring about Legal Environment Text, I was asked if I had interest in authoring a book. That is not possible in my current administrative position, but I would encourage any of you who might be interested to contact Michael Boezi to discuss his service/product.
Liz
From: Michael Boezi [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Michael Boezi
Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:07 AM
To: Ellis, Liz
Subject: Re: legal environment of business textbook
Dear Liz (if I may):
Thank you for your note; I'm really happy to hear that Flat World has caught your department's attention. We don't have anything planned for the legal environment course, though I would love to sign in that area. This is probably not why you contacted me, but would YOU be interested in writing a book for this course? Or business law, for that matter? I'd be happy to give you the lowdown on what it's like to write for Flat World.
Best wishes,
Michael
Michael Boezi
Editorial Director
Flat World Knowledge
www.flatworldknowledge.com <http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/>
617-477-9044
________________________________
Lizbeth G. Ellis
Department Head
Department of Finance
College of Business
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001, MSC 3FIN
Las Cruces, NM 88003
575-646-3201 (phone)
575-646-2820 (fax)
[log in to unmask]
|
