We have ourselves an e-book debate going on.
The whole to-do was started by a Wall Street Journal article about independent publisher Sourcebooks’ decision to delay the e-book publication of Kaleb Nation’s BRAN HAMBRIC until at least six months after the initial print publication.
Sourcebooks CEO Dominique Raccah stated, “Hardcover books have an audience and we shouldn’t cannibalize it” and also expressed concern about $9.95 e-books. Kaleb Nation’s agent Richard Curtis concurred.
Trident agent Robert Gottlieb was also quoted thusly regarding simultaneous print and e-book publication: “It’s no different than releasing a DVD on the same day that a new movie is released in the movie theaters. Why would you do that?”
The action then moved to the NY Times, where a whole slew of high profile publishing people and authors were quoted as saying essentially, “Thinking about this…… Um, can I get back to you?”
Except for Dominique Raccah, who said, “If you as a consumer can look at a book and say: ‘I have two products; one is $27.95, and the other is $9.95. Which should I buy? That’s not a difficult decision.”
Into the fray jumped Booksquare blogger Kassia Krozser who, after loading her Kindle for a flight, challenged the opinions of Sourcebooks, Curtis, Gottlieb, and the other publishing folk who are skeptical of simultaneous print and e-book publication.
The choice e-book consumers make, she opines, isn’t whether to buy a title in hardcover for $27.95 or as an e-book for $9.99. The choice for e-book users is one $9.99 e-book or no book (or, possibly, a different book).
She writes: “Think about it: all your marketing efforts are getting customers to the point of sale…and then you lose them. These readers are not saying, ‘Well, that format isn’t available so I’ll just buy this one.’
Nope, they’re saying, ‘That format isn’t available so I won’t buy this book at all.'”
Sourcebooks CEO Raccah contacted Krozser, who published Raccah’s guest post. Raccah notes that publishers do not have a great deal of control over e-book pricing, and thus, in her opinion the only leverage at their disposal is when and whether to publish an e-book. She also shares Gottlieb’s opinion that an e-book publication is akin to a DVD edition of a first run movie. Ultimately, she believes the decision about when and whether to make an e-book available should be made on a book by book basis.
Lastly but not leastly, reader Scott Spern pointed me to an article by Slate writer Jack Shafer who cautions the industry about the perils of resisting our coming $9.99 e-book overlords.
Why? The pirates, of course.
Shafer writes, “While publishers, authors, and agents are well within their rights to attempt to maximize profits by forcing e-book prices up, their efforts may backfire. Put off by higher prices, readers who have grown accustomed to $9.99 Kindle editions may choose to flout copyright law and turn to the lush ‘pirate’ markets for books on the Internet.”
So. After all of this, where do I stand?
A step to the center of Krozser and Shafer, but firmly on the ground of simultaneous publication and the land of $9.99 for most titles.
As many of you know, I’m an e-book fanatic and my opinion is partly borne out of my experience reading for pleasure on the Kindle. As a result, I agree with Kassia that 95% of the time my choice isn’t whether I’m going to buy a book on a Kindle or in print. My decision is which book I’m going to buy on the Kindle. (Also I’ve just given bookstore owners everywhere heart attacks.)
That said, for every book there is a percentage of the audience that is so in love with the author or series that they’re going to buy the book no matter what, whether it’s available electronically or in hardcover, and they’re willing to pay whatever it takes to buy it. If Ian McEwan’s next book isn’t available on the Kindle you can bet I’m going to buy it anyway (from a bookstore! Owners, you can breathe again!). And of course, I’d imagine Stephenie Meyer’s legion of fans would still buy the next TWILIGHT installment if it were printed on poisonous razor blades.
So therefore, for some titles with an extremely rabid fan base, it seems like e-books could potentially cut into hardcover sales if there’s a particularly high percentage of fans who are dying to read a title immediately. That’s not necessarily a hard and fast reason to deny these fans the ability to read via their preferred method, nor is it stopping a publisher from trying to derive the same revenue per e-book copy as they receive for hardcover regardless of what Amazon decides to charge. But I also agree with Dominique Raccah that these e-book publication decisions should probably be made on a case by case basis.
Ultimately I’m a bit skeptical that there is a great deal of cannibalization going on when e-books and hardcovers are out simultaneously. Like many people, I have a “books I want to read” list about 10,000 pages long. If something is not available in my preferred format it’s really easy to just move one notch down the list rather than going and buying it in print.
I couldn't agree more with Ink regarding the fairness of his proposed pricing structure… but frankly, if publishers are losing money on the $ 9.99 pricing of e-books vs. $ 27.99 hardcover paper-books (p-book) then I have to wonder at their contracts with the e-book providers.
Certainly, the publishers considered hardcover vs. paperback pricing (profitability) when they negotiated contracts with the e-book distributors.
Anyway, if the e-book distributors are losing money, then they are chalking it up to consumer conversion costs.
I suspect the real issue is p-book distributors do not want to lose sales/consumers to the e-books distributors. Today, p-book providers (e.g. stores) still carry a big stick with publishers – perhaps big enough to influence publishers to delay releasing new novels to e-book distributors—today.
Though many think that there is no direct correlation between e-book consumers and p-book consumers, few can argue that over time, more p-book readers will consider trying e-books.
The less incentive that consumers have to try e-books, the happier the p-book distributors are.
For example, let’s say that I wanted to buy several hardcover books coming out this fall. Well, the price difference between the e-book and the p-book might be enough to convince me to splurge and try the Kindle. I mean $ 18.00 per book is a lot of money. If I buy a lot of my books as soon as they are released in hardcover, then e-books become quite economical in the end.
Hmm, they’ve just removed one more barrier to my conversion.
Every time a consumer tries and likes e-books – another p-book consumer has been lost.
We’d have to be in denial not to recognize that with every new e-book consumer conversion, the p-book distribution channels are being eroded to some degree.
Also, as the new generations of readers replaces the older generations, fewer and fewer hardcore p-book readers will remain.
Personally, I love real, paper books– and bookstores – but patient, persistent competition will overcome all the barriers the current p-book distributors put up.
How fast this will happen — we’ll see.
But as either a publisher or an author, I would not want to alienate the consumers or overlords of either distribution model.
My thoughts are more along the lines of: how does an author peddle an ebook? (Thinking of those of us who *won't* have our next book printed on razor blades, of course!) Most authors have to hustle, hustle, hustle to get their stories known. If this is truly our future, authors and publishing houses should wonder: *how* does one best market an electronic file? That looks and smells and feels like all other electronic files? And, um…where? Rather than, say, when. (Which to me seems silly. Make it available. But perhaps I'm biased there: I love my Kindle.)
After reading a hundred comments, I'm feeling pretty educated about e-books and Kindles. Personally, I rarely buy a hardback unless its on sale or maybe a tradebook. Given a choice, I prefer good old paperbacks, and one day will try the Kindle just to see if its as convenient to read as a coffee-stained, dog-earred paperback I find at a garage sale or in the employees' lounge.
As an author, I'm open to alternative marketing considerations, but desire to see my books in print, preferably paperback. I like the comment about no matter what, the good books will find their way to the top. Basically, I'm all for making books affordable reading for everyone.
Kristin,
I would recommend websites, blogs, and interviews at e-book distribution locations (i.e. Amazon).
The same as we do today in the current distribution model – except rather than being in one location talking to only the customers in one physical bookstore – we'll be reaching thousands across the country (even the world).
We'll have less travel with more visibility at less cost while offering our readers access to our interviews on their schedule.
If they can make the live on-line interview, they can visit with us while they are in their pajamas – (or at work).
Everything the new e-book distribution model offers its books (so to speak) – it will offer authors.
i didn't read ALL of the comments here, so I apologize if this point has been made.
The problem with the theater vs. DVD analogy is that a movie in theaters offers a different experience than one at home (granted, the experiences are getting closer). With a book there is no change in the experience from hardcover to softcover to e-book — unless there's something new added to the text in each edition. Still, i'd be shocked to hear that even huge fans of a book would buy the hardcover and softcover.
I think the best stance seems to be one that supports e-book release on the same day as hardcovers, since it allows for the largest reach — you get e-book readers and print readers. Eventually, the print readers will be outnumbered anyway, right?
Ya know… why don't they just CHARGE me the 27.95 for the ebook… I WANT to buy the ebook… it's environmentally friendly, and I can get it downloaded in an instant. I don't care about paying for it– I want to read the book.
In six months… if they want the e-pricing to go down to 9.99 for those that want to wait-well then FINE. But, let me buy the e-book at full hardcover price on release date.
I read on e-reader… this is the choice I've made. If the book isn't available, then I won't read it until it is.
Count me as a person who if I cared enough to buy the hardback, I would LOVE a free eBook with. I have all of these great hardbacks that I want to own in hardback, but for example, did not want to take with me on a recent trip or to the gym. Being able to load them into an eReader for convenience and still having the HC versions would rawk, IMO.
So…I'm curious to know what you think this means for the children's market. I mean, I'm never going to sit in my rocking chair with my little guy on my lap in his jammies, and read to him from a Kindle. And then re-read that story 5 more times that night. From the Kindle. Bleh.
Of course, even thought he's only 3, he DOES know how to grab my iPhone and get into it and watch a Spongebob episode I've got saved. Perhaps he'll like to read a book on the iPhone afterall.
This news doesn't really change my view on anything. My method of reading won't be affected, since I prefer to borrow a book from the library first, read it, then decide if I like it enough to buy a copy. And if I do buy a copy, it will be a nice print hardcover, thank you very much. I stare at the computer screen all day long, either writing, researching, or communicating with long-distance contacts. When I'm ready to read for pleasure, I want nothing to do with the electronic format. Period.
And I'm not so impatient that I have to read the latest release of someone's work the very day it is out, or worse, try to find a piece of it BEFORE its release. That is so Harry Potter/ Twilight it makes me sick. I'm not thirteen. I can wait.
I also don't think that an e-book release is the same as a DVD for a movie. Books don't have a version comparable to watching a movie in the theater. From the day they are released, you can get a personal copy and "view" it in your own home. You don't pay for a ticket to read a book somewhere and then have to wait to buy your own copy. Books and movies cannot be compared. Apples and oranges, in more ways than one.
The reason print books are more expensive? Think about it. Paper and ink have been used for centuries. Books will not get outdated by new technology. DVDs will. (How long did videocassettes last? A few decades?) E-Books may eventually go by the wayside, too. But paper and ink can be enjoyed forever, no matter what new things come around that try to replace them. Of course you're going to pay more for that than something that could possibly be obsolete before the next century.
I'd like to add my 2 cents. Regarding, "if it's not available in e-book form, i'm just going to buy another e-book" — I'm not. I think the person who expressed this sentiment is probably under 30. I'm well over, and I love books, I love paper (even if it is heavy), I can't stand the kindle — I look at a computer all day and my eyes hate me for it.
There's a ton of us who feel this way, (read livingoprah.com) but we either a) are not the majority or b) soon will be the minority.
that said, i think publishers should still publish paper books…maybe just enough to serve us fogies who like to take books, not e-readers, on the plane.
The e-book is like the paper back, I'll wait for it to come out rather than spend 3 times the price on the hardcover.
The people who are buying hardcovers are die-hard collectors at this point. I don't think they'd be swayed by an e-book they can't show off on their shelf. The rest of us just want a good book at a low price.
Someone said something about Jennifer Weiner's new book and the $14.99 price. She discussed this on her 7/10 post here: https://jenniferweiner.blogspot.com/
My preference? If I'm in a bookstore, I always go away with something. Can't help it. I used to order printed books from Amazon often, but when it started taking four weeks for them to get here (about the same time they started pushing the Kindle), I got a Sony Reader. I still buy both formats, but most of my ebook buys are impulse (need something light before I hop on the treadmill, or just saw the movie trailer and wonder how that worked in print). The Sony eBook Store prices I understand a bit better — generally a couple of dollars lower than in a bookstore.
The one bit of encouragement I see in this: I find I spend more money on books now that I have a Reader, simply because of the impulse purchases. It's easy for buyers to pretend they haven't "bought" when they are sitting on their couches and not handing over physical money or a debit card (it's all stored, and you just hit "submit"). Don't like the ebook you just bought? It's okay, quit halfway through and get another in minutes.
HI, AM. Thanks for the response. I suppose I knew that blogs, websites and the like were natural promotional outlets for ebooks, but I'm stubbornly clinging to the idea that many people like to meet an author in person. And get something signed. Will book signings become a tradition of the past in a few short years? 🙁
I love your comment that this is a cost-effective way to reach thousands. I've done blog tours and online interviews and am still pleasantly surprised when someone from, say, Australia contacts me. Amazing! 🙂
Wonderful article and interesting comments. As a long-time e-fan (and being over 50, so I'm not in the techno-phile groupie age group), I just have to comment. First off, my e-reader of choice is my Dell PDA (yes, I started e-reading BEFORE Kindle). My format of choice is Mobipocket. The downside is the book selection choices at Mobi, but I can nearly always find something worth buying.
I also buy in multiple formats, so a quote I saw on one of the links (and similiar to what I've seen here), that e-readers and p-readers are NOT the same market is just wrong. I buy hardback, paperback, audio, and e-format, depending on what's available and what my needs are. Traveling? I'll download up to 20 or 30 e-books for a trip. New release by favored author? I'll buy the p-format. For my dyslexic hubs or vision-impaired sis? Audio format.
I'm most concerned with those who want lower and lower prices. There is always SOME cost involved in e-books. Always. One of those is the royalties to the author, who are currently getting the shot end of the stick in royalties on e-books, unless they are going with e-only, or e –> p publishers. Nathan, as an agent, are you pushing for higher digital royalties for your authors? At least equal to print royalties?
@FictionGroupie: By that logic, then, the quality of the art should set the price for the work. The better the art, the higher the price. Of course that's not the way publishing works nor could it work given such a subjective measurement.
I repeatedly qualified my statements that the cost of ebooks can be reduced to almost nothing if a print text is created. The overhead is then subsumed into the print text's creation. The author's royalty rates are independent of any blood, sweat, or tears shed in the creation of the work. Those royalty rates for ebooks have been aggressively lowered by publishers over the last year under the guise of ebooks being too slim a market with too new overhead but in actuality in preparation for the market shift to e-content as the primary sales factor. (I know this as fact, not speculation, as a Publisher [not an AE, an actual Publisher] told me so.)
$9.99 ebooks that cost pennies with royalty rates below industry standard for print texts benefits who? Not the author. Not the reader.
It appears, to me, that publishers aren't treating ebooks as a truly separate entity–they want to price them the same as the hardcovers to earn a specific amount per unit, in order to recoup the cost of producing the book to begin with. Considering how many books fail to earn back what was spent acquiring and producing them (factoring in the ridiculous amount of returns involved), I can understand where they're coming from, even if I don't agree with it.
I think I've seen on Fictionwise that some books will start out with the hardcover price and gradually drop from there, but I don't think it ever really reaches the prices charged by epubs, which are often in the $5-$10 range.
While there are many who claim no one under a certain age will read in e-format, I know of a number of older folks who won't read much in paper because they prefer the ability to make the fonts a readable size on their e-readers. My father's in his late 60s, and has been reading on his devices since the Palm Pilot days. And I'm one of those apparently rare creatures who will read an ebook on the computer screen. There are no barriers except the ones we set up in our own minds.
I'm glad my sons were toddlers during a recent golden age of picture books. They weren't read to from a Kindle. Their shelves overflowed with books all through their childhood and teenage years. And thank God, despite spending inordinate time behind the computer, they still love books–real books, with jackets, glossy pages with photos. At least I have some hope for the future.
I understand the use of e-readers. But to do ALL one's reading on a device after spending the whole day on a computer, Blackberry, etc? No thanks. What does one fill bookshelves with? Or are bookshelves endangered as well?
My grandfather felt the same way about keeping his 8-track tapes when cassettes came out, as many seem to feel about e-books.
We are authors – or writers aspiring to be authors – however, we want to identify ourselves.
e-books vs. p-books is the medium in which our art is provided, and the pricing wars between distributors is only part of the business side of today's publishing conflicts. Web sites, blogs, on-line interviews are all aspects of marketing. That’s it.
We write.
Songwriters and performers did not disappear with invention of cds. Well, unless they insisted on selling only to 8-track providers.
The transition will not occur overnight, but it will occur. For the record, I do not think p-books will disappear entirely (in our life times).
P-books will just be another medium in an evolving world.
Kristin, nothing will replace meeting an author in person. Those events will still happen – but they will be special events. As authors, we will have to travel less to meet more of our readers – a win-win.
Concerning bookstores – they already sell coffee, pastries, music, movies, etc. They will adapt to e-books as well. The shelves for p-books will just be reduced, and as we've have been witnessing for 20 years, bookstores will become more of a socializing location for: People who like to read.
Regarding piracy fears: I can type almost any p-novel into a computer in one day (excluding half of Stephen King’s mammoths, for those, I need two days). I have the technology capabilities and/or access to the capabilities to pirate any p-book. I am certainly not alone. This concern already exists in today’s world with or without e-books. Besides, just as many have noted here, our revenue stream will always be threatened by friends borrowing from friends, libraries (electronic or physical), and thieves.
BTW: My grandfather eventually bought a cassette player – and loved it.
Personally, I still prefer p-books, but I will adapt – eventually.
Professionally, get it to the reader – whatever sells.
Poisonous razorblades. Hee, good one.
I'm not expert, but it seems to me this holding off on the e-book release can only work while e-books are still a small market. The digital age ripped into cd sales in the music industry, and pirating was a part of that. It's inevitable that a lower cost venue is going to lower sales elsewhere. Instead of fighting it, however, publishers might try preparing for it. Can producing e-books be that expensive. No ink, no paper, no returns. What if S & S and Random House and everyone set up their own Amazons? Then they'd have all the control.
Alas, while the e-book market is too small to make a dent, this will be thrown by the wayside as it has before.
By the way: "Stephenie Meyer's legion of fans would still buy the next TWILIGHT installment if it were printed on poisonous razor blades." Hilarious.
I have yet to move to the e-book club, but it will surely happen soon. I'm just not quite ready to worry about my book running out of batteries… And I'm having nightmares of going to people's houses and there not being ANY bookshelves.
The other side of e-books/hardcovers etc. is that you will always have those nostalgic folks, like myself in some cases, that want to own the actual hardcover for collecting purposes. If it is a book that I would have bought in hardcover because I love the story and the author that much, then I will still buy it in hardcover because I'm a big fan of supporting those people that make my life more enjoyable i.e. Musicians, Authors, Artists.
Everyone is sweating the piracy issue on e-books and folks, let me tell you, it is completely absurd.
First, when you buy a physical book, you read it and if you really like it, you pass it along to a friend, who might pass it to another. In only a few years, that one copy might be read by a dozen people. And if you sell it at a garage sale or to a used book store, a dozen more might read it.
Well, with e-books all that comes to an end. Everyone needs to buy their own copy. Unless you want to pass your $360 reading device around to all your friends.
No more plucking a book from a friend's shelf at a party and saying, hey mind if I borrow this?
No more finding a gem at a garage sale for 50 cents.
Will there be piracy? Sure. But they'll make it back and then some by killing the borrowing/reselling of used books.
In fact, the used book as a concept, not to mention the loss of revenue they represent to publishers and authors alike, will cease to exist. In fifty years' time a physical book (with some exceptions, like high-end art repro books) will be like 78s, something the kids find boxed up in grandpa's basement and marvel at.
Great. They'll sell their old e-readers loaded with hundreds of novels on them at garage sales.
It all comes down to money for the middle men. Nathan is right, the business is changeing and we all need a lesson in rowing the boat differently. The indication is Publishing will never be the same. Get on with it…get over with looking backward. Remember if you can, the fear that Radio was going away due to that new fangled box in your living room that was going to put Movie Theaters out of business as well.
@Anon, re selling loaded readers at garage sales.
Sounds good, but not gonna happen. I have a second generation iPod with 8 gigs of music and audio books and couldn't sell it for $10. Why? The battery's dead and has to be plugged in to work at. And it's barely five years old.
I expect we'll see the same with the e-readers.
Wow, speaking of ebooks and the Kindle… this instance today will keep me from buying one for a while.
https://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/17/some-e-books-are-more-equal-than-others/
I use an e-reader on my phone, where I don't think the publisher can reach down and 'unsell' their books to me.
Good grief!
I think Daniel embodies the kind of person I think of as my ideal reader. As a writer, I want people to read my work, and the e-book is a fantastic way of doing that.
So how much do I charge? Nothing. I want loyal fans, and like with music the way to generate loyal fans is to let everyonehave my work without having to pay. Those who like it will, as Daniel says, consider buying a "real" copy of my book.
I don't think the industry has begun to notice how the world is changing. Piracy – as in music, this is a non-issue. People who file-share are people who love music. They're the people who are most likely to go out and buy. And the one sure way to get rid of piracy is to make your work available for free in the first place.
The problem with the industry is it has failed to think bottom-up. Progtress WILL be driven by readers. Not publishers, not agents, editors, or writers. Maybe helped along by the tech and app companies – but they are much better at listening to end users. This kind of pricing debacle simply confirms the industry still believes it's the same old debate but moved to a new platform. It isn't. The debate now has to be about how to generate revenue in a world where free and file-sharing are the norm, and that means radical new thinking, like it or not. Those who succeed will do very well. I have a feeling that crowd won't contain many publishing names we know today.
Hi Nathan,
I've been a subscriber for a while and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your articles – this one in particular.
I've been lurking because with 100+ comments on the posts, I figured my voice would just be lost in the mix. I'm ok with that, but I felt like I finally had to let you know how much I enjoy seeing you in my inbox.
Cheers
George
Here's another twist on this topic that I would like to see discussed: Autographed books. I love my collection of books signed by the author. I've collected most at ALA and as my time working the Arts Beat at the old reporting job. What is the thinking now amongst marketers? Signed bookmarks? Posters? Not for adults, I don't think. Back to Autograph albums? What is the digital analog (excuse the pun) to the old autograph on a title page?
On last thing that bothers me about the Kindle – at least the ones I have seen – is that I can't read in bed in the dark. I can with my computer, why can't they back light a Kindle. Some crap about running down the battery I am sure.
Emilie, that always reminds me of the scene from Notting Hill "apparently, if you can find an unsigned copy it's worth a fortune."
On my blog I have been advocating authors seling additional content/merchandising for a while as an adjunct to free e-books (ever since I realised I was more than willing to spend a considerable sum on the new Murakami diary – also after reading lots about Trent Reznor).
As for the digital equivalent – how about people being able to subscribe to a WordPress theme or twitter or whatever) based on the cover of the book – great for both author (as marketing) and individual.
I don't know if anyone's still reading this old post, but I've been thinking about this a while and I wanted to share my ideas.
It seems to me that there is a logical succession for digital/traditional print, particularly for newer or midlist authors. E-publish first. Use E-publishing as a gauge of public interest. When sales warrant, go to paperback. By then, the e-readers will have generated interest among the larger (book-buying) public. Then finally, hardback for those fans who really want a special copy of the book that they will keep forever.
I know that's absolutely opposite of the way the industry has been working, but it seems like a more realistic business model based on today's situation. Digital publishing is lower in expense and risk, with huge profit potential. Publishers can take more risk. The market's comparatively small, but large enough to use as a proving ground for new novels.
Make the hardback come later.You don't want to force readers to pay two or three times as much for a hardback, when media can be so easily pirated. Don't give them an excuse to do it. Make the hardback a special release, like a special dvd that comes with extras. Possibly it has special notes by the author, or a special short story included. If a book has made it to the hardback phase, it should be fairly well proven, and should have a solid fan base.
What do you think?
-JG
Anon: About e-publishing first…
https://www.opendemocracy.net/article/email/book-futures
This has everything to do with publishers and nothing to do with authors' prerogatives.
Ebooks are $9.99 because Amazon subsidizes them. Amazon pays a publisher the same money for an Ebook that it pays for a hardcover, and then sells the books at a loss in order to make money on the device.
The publisher should make more money on the $9.99 Ebook than the $27 hardcover because the hardcover SRP is marked way up so every bookstore can mark it down 30-40%, and the the ebook doesn't have to be printed, bound and shipped, and won't have to be returned.
Bookstores obviously see Ebooks as bad news, and publishers necessarily have tight connections with bookstores. A growing Amazon will be poised to negotiate with publishers on more favorable terms, and the Kindle moves Amazon a big step closer to becoming, itself, a major player in the publishing business.
So it makes sense for publishers to look at the Kindle buffet line and suspect they are being fattened for slaughter. But for authors, anything that gets people excited about reading again is a positive development.
Electronic distribution may also create new markets for short stories, novellas and poetry, which are traditionally claimed to not be worth the price of binding.
I don't understand why an established author would allow a publisher to delay his ebook if he gets the same royalty for ebooks he gets for hardcovers, and the delay might cost him sales.
Maybe ebook sales aren't tallied for bestseller lists?
Wired Mag had an interesting take on this debate on a recent issue. The discussion included marginalia value in used books. My father, a librarian, chimed in on the debate and noted that most hard back books are purchased by Libraries these days. How are libraries going to drive e-books. I recall Apple supported many a school and library in getting computers in the hands of young people – hoping to gab a base while they were young. Remember the Apple IIe in your classroom? Good times, but the limited software didn't keep the kids interested. Publishers should think on that when holding back on the release of e-books.
Great article, thanks!
I love the smell and feel of a paper book but I know that e-books also have their charms. I’m glad to have both in my library.Diet Ebook