Various e-book news items

[beer good]

Ebooks Don’t Cannibalize Print, People Do

The most important lesson I can convey to book publishing professionals is that they must understand that those of us who have made the transition to ebooks, buy ebooks, not print books. Ebook reading device users don’t shop in bookstores and then decide what edition they want; ebook device readers buy what is available in ebookstores. Search an ebookstore for a title and if it doesn’t come up, it doesn’t exist – no matter how many versions are available in print.

Ebooks aren’t a better value, ebooks aren’t more attractive nor are they a threat to the print version of any immersive reading book. This isn’t the same as paperback versions vs hardcover – where the platform and convenience are the same – the timing and pricing are the key ingredients. Books that aren’t in ebook form are do not exist to ebook reading consumers. There is no cannibalization if in the mind of the buyer if there is no version available to them.

The good news is that the same Nielsen study shows a significant portion of the ereading market buys more ebooks than they did print books. Furthermore, the study also shows that 80% surveyed would never consider buying a dedicated ebook reading device. So in the end, the book-selling world may lose 25% or so of its print customers to ebooks, but those customers will likely buy more product than they would have if they didn’t use an ereader.

 

[~Anne~]

As long as people are reading, I'm happy.

But I would never limit myself to a "version" of a book be it the eversion or the print version.

And they'll have to pry my old, musty hardcover books from my cold, dead hands.

 

[Will]

As long as people are reading, I'm happy.

And they'll have to pry my old, musty hardcover books from my cold, dead hands.

Definitely. In fact, even then, I'd probably not give the hard copies up ;-)

 

[beer good]

Interesting article: Delimiter – eBooks in Australia: What went wrong?

1. Publishers

2. The global economy

3. Publishers

4. Marketplaces

5. Publishers

6. There is no point 6!

7. Publishers

 

[beer good]

Product Review: Will ‘Paper’ Replace E-Readers?

Paper is clearly a fad – nice to have and something to impress your friends with. Sure, it will sell to a selected group of early adopters who will talk enthusiastically about the smell of paper and the hefty feel. Our sources say that even Apple is rumored to be working on something called ‘iPaper’ that will be even better designed (and available in white!) which will clearly do well with Apple fans.

 

[beer good]

This might be the least useful invention ever:
Researchers enable tactile feedback for e-readers using real paper, just like the olden days (video) -- Engadget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMjBWg-rtIs

 

[lenny nero]

Interesting article on Selena Kitt, E-smut writer and how much one can make doing it.

Will Write E-Porn for $1 Million | BNET