Another story about how e-books are ruling

by 18 replies
21
My bookstore is on death row - CNN.com

I've worked in publishing for over 30 years. The wave of e-books is dominating the market and this story from CNN gives an example from the viewpoint of a young author.

My old newspaper, USA Today and it's parent company Gannett is now retooling their entire operations to take more advantage of the web, something I had told them back in the 80s. Believe you me, if Gannett had listened to me back then they would have been Google, YouTube, and Facebook combined. We had the money, the tools, the talent but we also had people in the publishing and news business that just didn't get it.

I often point them to the alternate news sites that now rule the web like Drudge Report and more.

Short e-books, novels, tutorials, there's tons of money to be made as overhead is so low and ROI is so high. As a writer and illustrator and having now spent time studying IM I can see how the sky isn't a limit, it's where you start off. More like to "infinity and beyond!".
#main internet marketing discussion forum #ebooks #ruling #story
  • ebooks have come a lonnnnnnnngggg way from where they first started off.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Nickolie, you can say that again!

    I'm almost sick from just looking at the opportunities. I need to take a month off and write a bunch of ebooks. Making your own products with a healthy subscriber base is the way to go.
  • I have just decided to offer an ebook as an additional format to the book I am writing. Thanks for this.
    • [2] replies
    • Honestly, I never thought kindle would do anything. I figured it was just a fad that would die rather quickly but it has peeked my interest as of late. I do still like paper books when reading for pleasure though.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
    • An ebook version is a must have to books nowadays. I would say you'll outsell the hardcover version by a wide margin.
      • [2] replies
  • I am loving e-books - except for the price.

    As noted, the costs are less than print books, yet most mass market fiction is priced at hardback print book prices.
    • [1] reply
    • And that's what's killing those greedy *******s. Sometimes it seems you just can't get a good business model or market strategy going without some knucklhead overcharging or undercharging to extremes.

      In regard to ebooks, if it's a big name author who has proven their worth then I can see a higher price but it's digital. It has no collectible equity. You can't get an ebook autographed and sometimes these autographed books go for fat money.

      it's wise to have both hard copy and digital just in case something like a disaster hits and you have no electricity. Without juice, no recharging of batteries and a good book could come in handy.
      • [1] reply
  • That is sad. Someone gave me a Border's gift card a few weeks ago,
    then sent me a message a few days ago telling me to make sure I used
    it.

    I saw why when I passed the Border's in our town.

    "Everything must go."

    Sad.

    I actually prefer reading actual books over eBooks.
  • Borders got their butts whipped. One because of mismanagement and two because they didn't embrace the web. Ebooks are kickin' butt with both shoes on.
  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • Paulie 88, if you see things that way then that cements it for me. I know you do your homework so I know I could bank on what you say.

    Producing an ebook now on the production end means the more you put into it the greater your reach. Example being multi-language. The more languages you cover the more your reach, however, English is still a good bet because of the sheer number of people who understand English. Add to that audio books and you're good to go. Will fiction outdistance non-fiction? We'll have to keep an eye on the stats.
    Competition shouldn't be a problem because bad writing gets spotted quick and word spreads like wildfire over the web. That's another great advantage to us publishers nowadays. Customers don't have to rely on the "old boy" network but can get different opinions from other sources.
    It is getting goooood.
    Now I have to manage my time so I can actually write some.
  • I don't think I would ever even buy a hard copy book now. I LOVE the Kindle for reading but there is also tremendous business opportunities there as well.
  • Well the big tests for me are in the coming months with fiction and non-fiction books I'm writing. So far the author pals of mine have had no complaints about ebooks and they were the same people who hated computers until those royalty checks started coming in. Royalties RULE. It's better than auto pilot.
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed