Another story about how e-books are ruling

18 replies
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!".
#ebooks #ruling #story
  • Profile picture of the author Nickolie0990
    ebooks have come a lonnnnnnnngggg way from where they first started off.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author settingsail
    I have just decided to offer an ebook as an additional format to the book I am writing. Thanks for this.
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    • Profile picture of the author bretski
      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.
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      • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
        Originally Posted by bretski View Post

        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.
        Same, same.

        I often still buy physical books for "pleasure reading", but I also buy a lot of books purely for niche research (to help with writing articles). I always try to get the latter for the Kindle, since it means I can take just my Kindle and my laptop (with 3G WAN) around with me wherever I go, if I'm travelling, and these two things constitute the entire makeup of my "mobile office" - no need to cart around a load of heavy books.

        Sadly, a lot of books and magazines are still unavailable on the Kindle, but as time goes on I expect more and more will take advantage of it. So things will only get better, I think, in this regard.
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by settingsail View Post

      I have just decided to offer an ebook as an additional format to the book I am writing. Thanks for this.
      An ebook version is a must have to books nowadays. I would say you'll outsell the hardcover version by a wide margin.
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      • Profile picture of the author Mrmuscle90
        Im not surprised ebooks are rivalling paper books now, there generally cheaper, have an unlimited supply and can be shown to a wider audience.
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie888
        Originally Posted by EvolBaby View Post

        An ebook version is a must have to books nowadays. I would say you'll outsell the hardcover version by a wide margin.
        Greg, the Kindle store has taken off with really strong ebook sales, helped no doubt by the amazing market penetration of the Kindle ebook reader, as well as the numerous devices that run the Kindle app (iPad, iPhone and Android devices). There's no doubt in my mind that ebook sales are only going to grow in the coming years, given the impending tablet explosion coming from Android and the others.

        Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author txconx
    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.
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    • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
      Originally Posted by txconx View Post

      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.
      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.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
        @EvolBaby

        It's funny how companies who had the resources didn't have the vision.

        Just wondering if you think ebooks are going to be more interactive (especially in the eduacation/hot-to/reference markets?

        And I agree with you there is a world of opportunity!!
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        • Profile picture of the author Wills
          I definitely believe that ebooks are only going to get more popular, especially with the advances of technology.

          I have lots of ebooks, but I gotta admit that I still love settling down on the sofa, with a proper book.
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        • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
          Originally Posted by Kevin AKA Hubcap View Post

          @EvolBaby

          It's funny how companies who had the resources didn't have the vision.

          Just wondering if you think ebooks are going to be more interactive (especially in the eduacation/hot-to/reference markets?

          And I agree with you there is a world of opportunity!!
          Bro, ebook readers are going to be more interactive with better graphics and memory. However, where does the ebook reader end and the mini computer laptop begin?

          If people add web access, web cams, and every bell and whistle the ebook reader will just meld into a midrange pc or mac.

          I can tell you about software coming and peripherals that will just totally change the way computing is done.

          For example, take a look at the new Nintendo 3DS. It is un-freakin'-believable.

          Mind you, again, if a disaster hits and there's no electricity what are puters to do? That's why hard copy versions of books are important as well as audio book versions. You can't beat this package.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rien
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    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.
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  • Profile picture of the author EvolBaby
    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.
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