"Lloyd
Jassin, an attorney who specializes in publishing, said a shift away from
promising print editions is “a logical reaction to a changing industry.” If
publishers increasingly hedge on committing to a print format, Jassin
explained, they can take the questions about potential manufacturing losses out
of the equation and focus on “building careers, not sell-through.”"
"Contracts
that are vague on format give publishers the wiggle room to opt out of
costlier-to-produce print books, which generally have higher price points than
e-books and, in turn, bring authors higher royalties."
"When the
publishers realized, well after signing, that the titles had “no chance of
recouping their investment if issued first in print,” he explained, they opted
for e-only releases."
Are
print books on the verge of disappearing? What do you think?
If
you'd like to read the full article on this subject, go to: For MajorPublisher, Will Print No Longer Be the Norm?
Coincidentally, this article appeared in Publisher's Weekly today, about the "maturation" of ebooks. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/59791-study-e-books-settle-in-as-another-book-format.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Gayle. I'll have to go read that.
DeleteThere is no doubt that the publishing industry is really evolving at a fast pace. I don't know that anybody has a definitive answer as to when paper books might be a thing of the past. The major publishers do need to start thinking in terms of giving authors a higher royalty percentage on the e-books and price them no higher than 5 dollars. Since so many people are reluctant to spend more than that for an e-book, that pricing would encourage a lot more sales. If publishers are not treating their authors fairly, the authors can simply go indie and make more money. We need some long-term thinkers to develop an e-market that will be good for all concerned, author, publisher and reader.
ReplyDeleteMaryann, you might just be that long-term thinker.
DeletePrint books are more precious to us older readers, I think, because that's what we grew up reading. I'm betting e-books will become more popular over time. I don't really mind as long as authors keep writing and readers keep reading.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting quite comfortable with e-books. I still have print books that I read. I find it easier to do a review if I have the print book to refer to. On the other hand, I can carry a ton more books on the plane if they're ebooks on my iPad.
DeleteWhen we flew cross country a couple of weeks ago, I saw very few print books. Everyone was reading on some type of e-reader device. On flights earlier in the year, I saw passengers reading many more print books. Times they are "a-changing"!
ReplyDeleteThey are, Mary. I'm one of those people who carry books on an iPad on the plane or however we travel. At home, though, I'll read a print book occasionally.
DeleteHi Helen .. they'll be around for a while - but possibly much shorter .... the novel will be on the Kindle - reference books will still be printed ... and I expect there'll be newsletter-type books for sale ...
ReplyDeleteThe world is changing though so much .. Hilary
So true! Things are changing fast.
Delete