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Hen81
Veteran Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 151
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 05:56 pm: | 
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Today I made two of my books available on Amazon in Kindle version. It was very quick and both are available.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_kinc?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-key words=d+t+pollard&x=12&y=21
What it made me think about is what it means to have a book out in today's market. One of my books is available in paper, audio download, CD set, kindle and another ebook format. Only one of those formats is the "classic" sign-the-book version. Pricing ranges from $39.00 to $6.
The marketing issues for each of the versions of the same book is slightly different. How does the ability to download audio or text versions of the same work change how it is viewed and valued?
If digital formats took hold and began to dominate, it would destroy traditional book retailing, how authors interacted with customers and somewhat change what it meant to be an author.
www.DTPollard.com |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1619
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 18, 2008 - 03:31 pm: |
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The digital revolution has changed everything. However I do not think that digital books will eliminate books entirely.
Some books are meant to be read and to be tossed like yesterday's newspaper and are priced accordingly. These are perfect for digitilization.
The last time I was in the airport I downloaded two books to my Kindle. This saved me from having to go to the airport bookstre or dealwith the extra things to carry
Reference books and they like are also prime candidates for ebooks.
Some books are keepers. Meant to be stored in home libraries, proudly displayed on bookshelves or coffee tables. These books are works of art on the outside and the inside. They are meant to be held, cherished and past onto others. These are the books one curls up in bed with... they are an investment and tangible indication of the owner's sophistication.
The digital revolution will be hard pressed to replace this.
I don't think it will change what it meants to be an author -- that is if you equate being an author with being a writer.
I see no reason why the interaction between the author and reader should change. |
Yukio
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 2506
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 04:23 pm: |
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hey troy, how are you?
i agree w/much of what you said, but also who can read an entire book online or on a computer, and who wants to or can afford to print out entire books? |
Crystal
Veteran Poster
Username: Crystal
Post Number: 472
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 06:58 pm: |
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Hello Troy & Yukio Happy New Year!
In answer to your first question Yukio - kids will and are already doing it. My son [who isn't really a kid anymore] reads entire books on the puter all the time including at least 2 of the Harry Potter books. I think it's crazy but . . . |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13222
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 09:27 pm: |
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Hi Yukio. How ya been? I would certainly agree with your observation about what sounds to me like a confining, uncomfortable, and bothersome way to read books, and that something is lost in the process.
But - my grandson got a Wii for Christmas and before I knew it I was totally into virtual bowling, taking me back to my days when I was an avid league bowler. Not to mention how I click on to the MSN.com game site, and sit in front of my computer monitor and play Spades with real live faceless people from all over the world.
Years ago, when predicting the future, most seers never foresaw how digitally electronic the world would become. It's amazing, how our pass-times have been re-invented. |
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