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The double-edged sword of e-publishing.

8/30/2010

5 Comments

 
This weekend, in UK, many people are having their first experience of e-publishing as the first pre-orders of the kindle were delivered during the past few days. Of course, in US, many people have been using e-reading devices for more than a year, but in UK the idea is only just catching on.

This seems a good point to consider the implications electronic publishing has for readers, authors and those in the publishing business.

For readers there are obvious benefits. Besides the space-saving, font size-changing capabilities, for those avid readers who come to enjoy reading on an electronic device, there are financial advantages. Most books are cheaper than their print counterparts, public domain books (the classics) are free and many books by independent author/publishers are a fraction of the price of best sellers,

For independent authors there is the opportunity to publish their work at no cost (many will employ editors etc but there is no cost to actually publish). This means that more niche books, or those aimed at a small select audience, can be published rather than the mainstream tendency to accept only mass market books.

So, if it's so good, why am I suggesting it's a double-edged sword?

There is always a downside to everything. For readers, they will find that not all the books they want are available (yet) and if they want to take a chance on new independent authors they will have to spend time downloading and reading book samples.

And of course, for independent authors, there is the opportunity to publish their books which didn't meet the mainstream mass market criteria. The double-edged sword here? I believe the uncertainty in the industry created by the advent of e-publishing (and not just the current economic climate) is the reason many of these authors have not been signed to mainstream publishers in the first place.
5 Comments
L.C. Evans link
8/30/2010 05:16:53 am

So true. Epublishing is changing everything and the publishers that don't adapt will fade away. Meanwhile, it's an exciting time for authors and readers. I've discovered some real gems among the independent authors. I'm also reading a lot more since I got my Kindle.

Linda

Reply
Chris R
8/30/2010 08:06:36 am

You don't mention the biggest disadvantage of the Kindle : that Amazon in its infinite wisdom, has the power to delete any book you've legitimately downloaded (as with the George Orwell fiasco). Mind you, that's a downside to Amazon, not to e-readers in general. I doubt Apple will behave this way with the iPad.

Reply
Ali Cooper
8/30/2010 08:35:24 am

No, this post was originally going to focus on authors and publishing. The fact that, whilst e-publishing gives a great opportunity for independent publishers, I suspect that many of them would have mainstream contracts if it weren't for the uncertainty in the industry caused by e-publishing!

Reply
Phil G
8/31/2010 01:42:12 am

Personally as a writer I am finding it all very frustrating and disheartening. After going from one 'who can shout loudest' competition to another and not getting anywhere. I've nothing against sites ike Kindle but I am a useless salesman and to have to shout about your book all day for the sake of a 70c download can be quite soul destroying. Let's bring back proper books that's what I say and do writers a real favour.

Reply
Ali Cooper
8/31/2010 04:37:25 am

I'm sorry you feel like that about it, Phil. Although several authors we know have done very well there, I suspect that up till now it's been more difficult for non-US authors to break into the kindle market. I think, also, that you've spent so much effort promoting your book on critique sites that it feels pointless doing it again.

However the kindle forum on amazon uk is now becoming established and I suspect that in a few months, when more UK people have kindles, that UK authors will find more success.

I would emphasise that independent authors have to be very proactive in order to sell their books. I also think it helps if you have author friends also publishing there. I'm not suggesting anything underhand here, simply that it is daunting to participate in such forums if you feel on your own.

Reply



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    I'm Ali. I'm an author and musician, living in Devon, and I teach guitar.

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