3.4.10: Publisher eBook Model Evolves
Covered, indeed over abundantly, is the debate on the viability and growing popularity of eBooks. Stepping onto the creaking boards of the bandwagon, many large publishers now offer digital literature, whether through retailers or directly via their own websites… and it appears to be paying off.
On December 26, 2009, Amazon.com announced that, for the first time ever, they sold more digital books on Christmas Day than the paper kind; the company projects even greater eBook sales for 2010.
Many publishers appear to think it’s worthwhile to update their eBook titles and formats on a regular basis, but now the delivery method, release dates, as well as the sales “food chain,” are also undergoing their own micro-revolution.
John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan Press (MP), posted a blog on the MP website on March 2, 2010, stating that they will move from the former “retail model” of selling eBooks to what he terms an “agency model.” Sargent goes on to explain how this benefits the consumer: no longer will eBook retailers be able to buy MP eBooks and then set their own price to re-sell them to consumers. MP will, instead, offer the eBooks at a set price, only allowing the retailer a commission percentage. This, in my opinion, is a smart move as it helps MP eBooks remain competitively priced while also encouraging a wide variety of prices to choose from. Sargent also announced that the “new” model will allow new titles to be released in eBook format “at the first release of the printed book.”
Even more interesting is Sargent’s remarks on which kinds of digital books are preferred by eBook consumers: the new-release titles, including those from the New York Times bestsellers list (priced at $12.99-$14.99 for eBook format) are apparently not the most popular.
“Our e-book sales over the last year clearly indicate that only about a third of our e-book business is in the digital versions of new release hardcovers. Unit sales of older books [priced below $10] far exceed our new release hardcover sales, so the $9.99 and lower prices will continue to represent the largest portion of our business.”
In the latter portion of the blog, Sargent hinted at what MP may be planning as a future genre in eBooks, “illustrated books or books for young children,” though he quantifies this plan by saying “That will be a topic for the future as the technology advances beyond e-ink screens.”
Inventor Ray Kurzweil just may have an answer for this “technology question” in the very near future. At the Consumer Electronics Association (CES) trade show in January 2010, he unveiled his latest project software he’s named Blio; it is an eReading platform (not a device) that can be used on PC, MAC, iPhone and iPod touch. Blio’s main feature appears to be the ability to view eBooks with gloriously sharp illustrations, supports animation and embedded videos, harbors a powerful text-to speech capability audio reading enjoyment and allows a reader to add notes and annotations to the books, as well as insert photos, video, and website bookmarks. On the Blio website (blioreader.com) the “coming soon” software is touted as a FREE download; eBooks for Blio will come from the sizable catalog of Baker & Taylor, a distributor of paper and digital books and entertainment.
–Meredith Greene
The e-book war heats up; score one for Macmillan.
Thanks for this informative article. I knew the e-book was coming into its own, but it looks like the e-book revolution is in full swing. Very exciting!I’m passing this along to all my writer, (and reader) friends.
Ginger B.
http://coppertopcollins.blogspot.com.
Dear Meredith,
For me books will always remain ‘Paper Kind’.
I just can’t enjoy books on electronic platforms. It doesn’t give me the satisfaction.
Anyway, your article is an eye-opener for many.
Best Wishes
Lalit Navani
I agree with Lalit. Print books are the ONLY way to enjoy books. I absolutely detest ebooks, and I think it’s only a matter of time before this “fad” fades into the sunset.
Hi MG…
Thanks for sharing the info
I found it useful..
Take care
I must admit I prefer the tactile pleasure of a ‘paper’ book. My personal library contains over 1,500 hard back fiction novels. A signed, first edition copy of Catch-22 is my most cherished possession in this collection. I read about 70 new releases a year. In addition, I have a very eclectic collection of reference, history, non-fiction hard backs and a fairly extensive Civil War library.
Having said that, I am now researching eReaders for two reasons, the primary being an ability to experiment with a variety of genres that I currently don’t have the physical space or budget to accommodate. This would include a variety of magazines.
The second primary reason is that I travel on business quite frequently. I have seen more and more people using an eReader and they appear much lighter and less bulky to carry in a briefcase than a hard back novel and 2-3 magazines. Though these items are not heavy or bulky in and of themselves, when added to a laptop and the various other detritus with which one travels the totality can be quite cumbersome. I would welcome a little relief when running from gate to gate.