My husband was telling me about a business article he read yesterday regarding ebooks. Given Liz’s post on a new ebook publisher, and the growing popularity of eReaders, and ebook sales, I found the topic fascinating.
Basically, the article related ebooks to computer software. In the beginning, we had the expensive software, and nothing else. Just like we’ve had the expensive books, and nothing else (except the library). And I would probably argue (having worked as a publisher and produced and costed those books), just like those software developers probably would, that the product wasn’t actually all that expensive, given what it cost to produce.
The more people bought the software, the cheaper it became. And I’d argue that is true of books, as well. I think the price is pretty reasonable, and it certainly hasn’t taken a huge jump in the last couple of years.
But then more and more people learned how to program, and created free software, or freeware, as it became known. Joy! Wonder! Free stuff. Just like more and more people are realizing they can epublish, either themselves, or through an epublisher, and the barriers to entry are not as high. There isn’t the same risk associated with epublishing as print publishing, because of the much lower production costs.
But wait. What has happened to freeware?
Actually, a lot of it isn’t used. Why? Because people who create free software don’t have time to maintain it, and it can react in unexpected ways to the other software on your PC. I use two freeware products and couldn’t live without them (WordPress and Cute PDF) but those are the only two. The other software on my machine? All bought and paid for and developed by the big corporations.
What the article suggested was ebooks will go the same way. A proliferation of free or very cheap ebooks will not free the author to make their way without a publisher. Or in most cases not (remember, I do still love my WordPress and Cute PDF). Instead, having been burned by poorly written material, the reader will stick even closer to known ‘brands’ in publishing, meaning the big name authors or the reputable publishers. This includes reputable epublishers, I should clarify. Especially as eReaders aren’t going to go away. But readers, the journalist speculates, will become even more conservative, rather than less so.
It’s an interesting scenario, and one which sounds slightly feasible, but not definite. One thing is sure, there are interesting times ahead. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next. What do you think will happen as cheaper ebooks become the norm?
Great blog, Michelle … and a thinker. This reminds me of when the first VHS players came out – oh, probably 25 or 30 years ago. Anyone remember the Beta? My older brother bought one for over $1,500 when it first came out. Now you can get a DVD player (which is infinitely superior to the Beta) for $50 … if not less.
It’s the same for most every technology. Right now Kindles sell for $350 or so. I’m waiting for that price to come down as more and more competition appears.
I think there are a number of authors who will skip the traditional publisher route … whether it be an e-publisher or the tried and true print publishers. You can check out J.A. Konrath’s site. He has released a couple of original works directly to Kindle and says he does well with them. Granted he already has a following of faithful readers, but I can see this happening more and more. For a very cheap price, you can release your own book and reap nearly all the benefits.
Very interesting post! And now that you (and your husband( present it that way, I agree. Lately I’ve been reading a lot of gloom and doom for writers. I’ve been trying not to let it get me down, but your blog gives me hope.
I’d love for traditional publishers to continue, and most traditional pubs now offer their ebooks in ebooks, too. Great books can come from e-publishers as well. We can compare this to cable TV and regular TV. This time of year, most of my favorite shows are on regular TV, but there are gems on cable, too. I’m watching the new White Collar show on cable. And I found my favorite show, NCIS, on cable reruns, though it’s a network TV show.
Self-publishing could be a route, too, like Liz said. Though I don’t see that as my route in the near future.
I used to think that the average book buyer/reader didn’t choose according to the publisher, but rather, the author. And then all the HQN self-pub mess got me to thinking of all the badly written, unedited, stuff that regular readers would buy because it’s from HQN. Suddenly I realized that average reader who doesn’t pay attention to publishers, will begin to notice crappy writing and THEN start noticing which publisher put it all out there.
Cheap doesn’t always mean bad, but does quantity affect quality?
Great post, Michelle! I’m just watching the publishing world do its thing, and curious how it will all turn out too. I really don’t have a clear opinion on what’s going on yet, and it is a little confusing at times. I just want great stories to be available, whatever the format. I’m a total book lover, but am interested in buying a reader one day…when the prices go down a few notches.
Liz, I think the winners in that scenario will be ‘brand’ names like Nora Roberts, Dan Brown, etc. They have the fan base. If they e-pubbed their own work, they would most likely do very well. Those just starting out, it will be hard for them to get noticed.
Edie, I think there are huge changes coming. It won’t happen all at once, but the publishing industry will be very different in ten years time, I bet.
Kath, I think some of that hoohaa regarding Harlequin is because of all the publishers, HQN is the ONE that readers do know about. Say Mills & Boon, or Superromance, etc, and the reader knows exactly what type of book you’re talking about.
I agree, LaD. And the ability to have something new the moment you think: ‘I feel like reading . . .’ and click, click, download, there it is
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