À la carte pricing per book chapter. It's gonna make writers like Dan Brown and James Patterson a killing.
On a serious note, I recall reading that Charles Dickens sold books a chapter at a time with each one ending on a cliff hanger, not unlike our modern soap operas and primetime dramas with a season or series long hook. I think this medium will change the entire course of writing with authors releasing booklets or chapters at a reduced price designed to set you up for the next paid-for edition.
Dickens wrote his books for a newspaper, and was paid by the word. It was less than a chapter at a time.
I'm not sure that I'm in favor of it. I don't want to pay padded prices for padded writing. Getting paid for the entire book, regardless of size is still the best thing.
But I *can* often get a brand-new hardcover, the day it's released, if I pre-ordered it from amazon... at less than the prices quoted here often. I can certainly get it cheaper from a dozen places if I wait a week
I buy a lot of books from both Amazon and B&N, and no hardcover book costs less that about $15, most several dollars more. Unless the books are well beyond the release date, and are off the bestseller lists because the value of the hardcover drops rapidly around the time the paperback comes out. Then it's in the cheap areas of the store. You know, books that no one want to buy anymore.
I'm a member of the readers club in B&N so I do get an additional discount, but most people are not.
Serializing books was standard practice back in the day, when the goal was selling newspapers and magazines. Not sure it makes sense to revive that practice.
Apple has made and is making deals with publishers, but I don't see any barriers to self-publishing on the iPad (at least, not yet). If so, I can see a big market opening up for authors to sell directly to readers at prices they decide, without the middleman.
Serializing books was standard practice back in the day, when the goal was selling newspapers and magazines. Not sure it makes sense to revive that practice.
Apple has made and is making deals with publishers, but I don't see any barriers to self-publishing on the iPad (at least, not yet). If so, I can see a big market opening up for authors to sell directly to readers at prices they decide, without the middleman.
I don't like the concept of being paid by the word which is still in practice in some areas of publishing. I would like an author to write the best book they can, unencumbered by the idea that adding unnecessary words will earn more money.
I would hope that anyone who wants to can publish a book, short story, or anything else in the store. But then again, books are edited (and rejected) before publication, often for very good reasons. So I'm not sure I want to see hoards of self published amateur junk.
I don't like the concept of being paid by the word which is still in practice in some areas of publishing. I would like an author to write the best book they can, unencumbered by the idea that adding unnecessary words will earn more money.
I would hope that anyone who wants to can publish a book, short story, or anything else in the store. But then again, books are edited (and rejected) before publication, often for very good reasons. So I'm not sure I want to see hoards of self published amateur junk.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
We have't found much amateur music in the store so far. It takes more work and money to produce music, even cheap bad music. A bad book can cost nothing to produce. We'll just have to wait and see.
The one thing about self produced books has been that bookstores, because of lack of sales for them, have no shelf space to allot for them. That's not the case here.
But, as I said, I do think people should be able to do so. I'm just hoping that not too many will take up the possibility.
We have't found much amateur music in the store so far. It takes more work and money to produce music, even cheap bad music. A bad book can cost nothing to produce. We'll just have to wait and see.
The one thing about self produced books has been that bookstores, because of lack of sales for them, have no shelf space to allot for them. That's not the case here.
But, as I said, I do think people should be able to do so. I'm just hoping that not too many will take up the possibility.
I've been working on a book myself for the last few months, and let me tell you, it's not something a person does on a lark. Takes real sustained effort over a prolonged period of time. I've got another six months of slogging if it goes well. So personally, I don't see any harm in bad books being published because the gateskeepers haven't been there to prevent it. Much of what they let through is twaddle anyhow -- not that twaddle doesn't sell.
The analogy with music is there, I think, because it seems to me that digital music has enabled more artists to find their audience than the previous method. A similar method of digital publishing could do the same for the printed word.
I've been working on a book myself for the last few months, and let me tell you, it's not something a person does on a lark. Takes real sustained effort over a prolonged period of time. I've got another six months of slogging if it goes well. So personally, I don't see any harm in bad books being published because the gateskeepers haven't been there to prevent it. Much of what they let through is twaddle anyhow -- not that twaddle doesn't sell.
The analogy with music is there, I think, because it seems to me that digital music has enabled more artists to find their audience than the previous method. A similar method of digital publishing could do the same for the printed word.
We'll just have to see how it works. I've written a bunch of short stories, but have never thought to have them published, even though I've written columns and articles for Kodak and others, so I'm not entirely an amateur. Good luck with yours.
I'm excited by the bookstore though. As you might have noticed, I've complained a number of times about the way the one in the app store works. When it was newer, I would look through all the books, then all the new ones, then, well, it's just too difficult. The books section is expanding faster than all others other than the games section.
If this new bookstore is done well, I will start buying books from Apple again. I've bought over a dozen. The problem has also been that new bestsellers have been priced at list by the publishers. That's nuts! Who pays list for a book?
We'll just have to see how it works. I've written a bunch of short stories, but have never thought to have them published, even though I've written columns and articles for Kodak and others, so I'm not entirely an amateur. Good luck with yours.
I'm excited by the bookstore though. As you might have noticed, I've complained a number of times about the way the one in the app store works. When it was newer, I would look through all the books, then all the new ones, then, well, it's just too difficult. The books section is expanding faster than all others other than the games section.
If this new bookstore is done well, I will start buying books from Apple again. I've bought over a dozen. The problem has also been that new bestsellers have been priced at list by the publishers. That's nuts! Who pays list for a book?
Thanks. You should try to get your stories published somewhere, if you've already got them written. You've got nothing to lose if you don't mind frustration.
I was also a freelance tech writer for a number of years, even had a regular newspaper gig, until the market for for tech freelance dried up. Even the pittance they were paying me was too much for them to justify. It was fun while it lasted, which is pretty much a requiem for the entire newspaper business, come to think of it.
The trick is finding out something about individual tastes and making recommendations based upon them, another analogy to music. Would it be any more difficult to create a reading genome, I wonder?
Thanks. You should try to get your stories published somewhere, if you've already got them written. You've got nothing to lose if you don't mind frustration.
I was also a freelance tech writer for a number of years, even had a regular newspaper gig, until the market for for tech freelance dried up. Even the pittance they were paying me was too much for them to justify. It was fun while it lasted, which is pretty much a requiem for the entire newspaper business, come to think of it.
The trick is finding out something about individual tastes and making recommendations based upon them, another analogy to music. Would it be any more difficult to create a reading genome, I wonder?
You're not an amateur either. So there's some experience between us both. I've read some things people who were amateurs have written, and most has been pretty bad.
Amazon does that with me, as I've bought dozens of books from them over the years. Actually, more than dozens. Usually, they come pretty close to knowing what I would buy.
What I find funny in their site, as well as in others, is where they give you the "Here is what others buying this also bought." Usually, the items have nothing to do with it and just came from some shopping list someone had. You would think that if I'm buying DVD-R disks, they wouldn't put a listing for nylon stockings in that "also bought" category. Very amusing sometimes.
I don't read books but I would like things like Wired or MacWorld, MacUser, print versions, as eBooks. I'm sure magazines will soon get on the bandwagon over the next several years, the iPad will be *the* benchmark "luxury"/class/premium standard in e-Publication reading.
Ha. If you think the price of content is too high, wait until you find out how much the tablet will cost. Anyone still think it will be six hundred bucks? Nine hundred?
$1800 at least or greater. No way it will go cheap with all the research and development they must have in this thing.
You're not an amateur either. So there's some experience between us both. I've read some things people who were amateurs have written, and most has been pretty bad.
Amazon does that with me, as I've bought dozens of books from them over the years. Actually, more than dozens. Usually, they come pretty close to knowing what I would buy.
What I find funny in their site, as well as in others, is where they give you the "Here is what others buying this also bought." Usually, the items have nothing to do with it and just came from some shopping list someone had. You would think that if I'm buying DVD-R disks, they wouldn't put a listing for nylon stockings in that "also bought" category. Very amusing sometimes.
At journalism at least, I was an amateur when I began. I found an editor who saw something in my ideas (bless 'em) and was willing to work with me. I was pretty undisciplined as a columnist when I started out. I wrote way too long, for one. I spent a lot of time reading columns that I liked by others, and asking myself why they were good. Usually, it had something to do with economy of writing (in addition to the avoidance of cliches). By the end I'd learned how to get my ideas across in 600 words or less. It was an education.
Yes, Amazon does a pretty poor job of directing customers to other products they might buy. That's just another opportunity for Apple, or somebody else.
At journalism at least, I was an amateur when I began. I found an editor who saw something in my ideas (bless 'em) and was willing to work with me. I was pretty undisciplined as a columnist when I started out. I wrote way too long, for one. I spent a lot of time reading columns that I liked by others, and asking myself why they were good. Usually, it had something to do with economy of writing (in addition to the avoidance of cliches). By the end I'd learned how to get my ideas across in 600 words or less. It was an education.
Yes, Amazon does a pretty poor job of directing customers to other products they might buy. That's just another opportunity for Apple, or somebody else.
But you did have an editor. That's my point. Editors help new writers write better, and even very experienced writers need them. Unfortunately, amateurs have no editors.
But you did have an editor. That's my point. Editors help new writers write better, and even very experienced writers need them. Unfortunately, amateurs have no editors.
Amazon does get my book selections right though.
Truthfully, the best thing my editor did for me was give me a chance and be patient and encouraging. He didn't change much. Editors can also screw you up. I had that experience after he left the paper and I had to deal with somebody else.
Still, nobody can edit their own work. That I do know.
Truthfully, the best thing my editor did for me was give me a chance and be patient and encouraging. He didn't change much. Editors can also screw you up. I had that experience after he left the paper and I had to deal with somebody else.
Still, nobody can edit their own work. That I do know.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
In terms of music YouTube and many other sites are great ways to discover new music and mixes.
Speaking for electronic/dance music myself, I am proud to say my remix of Linkin Park's New Divide is one of the top results on YouTube for "linkin park new divide remix" searches... With 51,000+ views. ( Quick plug: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVlHhT7FYQA ) ...And it was done on a whim, I am just a hobbyist electronic music dabbler.
There will always be the "GateKeepers" of media publishing even in the digital realm, but there's ways around that, which will continue to evolve, mature, or sometimes, die off...
I agree that a lot of professionally published books nowadays is rubbish. But I stopped reading books about 5 to 10 years ago, despite being quite an avid reader when growing up. My last real read was the Dune series. I tried out some of the "reimagined" sequels from Herbert's son and Kevin J Anderson(?) and it was unbelievably just such a let down.
I can tell you in Asia anyways wealth is growing but people aren't spending a lot of time and money reading books nowadays.
Like newspapers, book publishing is a dying industry. And yet, people still have a desire to read and be informed. How does that gap get filled, if the traditional methods of doing so are withering away? I think fundamentally this is the question Apple is hoping to answer for written matter with the iPad in the same way they provided a new direction for music with the iPod. The stakes are even higher, and so are the rewards, if you get it right. With all the pointless cat fighting going on over what the iPad is or is not, this is the big picture question that gets squeezed out of the discussion.
Personally, I think the grumblers are missing the point entirely -- but I don't think Apple is missing it. I believe Apple knows precisely what they are trying to do, and they are aiming themselves directly at that target. Whether they hit it or not with this version of the iPad is an open question, but it seems very clear to me that they are going to try, and keep trying, until they get it right.
it's really not that high. actual hardcovers are 3 times that retail with discounts for perhaps the first two weeks.
Where do you shop? Maybe for a 1,200 page Stephen King book, the most expensive hardcover book I could find on B&N's top 50 bestseller or pre-order lists was $22.
For e-books that cost the providers nothing but server space and bandwidth this is a ripoff.
Like newspapers, book publishing is a dying industry. And yet, people still have a desire to read and be informed. How does that gap get filled, if the traditional methods of doing so are withering away? I think fundamentally this is the question Apple is hoping to answer for written matter with the iPad in the same way they provided a new direction for music with the iPod. The stakes are even higher, and so are the rewards, if you get it right. With all the pointless cat fighting going on over what the iPad is or is not, this is the big picture question that gets squeezed out of the discussion.
Personally, I think the grumblers are missing the point entirely -- but I don't think Apple is missing it. I believe Apple knows precisely what they are trying to do, and they are aiming themselves directly at that target. Whether they hit it or not with this version of the iPad is an open question, but it seems very clear to me that they are going to try, and keep trying, until they get it right.
Of course, once the print shops disappear, people will perceive no value in a book, or magazine. That's the problem we see. They don't understand that it takes plenty of money to find, groom and support writers, musicians etc. As most books and music loses money, who but the publishers can afford to do the work required? Self publishing and self producing music isn't the long term answer.
Comments
À la carte pricing per book chapter. It's gonna make writers like Dan Brown and James Patterson a killing.
On a serious note, I recall reading that Charles Dickens sold books a chapter at a time with each one ending on a cliff hanger, not unlike our modern soap operas and primetime dramas with a season or series long hook. I think this medium will change the entire course of writing with authors releasing booklets or chapters at a reduced price designed to set you up for the next paid-for edition.
Dickens wrote his books for a newspaper, and was paid by the word. It was less than a chapter at a time.
I'm not sure that I'm in favor of it. I don't want to pay padded prices for padded writing. Getting paid for the entire book, regardless of size is still the best thing.
But I *can* often get a brand-new hardcover, the day it's released, if I pre-ordered it from amazon... at less than the prices quoted here often. I can certainly get it cheaper from a dozen places if I wait a week
I buy a lot of books from both Amazon and B&N, and no hardcover book costs less that about $15, most several dollars more. Unless the books are well beyond the release date, and are off the bestseller lists because the value of the hardcover drops rapidly around the time the paperback comes out. Then it's in the cheap areas of the store. You know, books that no one want to buy anymore.
I'm a member of the readers club in B&N so I do get an additional discount, but most people are not.
Apple has made and is making deals with publishers, but I don't see any barriers to self-publishing on the iPad (at least, not yet). If so, I can see a big market opening up for authors to sell directly to readers at prices they decide, without the middleman.
Serializing books was standard practice back in the day, when the goal was selling newspapers and magazines. Not sure it makes sense to revive that practice.
Apple has made and is making deals with publishers, but I don't see any barriers to self-publishing on the iPad (at least, not yet). If so, I can see a big market opening up for authors to sell directly to readers at prices they decide, without the middleman.
I don't like the concept of being paid by the word which is still in practice in some areas of publishing. I would like an author to write the best book they can, unencumbered by the idea that adding unnecessary words will earn more money.
I would hope that anyone who wants to can publish a book, short story, or anything else in the store. But then again, books are edited (and rejected) before publication, often for very good reasons. So I'm not sure I want to see hoards of self published amateur junk.
I don't like the concept of being paid by the word which is still in practice in some areas of publishing. I would like an author to write the best book they can, unencumbered by the idea that adding unnecessary words will earn more money.
I would hope that anyone who wants to can publish a book, short story, or anything else in the store. But then again, books are edited (and rejected) before publication, often for very good reasons. So I'm not sure I want to see hoards of self published amateur junk.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
We have't found much amateur music in the store so far. It takes more work and money to produce music, even cheap bad music. A bad book can cost nothing to produce. We'll just have to wait and see.
The one thing about self produced books has been that bookstores, because of lack of sales for them, have no shelf space to allot for them. That's not the case here.
But, as I said, I do think people should be able to do so. I'm just hoping that not too many will take up the possibility.
We have't found much amateur music in the store so far. It takes more work and money to produce music, even cheap bad music. A bad book can cost nothing to produce. We'll just have to wait and see.
The one thing about self produced books has been that bookstores, because of lack of sales for them, have no shelf space to allot for them. That's not the case here.
But, as I said, I do think people should be able to do so. I'm just hoping that not too many will take up the possibility.
I've been working on a book myself for the last few months, and let me tell you, it's not something a person does on a lark. Takes real sustained effort over a prolonged period of time. I've got another six months of slogging if it goes well. So personally, I don't see any harm in bad books being published because the gateskeepers haven't been there to prevent it. Much of what they let through is twaddle anyhow -- not that twaddle doesn't sell.
The analogy with music is there, I think, because it seems to me that digital music has enabled more artists to find their audience than the previous method. A similar method of digital publishing could do the same for the printed word.
I've been working on a book myself for the last few months, and let me tell you, it's not something a person does on a lark. Takes real sustained effort over a prolonged period of time. I've got another six months of slogging if it goes well. So personally, I don't see any harm in bad books being published because the gateskeepers haven't been there to prevent it. Much of what they let through is twaddle anyhow -- not that twaddle doesn't sell.
The analogy with music is there, I think, because it seems to me that digital music has enabled more artists to find their audience than the previous method. A similar method of digital publishing could do the same for the printed word.
We'll just have to see how it works. I've written a bunch of short stories, but have never thought to have them published, even though I've written columns and articles for Kodak and others, so I'm not entirely an amateur. Good luck with yours.
I'm excited by the bookstore though. As you might have noticed, I've complained a number of times about the way the one in the app store works. When it was newer, I would look through all the books, then all the new ones, then, well, it's just too difficult. The books section is expanding faster than all others other than the games section.
If this new bookstore is done well, I will start buying books from Apple again. I've bought over a dozen. The problem has also been that new bestsellers have been priced at list by the publishers. That's nuts! Who pays list for a book?
We'll just have to see how it works. I've written a bunch of short stories, but have never thought to have them published, even though I've written columns and articles for Kodak and others, so I'm not entirely an amateur. Good luck with yours.
I'm excited by the bookstore though. As you might have noticed, I've complained a number of times about the way the one in the app store works. When it was newer, I would look through all the books, then all the new ones, then, well, it's just too difficult. The books section is expanding faster than all others other than the games section.
If this new bookstore is done well, I will start buying books from Apple again. I've bought over a dozen. The problem has also been that new bestsellers have been priced at list by the publishers. That's nuts! Who pays list for a book?
Thanks. You should try to get your stories published somewhere, if you've already got them written. You've got nothing to lose if you don't mind frustration.
I was also a freelance tech writer for a number of years, even had a regular newspaper gig, until the market for for tech freelance dried up. Even the pittance they were paying me was too much for them to justify. It was fun while it lasted, which is pretty much a requiem for the entire newspaper business, come to think of it.
The trick is finding out something about individual tastes and making recommendations based upon them, another analogy to music. Would it be any more difficult to create a reading genome, I wonder?
Thanks. You should try to get your stories published somewhere, if you've already got them written. You've got nothing to lose if you don't mind frustration.
I was also a freelance tech writer for a number of years, even had a regular newspaper gig, until the market for for tech freelance dried up. Even the pittance they were paying me was too much for them to justify. It was fun while it lasted, which is pretty much a requiem for the entire newspaper business, come to think of it.
The trick is finding out something about individual tastes and making recommendations based upon them, another analogy to music. Would it be any more difficult to create a reading genome, I wonder?
You're not an amateur either. So there's some experience between us both. I've read some things people who were amateurs have written, and most has been pretty bad.
Amazon does that with me, as I've bought dozens of books from them over the years. Actually, more than dozens. Usually, they come pretty close to knowing what I would buy.
What I find funny in their site, as well as in others, is where they give you the "Here is what others buying this also bought." Usually, the items have nothing to do with it and just came from some shopping list someone had. You would think that if I'm buying DVD-R disks, they wouldn't put a listing for nylon stockings in that "also bought" category. Very amusing sometimes.
Ha. If you think the price of content is too high, wait until you find out how much the tablet will cost. Anyone still think it will be six hundred bucks? Nine hundred?
$1800 at least or greater. No way it will go cheap with all the research and development they must have in this thing.
LOL
What were you saying?
You're not an amateur either. So there's some experience between us both. I've read some things people who were amateurs have written, and most has been pretty bad.
Amazon does that with me, as I've bought dozens of books from them over the years. Actually, more than dozens. Usually, they come pretty close to knowing what I would buy.
What I find funny in their site, as well as in others, is where they give you the "Here is what others buying this also bought." Usually, the items have nothing to do with it and just came from some shopping list someone had. You would think that if I'm buying DVD-R disks, they wouldn't put a listing for nylon stockings in that "also bought" category. Very amusing sometimes.
At journalism at least, I was an amateur when I began. I found an editor who saw something in my ideas (bless 'em) and was willing to work with me. I was pretty undisciplined as a columnist when I started out. I wrote way too long, for one. I spent a lot of time reading columns that I liked by others, and asking myself why they were good. Usually, it had something to do with economy of writing (in addition to the avoidance of cliches). By the end I'd learned how to get my ideas across in 600 words or less. It was an education.
Yes, Amazon does a pretty poor job of directing customers to other products they might buy. That's just another opportunity for Apple, or somebody else.
At journalism at least, I was an amateur when I began. I found an editor who saw something in my ideas (bless 'em) and was willing to work with me. I was pretty undisciplined as a columnist when I started out. I wrote way too long, for one. I spent a lot of time reading columns that I liked by others, and asking myself why they were good. Usually, it had something to do with economy of writing (in addition to the avoidance of cliches). By the end I'd learned how to get my ideas across in 600 words or less. It was an education.
Yes, Amazon does a pretty poor job of directing customers to other products they might buy. That's just another opportunity for Apple, or somebody else.
But you did have an editor. That's my point. Editors help new writers write better, and even very experienced writers need them. Unfortunately, amateurs have no editors.
Amazon does get my book selections right though.
But you did have an editor. That's my point. Editors help new writers write better, and even very experienced writers need them. Unfortunately, amateurs have no editors.
Amazon does get my book selections right though.
Truthfully, the best thing my editor did for me was give me a chance and be patient and encouraging. He didn't change much. Editors can also screw you up. I had that experience after he left the paper and I had to deal with somebody else.
Still, nobody can edit their own work. That I do know.
Truthfully, the best thing my editor did for me was give me a chance and be patient and encouraging. He didn't change much. Editors can also screw you up. I had that experience after he left the paper and I had to deal with somebody else.
Still, nobody can edit their own work. That I do know.
The last point is the big one.
Anybody can do that already, through companies like Xlibris, but it's relatively costly and results in a printed book. Before those existed, there were the vanity presses. They'd print anything, so long as you paid for it. They don't exert any editorial control, or only provide it as an option for a fee. I'm not too concerned about self-published amateur junk. A lot of professionally published books are junk, so gatekeepers are no guarantee of quality. In fact I really like the idea of writing finding its audience more naturally, in the way we now do with music.
In terms of music YouTube and many other sites are great ways to discover new music and mixes.
Speaking for electronic/dance music myself, I am proud to say my remix of Linkin Park's New Divide is one of the top results on YouTube for "linkin park new divide remix" searches... With 51,000+ views. ( Quick plug:
There will always be the "GateKeepers" of media publishing even in the digital realm, but there's ways around that, which will continue to evolve, mature, or sometimes, die off...
I agree that a lot of professionally published books nowadays is rubbish. But I stopped reading books about 5 to 10 years ago, despite being quite an avid reader when growing up. My last real read was the Dune series. I tried out some of the "reimagined" sequels from Herbert's son and Kevin J Anderson(?) and it was unbelievably just such a let down.
I can tell you in Asia anyways wealth is growing but people aren't spending a lot of time and money reading books nowadays.
Personally, I think the grumblers are missing the point entirely -- but I don't think Apple is missing it. I believe Apple knows precisely what they are trying to do, and they are aiming themselves directly at that target. Whether they hit it or not with this version of the iPad is an open question, but it seems very clear to me that they are going to try, and keep trying, until they get it right.
it's really not that high. actual hardcovers are 3 times that retail with discounts for perhaps the first two weeks.
Where do you shop? Maybe for a 1,200 page Stephen King book, the most expensive hardcover book I could find on B&N's top 50 bestseller or pre-order lists was $22.
For e-books that cost the providers nothing but server space and bandwidth this is a ripoff.
Like newspapers, book publishing is a dying industry. And yet, people still have a desire to read and be informed. How does that gap get filled, if the traditional methods of doing so are withering away? I think fundamentally this is the question Apple is hoping to answer for written matter with the iPad in the same way they provided a new direction for music with the iPod. The stakes are even higher, and so are the rewards, if you get it right. With all the pointless cat fighting going on over what the iPad is or is not, this is the big picture question that gets squeezed out of the discussion.
Personally, I think the grumblers are missing the point entirely -- but I don't think Apple is missing it. I believe Apple knows precisely what they are trying to do, and they are aiming themselves directly at that target. Whether they hit it or not with this version of the iPad is an open question, but it seems very clear to me that they are going to try, and keep trying, until they get it right.
Of course, once the print shops disappear, people will perceive no value in a book, or magazine. That's the problem we see. They don't understand that it takes plenty of money to find, groom and support writers, musicians etc. As most books and music loses money, who but the publishers can afford to do the work required? Self publishing and self producing music isn't the long term answer.