Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Books, Books, Everywhere!

The topic this week is about books and ebooks in the next five years. Now, I don't own a Kindle or any similar device. I spend so much time on the computer as it is, I'd hate to have to sit at one (or something similar) to read a book. I love the smell of a real book! The paper, the ink, all have a distinct smell that no computer could ever capture.

However, ebooks are becoming more and more the norm. Yes, it does have its advantages. Less paper is used, so less trees are cut down. Less paper waste, etc. Also, having a Kindle or such thing can be great! Hundred of books at my fingertips where ever I am? Glorious!

With that in mind, I do think that the future holds a continuous rise in the popularity of ebooks and epublishing. I agree with Jenn though. I don't think regular books will ever be fully out of style, but more of a partner with ebooks.

Many companies nowadays offer both styles, usually with the ebook coming out first and the print copy out a few months later. This is great for authors as I noticed the turn around time from acceptance to release date is much faster. It's easier to format an ebook for download than to print a few hundred paper copies of a book. So, while the ebook is out there gathering fans, the publishers are working on the paper copies. I think it's a great system that works well for all involved - authors, publishers, and readers.

Now, the down side right now for ebooks, are those "fake" epublishers. You know, the ones that say you're published, but you're really not. These companies give epublishing a bad name! They have no standards of publication (as in no requirements or real query process) nor do they offer any sound royalty returns or official contract. Others are more difficult to spot as they have all the pieces in place but when the author doesn't get their royalty check, they realize it's too late. Now, this could apply to some print publishing companies also, but I don't hear of it too often.

I suppose that there is to be corruption anywhere, as that is the way of the world. So, for the ending part of my post here, I want to warn all authors to make sure you do your research into a publishing company and agents. There are a lot of scammers out there so gather all the information you can BEFORE submitting your work. Read over any contracts - with a lawyer - before signing (with ANY company). In this great world of technology, it's even more important to make sure you keep yourself - and your work - safe.

There is a great site out there - Preditors and Editors. They have a great list of agents and publishers, along with reviews and notices about which ones to avoid. Every writer of any type, should check this list often.

Ebooks and print books are around to stay for years to come, I'm sure. While I prefer print books, I can definitely see the good points to ebooks. They are sure to flourish and become more popular as time goes along. And who knows - maybe in a year or two, I'll own a Kindle too!

13 comments:

  1. Yes Cj,, I have considered a kindle myself. But find myself sitting here somedays oggling my collectin of books and orgnizing them into author titles and what not else.. Mind you saying that e books are often offred free by authors -writers to give a taste of there work, which I think is a great thing, it gives you site into what you will receive, what the authors style is like and if its your thing.
    But once again as you said, also from a writers point of view have to be careful. Look into the important stuff before Offering your books for free. ;)
    Mabye in time I will to get a e-reader - kindle, it does hold over 1000 books or so.. depending upon what u purchase. But me being me, I love to smell the new pages, eagerly wait for the posty to deliver my new book and then sit there comfortably in bed, away from the laptop having my own personal time. Its all personal preference. But I do love my books especially when they have been signed for me :)
    Thats icing on the cake for me... A kindle or e book reader wont replace that .
    .
    Katrina ;)

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  2. My Kindle has replaced some of the "mushy bottom" books I've dropped in the bathtub. Although I did drop mine in last week. For the price of a new battery, all 84 of my recently purchased books are saved and I get a new Kindle. Not bad.

    My reading speed went up 3 times after I got my Kindle. In the day and age when we have to read so much of each other's work, that was a boon I didn't expect. And, I can adjust the print so when I read before bed, and my eyes are tired, I can expand it.

    It's also easier reading those large letters when I'm on the recumbent bike or stepper machine. I read in line at the bank, when I'm waiting for someone. I read more when I don't have to pack around paper.

    I've been feeling like a hamster with all the print books, and I mean tiny print books, I have lying around. I don't buy a paperback except when I have to, and if I really like the book, I still buy the hardback version I know I'll treasure for years.

    It's just one more tool for our arsenal. Cell phones haven't done away with land lines. But what did we ever do when we couldn't get those calls when we were shopping or driving? We lived. Just that now our living is enhanced (some would say otherwise). I see the same for epublishing. I do think it is something to get onboard about, and fast, and I am not a snob. I just can see a trend and want to be part of it.

    And how fun to have more choices!
    Sharon

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  3. The post was by Ana - not me, but I think you were directed here from my FB page - sorry it's confusing.

    And guess what? I can finally hold my head up high when I see your name - the package has been sent!! yay!! Hope you enjoy it and yes, be prepared to find errors. It is on the fourth edit since I printed the batch up.

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  4. Thanks for the post, Ana. Part of my preparing for Friday's post is to see what everyone else who posts before me thinks. It's been great and I think has been pointing me where I need to go.
    For those who have yet to decide on that Kindle, it's fantastic! My wife, the lady who frowned when it arrived, has used it more than your's truly! I'm certainly reading a lot more than I have in a very long time. You won't be disappointed...just don't take it into the tub with you. Okay? ;)

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  5. Sharon and James - I would love to have a Kindle but can't afford one at the moment. And, like I said, I don't think I could ever really put down the good old paper back. The scent of a book is priceless - the feel of the pages! OH! But, with a toddler that likes to tear the pages from my book, I think a Kindle would be a GREAT thing. And don't worry James, if I ever get one, I won't take it in the tub. ;)

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  6. Ana, you made a great point about scammers! I can just imagine the day when downloading books illegally becomes as bad as downloading free music! Right now I think it's a great way to increase sales, because it's still on the rise. But there are sure to be imitators and fakers trying to cheat you out of your money.

    As for me, I've never even considered buying a Kindle - that's how much I love real books. Haha. But perhaps one day I will change my mind about that. Mmm. Maybe.

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  7. Oh thanks Cj for the clarification !!!!
    and Anna thanks for the post !!!!
    Yes I to love my books and one day whenI could afford a kindle Id consider it,, there are a few free books out there .. which I have been told are an excellent read!! and gives great insite to what the author has written,, THANKS JAMES I WON ONE OF YOUR E BOOKS..... ;) VERY HAPPY INDEED,, I HAVE YET TO READ.. BUT ITS DEFINELTY ON MY TRP.. ;) very soon and Ill leave u a review !!! Thanks muchly.
    But yes,, I love the smell of a new book and of course as I said in my post.. A signed book is icing on my cake !!!!
    but a kindle holds over 1000 books now thats a definate plus!!!
    Thanks ;)
    Katrina

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  8. ;)
    Thanks Cj,,,
    Yes I was directed from your face book page ;)
    and thanks for the post Anna :)

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  9. James :)
    I have your e book I won Thanks muchly... !! This is in my tbrp... ;)
    Bonus of a kindle Im assuming I can add it to my kindle when I buy one ;)

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  10. I wasn't sure about eBooks and Kindle in the beginning, but now I can see some definite upsides. When I moved from Fort Worth, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia, I had a hell of a time deciding which books to pack up and store and which ones to get rid of.

    There are stores called Half-Price Books in Texas and six other states (but not Georgia). I took seven (!) large boxes of books to them before I moved.

    With Kindle, I could have kept a lot more of them.

    I still prefer to read a book while sitting on the beach watching to see if anyone meets a bull shark in the shallows, but I'm slowly coming around to Kindles.

    It seems kind of oxymoronic, to be unsure of e-publishing while selling stuff to be e-published. Sort of like Mitch Miller (may he rest in peace) selling tons of albums for Columbia Records but despising the company's rock-n-roll so much that Frank Sinatra once told him to never speak to him again.

    Nice post as always, Ana.

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  11. James,
    I read something recently where an e author put into her work something like, "if you didn't buy this from....xyz....source you are violating copyright laws and it is considered piracy...." She just put it right into some paragraph a scammer wouldn't see, but the reader would probably pick it up.
    Sharon

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  12. JD - You make an interesting point about pirated books. I didn't even think about it, but you're probably right!


    Sharon - That's a good practice to use I'm sure. I'll have to remember to put something like that up on my website after I'm published. I doubt it will prevent all scammers, but hopefully some people will do the right thing.

    Greg - Wow Greg. I used to have a lot of books like that. Sadly, about 4 years ago, I lost everything (long story) including all of my books. So, I'm slowly having to rebuild my library again. It's been a slow process so far, as most book purchases lately are ones for my son! And that's an interesting tidbit about Sinatra and Miller!

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  13. Hi, Ana, great post! Sorry about the delay in getting to read it... I was well out of town having my first taste of Camel!

    I still don't own a kindle (or any other reading device other than my lap top) and, for the time being, I don't see myself changing! My reason? Well, I find it hard enough trying to read the paper books I have!

    I'm also not sold on the "going green" idea... it may save trees, but there are a lot of other natural resource materials that go into electronic items which are costly and disposed of with regularity as new machines are brought out! Paper can and is recylced! :)

    Keep the great posts coming!

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