Comments on: Is Staggering Hardcover/E-book Pub Dates a Long-Term Solution?

By: ChrisBates

ChrisBates — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:58:58 +0000

Agree.

The consumer world has changed … but will the sellers listen?

By: ChrisBates

ChrisBates — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:58:58 +0000

Agree.

The consumer world has changed … but will the sellers listen?

By: jadedpublisher

jadedpublisher — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:09:10 +0000

It should go:

Day 0 -- hc $24.99

+4 months -- tpb $14.99

+8 months -- ebook $9.99 for cheapskates who'd rather be paying only $1.99 but hey if I'm really excited I might just pay the same price as three cups of coffee for the book that took you a year to write

By: The Daily Square – Did You Ever? Edition | Booksquare

The Daily Square – Did You Ever? Edition | Booksquare — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:30:35 +0000

[...] Is Staggering Hardcover/E-book Pub Dates a Long-Term Solution?No. (Just in case our response wasn’t obvious before!). [...]

By: Review of ‘Writing Riches 101’ Writing Guide Book | How Write Review

Review of ‘Writing Riches 101’ Writing Guide Book | How Write Review — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:04:43 +0000

[...] Is Staggering Hardcover/E-book Pub Dates the Long-Term Solution … [...]

By: Knownhuman

Knownhuman — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:21:17 +0000

To answer the question:

Yes, but only if a publisher wishes to pay to market a book twice. One of the reason why the window between theatrical and DVD release is progressively shrinking (averaging less than 3 months at this point) is that the producer/studio can use one marketing campaign to cover both releases. Traditional marketing is exceptionally expensive and growing less than less “trusted” by the consumer.

Aside – the latest poll places consumer trust of traditional advertising channels at 17% (that sub-Bush at his worst).

I think the fear, that eBooks will cannibalize hardcover sales is wholly unfounded at this point. However, as the shift towards electronic reading reaches critical mass, publishers will need to find ways to make the hardcover a distinct and special purchase – separating those who just want to read a story from those who want to collect, own, and possess (as fetish property) the hardcover book.

At this point, staggering releases into windows is foolish, ignoring the demands of the market, of the ultimate body the publisher should be trying to please. In the future, such actions will be perceived as isolationist, a reactionary, fearful, and unimaginative response.

By: Ed_Cyzewski

Ed_Cyzewski — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:15:09 +0000

Great questions and thoughts here. I keep thinking about the books I can pick up at my library but still purchase. There are certain books that I want to have accessible at a certain time and in a certain format. I think you're absolutely right in saying that preferred format needs to be available as soon as possible. Some folks won't want to read the book on a computer, but will still want to have it in hand and accessible on a book shelf. I don't see ebooks changing that.

As far as bundling goes, I'm leaning toward simply making all books available as pdfs all of the time and only charging for particular formats. That would solve some technical and availability issues, but I wonder if that gives up too much…