I have been following the development of ebooks for eight years now. The one thing I still remember from Book Expo America 2000 in Chicago is how the topic of ebooks seemed to dominate every single workshop I attended. Ebooks were the next big thing.
We've been publishing books for eight years now and converting to and distributing our titles as ebooks has always been in the back of our minds. (We were even fortunate to register the domains ebookpublishing.com and ipublisher.com in time!) Yet the big ebook invasion promised in 2000 never really happened. There are still too many competing ebook platforms and formats to choose from. (See the recently resolved battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD for high-definition DVD formats.) Digital rights management (DRM) is also a mess. Besides, we already offer superior book publishing services and distribution of paper books, and we will do the same with electronic books only if it benefits our authors and the sales of their books.
Having said that, this may be the time to reevaluate launching our ebook services and I need your help! Amazon has recently introduced its ebook reader, the Kindle. This device breaks away from the other competing technologies by including its own wireless distribution system: you don't need a computer or Internet connection to be able to purchase and read ebooks on the Kindle. As we look into the launch of our ebook publishing services, Amazon's Kindle will definitely be on the top of our list for available formats.
I need your help with the following: Assuming that you have written or are writing a book, post a comment below with your thoughts on whether you think your book would be well-served by distribution as an ebook. Do share with us also whether you have a strong preference for a particular ebook format: Kindle, MobiPocket, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Reader, Palm Reader, etc. If we were to provide you with your ebook, would you want it distributed and rights managed by Wheatmark (through Kindle, Amazon, online ebookstores) or would you just prefer to get a particular ebook file (e.g. PDF) that you would host and distribute on your own website yourself?
Any comment you have, please, share it with us by posting it below. Anonymous posts are OK.
We've been publishing books for eight years now and converting to and distributing our titles as ebooks has always been in the back of our minds. (We were even fortunate to register the domains ebookpublishing.com and ipublisher.com in time!) Yet the big ebook invasion promised in 2000 never really happened. There are still too many competing ebook platforms and formats to choose from. (See the recently resolved battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD for high-definition DVD formats.) Digital rights management (DRM) is also a mess. Besides, we already offer superior book publishing services and distribution of paper books, and we will do the same with electronic books only if it benefits our authors and the sales of their books.
Having said that, this may be the time to reevaluate launching our ebook services and I need your help! Amazon has recently introduced its ebook reader, the Kindle. This device breaks away from the other competing technologies by including its own wireless distribution system: you don't need a computer or Internet connection to be able to purchase and read ebooks on the Kindle. As we look into the launch of our ebook publishing services, Amazon's Kindle will definitely be on the top of our list for available formats.
I need your help with the following: Assuming that you have written or are writing a book, post a comment below with your thoughts on whether you think your book would be well-served by distribution as an ebook. Do share with us also whether you have a strong preference for a particular ebook format: Kindle, MobiPocket, Adobe Reader, Microsoft Reader, Palm Reader, etc. If we were to provide you with your ebook, would you want it distributed and rights managed by Wheatmark (through Kindle, Amazon, online ebookstores) or would you just prefer to get a particular ebook file (e.g. PDF) that you would host and distribute on your own website yourself?
Any comment you have, please, share it with us by posting it below. Anonymous posts are OK.
Labels: Amazon, book marketing, ebooks, Kindle, self-publishing
posted by Atilla Vekony on 3/18/2008
Permalink
55 Comments:
I think e-books would be a wonderful up to date way to help in selling more of my books... I would prefer Micro-soft word format for my book.
As to whether I would want to add and e-book to my website...I'm so busy with life now I would prefer to have Whearmark manage the e-book for me.
Thanks...
I think e-book is one of the ways to meet the demands of the fast-paced literary world. I also think Microsoft Reader is more accessible to many readers.
Regarding whether or not I prefer to market my e-books on my website, I would prefer Wheatmark to manage the e-book for me because I am a college professor with a very busy life. I also have lots of unpublished manuscripts, so can I send them to you to start the experiment on e-book?
Mrs Felicia Ibezim, Ph.D
Ekwike Books & Publishing
www.ekwikebooks.com
They are excellent way to sell your book. $15 + about $10 for postage, or $5 just to download it... which one are you going to choose?
I've sold heaps more of my books "U-Mart" since I started selling cheap in EBook format. You make about the same amount of money too and didnt even need lulu.com etc.
Had it made free at http://dw3k.com/printing
Felicia, thank you for your feedback on the ebooks. You mentioned Microsoft: don't confuse the "Microsoft Reader" with "Microsoft Word" though!
Here is where you download the Microsoft Reader:
http://www.microsoft.com/Reader/
Jim, thanks for the input. I'll check them out.
As someone considering Wheatmark as publisher of my book, I would want the ability to offer the book as an ebook, as well as a paperback book. This is especially important to me because my book can be broken down into discrete, self-contained chapters that I might be able to sell individually as well as a whole ebook.
I am also an author (just completed my novel) who is considering Wheatmark to publish my book. I would also like both paper and ebooks. I was looking at desktopauthor.com, which allows the ebook to look and act like a real book. How does what you are considering compare? Also, I think I would like the option to have Wheatmark manage the ebook, or that I could manage it myself. I am looking at various website venues where I would post it for sale in conjunction with an online store. Thanks.
I have two novels in the Christian fiction genre that are fully edited and ready to go. I'm considering creating a website with "teaser" e-book pages to facilitate orders online. What do you think--will this work?
In terms of entire books on an e-book format, I tend to think not, since one must sit at a computer for many hours to read one. That's hard on the eyes and the butt.
What about downloadable ebooks? Many people are downloading ebooks to their ipods and palm devices.
Hale, your book is Christian fiction and it's true that ebooks are not the best format for fiction. What you would need is just a PDF file that you can display or give away on your website (a few pages), or something like the preview function of Google Book Search.
LM, the DNL (Desktop Author) format is a good one. We're looking into many different formats and that will be one to consider. They key is how an ebook is distributed.
I think I would be interested in my book "To Be Chosen" being available in ebook form...I'm not sure which reader...The amazon product will probably eventually dominate the market, but in the short run, people appreciate being able to download to whatever device they already have. I would probably want Wheatmark to host and handle it as long as I didn't have to turn over my rights and ownership...Michael Travis Jasper
I think that e-books is a VERY good idea! I think that you should have a poll/vote taken as to which download format is the most famous and then use it.
I think that you will find that most authors will prefer Wheatmark to manage the rights etc... We are very busy and just would not have the time to manage it.
I really appreciate Wheatmark contining the monumental task of growing with services that will bring to light and make it easily accessible for many authors. Thanks for all that you do!
Amazon's "Kindle" is not cheap, and I think only dedicated-book-buyers would spend the money.
Can an ebook be sold via both Wheatmark's site and the author's website?
My non-fiction book can be broken down into purchasable sections/chapters, so it would lend itself to being practical for an ebook approach. I assume that going ebook does not prohibit traditional print sales.
I do not have a preference for the format, but if The Unicorn and the Dragon was made available as an ebook, I would want Wheatmark to manage it.
I believe Amazon has it right with their distribution channel. You buy and the next day wake up with a wonderful new book on your Kindle. That's great! No store. No traffic. No worries. Having said this, I'm an author who has used Wheatmark and am in the process of placing my novels on Amazon's Kindle. If Wheatmark were to offer this service, I'd certainly consider.
I have friends whose jobs involve a lot of travel and they have started doing all their recreational reading through ebook purchases. They tell me they prefer the Sony electronic book reader over the reader they'd need to purchase for Amazon Kindle.
If offering The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood as an ebook would have a positive impact on my royalties and not entail any additional work for me, then of course, I'm all for it.
Hopefully, this feedback is of value, then again, I still use my VCR to record TV shows, so if I've missed the point, please forgive!
I would you want it distributed and rights managed by Wheatmark. It would be easier for me to manage the sales of my Soft(Hard) cover and ebook from one location. I definitely would like to see Kindle (Amazon) book also and another form of ebook. Kindle seems to be the way of the future.
Thanks
Most publishers would (my opinion) leave management to Wheatmark. I read 60 - 100 books a year and I don't like e-books as the source of reading novels. If I enjoy a book, I like to pass it on to someone that might not have the $ to purchase it. Children need to get away from the electronic aids and learn to read as an enjoyment, as an escape from work and/or school. As an author, I would leave it up to Wheatmark's judgement as to the +/- advantage n sales, but I think e-book is still in the birth stage and caution is still to be considered.
I have not kept up to speed on e-book technology so, unfortunately, I cannot comment on it.
However, I will look into it after I finish my second book.
Kind regards,
Coach Melvin
www.FearNoDog.blogspot.com
Since some of my material is esp helpful for military personnel, I think that at least one large chapter of my book would be very beneficial as an e-book. Despite their heavy schedules, it is amazing how much time some people have while waiting to go out on their field duty. Overall, I believe that e-books are the wave of the future. Yes, I would have Wheatmark manage it for me.
LC
Yes, e-books are beginning to be quite a big hit in the world and would be an asset in selling my book to a wider audience.
I would prefer Wheatmark to manage the e-book on my behalf, though.
Kind Regards,
Cathy Dannhauser
Wow! Let me weigh in on this. This is Wheatmark's published Author Joel Krupa. Here's what I think: Not only is an E-book a perfect opportunity in a financial sense, it allows people who are constantly on the go something that they can read anytime for much cheaper than a book. You might have a book that costs you 20$, why not the same book for a $5 download? More sales and less overhead.
I mean, it makes no sense not to do an e-book. And if it was possible to get it on a mp3 player, like a Zune or an Ipod, that would be great too. Eventually I would like to do an audio book, but that is probably going to be a whole different ball game.
Final thoughts? I would LOVE for Wheatmark to do an e-book for me. It would be fantastic.
So far you're doing a good job, so do as you think best. Yes, Wheatmark can handle the e-book of my titles.
Bob Miller
From Marianne Dorman
I still think the best way to read a book is in paperback form.
Personally I find it difficult to read for any length of time from a computer.
If it did come to only ebook, I think I would want Wheatmark to mange that for me.
I agree with the one writer, that I am too busy to try to manage a website. I like the idea of Micro-soft word format, or adobe reader.
It would be nice to be able to edit contents or update information from time to time, with Wheatmark managing the website.
Thank you!
Dear Atilla; I already have my book as an e-Book. Thanks. I will want to sell it myself. Thanks, Shel Sosna
I would be VERY interested in an EBOOK for The Secret for Teens that I am currently publishing, in addition to other ideas I have.
Yes, I would like to sell the ebook from my website.
Ebooks have typically had incredible success, as it is a FAST way to get information.
I have been working in the publishing/book sales industry for 5 years now, and there are always 2 schools of thought. There are those who want a physical book in their hand, and those who travel, with busy lives, that live on their laptops.
An ebook would reach a wider audience for me, and also hit a group (teens) that are far more advanced technology wise than anyone from my era.
Andrea Adams (Samadi)
From Bob Carter
I believe that ebooks are the way to go. Although the uptake has been slow, there seems to be a stronger move now towards a greener environment. The new technologies of electronic book readers should only encourage a growing opportunity.
Perhaps the first ebook you publish should be about the benefits of the media versus traditional publishing
I support e-books as another avenue for selling books. As far as formats are concerned I think you have to look at Microsoft and Amazon as the leaders in the field. Currently, I would be interested in marketing e-books on my website.
I published my Wheatmark book (The Shopkeeper) on Amazon Kindle and I’d like to share my experience before stating my preferences.
The formatting of a book for Kindle distribution is not a piece of cake, especially for a non-fiction book with headings, sub-headings, charts, and illustrations. The Shopkeeper is a novel, so I had none of these difficulties. It still took several attempts to get an acceptable appearance with proper pagination. Although the story is the same and the appearance acceptable, I believe the Kindle design is inferior to the hardcopy format.
Ebooks are becoming especially popular for two types of readers: professionals and people with commutes on public transportation. (If you check out the kindle inventory on Amazon, you’ll see a lot of medical and law books. Imagine carrying around several hundred reference books in a package the size of a paperback—and you can cross-reference all of them at the touch of a few buttons.)
Amazon automatically links reviews, blogs, and other attributes between various formats. (It takes several weeks for the initial link.) It is not necessary to make separate marketing posts for a Kindle format. More sales, no additional work.
All bestsellers offer a Kindle format, so offering a Kindle version for Wheatmark books makes the product page look more like the offerings from the big houses. I believe Kindle banner ads increase the credibility for the hardcopy version and encourage buyers to investigate the book further.
Kindle’s success has prompted Sony to increase their advertising for their ebook device. (Lots airport ads trying to entice commuters.)
To date, I have only sold fifteen Kindle versions of The Shopkeeper. (As you mentioned, novels don’t have a strong Kindle demand.) Not an impressive number, but I put very little effort into getting these sales and they will continue indefinitely. The number is small, but sales have become more frequent lately and I suspect that word-of-mouth is easier to achieve in the Kindle community. As I said, I believe the availability of a Kindle format also helps my hardcopy sales.
That said, I would prefer Wheatmark to offer ebook publication services. I believe this would be valuable to your authors, especially since most of them are non-fiction writers and many Wheatmark publications are professional books that have a value beyond the first reading.
One service would be to professionally upload Kindle versions consistent with the hardcopy design and pagination.
Another would be to establish a new site to create a common platform to download ebooks in any of the popular formats.
A third might be sample chapters that can be linked to by your own website and author blogs or websites.
One final comment: I’m in favor of anything that will allow me to focus on writing.
Hello Ailla,
I do believe, from all that I have seen, that Ebooks are the new wave of reaching out to a large audience.
As to which format, I would need to do further research. However you are in the business and would have a much better feel for which one is more appropriate in respect to need, publication and returns.
Distribution and rights management should remain with Wheatmark, same as the printed, hard copy books so as not to complicate matters.
In thought, Ebooks could be used as another tool or teaser if you will. If the reader likes a chapter or two of what they are reading, it may prompt the reader to purchase the printed, hard copy. Just my thoughts....
Be always safe,
Karen P.
I think having the publisher handle the ebook distribution would be easier and I would prefer that there be the link with the publisher rather than direct from author as a marketing device.
James Charnock, that's right, nonfiction books like yours are good ones to be handed out chapter by chapter, even if there is also distribution for the whole ebook.
Michael, Cleve, Tyler, Nadine, LC, Cathy, Andrea, Bob, Marianne, Karen, thanks for the great input!
Eddie, yes, paper books are here to stay and I don't see a danger of them going away (unless it's some digitalized paper substitute!)
Shel, you're doing it the best way, you have set up and are distributing your own ebook. We hope to help those who for various reasons prefer not to do it themselves.
James Best, I really appreciate your feedback. Good job on selling fifteen copies on Kindle already. I would say that it is impressive, given how rare Kindles are still today. Your last sentence, "I’m in favor of anything that will allow me to focus on writing" is an inspiration to all of us at Wheatmark!
I think reading a book with it's beautiful cover is still the best way (vs. an e-book), but I agree that offering this manner for distribution is important. Many people are fine with downloading it and printing it, so why not take advantage of this to increase sales?
Though I haven't yet set up a website, I'd envision offering the e-book on my website, while continuing to have Wheatmark offer the paperback version.
The world is going digital, enough said. I just had this conversation with two young editors who work at the TV station I do, and they were asking me about digital books. They specifacly mentioned Kindle, but I think that's because it has been in the news. As far as managing, I think most of us would benefit from Wheatmark taking the lead.
Dan Davis
Phoenix
I think that ebooks is another means to distribute that is good. I prefer to have a hard copy of my books available so people can easily pick up and read as they wish. However, I would add ebooks to the list because many others like the electronic world even more. I would prefer Adobe reader to enhance the ease of extracting certain pages or sections.I would definitely prefer that Wheatmark handle and market the entire package.
It seems that an ebook should be available in all formats - that's the beauty of 'e'. And I'd prefer that Wheatmark handle the distribution and collection.
Atilla,
We are interested in getting the information in our book out to other readers, and think ebooks is a grand idea, pending the fees involved. Offering both hard copy and ebooks cannot hurt anyone.
You have researched the matter and understand the available systems better than we, so prefer to leave the choice up to Wheatmark. Adobe has worked well for us simply because of intricate maps, pictures, etc.
Recall that our Sir Robert Bell book was not geared for profit; rather to establish previously unknown family history from Britain to early Virginia and other colonies. Both goals were attained through you in less than a year. We were overwhelmed with email queries. So,for our purposes, additional reading avenues has to be a winner.
Jim and Fran Bell
I just checked out the Kindle on the web. That is the most exciting new technology I've seen lately. I think if Wheatmark doesn't go to e-books that will work with the Kindle format, it wilil be left in the technological dust of the next few years. I would LOVE to have my book available for Kindle owners. I plan to become a Kindle owner ASAP.
I think ebooks are a great idea. They're convenient for people on the road, those who'd rather listen to a book than read it, or those who can't read at all. I think it's a wonderful idea.
I think ebooks are a great idea. They're convenient for those who are on the go, those who would rather listen to a book than read one, and those who can't read. They're a very, very wonderful idea.
From what I know about e-books it seems that it is a rather specialized market at this point in time. There are so many different types of readers that the situation is not clear about what would be the best tool. The reader offered by Amazon is rather expensive and even the "best sellers" cost the read $9.99 to download. But, once it is clear which product is best for selling more books, then the whole idea is excellent. Without hind-sight I'm just not in a position to choose which is best. Still, if making my books available as e-books without there being any cost to me, I'm absolutely for any of the options.
Wheatmark does a fantastic job. Make ebooks available too and manage the job well, as you do already for the publishing of non-ebooks. I like Adobe reader, Microsoft Word and pdf use
RADickey
Sharon, Jerry: Thanks for your feedback. Extracting a few chapters of the Adobe Reader ebook, and then giving them away for free on your website is a great way to entice people to "test drive" your book before they purchase the book.
Jim and Fran: Your book, being full of charts and maps, would be best served by the Adobe Reader version and not the other, text-based readers. I am not surprised that you get so many email requests: your book is full of keywords people are searching for and Amazon and Google indexed the inside of your book.
Beki: thank you for your post. You may have to wait awhile for the Kindle, since it's out of stock.
May: I wonder if Amazon will one day be in a position to sell the Kindle really cheap, or even given them away.
Titus said...
An e-book would be very helpful because of the contents, of my law research book of municipal up to the US Constitutional violations using patent law as a remedy.
It seems that e books is inevitable, so if Wheatmark gets into the business, I would prefer that they manage it for me. I have browsed the Amazon site and the "Kindle" option seems to be the way that one could sell more e books, due to Amazon's visibility.
Harold Haddle, PhD
Building code books are already available in Adobe Reader and other electronic formats. I was planning to make Everybody's Building Code available in Adobe anyway. If Wheatmark wants to handle fulfillment of ebook orders, so much the better. I don't really want to be in the publishing and fulfillment business.
Bruce Barker
www.everybodysbuildingcode.com
Bruce: Thank you for your comment. For a building code book, I agree that Adobe Reader is the best format.
Much to think about, but bottom line: ebooks should be offered by Wheatmark in addition to paper. I, as many of those commenting, would leave it to your good auspices as to determining the format (although I lean toward Kindle). Predicated on the fees involved and exactly which rights Wheatmark would retain, I would prefer that you manage "No One to Cry To" as an e-book. I presume, due to less cost involved (i.e., savings in manufacturing and distribution), that there would not be a proportionate decrease in the author's return.
Is Wheatmark also considering issuing books on CDs?
Thanks, Atilla. The expertise of everyone at Wheatmark is valued!
Sharon: Thanks for the feedback about ebooks and the Kindle. No plans for audiobooks yet, however!
Im a new author. I think e-books could help me sell more of my books. I see more people using computers on airplanes than reading hard copy books. Books are great and I wouldn't want them to go away, but they're easily lost, left behind, torn, etc. when travceling. An e-book of "From Dunbar to Destiny" would be awonderful way to read it on the go.
I think e-books are the wave of the future. I also think wheakmark would do a fabulous job at managing any e-books.
I would love to see both of my Wheatmark books as Amazon Kindle offerings!
Betty Jo
When I commented on this post about a month ago, I said I had sold 15 Kindle versions of The Shopkeeper. With Kindles back in inventory, sales have improved and I've now sold 32. not great, but moving. Anyway, my latest book, The Shut Mouth Society went to the printers this week. Has Wheatmark made a decision on offering e-book service?
That is remarkable, especially for a fiction book on a relatively new and somewhat scarce format (Kindle)!
We haven't forgotten about ebooks. We've just released the web marketing analysis for nonfiction books, and the ebook is next!
Amazon is pretty much the embodiment of the Anti-Christ on this planet. They have made a lot of money by pretty much shafting everyone they have come in contact with.
Currently I have a 4 book technology series "The Minimum You Need to Know" that I don't allow my book distributor to move through Amazon. It does well enough through B&N and our direct sales Web sites.
I have read the agreement and most of the documentation Amazon has put out about their Kindle. I have also worked in the software development business for around 20 years. Be sure to save a placed on the basement storage shelf next to your 8-track tape player and that large platter laser disk movie player, because that is where Kindle will end up.
Unlike consumer technology of the past, eBooks don't get to choose a common platform. They never will. eBooks will not get to dictate a reader, no matter how much it makes the experience like reading a real paper book. People don't normally spend hundreds on a device to read books, they spend hundreds on a device which does many other things. Book reading will piggy back on that device.
eBooks must support Palm, iPod/iPhone, and non-windows based PC's, because that will be the market for the next 10 years. Ubuntu is already being loaded by Dell and working its way into corporate America. In less than 5 years the MS Office Suite will no longer be the corporate standard.
The only exception to this will be the mobi format. Not so much because the device won't end up on a storage shelf, but it had sufficient penetration. There will be "readers" written for Linux desktops, Palm, and other PDA devices.
I have yet to move my book series to eBook format. I do wish to do it, but will only do so through a conversion/distribution service which allows me to skip all MS support, provides COMPLETE security, and can exclude Amazon.com from the distribution channel.
Ask yourself one question. How can you "not need an internet connection" for the Kindle "wireless" device? Is the transmitter in it so strong it can reach an orbiting Amazon.com satellite? If so, hello cancer center. Transmitters that strong have to be licensed.
Oh, you say it will use "free wifi". Ask yourself just how many cities have successfully installed "free wifi". It's not free to install or operate. Someone has to foot the bill. This is why you don't see it being successful.
Technology books will do well with eBook formats that support the readers current work habits. Sometimes this will be reading in a non Microsoft Web browser on a non Windows platform so they can paste some code into a terminal window or program editor. Other times it will be a quick keyword search on their PDA for the correct syntax on how to do something. These books will sell well in eBook format and probably even sell for close to their print version price. The CONTENT has a value much higher than the price.
Novels are another story. People want to read them in the bathroom, in bed, or while commuting. If you want an eBook "device" to become popular, it has to have book size, unbelievable battery life, and perform ALL of the functions today's PDA's do. Book reading will simply be a bonus.
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