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I've considered publishing an E-book edition of my booklet about homeschool learning co-ops. I sell it directly and through several vendors, but I've been told that it would have appeal in E-book format too. I agree, now to find the time to do it...
I think that E-books are a different and useful alternative, particularly in certain markets, such as homeschooling. I've downloaded all kinds of E-books, and they've been great. But I admit, I prefer a regular old fashioned book as opposed to a sheaf of papers. Maybe it's just me, but curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and an E-book just isn't the same.
What about you, what do you think about E-books? Do you think that E-books will ever replace regular books? Have you written and published one? Share your thoughts with us. As always, we're all ears:)
Happy Writing!
49 comments:
I think e-books are cool and have certain audiences. I don't really read them though because the glare from my computer messes with my eyes. I don't whether e-books are the future. Someone once compared them to 8 tracks. *grin* I think they're more comparable to cds or iTunes, but we'll see, I guess. :-)
Hi Karen,
I don't see how ebooks can replace regular books. Especially fiction. How can you lie in bed and read a laptop? And, most of my non-fiction are studied, highlighted, dog-eared. You just cannot do that with a pdf.
Now about using that technology...yes, I have an e-booklet in the making. Why? Because I think the topic lends itself to it. It's bookLET, meaning it won't cost you a fortune to print it out and could easily be punched and put in a binder.
I guess we'll see what the future holds for this everchanging industry.
Have a great week!
Carol
I honestly am not too familiar with e-books, Karen. WOuld like to find out more about them. It's a whole new field for me. Thanks for all your informative posts. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
I haven't. Right now it's right on my radar, mostly for the audience thing Jessica mentioned. But I think it's a good idea and you should go for it if it feels right!
Jessica,
I agree, and I don't usually care for sitting at the computer and reading them. But then, it depends on what genre it is. I don't mind non fiction quite as much in that respect if I am applying it to something I am writing on the computer. They can be printed, but then you deal with the sheaf of papers. So it's a matter of preference when it comes down to it. Never heard them compared to 6 tracks, though!
Blessings,
Karen
Carol,
I agree here too on both points. I hadn't thought about punching holes in them and placing them in a binder. That's a good idea!
Blessings,
Karen
Susan W.,
There are so many new things out there, it's hard to keep up! Glad you stopped by.
Blessings,
Karen
Kristen,
You are right, it is a viable market. The best thing to do is assess what our books are intended to do and see if they are a good fit.
Blessings,
Karen
E-books are becoming bigger and there's room for more growth, but I don't think they will ever take over print books.
I have an ebook published but it also went into print.
Jennifer,
Congrats on the book/s! I think you are right; I don't see them taking over print, but they have their place.
Blessings,
Karen :)
Since I own a Kindle- I love e-books. They are my first choince when purchasing new reading material.
Tamika,
You bring up another good point. In today's world, it seems that there are places for many types of books.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen:
I recently read about an issue MacMillan had with Amazon.com. over e-books. Amazon stopped showing MacMillan wares. So, MacMillan took back all it's e-books from the customers' Kindle. It seemed that although the individuals had paid for the e-books, they really didn't OWN them.
I've only read one E-book and found the experience frustrating. While the book was excellent, reading on the computer lacked much in the way of creature comforts. (I didn't print it out.)
I prefer a real book that I can put in my purse or tote bag.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Can't get used to it. I'm such an old lady that way. I'm willing to try, but we will see.
~ Wendy
Wendy,
Well, if you're an old lady, then so am I! I read them sometimes, and acknowledge the usefulness, but still like regular books best:)
Susan R.,
Me too! There's just something good and comforting about tucking a book in your bag and taking it with you.
Cecelia,
That's another good point. Guess there's some tricky issues with them, gray areas too.
Thanks for stopping!
Blessings,
Karen
Karen,
Definitely think e-books have a future and WANT them to have a future, environmentally and logistically, especially for books that are read once, then discarded.
There will always be a place in my home for best friend books of the inhale the paper and binding glue sort!!!
Great post, Karen!!
Patti
Patti,
Thank you! I agree here too; environmental consideration is a plus. And my home will always have bookshelves. Always!
Blessings,
Karen
So far I have read two e-books. As a reading experience it wasn't as bad as I thought. I still miss having the book sit on the shelf though.
I also just bought my first audiobook. Am listening to it for the second time. Loved the experience as I 'read' while I drive the car to and fro. But again, sad to not see it on the shelf like the friend most books become.
But I'll buy both formats again :)
It seems like there are so many people out there who love their readers. I can't say that I ever will--reading on the computer reminds me too much of writing for a living:)
I've been thinking about getting an eReader, but I'm waiting for the price to come down. While I know I'll never stop buying books altogether, I do think I'd enjoy reading some in print and some on an reader. I think it's just the gadget girl in me. :-)
Dorothy,
You know, I've read a bunch of E-Books, and you're right, they're not bad. Just not my favorite way to read a book...But I think they are here to stay, and they do have their place.
As for audiobooks, that's another good point. My kids used them alot growing up, listening to them in the car, before bed, etc. My daughter (age 23) still listens to them. Perhaps I should get back in the habit:)
Blessings,
Karen
Terri,
LOL! That's a thought, and one reason I prefer regular books. Easier to cozy up on the couch, at least in my mind anyway:)
Blessings,
Karen
Sharon,
I admit I'm curious about the new devices, but the budget needs to be directed in so many other areas first, I haven't given it serious thought. Maybe someday. Let me know when you get one and how you like it!
Thanks for stopping,
Karen
Hey! Emily's list on facebook is helpful already. I'm glad to be following!
I don't think e-books will replace regular books completely, but I do think they'll get big. I don't have an e-reader personally, but I can see the benefits while traveling etc. I would hope that books could be published in both forms.
I have a rough time imagining ebooks taking the place of "real" books. I suppose they have their place in the modern market, but how can you highlight a sentence? They just aren't cozy.
Hi Nisa,
So nice to meet you! That would be my hope too. No e-reader here either, but maybe someday. Still liking good old regular books:)
Thanks for coming by,
Karen
Jeanette,
Yeah, lacking the 'cozy' is my thing too. I suppose if you printed the e-book you could highlight it. But to me, still not the same.
Blessings,
Karen
I think that in certain instances E-books would be convenient, but I would choose a good old fashioned regular book for a cozy reading spree!
Becky,
I'm all for that, a cozy reading spree! A snowy day like today seems like a good choice.
Thanks for coming by:)
Hugs,
Mom
Thanks for the link! I just published an e-book of my best blog devotionals from 2009. I am blessed because my twin helped me with it.
BTW, I love my Kindle!
-Alisa Hope
Alisa,
You are welcome! Yes, now that you mention it, I did see you mentioning your ebook on your blog. I'll have to get you to tell me about your Kindle sometime:)
Thanks for coming by,
Karen
Great question, Karen! Personally I think they're ok but I prefer the feel and portability of a book.
Professionally, we've had good success with e-books. We sell three and sales are steady. One of the books we're bringing out this year will definitely come out in e-book format as well as print because it's a Bible study/curriculum and the homeschool moms we hear from want it both ways.
Barb
www.barbarafrankonline.com/blog.php
Barb,
Sounds good. Think it's a matter of what the market is and things like that. As long as there are still books in print, we can all be happy:)
Thanks for dropping in,
Karen
I think they do have a future Karen. And to publish your book in that format would be extraordinary.
I hope they don't replace regular books. I love holding my book as I travel with the characters to distant lands.
Super post Dear Karen. =) Sorry I'm late getting here.
Hi Robyn,
You're not late! Whenever anyone stops by is right on time. I agree, I like holding a real book in my hands.
Blessings,
Karen
Hi Karen,
I didn't realize that you homeschool. I do too! I can see that a number of homeschoolers have had great success with self-publishing or small press with their homeschooling material, especially when they're willing to promote it at the big state conferences.
Jody,
You are right; I can see the particular value in the homeschool market, as well as others. We loved homeschooling, all mine have graduated:) All the best with your homeschooling endeavors!
Blessings,
Karen
I have an eBook about writing query letters and researching literary agents. It's been an interesting adventure. I think they work best for How-To guides.
Elana,
That is a good point, and now that you mention it, many that I have read have been the how-to kind. I think there's room for many kinds of books, just hope they never do away with my favorite kind.
Thanks for coming by and commenting, and for becoming a follower!
Blessings,
Karen
E-books are fabulous for niche markets. You should do it! With all the new e-readers out there, this will only get more popular.
Jill,
Thanks for the encouragement! I'm seriously considering it, thanks in part to this great ongoing discussion.
Blessings,
Karen
Sigh. Missed you today! Oh, well, Friday isn't so far away!!!
Blessings,
Patti
I have thought about ebooks. I know they are the wave of the future and a way to get published if you cant make headway with traditional publishing. Something to think about again...hmmmm. Thanks.:)
Patti,
Thanks for checking in. I need to head over to your blog and see what's happening there:)
Hi Jan,
This is another good point. It does present another publishing avenue. Thanks for coming by:)
For such a targeted audience you might try self-publishing too. Not all homeschool moms (one-salary house and all) have the money for a Kindle or Nook.
That's a good point, Lindsey. I have self published the print form of the
booklet, and am seriously considering the ebook version.
Thanks for coming by!
Karen
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