Ebook Issue(s)
Ebooks, Enhanced Ebooks, and Apps
Is there a difference between ebooks and apps? Some argue that enhanced ebooks are apps. And, you can't sell an ebook, just the right to read it.
Which Titles Do Well as Ebooks?
Despite what most sales reports show, 75% of all ebook sales are technical and professional. But for books known as trade books, ebook bloggers and best seller lists indicate that fiction sells the most ebooks. Since ebook sales can't be tracked conventionally without acceptance of individual ISBNs, it's mostly guesswork.
The publishers that responded to my request for ebook experiences indicate all genres from cookbooks to yoga can work well digitally. Ebooks will often track a title's conventional book sales.
Ebook Readers
Just a few years ago your choice was your computer or a Kindle. There are over a dozen choices today and more are in use in Asia. New tablets, smart phones and now flexible screens are being tested. Consumers still need to understand some problems ereaders can pose, including incompatible formats.
As a publisher you won't need to offer books in all formats but as a consumer? Good luck, although some conversion tools are available.
Format Guidelines
Here are the first steps for publishing your book to Kindle (Amazon), Nook (B&N), or iPad (Apple). Or go to Smashwords and they'll help with all of your conversions and distribution.
How many ISBNs Are Enough?
Every edition in every format of your book needs a unique identifying ISBN whether you provide one or the distributor does. Amazon assigns an ASIN to your ebook even if you have an ISBN (if you have a 10 digit ISBN that will be your ASIN).
Without unique ebook ISBNs, sales figures and ebook bestseller lists can't be accurate.
Hit and miss Ebook Pricing
If there's definitive information about ebook pricing I can't find it. This and this admit that pricing is all over the board and not expected to stabilize soon and readers dislike the current inconsistencies. The big 6 publishers have adopted agency model pricing, but the overall market has not favored that system.
The conventional book pricing model won't work but it seems there's no model to replace it.
Size of the Ebook Market
Thus far, gauging the size of the market is done with smoke and mirrors. This points out that comparing ebook sales figures (direct to consumer) vs. conventional book sales (to retailers and wholesalers) is misleading.
January 2011 ebook sales were up 115% over previous January while the AAP reported a 200% increase in February sales of $90 million.
The European market is decidedly smaller (Euro at $.71 today) while the Japanese ebook market is dominated by comics.
Some ebook publishers report a small drop-off in sales after consistent monthly growth.
Market watchers see Amazon dropping from 90% of domestic ebook sales to less than 50% in the coming 4 years.
Follow Ebook Blog
Media Bistro (whose GalleyCat is my recommended daily book publishing newsletter) has a daily blog that follows all things ebook.
Back to Books
Your Text Stocks Eco-Footprint
There are many ways to judge a paper's ecological impact. This article has links to a number of ratings systems. And Domtar Paper now offers online environmental documentation of their stocks called The Paper Trail which details two of its more eco-friendly sheets.
Borders Sale?
Suddenly it appears Borders has found a buyer to sidestep liquidation.
Final thought
In the beginning was the Word. John 1:1
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