Interesting article in the New York Times about insurgency among ebook readers.
Over the last year, the most voracious readers of e-books have shown a reflexive hostility to prices higher than the $9.99 set by Amazon.com and other online retailers for popular titles.
But I’ve been reading some other articles, such as one on Publishers Lunch, and the main thrust of their argument is that publishers are setting the prices for their books, which they should be able to do, not Amazon. Another article stated that the $9.99 price point only applies to 4% of Amazon’s stock (but results in 25% of ebook sales.)
According to industry sources, the ebooks on the Apple device are slated to cost around $12.99.
The problem is – I’m an early adapter. The Kindle came out in 2007. The time for publishers to have made that stand was in 2007 or 2008 or 2009, not 2010.
In the Internet world, one year is worth ten. Where have publishers been all this time?
Readers’ expectations, whether they like it or not, have already been set. New books should cost $9.99 on Kindle.
Another comment that was made that just annoys the hell out of me was this: people who can afford an ereader can afford any price for ebooks. That’s just insulting.
Actually, I can’t see a reason to raise ebook prices $5.00 or more, especially now. Does it cost more to produce an ebook? No. Does it hurt the publisher to sell the book to Amazon and have Amazon take the price hit? I wouldn’t think so, since the publisher makes more by doing so. Will the higher price, set by the publisher, offset the cost of combating piracy? Actually, I see the higher price as inciting even MORE piracy.
Give someone a $4.99 book and they’ll buy it. Give someone a $12.99 book and they’ll probably do what I’ll do.
If I can’t get a book by one of my favorite authors for less than $12.99 – $14.99 on my Kindle, which is my preferred reading device, I won’t buy it. No, I won’t steal it, either. I’ll simply sigh, migrate off their page and go look elsewhere for something to read. This might result in a boon to those authors whose publishers have priced their books at around $5.00 on the Kindle.
I no longer buy paperbacks because, after a day at the computer, I can adjust the size of the font on Kindle. If my eyes are tired, up it goes. I can’t do that with paperbacks. Also, my bookshelves are filled, all 10 of them. I rarely buy hardbacks any more, because, well, I’m cheap.
Bottom line? I know the decision by publishers to increase ebook prices is their business. I know it’s their purview. I understand it’s their right. But I also think the decision is:
- two years late (where have they been?)
- penny wise and
- pound foolish
So, the new price? I won’t buy the more expensive books, but I bet I find some great new authors.
What do you think?
great post!
I am bookmarking for my weekly roundup this week!
Yeah the publishers should have taken a stance earlier. But I think we still talking early adaptors here with ebooks, they attempting it before it goes mainstream, so maybe not too late?
I must admit to being a bit conflicted on this one, as I am all for cheaper ebooks, and I think they should always be a little less than the current print release whether that mme/hardcover/tradesize, but I am also not a fan of Amazon, and can’t help but wonder just how long Amazon would continue to take a hit on the titles? Especially as ebook sales continue to grow? Would they then inch the price up? Or demand that the publishers lower the price with the threat to remove their e + print books?
While one year on the internet equals ten, I think in publishing it is the other way around. They do not seem to be early adapters of anything, and even for big corps move darn slowly.
When I was in the corporate world, one of the phrases I hated, hated, hated was: “We’ve always done it this way.” Maybe because the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?
The publishing industry is filled with intelligent people. They need to look forward, not backward. Whether they wish it or not, we’re in a brave new world of publishing. The ereader isn’t going away. The mindset of the reader is more and more being dictated not by those who loved the feel, touch, smell of paper, but those who want instant gratification (and, yes, I’m smack dab in the middle of that group).
I’ve become so capable of multi-tasking that I see nothing odd about putting my dinner in the microwave, leaving a message on voice mail for a friend, downloading a book to read, and then surfing the web to research a thought that flew into my head. All within minutes. I don’t have time to leisurely saunter through a bookstore, pick up a book, put it back, amble to another row. Once I did, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now? Not so much.
I am right there with you.
The first ebooks I ever bought I purchased because they were not available in paper and I really wanted to read them. As I got used to reading on my PDA I began to purchase more ebooks & fewer paper books. Now I have an ipod Touch w/ the Stanza & Kindle apps. I do love the instant gratification of an immediate download from Fictionwise or Amazon.
I only spend about $20/month on books. The rest of the time I read library books. I’d rather buy 4 books for my $20 than one. I shop carefully and buy books by my favorite authors or that come highly recommended. I tend to prefer Fictionwise because of the credits I earn toward future purchases. I don’t buy that much from Amazon. If books are going to be priced too high, I’ll do what I’ve always done–walk over to the library.
I think a lot of people feel exactly as you do, Phyl.
I had a “put your money where your mouth is” moment this evening. One of my favorite authors released a book today. The ebook price is $12.99. I really, really want the book. I won’t get it.
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I just wanted to say, great write up! I am of the same mind.
I have always waited for paperbacks and rarely bought hard or trade editions so I just figure I’m going to be doing the same thing again. As much as I love my kindle and the instant buy – I can’t justify spending more for a book that won’t really sit on my bookshelf and be beautiful in my home.
I really want a copy of a new book by a favorite author. Every time I’m tempted to hit the Buy the Book button, the price just seems to mock me. It feels like we’re in for a hurricane and suddenly, the batteries that cost $5.00 last week now cost $10.00. The batteries haven’t changed; the store hasn’t changed. Only the price.
I guess I’ll wait. But I can’t help but wonder if that’s the outcome publishers want?