Guest poster and
has some advice for publishers, who are scrambling to develop e-boook strategies. Gail, who has owned a
for some time, says some publishers are too concerned about preserving short-term profits, while ignoring the good folks who read books. Here's Gail's take on the issue:
Hey publishers, "Listen to readers!"
I'm annoyed at the way some mainstream publishers are treating e-book readers. For example, by delaying the release of e-books, in the hope that this will increase hard copy sales. I doubt that this controlling tactic will work. Often a reader may want the e-book, not a print book. If the e-book isn't available in a timely fashion (a wait could be like being back in school and serving that dreaded detention!), the reader may decide to borrow the print version from a library. Or just forget about that particular book and turn to something else. Either way, it's a lost sale for the publisher.
I buy a ton of books, both print books and e-books, but I refuse to be pressured into buying an individual book in a format that I don't want. I hate bullying, and I'm not the only reader who feels that way.
Now let's talk price. To think about increasing a $9.99 e-book to $12.99 or $14.99 is ridiculous. Yet that is what is being predicted these days. In a depressed economy, what other industry would threaten increases of 30 to 50 percent?
Then there's the issue of turning off the text-to-speech function (the computerized voice that "reads" the book aloud) of the Kindle. A number of publishers have chosen to do that on their e-books. Very sad. Another blow to readers. This means that these books are inaccessible to the blind and people with a host of other disabilities. These are far from professionally produced audio books. This is the 21st century, when people should be able to "read" (for their own use) purchased books any way they want. There are tons of readers like me who feel strongly about supporting our fellow readers/listeners on this issue. It's unconscionable that corporate greed is denying the rights of our most vulnerable citizens.
There is a silver lining here though. The behavior of mainstream publishers is leading to an interesting development -- an opening for small press books. Many smaller publishers are offering text-to-speech on the Kindle, quality products, and reasonable prices. Good for them. More and more, the people who are on the Kindle Discussion Forums on Amazon are recommending small press books to each other. Three cheers for capitalism, which provides lots of buying choices and empowers the customer! ny company that doesn't serve us well will soon be history.
Publishers, before it's too late, listen to readers.