Are E' books really the thing of the future?

[Inez Laurie-Douglas]

Many publishers are suggesting the E' book option. I don't have the statistics on it ...and obviously need to do some solid research. But has anyone explored E-book market before?

[Miriam van Veen]

Considering Harlequin's profit increased when they introduced ebooks and the fact they are expanding their ebook offerings with lines like SPICE Briefs and Nocturne Bites (coming), I'd say ebooks are hard to ignore. Look at the availability of Kindle and the Sony eReader too. Kensington, Simon & Schuster and many others are adding ebooks to their catalogues making overseas sales easier.

I write erotic for Ellora's Cave, and there is a nice chunk of money made from ebooks.

[Inez Laurie-Douglas]

I guess it's worth some further research on my part as the feedback so far has been mixed.

[Anne Whitfield]

I don't think ebooks will ever go away.
Technology will only get better and easier to use, hopefully cheaper too. LOL

I'm sure there are statistics out there you can google. I remember reading somewhere that ebook sales have risen sharply in the last few years.

[Inez Laurie-Douglas]

I'm sure there might be some benefits...but I simply wanted to hear of other people's experiences and views on this subject. I often never go by the hype - sometimes publishers may encourage certain things not necessarily because it is profitable to the writer, but profitable only to themselves.

Notwithstanding, I imagine that E-books will serve short literary pieces better. I can't imagine a lengthy novel in E-book format. But my research and listening continues.

[K.A.Taylor]

Being Miss Cheapskate, my ebooks are of the free variety. I have so many research books now at my fingertips(literally) that I'm unsure that I will find time to read them all before I die(yes, pleasant thought). And I keep finding more. Between Google books, Internet Archives, Manybooks.net and other sources I'm in clover in research.

But for me--for pleasure--paper is still the way to go. I like holding a book in my hand, shuffling through pages. I want to be published in paper form(though I won't mind "selling" in either).

[Andee S. Davis]

The most prolific reader I know is a friend, male, who devours science fiction and James Bond-type fiction as soon as he can get to it, all on his Palm Pilot. Yes, he has mentioned the Kindle several times, and somehow, tho finances are tight, he will manage to get himself one, eventually.
Personally, I like a book in my hand, but I foresee e-books being more popular with the younger, I-Pod generation. The young readers who can't live without their text messages will, I think, be perfectly comfortable with this venue for accessing fiction.

[Delia DeLeest]

I think e-books are only going to get more popular, especially since Amazon has joined in the fray with their Kindle. There are those (many right now) who like the feel of paper in their hands, but as the older generations fade and the younger ones join the retail world, e-books are going to boom. Those of you with kids, especially teens, know that if it isn't digital, it isn't interesting.

I'm published in both versions and though my friends and family all bought the hardcopy version of my book, the hardcore readers bought the e-version. It's more cost efficient and saves tons of storage space in your house. 200 books in a crammed case in your living room or stuffed quietly, out of sight in your e-book reader of choice? I know what I choose.

[Denise Patrick]

I agree that ebooks are becoming more and more popular, but I also think that the majority of the population that reads historicals are older and prefer to hold the book in their hands. So far both of my historicals are only out in ebook, so I'm waiting to see if I'm proved right when they come out in print (one in June, the other in October). Sales haven't been great for either of them in ebook, but they haven't been dismal either. However, in no way have they sold the way erotica does - which I think is the majority of ebook sales.

[Celia Yeary]

I write romance-Western historical and contemporary. The Wild Rose Press is publishing my first book--a full length novel title ALL MY HOPES AND DREAMS. All their lines are first released as e-books; several months later, the full length version is released in trade paperback size. I researched e-publishing before I entered this fomat, specially for small presses, and also for a program I presented to a literary reading group. The small presses make their money on the e-digital form, as does the author. The prints aren't released nationwide--one must be Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, etc. It's my dream, of course, to be distributed nationwide, etc. But for now, I'm very happy with this opportunity.
Consider all books printed--only 2% are sold digitally. We are still a nation of readers who like to hold a book in our hand. BUT--with the Kindle and its kind, digital novels will increase in volume. (One day, all textbooks will be downloaded and carried on a tiny held-held device.) Celia Yeary www.celiayeary.com

[Tim]

E books have there place however I do not think that an e book will ever really replace the good old fashioned paperback you cant really take an ebook to bed with you for bed time reading now can you.

[Denise Patrick]

Actually, Tim, you can. That's one of the beauties of an ebook reader. Most are backlit, so you don't disturb your partner if you want to read in bed. And, when traveling, there is the convenience of carrying as many books as you want without packing an extra bag or suitcase. I read on my palm pilot (I'm saving up for a Kindle) and love the fact that I can take 10 or more books wherever I go and have them available with the push of a button.

[Celia Yeary]

Right, Denise, and when the Kindle comes down in price, I may invest in one. On Amazon, the Kindle was reviewed by Maya Angelou--the poet. she travels quite a lot, and carried 20-30 books with her--can't do that anymore, since the airlines charge extra for bags and weight. the Kindle has its place--but like Tim and others, I still want that book in my hand--even in bed! Celia