For those that keep on asking about publishing

[WRJames]

How long are your novels WR? The length of books throws me. Shorter works I can see as e-books, but longer works...who's the buyer at this point in the game?

I try to keep each one at a little over 80K words. They're a series, in a sense one very long novel, but broken up into smaller pieces. Actually, each of the novel is in three parts, and I've toyed with the idea of trying to sell each part individually as a "bite size".

As for readers -- good question. It seems like there is always a boom just around the corner for the ebook industry -- but so far it's not happening. Mobipocket has the ability to bring up a book on almost any handheld device, so I fantasize about people reading my books on their phones and balckberries on the way to work (hopefully not while they're driving!). Probably be bad to show up at the office with a hardon!

 

[shereads]

From the Salon article:

I ran into Patty the day her ninth book became her first to hit the Times bestseller list. She grabbed me by the shoulders, looked deep into my eyes. "It doesn't change anything," she said grimly. "My mother still doesn't approve of me. I still don't have a boyfriend. I still can't sleep at night. Don't let this be what you're waiting for."

If science could explain our hungers, and help us predict whether feeding them will satisfy or leave us emtpy, would we believe them? Would any of us change course?

 

[JPMMURPHY]

From the Salon article:


If science could explain our hungers, and help us predict whether feeding them will satisfy or leave us emtpy, would we believe them? Would any of us change course?

I have no idea. But the jungle compound sounds interesting. Give me a rundown on livestock (other than toads) and I'll talk to Donald about making an offer.

 

[IrezumiKiss]

I also believe a lot could be done to give the e-book reader the feel of a paperback. Make it the size of a paperback, give it a split screen, open it, thumb buttons on each side to turn pages.

Isn't it more or less like that already? This is Sony's eBook Reader:

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/sony_reader2.jpg

I don't know how much more you might be able to improve on this, unless it's possible to get those holographic computerized crystal plates you see in movies like "Minority Report."

 

[JPMMURPHY]

Isn't it more or less like that already? This is Sony's eBook Reader:

http://technabob.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/sony_reader2.jpg

I don't know how much more you might be able to improve on this, unless it's possible to get those holographic computerized crystal plates you see in movies like "Minority Report."

Close. There's one thing my mind looks for when reading a paperback. Two pages with a gutter. No idea why. But what if you made the Sony reader a sandwich that opens into two screens (right, left and gutter) and you hold it like a real paperback?

You could even put a cheepo screen on the back, which would be the front cover of the book, when its closed and you are in the process of reading that book.

I feel more comfortable reading on my computer than a reader that feels and looks like a UPS sign-off terminal that they carry around.

 

[gauchecritic]

The problem with the reader, and probably all screens in general is the bezel surrounding the screen. It doesn't even approach the clean lines of the inside of a book. It's probably just tradition that makes me dislike readers.

I came across an article in a PC magazine today about e-publishing very up-beat about the potential of PoD too and this was the most interesting part:

Once you're happy with the text of your book and choice of PoD site, you'll need to put into the format that will appear on the printed page.
This process can be frustrating if you don't know what you need to achieve.
The main text of most books uses justified margins as opposed to leaving the text ragged at the right hand end of each line <>
Next, you need to decide on the physical width and height of book you want to produce, based on the sizes your choice of publisher can print, The average bookshelf contains books in a bewildering array of sizes<>
You'll also need to consider margins. Having smaller ones might reduce your page count and therefore the amount that the PoD sight charges for printing, but it could also mean that readers struggle to read the ends of lines close to the book's spine. Leave at least half an inch of space from the left and right margins to compensate and more if your book is particularly long as the binding will then take up more of the page.

Now come on, hands up, who would have thought of that?

 

[impressive]

Now come on, hands up, who would have thought of that?

*hand up*

Thought of it while publishing the first volumes of Coming Together, actually.

 

[gauchecritic]

*hand up*

Thought of it while publishing the first volumes of Coming Together, actually.

And people wonder why you're called impressive. (actually? Oh dear me. Tea and scones in the conservatory whilst I play the Grande Piano))

 

[SesameStreet]

Ahhh... a Cussler fan. Right on! Now there's a franchise. I saw on one of the threads here a week or so ago that e-book publishing was the only part of the publishing industry in 2006 that showed growth. I (personally) believe that, just as music is going through its growing pangs, e-booking is stepping through the door. What we really need is a Steve Jobs to create the ultimate pocket reader. Something with a fold out page the size of a paperback, ability to dock and download, low battery consumption, and a great screen.

I would much rather have one of those on the nightstand, than the 8 or so paperbacks stacked on the floor that are there right now.

I hear you. If we ever get that reader then E-Books are off and running BIG TIME.

 

[jomar]

Living outside the country where English language books of any kind are rare, a very big plus to e-books (to me) is the ability to shop anywhere, anytime. As it is now, I end up picking up whatever I find in the airport shops while traveling.

I also believe a lot could be done to give the e-book reader the feel of a paperback. Make it the size of a paperback, give it a split screen, open it, thumb buttons on each side to turn pages.

And does Cussler have a daughter? It's been a year since I read my first young Pitt book and I seem to recall the kids were just that. Twins. A son and daughter. While the only one mentioned in the writing is the son.

Yes, I had that thought for e-books too. Rural area or area that has little access to books in one's native language.

A nice, lightweight reader that opens like a book and has a very narrow bezel seems like a nice design. But the bookshelves would soon be empty of new books and have only the dusty old ones.

Yes, Dirk Pitt has twins, a son and daughter. They're in their 20s I think and both in on the latest adventure. Cussler himself has his son co-authoring the books now.

 

[jomar]

I try to keep each one at a little over 80K words. They're a series, in a sense one very long novel, but broken up into smaller pieces. Actually, each of the novel is in three parts, and I've toyed with the idea of trying to sell each part individually as a "bite size".

As for readers -- good question. It seems like there is always a boom just around the corner for the ebook industry -- but so far it's not happening. Mobipocket has the ability to bring up a book on almost any handheld device, so I fantasize about people reading my books on their phones and balckberries on the way to work (hopefully not while they're driving!). Probably be bad to show up at the office with a hardon!

At this point I can't imagine reading a novel on a blackberry. Too locked into tradition maybe. And if I buy a novel, I want something I can hold and put on the shelf when I'm done. Unless of course the price is too good to resist, I suppose.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

At this point I can't imagine reading a novel on a blackberry. Too locked into tradition maybe. And if I buy a novel, I want something I can hold and put on the shelf when I'm done. Unless of course the price is too good to resist, I suppose.

I have to agree with you on the hold in your hand and put on your shelf. The advantage of an ink and paper book is that it doesn't have to be downloaded. It doesn't need power to use. A book isn't going to crash halfway through.

The problem with technology is that storage mediums become obsolete quickly.

You can still read an original copy of a piece of work by Dickens. How many of us have the capability of playing an Edison tube? A 78 with Louis Armstrong? A 45 of the Beatles? An 8 Track of Steppenwolf? A cassette of U2? An LP of Dark Side of the Moon? Anyone have any data still stored on old floppies? (and I'm talking about the 720K DSDD variety)

The CD is already being threatened with the download and the MP3 player. The video disk never got off the ground. Anyone have any Betamax tapes? VHS tapes are rapidly becoming obsolete.

The point of this ramble is this, you may buy an E-Book today, but there is no gaurantee that you will be able to read it ten years from now. I see that as a major stumbling block.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

I have to agree with you on the hold in your hand and put on your shelf. The advantage of an ink and paper book is that it doesn't have to be downloaded. It doesn't need power to use. A book isn't going to crash halfway through.

The problem with technology is that storage mediums become obsolete quickly.

You can still read an original copy of a piece of work by Dickens. How many of us have the capability of playing an Edison tube? A 78 with Louis Armstrong? A 45 of the Beatles? An 8 Track of Steppenwolf? A cassette of U2? An LP of Dark Side of the Moon? Anyone have any data still stored on old floppies? (and I'm talking about the 720K DSDD variety)

The CD is already being threatened with the download and the MP3 player. The video disk never got off the ground. Anyone have any Betamax tapes? VHS tapes are rapidly becoming obsolete.

The point of this ramble is this, you may buy an E-Book today, but there is no gaurantee that you will be able to read it ten years from now. I see that as a major stumbling block.

Hand goes up! I have several of those things. I have a Tandy Model 200 that still works. Now, is any of it worth getting out and turning on? Nope. But I have seen some blurbs in the e-book world that indicate once I buy it, I have it for life. If I lose my reader or its taken, I can deactivate the books on it (next time it logs in to the internet) and download my entire library again. I thought that was kinda neat.

Another aspect are hard to find titles. Or, out of print titles. Example - Saw Capote on the tube the other day. I had seen the original In Cold Blood years ago. After seeing Capote, I became interested in reading it. I really don't know, I get to a brick and mortar about twice a year, but I found In Cold Blood immediately available from several e-book supliers.

I helped my son find, and download, the complete works of Bill Shakespear (free) for his English lit class.

Discussions have indicated that prices have to come down. I agree. When you can buy a laptop for as little as $400 dollars (Toshiba being closed out at a Radio Shack), you aren't very inclined to pay $100 or more for something that will only download and display.

The industry associations seem to think that $20 bucks is in line. I agree. Let the publishing industry help out with this one. Put a screen on the outside that carries advertising.

 

[neonlyte]

It's not the 'reader / screen', it's the software.

And I don't mean layout, font, page turning - all those are easy compared with protecting electronic copyright and managing a system that rewards authors for reads. It's not like selling music.

Industry perception leans toward advertising linked to 'book theme'. Understandably, neither conventional publishers who desire a move toward e-publishing, nor authors, want to consider this route. I attended an publishing industry forum on just this topic in London recently, the hostility toward linked advertising was palpable.

The current development work on e-publishing is looking toward internet game models where the 'book' is downloaded page by page from the host server preventing wholesale copying of novels. The problem with that is the device needs to be in continual communication with the server, which kind of negates the portability aspect.

I think we are five years from a successful business model for a portable e-publishing tablet, it will be software driven rather than hardware driven and will first appear in the form of global cultural platform for laptops that happens to include e-publishing through subscription, specific hardware will later be tailored as a mass produced paperback sized tablet - cheaper than a laptop - that can be slipped into your suitcase when travelling.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

It's not the 'reader / screen', it's the software.

And I don't mean layout, font, page turning - all those are easy compared with protecting electronic copyright and managing a system that rewards authors for reads. It's not like selling music.

Industry perception leans toward advertising linked to 'book theme'. Understandably, neither conventional publishers who desire a move toward e-publishing, nor authors, want to consider this route. I attended an publishing industry forum on just this topic in London recently, the hostility toward linked advertising was palpable.

The current development work on e-publishing is looking toward internet game models where the 'book' is downloaded page by page from the host server preventing wholesale copying of novels. The problem with that is the device needs to be in continual communication with the server, which kind of negates the portability aspect.

I think we are five years from a successful business model for a portable e-publishing tablet, it will be software driven rather than hardware driven and will first appear in the form of global cultural platform for laptops that happens to include e-publishing through subscription, specific hardware will later be tailored as a mass produced paperback sized tablet - cheaper than a laptop - that can be slipped into your suitcase when travelling.

Not sure what you mean by 'author compensation per read', but that will never float. It's not how they work now, nor is it how the music industry works. If I buy an e-book, and its on my reader (or laptop) and I want to let someone read (using my reader or laptop), then so be it. Books have worked like that forever.

What they have to do is make the file stationary or applicable only to my reader or laptop. That's quite possible. I can assure you I don't want to be on page 40 of my latest read, pack up for a weekend away from the big city where there is no internet connection, and have to stop reading because I can no longer get pages.

Sad to hear the industry is even considering something like that.

 

[neonlyte]

Not sure what you mean by 'author compensation per read', but that will never float. It's not how they work now, nor is it how the music industry works. If I buy an e-book, and its on my reader (or laptop) and I want to let someone read (using my reader or laptop), then so be it. Books have worked like that forever.

What they have to do is make the file stationary or applicable only to my reader or laptop. That's quite possible. I can assure you I don't want to be on page 40 of my latest read, pack up for a weekend away from the big city where there is no internet connection, and have to stop reading because I can no longer get pages.

Sad to hear the industry is even considering something like that.

The publishing industry recognises e-books will not sell for the same price as paper books yet the pre-publication set up cost and marketing cost will stay appreciably the same (for conventional publishers). The problem then becomes 'how to make a profit'. Restricting circulation of e-books to the purchaser is the current route modelled to an extent on electronic newspapers where some content is available free but a subscription is necessary to obtain in-depth reporting. That has not exactly been a success.

None of the current tablet readers are a success because they try to be a 'book'. People who buy books, don't want to buy a tablet reader. There is some way to go before a model is developed that meets publisher, author and reader requirements - what ever it is, it will not appeal to people who want to hold a printed book unless it means they have several novels, guide books, entertainment directories, maps, video and music all in the single low cost package and not in the minute screen of a mobile phone.

 

[gauchecritic]

I think we are five years from a successful business model for a portable e-publishing tablet, it will be software driven rather than hardware driven and will first appear in the form of global cultural platform for laptops that happens to include e-publishing through subscription, specific hardware will later be tailored as a mass produced paperback sized tablet - cheaper than a laptop - that can be slipped into your suitcase when travelling.

interesting news from Intel on the compactness thing. They just unveiled an 18mm thick prototype notebook with a four hour battery life with wifi and 3g.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

The publishing industry recognises e-books will not sell for the same price as paper books yet the pre-publication set up cost and marketing cost will stay appreciably the same (for conventional publishers). The problem then becomes 'how to make a profit'. Restricting circulation of e-books to the purchaser is the current route modelled to an extent on electronic newspapers where some content is available free but a subscription is necessary to obtain in-depth reporting. That has not exactly been a success.

None of the current tablet readers are a success because they try to be a 'book'. People who buy books, don't want to buy a tablet reader. There is some way to go before a model is developed that meets publisher, author and reader requirements - what ever it is, it will not appeal to people who want to hold a printed book unless it means they have several novels, guide books, entertainment directories, maps, video and music all in the single low cost package and not in the minute screen of a mobile phone.

Setup costs are relatively small. Marketing is high. But let's not forget that printing AND shipping have been eliminated.

The price on e-books are high right now simply due to the low volume. There is no appreciable difference.

Guess we gotta wait and see. But I bet ya they end up with something similar to itunes and an ipod.

Hope it happens sooner than later, whatever it is that will happen.

 

[drksideofthemoon]

Another aspect are hard to find titles. Or, out of print titles. Example - Saw Capote on the tube the other day. I had seen the original In Cold Blood years ago. After seeing Capote, I became interested in reading it. I really don't know, I get to a brick and mortar about twice a year, but I found In Cold Blood immediately available from several e-book supliers.

This is probably one of the best arguments for E-Books, with storage space costs declining rapidly, there is no need to have an "out of print" book again.

 

[neonlyte]

interesting news from Intel on the compactness thing. They just unveiled an 18mm thick prototype notebook with a four hour battery life with wifi and 3g.

But current price ranges are 1000 - 2000 US$. Where is the market at that price? The thing I find odd is I can buy an in-car guidance system for around £200, it has a screen and 'always on' capability, granted it is using satnav rather than internet and is doing a different kind of function, but it does show it is possible to get consumer products down to an affordable price when market demand exists. That is the exercise to be applied to e-book readers, it is a software solution than will drive the market, and we have a way to go - chicken and egg.

 

[JPMMURPHY]

But current price ranges are 1000 - 2000 US$. Where is the market at that price? The thing I find odd is I can buy an in-car guidance system for around £200, it has a screen and 'always on' capability, granted it is using satnav rather than internet and is doing a different kind of function, but it does show it is possible to get consumer products down to an affordable price when market demand exists. That is the exercise to be applied to e-book readers, it is a software solution than will drive the market, and we have a way to go - chicken and egg.

Way out of price range. The only thing it has to do is download books (relatively small files), display the library, and let you read them. Again, I think we need someone like Steve Jobs or Apple to design this. Call it the iBook, make it about twice the size of the new iPhone, hinged so it opens like a butterfly so you see two pages (right and left), give it headphones so it can read to you (well, an extra), and a charge that will last 15 hours of constant use. Sell it for under a hundred dollars (more like 50).

Now, if you want to combine an iPod so I can listen to a little music while reading, great. I'll pay the price of a normal iPod.

I don't really think it's a question of knowing what we want as readers. It's a question of asking and doing it.

There's a private school here in the area that my wife visited to review their programme. They're starting with year three (I believe) next year, and that group of students on (which means down) will start working with e-books. Next year, year three will do a paperless year. No paper. Period. They need to carry two books that are not available in e-book yet, but if all goes as planned, those books will be available the next year in e-book.

Someone in the industry just needs to think like Nike ... and just do it.

 

[WRJames]

I have to agree with you on the hold in your hand and put on your shelf. The advantage of an ink and paper book is that it doesn't have to be downloaded. It doesn't need power to use. A book isn't going to crash halfway through.

The problem with technology is that storage mediums become obsolete quickly.

You can still read an original copy of a piece of work by Dickens. How many of us have the capability of playing an Edison tube? A 78 with Louis Armstrong? A 45 of the Beatles? An 8 Track of Steppenwolf? A cassette of U2? An LP of Dark Side of the Moon? Anyone have any data still stored on old floppies? (and I'm talking about the 720K DSDD variety)

The CD is already being threatened with the download and the MP3 player. The video disk never got off the ground. Anyone have any Betamax tapes? VHS tapes are rapidly becoming obsolete.

The point of this ramble is this, you may buy an E-Book today, but there is no gaurantee that you will be able to read it ten years from now. I see that as a major stumbling block.

Well, the ebook industry is still in an early stage of development. MobiPocket though, is committed to running on whatever comes out, at least for the time being. Who knows, ten years down the road?

I've talked to Club Lighthouse Publishing about adding a print option (basically Print On Demand or POD). By the time you add shipping, it's about fifteen dollars more than the ebook -- that's a hefty premium for a book you may not read over and over. To tell you the truth, the problem with my house is that the books I bought ten years ago are still sitting around, along with the ones I bought twenty years ago, thirty years ago, etc. It would have been a blessing to have them all vanish into the electronic mist. Trying to actually throw them out is just too painful.