[Web4lib] eBooks

Laura labedzla at gmail.com
Mon Mar 7 17:55:27 EST 2011 

It's essentially the same thing that happened to the recording industry with
the advent of the mp3, napster, and ipod.
I'd imagine we'll see a similar outcome. And it won't benefit the entrenched
publishers.
As Justin Timberlake's character said in the Social Network: "We lost in
court, but we still won. Do you want to buy a Tower Records?"

Laura

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 4:15 PM, Steven E. Patamia, Ph.D.
<patamia at gmail.com>wrote:

> This situation is evolving rapidly and the outcomes are not predictable
> with
> confidence.  Most authors are not likely to want to become bogged down in
> graphics and other packaging and distribution problems, but if folks like
> Amazon give them a way to bring works to the public for minimal listing
> charges, then indeed authors should be motivated to toss a few bucks at
> artists and free lance editors to create a presentable package.  Some
> authors might be adept enough using software to do the whole package
> themselves -- but the vast majority benefit from editorial assistance.
>
> So, the makers of ebook readers are all in a tizzy and doing all they can
> to
> keep the kind of control they are used to having as print publishers.  They
> are not being very nice -- as most cornered animals are prone to become
> vicious.  What is really threatening there current model is the iPad and
> things like it.  I suspect that book readers will fall prey to these kinds
> of general devices.  P.S.  I've looked at a few book readers and was not
> thrilled with any of them -- but I am hard to please.  Still, the iPad
> genre
> will only get better and will offer not only great and readable displays,
> but a more comprehensive connection to the rest of info and other software
> tools.
>
> In my not so humble opinion, publishers as we know them are the ones quite
> justifiably facing the most severe existential threat -- but that threat
> comes from enablers of self publishing and the business incompetency of
> authors.  If those impediments fall, the publishers as we know them are
> doomed.  I certainly hope so... but despite my obvious enthusiasm for the
> prospect, I cannot guarantee it will turn out that way.
>
> On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 2:51 PM, Jesse Ephraim <jephraim at roanoketexas.com
> >wrote:
>
> > Publishers have traditionally covered editing, layout, cover art,
> > marketing, advertising, and getting books placed in the big chains (B&N,
> > Borders, Wal-Mart, drugstores, etc.).  The latter function doesn't apply
> > to the ebook world, though, and many authors are able to do everything
> > else except for the cover art and editing.  The other things aren't hard
> > to learn and don't take an inordinate amount of time.
> >
> > Some have had great success finding artists through DeviantArt.  Some
> > artists on there - particularly those in Eastern Europe - can produce
> > excellent covers for very little money.
> >
> > Everyone knows about the drawbacks of ebooks.  There are some pretty
> > substantial benefits these days, though:
> >
> > - Authors who put their ebooks on Amazon get to keep 70% of the profit,
> > and can list them for free.  Traditional publishers only offer a
> > fraction of that.
> >
> > - Ebooks don't have to go in and out of print.  Once they are made
> > available, they can continue to generate money from new sales on an
> > ongoing basis.
> >
> > - Authors that own the e-publishing rights to their backlist titles can
> > sell them as ebooks and start earning money on them again.
> >
> > - Prolific authors can put out books as quickly as they can write them.
> >
> > - Readers are more likely to make impulse buys on low-cost ebooks than
> > higher cost ones.  In some cases, authors - even ones who are well
> > established in the print world - can make more money by selling
> > under-$3.00 ebooks than those which are priced higher, taking advantage
> > of the "impulse" buy.
> >
> >
> > There are a number of established print authors out there who have
> > converted their backlist titles to ebook format.  There are quite a few
> > who will sell print rights for their new books to traditional
> > publishers, but insist on retaining e-rights for themselves.  A few have
> > given up on print altogether and moved their fan base over to the ebook
> > world (J. A. Konrath is a good example of that).  Some put out both
> > ebook and print book versions through Amazon, without ever going to a
> > publisher for the print version.
> >
> > There is really no upside to having a traditional publisher put out the
> > ebook version of a print book.  Years ago, most publishers quit putting
> > significant money into advertising midlist titles, so even that benefit
> > has more or less disappeared.  It is much easier (and free, if you do it
> > right) to advertise online extensively.  Print publishers are, for the
> > most part, clueless when it comes to how to effectively do that.
> >
> > In addition, MacMillan and others have forced Amazon and other ebook
> > vendors to allow an "agency model" that allows the publisher to set the
> > final price, instead of an MSRP.  If the author handles his or her own
> > ebook publishing, the price of an individual item can rise and fall to
> > suit the immediate purchasing patterns of the market.  Each ebook has to
> > "find" it's own optimized price point.
> >
> >
> > Jesse Ephraim
> >
> > Director, Roanoke Public Library
> > 308 S. Walnut
> > Roanoke, Texas 76262
> > (817) 491-2691
> > jephraim at roanoketexas.com
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Robert Balliot
> > Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011 1:19 PM
> > To: Cary Gordon
> > Cc: web4lib at webjunction.org
> > Subject: Re: [Web4lib] eBooks
> >
> > Ultimately, it will really come down to the authors themselves. Kindle
> > allows self-publishing with 70% of the royalties going to the author in
> > the
> > US and the UK.  The publishing houses, just like the newspapers, had
> > cornered the market because they were able to invest big money in
> > delivery,
> > staffs, advertising, buildings and massive printing presses.   So, they
> > could offer 5% royalties or less and maybe an advance of $10K that might
> > have to be paid back in part if enough copies did not sell to cover it.
> >
> > With electronic publishing, what can they really offer other than
> > advertising? Libraries offer free advertising - especially public
> > libraries
> > with over 9000 venues. Amazon offers better advertising for almost all
> > products.  There is even the possibility that Kindles will end up
> > becoming
> > free:
> >
> > http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2011/02/free_kindle_thi.php
> >
> > These are big changes. Keymasters now equal Gatekeepers:
> >
> >  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjP4FM6JDlk
> >
> > R. Balliot
> > http://oceanstatelibrarian.com
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 1, 2011 at 9:09 PM, Cary Gordon <listuser at chillco.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > I think that it is pretty straightforward. Whatever you think that the
> > > print book business proposition was is irrelevant. For all other
> > > media, publishers are selling highly proscribed licenses to access
> > > their protected intellectual property, and they can sell them under
> > > any terms they like. The choice of whether to purchase a license under
> > > the terms offered is yours.
> > >
> > > Case in point: Amazon. Your Kindle, their "book".
> > >
> > > Libraries have limited bargaining clout, particularly when you
> > > consider the fractious nature of our industry and community. The only
> > > courses of action that I can see are: Throw ourselves on the
> > > publishers mercy, which for me conjures up an image of diving off a 50
> > > meter platform into a thimble; Convince the House, Senate and Supreme
> > > Court that we need legal protection; or organize enough that we can
> > > reach out directly to content creators with a viable plan for
> > > disintermediation.
> > >
> > > Cary
> > >
> > > On Tue, Mar 1, 2011 at 3:40 PM, Jim Knutson <tintin at exchangenet.net>
> > > wrote:
> > > > This ebook thing is interesting, creepy and eerie. Amazon can suck a
> > book
> > > off your Kindle (and refund you, too, I'm sure).
> > > >
> > > > This came to mind when I read at boingboing: HarperCollins to
> > libraries:
> > > we will nuke your ebooks after 26 checkouts.
> > > >
> > > > It's almost like they never really become the purchaser's property.
> > > >
> > > > RE:
> > > >
> > > > From: "Anders Ericson" <anders.ericson at norskbibliotekforening.no>
> > > > To: "Jim Knutson" <tintin at exchangenet.net>
> > > > Cc: "Jill O'Neill" <jilloneill at nfais.org>; <web4lib at webjunction.org>
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 2:35 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [Web4lib] eBooks
> > > >
> > > > Cory Doctorow, himself, urges us to take action:
> > > >
> > > > http://boingboing.net/2011/02/25/harpercollins-to-lib.html
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Anders Ericson
> > > > Norway
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 2011/2/25 Jim Knutson <tintin at exchangenet.net>:
> > > >> Interesting.
> > > >>
> > > >> This came in on another listserv:
> > > >>
> > > >> Attention Oregon Libraries:
> > > >> One major publisher, looking for more profits, has decided eBooks
> > > licensed
> > > >> to libraries will only be valid for 26 circulations. After that you
> > will
> > > >> have to buy it all over again!
> > > >>
> > > >> This is a very disconcerting development on the part of a greedy
> > > publisher.
> > > >> Libraries must unite in opposition to this "checkout limit"
> > concept,
> > > even if
> > > >> it means boycotting publishers who institute it. It's the thin edge
> > of
> > > the
> > > >> wedge.
> > > >>
> > > >> More than a hundred years ago publishers had similar profit-driven
> > > concerns
> > > >> about the availability of books for free at libraries cutting into
> > > retail
> > > >> sales. We need to go back and rediscover how libraries overcame
> > that
> > > issue.
> > > >>
> > > >> According to Library Journal:
> > > >>
> > > >> "Josh Marwell, President, Sales for HarperCollins, told LJ that the
> > 26
> > > >> circulation limit was arrived at after considering a number of
> > factors,
> > > >> including the average lifespan of a print book, and wear and tear
> > on
> > > >> circulating copies.
> > > >>
> > > >> As noted in the letter, the terms will not be specific to
> > OverDrive, and
> > > >> will likewise apply to "all eBook vendors or distributors offering
> > this
> > > >> publisher's titles for library lending." The new terms will not be
> > > >> retroactive, and will apply only to new titles. More details on the
> > new
> > > >> terms are set to be announced next week.
> > > >>
> > > >> If a lending period is two weeks, the 26 circulation limit is
> > likely to
> > > >> equal roughly one year of use for a popular title. For a three-week
> > > lending
> > > >> period, that stretches to a year and a half."
> > > >>
> > > >> I think I may write to Mr. Marwell (Josh.marwell at harpercollins.com)
> > and
> > > >> inform him that, effective immediately, our library will not buy
> > any
> > > title
> > > >> from any HarperCollins imprint in any format (print, audio
> > recording, or
> > > >> electronic) as long as his new policy remains in effect. I will
> > inform
> > > >> patrons seeking HarperCollins titles of the reason we do not have
> > them.
> > > >> Because many lower-demand titles are profitable primarily through
> > > library
> > > >> sales (poetry and reference books come to mind) this action, if
> > taken by
> > > a
> > > >> few thousand libraries, would certainly get Mr. Maxwell to
> > reconsider.
> > > >>
> > > >> Who's with me on this?
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> Bob Jones, MA, MSLS, CAS
> > > >>
> > > >> Library Director
> > > >>
> > > >> Milton-Freewater Public Library
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> From: "Jill O'Neill" <jilloneill at nfais.org>
> > > >> To: <web4lib at webjunction.org>
> > > >> Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:19 PM
> > > >> Subject: [Web4lib] NFAIS Webinar on eBooks
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>> NFAIS Webinar: e-Books and the Future of University Presses: Key
> > > Findings
> > > >>> from a Three-Year Study
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> There is a tremendous drive in the academic library environment to
> > > reshape
> > > >>> content and service models to deploy technologies in ways that
> > more
> > > >>> effectively and efficiently serve the user at the point of
> > information
> > > >>> need.
> > > >>> One of the hottest topics for libraries in this regard is e-books.
> > This
> > > is
> > > >>> also an area of rapid development across the publishing industry -
> > with
> > > >>> activity to standardize file formats, a proliferation of dedicated
> > > >>> devices,
> > > >>> and the transformation of purchasing and copyright practices
> > originally
> > > >>> developed for print books. For libraries, there are associated
> > issues
> > > in
> > > >>> terms of both constrained purchasing budgets and the expanding
> > > popularity
> > > >>> of
> > > >>> patron driven selection. Recent key library events such as the ARL
> > > >>> Membership meeting, Charleston Conference, and the ALA Midwinter
> > > Meeting
> > > >>> highlighted the issues and interest seems to grow daily.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Publishers in a university press environment also face these new
> > > >>> challenges.
> > > >>> At a time when print sales are declining, how should e-books be
> > > integrated
> > > >>> into production and distribution to demonstrate the ongoing value
> > of a
> > > >>> university press in support of academic research? Rising interest
> > in
> > > the
> > > >>> creation of cooperative branded consortia for purposes of
> > distributing
> > > >>> scholarly monographs is evident as several such initiatives that
> > have
> > > >>> emerged. (InsideHigherEd, New Models for University Presses,
> > November
> > > 22,
> > > >>> 2010, http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/11/22/presses.) The
> > > Andrew
> > > >>> Mellon Foundation has funded one such exploratory initiative
> > involving,
> > > >>> among others, NYU Press, Temple University Press, Rutgers
> > University
> > > >>> Press,
> > > >>> the University of Nebraska Press, and the University of
> > Pennsylvania
> > > >>> Press.
> > > >>> The 60 presses that are joining the University Press eBook
> > Consortium
> > > >>> (UPeC)
> > > >>> are focused on satisfying the needs of the scholarly community as
> > they
> > > >>> move
> > > >>> forward in selecting a platform and planning their collections.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> This webinar will address key findings from the three year effort,
> > > >>> including
> > > >>> the following:
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Strategic vision
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Academic library budget developments
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Research about library eBook adoption
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Patron Driven Selection
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Current trends
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . New and evolving standards
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Academic publishing in trends
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Exploring technology driven efficiencies in workflow and
> > > >>> production
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Determining core competencies: what stays in-house
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Expanding service partner options
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . Service level agreements
> > > >>>
> > > >>> . New business models
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Featured experts are October Ivins, Principal, Ivins eContent
> > > Solutions,
> > > >>> and
> > > >>> Alex Holzman, Director, Temple University Press.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> If you want to learn more about the results of this three-year
> > > initiative
> > > >>> register for the NFAIS webinar today. NFAIS members pay $75 and
> > > >>> non-members
> > > >>> pay $95. An unlimited number of staff from an NFAIS member
> > organization
> > > >>> can
> > > >>> participate for a group fee of $225. The group fee for an
> > unlimited
> > > number
> > > >>> of staff from any non-member organization is $285. The
> > registration
> > > form
> > > >>> is
> > > >>> can be accessed at:
> > > >>> http://www.nfais.org/page/323-e-books-march-23-2011-webinar
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> For more information contact: Jill O'Neill, NFAIS Director,
> > > Communication
> > > >>> and Planning, 215-893-1561 (phone); 215-893-1564 (fax);
> > > >>> mailto:jilloneill at nfais.org or go to http://www.nfais.org
> > > >>> <http://www.nfais.org/> .
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> NFAIS: Serving the Global Information Community
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Jill O'Neill
> > > >>>
> > > >>> Director, Planning & Communication
> > > >>>
> > > >>> NFAIS
> > > >>>
> > > >>> (v) 215-893-1561
> > > >>>
> > > >>> (email) jilloneill at nfais.org
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> _______________________________________________
> > > >> Web4lib mailing list
> > > >> Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > > >> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Hilsen
> > > > Anders Ericson
> > > > Nett-red. Norsk Bibliotekforening
> > > > http://www.norskbibliotekforening.no
> > > > +4797775170
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Web4lib mailing list
> > > > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > > > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > Cary Gordon
> > > The Cherry Hill Company
> > > http://chillco.com
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Web4lib mailing list
> > > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> > >
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Steven E. Patamia, Ph.D., J.D.
> Personal Cell: (352) 219-6592
> _______________________________________________
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