[Web4lib] eBooks

[Steven E. Patamia, Ph.D.]

Yes, Laura has a valid analogy. There is, however, one unsolved problem in
that situation... how do you at least reward the composers and performers
enough for them to justify their creative effort and any publication
expenses?

This is a really interesting problem in desperate search of some imaginative
and fair solution.  It is a problem shared by publishers of fiction.  I
think rich fiction is important and don't mind if others can make a living
at it at levels high enough to be sustaining.  I don't have the answer...
but I think eliminating the publishers as we know them is, in the end, a
very good thing both for society as a whole and for the many authors who
never get exposed because the publishers decide who will get published.
Those decisions, though sometimes not inconsistent with societal interests,
end up making some authors very wealthy at the expense of everyone else
except the publishers.

There was, by the way, an article in the NYT a week or two ago that is
insightful with respect to the final sentences of the foregoing paragraph.
 It suggested that the real reason Borders was in Chapter 11 had mostly to
do with the ever plummeting level of quality and ever rising sticker price
for published fiction works.  The argument was that the big box stores were
in thrall to their main publishing suppliers and that sales in all large
book stores were negatively impacted by waning customer interested in
over-sold topics and sequels especially at inflated prices compelled by
publishers.  I think the bookstore problem is even bigger, but that the
point made has validity.   The article opined that all large bookstores were
victims of this phenomenon and that Borders simply was the first to take the
hit.  The key point is that I am not alone in identifying the publishers and
their control as a bad thing -- apparently not just for readers, but for
bookstores as well.

Hmm... there are no doubt some libertarian leaning readers who want to trash
me right now... if so please have at it.  I expect I can handle it<g>.

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM, Laura <labedzla at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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/
>> > >
>> > >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Web4lib mailing list
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
>> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>> --
>> Steven E. Patamia, Ph.D., J.D.
>> Personal Cell: (352) 219-6592
>> _______________________________________________
>> Web4lib mailing list
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>> http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
>>
>>
>


-- 
Steven E. Patamia, Ph.D., J.D.
Personal Cell: (352) 219-6592