I know that’s a bold statement, not cost affective. Why am I saying that? Let’s look at a few things. Utah author Brandon Sanderson (who, by the way is finishing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series), has The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, Book 2) for sale on Amazon in paperback for $7.99. The Kindle version of this book is, $7.99. No savings, and I don’t get a physical book. Why is that important?In my opinion the Kindle is a great Green appliance. It allows you to read a book without killing trees and eventually ending up in a land fill. However, I like the ability to resale, or even donate, a book once I’m through. With a Kindle book, you can’t. I’m also at the mercy of the Kindle having a power issue, and then I can’t read a book. And the Kindle doesn’t have limitless storage, which limits my library.
I guess I’m struggling paying eight bucks for a digital book. I believe the digital version should be a lot less. I know many Kindle books have a cheaper price than their paper counterpart, but those books tend to be older. Give us new releases for at least half the cost since it should only take half the effort to produce, stock and ship.
I really like the Kindle. In fact, I love the iPhone version (iTunes link). It’s convenient, and I find I’m reading more because I have the book with me all the time.
If you’re an Author, and I know this may buy me some heat here, urge your publisher and Amazon to reduce the price of your digital works. I know I will.
Share with us your view on Kindle books, and if you have one, either the Kindle device or the iPhone application and how you like it.
I agree, books HAVE to be cheaper in the digital form. Afterall, the distribution cost is SO much smaller. Seems like highway robbery when they charge the same even though there is nothing to print and no paper to buy. None the less, I think devices like the Kindle are the future of newspapers and magazines. If not, they're going to disappear! Books won't go away anytime soon but I do see people taking advantage of having 20 books in their backpack. My wife has a Kindle and loves it! She bought Alice in Wonderland for 25 cents the other day! Can't beat that!
ReplyDeleteI've been toying with getting a Kindle for a while. The new larger size is good. The lack of color is still a show-stopper for me, though. I'd like to get some, if not all, of my magazines in Kindle form and color is important. Most of the magazines I get end up in the recycle bin and not having to throw them away would be goodness. I strongly feel that the digital version of the book should be at least 20% less than the dead-tree version (same with magazines), and that should not impact the author's take (I fear the publishers would pass the whole cost reduction on to the creator). I do have the Kindle software on my iPhone and find it's just "OK". The screen needs to be a bit larger for these 64-year-old eyes. (For some reason, Disqus isn't responding to me, so I'm having to comment as guest)
ReplyDeleteI've been toying with getting a Kindle for a while. The new larger size is good. The lack of color is still a show-stopper for me, though. I'd like to get some, if not all, of my magazines in Kindle form and color is important. Most of the magazines I get end up in the recycle bin and not having to throw them away would be goodness. I strongly feel that the digital version of the book should be at least 20% less than the dead-tree version (same with magazines), and that should not impact the author's take (I fear the publishers would pass the whole cost reduction on to the creator). I do have the Kindle software on my iPhone and find it's just "OK". The screen needs to be a bit larger for these 64-year-old eyes.
ReplyDeleteOrson Scott Card has talked a lot about this issue from the Author's point of view -- and he essentially thinks the way you do -- that the digital book should be less expensive. He also thinks that the author should get a larger percentage of that lower price so that selling books digitally isn't taking money away from the author. http://www.hatrack.com/osc/reviews/everything/2...
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I think the authors should get more because the expense of production is considerably less for the publisher. I'm glad Orson Scott Card see it that way too. I'd love to have more of his books in digital format.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I never thought about College books, but you are correct. I'm an advocate of using digital text in the classroom. It's cheaper and no student would go without. It's crazy that in 2009, my student has to share a text book. Publishers are way over pricing their books. As for college students, being able to sell back used books to partially finanance the next semesters lot is hindered with a digital copy.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if a student only had to pay $1 for a digital copy of a text that expired at the end of the semester, now that's a model. I think there is a lot of room for improvements. The old establishment of book publishers and printers will have to face the music like newspapers are doing.
Hey Kirk,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm one of those that have several books and mags in their bag at any one time. But it's so heavy. Like to offload them to a digital device.
My books are selling better on Kindle than anywhere else. On Amazon.com my books are around US$15 in print or $4 on Kindle. I couldn't imagine charging the same. And Kindle sales are still sales that are building up my readership, which is what I'm after.
ReplyDeleteI see more of a problem to be what you can and cannot do with the book once you're done reading it. With a physical book, you can swap/trade, resell, donate, lend to someone else. With the Kindle version, it's basically, you're done, you're stuck with it. That's it. I can't totally complain about it, because it's the same as buying music on the iTunes store. You buy it, listen to it and that's it. Whereas a CD you can lend to someone else, resell it or trade it. Can't really do that with Digital music. Well, you can, but I'm saying legally. That's what I see becoming the biggest issue right now. And the iTunes store has taken off pretty well. So maybe Amazon just needs some time for people to get into the same habit.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kindle will be permanent. I mean, it's great to bring a pile of books with you this way on a vacation. But I prefer to read the news and articles everyday on all those other devices e.g. phone, PC, TV, paper...
ReplyDeleteI don't think Kindle will be permanent. I mean, it's great to bring a pile of books with you this way on a vacation. But I prefer to read the news and articles everyday on all those other devices e.g. phone, PC, TV, paper...
ReplyDeleteThe day after Apple's big iPad debut, Amazon reported stellar fourth-quarter results that included a 42% increase in sales and net income up a whopping 71%. Although Kindle and eBook sales still account for only a small segment of revenue its success continues to be a highlight.
ReplyDelete