Hello writer32~
This is an interesting and emerging topic; there are many opinions on
e-books and e-book formats. I?ve tried to include as many viewpoints
as possible within this Answer.
While e-books used to require that readers download a special program
to read them, e-books are increasingly being sold in PDF format. The
advantages of PDF format are several. Perhaps most importantly, many
people already have Acrobat Reader on their computer, so there?s no
special program to download (which means that downloading problems are
more rare, customer service less contacted, and readers needn?t clog
their computers with yet another program).
The disadvantages of PDF e-books include:
? The reader can?t adjust font size or correct problems with character
recognition or display.
? Customers often complain about problems with text searches; this is
particularly problematic with non-fiction works.
? Consumers also frequently complain that Acrobat Reader causes system
instability, making their computer ?hang? and requiring rebooting.
? PDF files have some security issues; with the right ?tweaking? all
of the security restrictions may be removed, making it easier for
e-books in PDF format to be altered without the author?s consent.
? Due to the instability of computers and software, it?s possible to
pay for an e-book, only to loose it later, due to corruption of the
file, or other technical problems.
Many authors are, indeed, happy with PDF e-publishing, particularly
those who?d have a difficult time finding a traditional publisher
because they write on topics that sell to small audiences. To get an
idea of how some successful e-book writers feel about their work, you
may find this website interesting: EBookInterviews (interviews with
e-book writers), http://www.ebookinterviews.com
Depending on the topic of the book, from the author?s standpoint,
there?s generally less money to be made in e-books. For example, a
book that might sell to a wide audience, such as a woman?s health book
written by an accomplished OBGYN, would likely sell far more copies in
print format than it would in electronic format.
This goes both ways, though. A book that has a limited audience?but an
audience that leans toward the technical(for example, a book on
programming), might sell just as well in e-book format as it would in
print format--if it?s marketed well.
A big disadvantage to writers of e-books, however, is that traditional
book publishers market their books, at least to some degree; few
e-book publishers do this, however (unless you count displaying the
book on their website). This means that e-book authors spend more time
marketing their own work, thereby making their profit smaller.
Unfortunately for e-book authors and publishers, the first place the
average reader heads when they think books or magazines is either a
storefront, or a large online source like Amazon. Though Amazon does
offer some e-books, their sale of e-books is not nearly as strong as
those of traditional books.
In short, while PDF e-books may make it possible for more authors to
be published, e-book authors may make less profit. Because of this,
most published writers stick to print books and magazines; the
established writers who?ve experimented with e-books generally walk
away disappointed, or view e-books only as supplemental to traditional
publishing, much like (but less profitable than) books on tape/CD.
Some established writers do use PDF articles or book chapters to help
promote their books, but there?s little advantage in using PDF format
for such small items, unless you?re charging for them. (Reasons: It?s
just as easy?-maybe easier--to read or print out a ?normal? web page
article, and it?s more difficult for search engines to spot and list
PDF files.)
In addition, there still seems to be a certain stigma associated with
e-publishing. If a book or article is e-published, many people seem to
feel it isn?t as good as something published in a traditional manner.
This attitude discourages some writers from exploring
e-publishing--and some readers from buying e-books. (There?s actually
at least a little something to this, since in traditional publishing,
a writer must at least find an editor and publishing house that thinks
the book is worth reading, whereas e-book authors often self-publish,
and therefore, can produce either excellent or poor material?-who
knows? This may be changing, however, as more and more e-book
publishers come to the forefront. Although some e-book publishers may
now accept virtually any book, they will likely be more particular as
e-books become more popular.)
If readers get to the point where they think of e-books as frequently
as they do traditional books, and if e-publishing can get over it?s
slight stigma, there?s little doubt e-books will be much more
profitable for authors and publishers.
There are a variety of websites that sell e-books in PDF format, including:
? Booklocker, http://www.booklocker.com
? E-Writer?s Place: http://www.ewritersplace.com/ebooksbyshery.html
? I-Uniververse: http://images.iuniverse.com/ad/default.asp?site=writerswrite
(see their page on PDF format:
http://www.writerswrite.com/epublishing/pdf.htm )
? EBookMall, http://www.ebookmall.com/adobe-pdf/
? EBooks Central, http://www.adobe.com/epaper/ebooks/main.html
? Planet PDF, http://www.planetpdf.com/mainpage.asp?webpageid=2330
? Free Ebooks, http://www.free-ebooks.net/
? Grass Roots, http://www.storesonline.com/site/ezebooks
Such sites tend to have specialized clientele; namely, their customers
are eager to read e-books. This differs from a site like Amazon, where
customers are much more likely to be looking for traditional books. In
addition, these sites do not have the all-encompassing selection that
Amazon does.
For the average e-book author or publisher, Amazon will provide a
listing, and if an order is made, the author or publisher ships the
book themselves. Amazon charges a 15% commission (plus a $0.99 fee)
for this service. (For more information on this, check out ?Sell at
Amazon Marketplace,?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/marketing-home.html/ref=adv_ld_mp/002-4421624-0183207
)
In another Amazon program, an author or publisher makes an application
to Amazon, including several books for Amazon?s consideration. If the
application is approved, a listing is included, and copies are
consigned to Amazon?s warehouse. When someone buys a title, Amazon
processes the order. The author or publisher then receives 45% of the
suggested retail price. (For more information on this, see ?Amazon.com
Advantage: Instructions & Rules,?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/advantage-rules-terms.html/002-4421624-0183207
)
Amazon?s contract for this is called a ?membership agreement,? and
you?ll find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/direct-agreement.html/002-4421624-0183207
For more information on e-books and PDF formats, check out the
following online articles:
? ?An Introduction to E-Books? by I-universe,
http://www.writerswrite.com/epublishing/ebookintro.htm
? ?A Conversation With Angela Adair-Hoy and M.J. Rose? by
WritersWrite, http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/apr01/hoy_rose.htm
? ?The Problems of eBook Publishing?(which discusses formats,
including pdf), by Writer?s Write,
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/dec00/stork2.htm
? For information on the various advantages of e-book formats, check
out ?Choose an e-book format,? by eBookMall,
http://www.ebookmall.com/choose-format
Regards,
Kriswrite
KEYWORDS USED:
writers publishing PDF
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=writers+publishing+PDF&btnG=Google+Search
e-book format*
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=e-book+format*&btnG=Google+Search
ebook format*
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=ebook+format*&spell=1
PDF disadvantages
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=PDF+disadvantages |
Clarification of Answer by
kriswrite-ga
on
03 Mar 2004 09:42 PST
Hi writer32~
What I?d hoped to convey is that most of the e-book/e-doc market is
now in PDF format. However, I can find articles that discuss the pros
and cons of PDF e-books or e-docs:
? ?Self-Publishing Your Way to Internet Success Part 2 Ebook Formats
(PDF),? Web Source, http://www.web-source.net/ebook_publishing2.htm
? ?E-Book Formats? by Peter Cooper, iBoost Journal,
http://www.iboost.com/profit/other_revenue_streams/ebooks/tutorial/30020c.htm
? ?Electronic Book Formats,? Future Orbits,
http://www.futureorbits.com/formats/electronic_book_formats.html
? ?The eBook Dilemma:
PDF or Exe?,? Add Me, http://www.addme.com/issue266.htm
? ?How to Produce and Format Ebooks,? ooEBooks,
http://www.00ebooks.com/formatting-ebooks.htm
? ?PDF Or HTML Ebook?,? (a slightly bias article by the creators of)
Ebook Creator, http://www.easyebookcreator.com/articles/html-ebook.htm
You may also be interested in this discussion, ?eBook format: PDF or
eBook as .exe,? Webmaster World,
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum10/1943.htm
As you can see, while some folks still prefer HTML or e-books/e-docs
that require the reader to download a special program (?exe?), most
people use and prefer PDF.
The Amazon rates I mentioned in my original Answer are for everything
except music CDs. Amazon also says, ?Please note that vinyl albums,
45s, cassettes, eight-track tapes, non-NTSC-formatted videos, and
non-region 1 DVDs are not eligible for the Program.? (?Instructions &
Rules,? Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/advantage-rules-terms.html/002-4421624-0183207
)
I have not found anyone who is *selling* excerpts from their book.
There are many authors who provide excerpts *for free* on their
website, including whole chapters. Sometimes these are in PDF format,
although more commonly they are part of the regular text of the
website. (The advantage to the latter is that search engines will pick
up the information more easily; also, for short documents, it often
makes for easier viewing and less hassle.) Some e-book publishers also
do this; here?s an example from Adobe?s Media Store:
http://digitalmediastore.adobe.com/E3CA66A3-5DB9-4A96-987A-A4236266C374/10/21/en/ContentDetails-exc.htm?ID=462D0F92-01BA-4691-940F-D513A7B5B956
I can only speculate on why people aren?t regularly selling chapters,
but as an author myself, I believe I will make better sales if people
buy my *entire* book, rather than just a chapter or two from
it?Perhaps other writers feel the same way. Or, perhaps they?ve just
never considered the prospect!
There are some places that sell e-docs (articles), but there seem to
be fewer now than there were a few years ago. Amazon still sells
e-docs, however, particularly in their business section.
And, according to a short piece on Paid Content, those sales are going
reasonably well: ?Gale's E-Doc Sales Through Amazon Exceeds
Expectations: This according to a story published in Information World
Review (not available online). Research and reference publisher Gale
has said that sale of editorial content via Amazon.com has exceeded
expectations. In the deal struck last year, Gale sold e-documents,
repackaged as PDF files, available exclusively through Amazon.com.?
(March 10, 2003, http://www.paidcontent.org/pc/arch/2003_03_10.shtml )
As for success rates of PDF e-book, you can take a look at the PDF
e-book sellers I list for some clue. Booklocker, in particular, is
thriving. A search for sales statistics for PDF e-books or e-docs
produces no results. Given the fact that many formats are currently
used, with PDF leading the way, I can only find general e-book stats
are available on the web. (?Retailers: Unit Sales--A total of 660,991
eBooks have been sold by retailers in the first half of 2003, a 40%
increase over the same period in 2002, during which time 471,995 units
were sold. Number of Titles Available--The total number of eBooks on
sale has increased to 280,590 year-to-date, a 144% increase over the
same period in 2002, during which time 114,736 were available.
Revenues--$4,965,171 in sales have been logged by retailers in the
first half of 2003, a 30% increase over the same period in 2002 during
which time retailers made $3,828,250 on sales of eBooks.? OeBF
Releases eBook Sales Statistics, E Content,
http://econtentmag.com/Articles/ArticleReader.aspx?ArticleID=5495&CategoryID=2
)
?Short run? and ?print on demand? refer to books on paper; ?short run?
means that a small number of copies were printed. ?Print on demand?
means that a reader?s book isn?t printed until after they order it.
Both of these methods cut down initial costs, which make them very
agreeable to self-publishers and small publishing houses. With e-books
or e-docs, neither term would likely apply, since there?s no printing
or binding involved; you just upload a file onto a website, and allow
readers to download it once it?s been paid for.
I wish I could be of more help, but a lot of the information that
you?d evidentially hoped to find just isn?t there.
Kriswrite
|
