Book Digital Copies
It is now almost one year since I bought my Nook Color. Some things have changed – I definitely access more books than I used to, and some of it (maybe 30-40%) is digital. But I confess I’m still primarily a paper reader. For me, it’s a matter of comfort, and I just can’t use the Nook Color as my primary reading source.
But my friend came over the other day and looked at my shelves and shelves of books. And she said, “Wow. You have a lot of books.” She’s not wrong – guesstimating, I’d say I have about 350-500 romance novels, depending on whether I have random stacks hidden away somewhere (which is probably a yes), and most of which I’ve accumulated in the last two years. And I still gain about 4-5 romances a month.
Well, what if my house burns down? Am I going to have to lose all those books? It seems stupid not to take advantage of the digital age and just get eBooks. I’m sure most of us agree that uniformity amongst the publishers has far to go, but the convenience, pricing, and durability of an eBook make total sense at this point. And yet why shouldn’t I buy a paper copy if I want, especially since they’re still available, and it’s what works for me?
Then it hit me: Digital copies. They don’t do it for CDs, because it’s legal to buy a CD then make a digital copy yourself. But they do it for DVDs, because it’s illegal to rip a DVD, even if you own it. So you pay a little more, get extra features or Blu-Ray, and get licensed to download a digital copy of your DVD. And you’ll have it for all eternity. (Frankly, the legality of ripping CDs versus DVDs doesn’t make much sense to me, but whatever. They’re both on their way out.)
So what if publishers offered digital copies for books? Let’s say I want Mary Balogh’s latest Signet reissue, retailing in paper for $7.99. I don’t want to read her solely on my eBook reader, but I want the option of doing so in the future, if said house burns down or I go on a long trip, or whatever. Would I be willing to pay a little more to have that freedom? Provided the additional cost is no more than 25% of the paper value – i.e., $7.99 + $2.00 = $9.99 for paper and digital bundle – yup, I’d pay that.
From a publisher’s perspective, I could see it going two ways. On the one hand, they’re cutting into their future eBook profit when people “re-buy” their book at a later date, which people are already doing, sometimes regardless of the state of the paper copy. But on the other hand, would people be more likely to buy a book now if they know that they’ll have it forever? I could see this logic working in favor of bricks and mortar bookstores, too, and anyway, once people come in and start buying book-eBook bundles, getting them to come back may be a lot easier.
I’d love to know your thoughts on this, in the poll below and in the comment section. What do you think about the idea of book digital copies? Is someone doing it already? Who would it benefit most? Do you think publishers and distributors would ever be on board with it?
– Jean AAR
[poll id=”24″]
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may just I wish to counsel you few fascinating issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles regarding this article. I desire to learn more issues about it!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may just I wish to counsel you few fascinating issues or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles regarding this article. I desire to learn more issues about it!
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful information to work on. You have performed a formidable job and our whole community shall be grateful to you.
We’re a gaggle of volunteers and starting a brand new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with helpful information to work on. You have performed a formidable job and our whole community shall be grateful to you.
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Hello there, You have done an incredible job. I’ll definitely digg it and in my view suggest to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Attractive component of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment or even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
Attractive component of content. I just stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment or even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website accidentally, and I’m stunned why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website accidentally, and I’m stunned why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to remember of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while folks consider issues that they plainly do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you
Definitely imagine that that you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the internet the easiest thing to remember of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while folks consider issues that they plainly do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the entire thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
You could definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Wonderful points altogether, you just received a logo new reader. What might you recommend about your publish that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?
Wonderful points altogether, you just received a logo new reader. What might you recommend about your publish that you just made a few days ago? Any sure?
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always follow your heart.
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!
Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your feed and I’m hoping you write again very soon!
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all significant infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, great written and include approximately all significant infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
of course like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality however I’ll surely come back again.
of course like your web-site however you need to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very troublesome to inform the reality however I’ll surely come back again.
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear concept
Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I have been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered vibrant clear concept
It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful work! That is the type of information that should be shared around the internet. Shame on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper! Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thanks =)
Wonderful work! That is the type of information that should be shared around the internet. Shame on Google for no longer positioning this submit upper! Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thanks =)
hi!,I like your writing so much! share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert in this space to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to see you.
hi!,I like your writing so much! share we be in contact more approximately your article on AOL? I require an expert in this space to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to see you.
Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice article.
Usually I don’t learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice article.
You recognize therefore considerably in relation to this subject, made me personally believe it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women are not interested except it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times care for it up!
You recognize therefore considerably in relation to this subject, made me personally believe it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women are not interested except it’s one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs excellent. At all times care for it up!
It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this put up and if I may just I wish to counsel you some attention-grabbing things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article. I desire to read more issues approximately it!
It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the long run and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this put up and if I may just I wish to counsel you some attention-grabbing things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article. I desire to read more issues approximately it!
You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.
@Julie R – I think Baen is rather exceptional in that regard. I believe when they digitized their backlist, they made a significant portion of that free.
@escschwartz – I hadn’t thought of the textbook angle, but it makes total sense considering how heavy textbooks are. I would be interested to see what Apple comes up with – I heard that their latest iteration of iBooks features a significant partnership with major textbook publishers. Just not sure how that will manifest for consumers and students.
@Julie R – I think Baen is rather exceptional in that regard. I believe when they digitized their backlist, they made a significant portion of that free.
@escschwartz – I hadn’t thought of the textbook angle, but it makes total sense considering how heavy textbooks are. I would be interested to see what Apple comes up with – I heard that their latest iteration of iBooks features a significant partnership with major textbook publishers. Just not sure how that will manifest for consumers and students.
As a college prof I know that textbook publishers do this all the time, giving students ebook access to a text when they buy the hard-copy from the bookstore. Some offer the ebook only at a reduced price and sometimes the ebook access is time limited, but the model is out there for digital along with paper purchase.
I have been mostly buying Kindle editions (to save space and for travel convenience) but there are books I’d be willing to pay a bit more to have the paper copy too purchased as a package deal. I don’t buy both because it normally means paying double for the same content which is absurd.
As a college prof I know that textbook publishers do this all the time, giving students ebook access to a text when they buy the hard-copy from the bookstore. Some offer the ebook only at a reduced price and sometimes the ebook access is time limited, but the model is out there for digital along with paper purchase.
I have been mostly buying Kindle editions (to save space and for travel convenience) but there are books I’d be willing to pay a bit more to have the paper copy too purchased as a package deal. I don’t buy both because it normally means paying double for the same content which is absurd.
When I bought Lois McMaster Bujold’s last book, Cryoburn, in hardcover, it came with a CD containing digital versions of all of her Vorkosigan stories. Every. Single. One. In multiple digital formats.
Though I already had them all in paper, this was an unexpected treat. Now if I’m away from home and something reminds me of Miles or Ivan, I can just pull out my iPod Touch and start reading.
This was apparently the idea of the publisher, Baen. Not sure how practical it would be for less established authors or a much more profilic author, like Nora Roberts, but I’d like to see more publishers try this out.
When I bought Lois McMaster Bujold’s last book, Cryoburn, in hardcover, it came with a CD containing digital versions of all of her Vorkosigan stories. Every. Single. One. In multiple digital formats.
Though I already had them all in paper, this was an unexpected treat. Now if I’m away from home and something reminds me of Miles or Ivan, I can just pull out my iPod Touch and start reading.
This was apparently the idea of the publisher, Baen. Not sure how practical it would be for less established authors or a much more profilic author, like Nora Roberts, but I’d like to see more publishers try this out.
I’m addicted to my Kindle and perfer getting my books that way. As a reviewer who gets many paper copies of galleys, I’m liking the e-galley places too. I have way too many paper copies of books and the insects they attract.
I back up my Kindle books on my computer and have them on a zip drive too, not to mention that Amazon has all my purchased e-books ready for me to download them again. I’m more backed up with my e-books than I am with anything else on my computer! Even my family photos aren’t backed up so well!
I’m addicted to my Kindle and perfer getting my books that way. As a reviewer who gets many paper copies of galleys, I’m liking the e-galley places too. I have way too many paper copies of books and the insects they attract.
I back up my Kindle books on my computer and have them on a zip drive too, not to mention that Amazon has all my purchased e-books ready for me to download them again. I’m more backed up with my e-books than I am with anything else on my computer! Even my family photos aren’t backed up so well!