Monday, 6 August 2012

print book and e-book - partnership or competition?

In the light of recent news about e-books on amazon (see post below) can anyone tell me why Waterstones is complicit in the disappearance of the printed book?
Nothing is ever achieved by being defeatist. Trends are not inevitable.
With passion and hard work, the printed book can survive alongside its electronic partner - yes, partner, not competitor. Why not, when ebooks are attracting more people to read? Waterstones have a responsibility to readers and authors who want to see them come out fighting in defense of physical books. There is no one else who can do this on a significant scale (with no disrespect intended to the fantastic dedicated smaller chains and independent bookshops).
Read about "Waterstones Faulty Logic" on Book2Book (booktrade.info site)
http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/42274/nl
Think about stores like Ottakars, morphed into Waterstones. Think about Borders, morphed into Primark. Then think.
And in the meantime, two of my titles are on offer on amazon kindle, one on the Summer Kindle Reading Marathon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Geraldine-Steel-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0071CQV8U/pocketessentials
Most sales of my books are online. I have nothing to gain from the survival of bookshops, but I passionately believe that we all have a lot to lose.

10 comments:

Carol said...

I have been buying e-books for a year or so now BUT if I love the book I still want to physically own a copy...which means I end up buying it twice! There is something about holding an actual book in your hand that an e-book can never replace!

C x

Leigh Russell said...

Thanks for commenting, Carol. The concensus seems to be that we want both. Let's hope the print books survive!

Garry Jones said...

My brother bought me a Kindle as a birthday present last year, i will admit i do buy a lot of books for it, but anything i really do love, i will always buy that copy in a shop. There is something special about turning the pages of a copy of a book you love that cannot be reproduced by owning an kindle version!

Leigh Russell said...

That's a great present, Garry. You sound like the perfect reader for the future, buying both ebooks and print books. Why can't we all do that, and keep print books as well?

John Cowton said...

I have had my Kindle since November 2010 and have been on a massive binge read ever since. I like it's portability, particularly on holidays and it has also introduced me to writers that I may have missed in the book shops. But if I'm in love with my Kindle as much as I say I am, it must be because I love books. You don't take up reading an electronic device if you have been avoiding books all of your life. The truth of the matter is, you will never keep me out of bookshops. I buy far more printed books than I do e-books. I subscribe to a well known audio book company so that I can 'read' whilst driving my car. Kindle is a valuable accessory for book-lovers, but it is not a replacement for books.

Leigh Russell said...

John it is really good to read your comment here. If only more people were like you, not only would the bookshops be safe, but I daresay the world would be a far more civilised place. Thanks for adding to the discussion here.

fizzycat said...

Hear hear.

Leigh Russell said...

Glad you agree, fizzycat. Thanks for commenting!

Franmarie 18 said...

I have had my Kindle for 2 years, and I am relying on it more now since my eyesight is deteriorating (an age related condition), I find small print in paperbacks etc very hard to read especially at night. With the Kindle I can enlarge the font to my requirements, and should the time come when I need it, my Kindle has the speech enabled facility to read the books to me! (I hope this wont be required for some time yet!) I think avid readers with eyesight problems, will find a Kindle invaluable.

Leigh Russell said...

Yes, Franmarie, kindles are fantastic for those who have difficulty reading print books. I would never want to see e-books go, but I hope there's a place for print books as well.
http://leighrussell.blogspot.com/2012/08/print-book-and-e-book-partnership-or.html
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