Another issue for debate - publishers and ebooks

[jbcohen]

I am seeing several book publishers or subpublishers still have not gotten with the electronic book publishing trends. While a lot of this is among the smaller book publishers, thus far I have seen only two publishers - Wizards of the Coast (publishes Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms) and Golden Eagle (a subpublisher of Harlequin that sells Executioner, Super Bolan, Stony Man, Deathlands, Outlands and Rogue Angel books). Do you expect all book publishers to eventually get with the electronic publishing movement? What do you think is holding these publishers back from publishing electronic books?

[Kali Yuga]

Are you writing a college paper or something?

Pretty much all of these issues you've brought up have been addressed in numerous threads, by the way. You're not coming up with a batch of new issues no one here has considered.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

You're not coming up with a batch of new issues no one here has considered.

So what? There are probably many new members, such as myself, who find it interesting to interact and learn what others think on these subjects.

If you find redundant topics so offensive, yet so tempting, that you are unable to resist commenting, I would suggest that you would find much more pleasure in the never ending "Kindle, Nook, Sony, which one should I buy?" threads.

[jbcohen]

I appologize if they have I am not aware of the fact that they have been brough up before.

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by david_e

So what?

I don't like writing term papers for other people.

Originally Posted by david_e

If you find redundant topics so offensive, yet so tempting....

I don't. We're on his... 5th issue? 6th? and I haven't posted anything in the gentleman's threads yet. (Nor do I participate in the "what should I buy" threads. )

And I'm not "offended," more just pointing out that these topics have been covered. Extensively.

[DMSmillie]

So the fact that something was discussed, say... 18 months ago, means it should never be mentioned again?

New people are joining the forums here all the time - you never know when one might bring a new perspective to an old topic.

[lenseman]

I think it's funny that you mentioned D&D because I was actually quite surprised when I found out that they had jumped on the bandwagon so early. Their game books are something different from reading a novel or even a graphic novel but I think they have been released in ebook format on their website as well. Those provide a more interactive experience and I would assume other companies similar game books would have to play it by ear with their target audience. I think something like that affect gameplay in a way, at least initially since it requires a new (though more convenient) device.

[david_e]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

I don't like writing term papers for other people.



I don't. We're on his... 5th issue? 6th? and I haven't posted anything in the gentleman's threads yet. (Nor do I participate in the "what should I buy" threads. )

And I'm not "offended," more just pointing out that these topics have been covered. Extensively.

You have a very valid point. Thank you for responding so politely. I'm afraid the same could not be said of my response to you. I shall have to practice a bit of self control and not post replies until I've had my morning coffee.

[Dodge]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I am seeing several book publishers or subpublishers still have not gotten with the electronic book publishing trends. While a lot of this is among the smaller book publishers, thus far I have seen only two publishers - Wizards of the Coast (publishes Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms) and Golden Eagle (a subpublisher of Harlequin that sells Executioner, Super Bolan, Stony Man, Deathlands, Outlands and Rogue Angel books). Do you expect all book publishers to eventually get with the electronic publishing movement? What do you think is holding these publishers back from publishing electronic books?

Personally I think that publishers will continue to team up with companies like Amazon. The big publishers still have time and revenue to create their own Amazon type model but I have yet to see it. Time is slipping by for them.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I am seeing several book publishers or subpublishers still have not gotten with the electronic book publishing trends. While a lot of this is among the smaller book publishers, thus far I have seen only two publishers - Wizards of the Coast (publishes Dungeons and Dragons and Forgotten Realms) and Golden Eagle (a subpublisher of Harlequin that sells Executioner, Super Bolan, Stony Man, Deathlands, Outlands and Rogue Angel books). Do you expect all book publishers to eventually get with the electronic publishing movement? What do you think is holding these publishers back from publishing electronic books?

A few years back this was more of an concern than it is know. Many publishers had a stance that they would not be moving to ebook, or where on a wait and see.

However eBooks have caught on and the momentum is still going in the eBook. Many of the publishers that said no way are now saying where looking into it and many more who where on a wait and see have joined the eBook crowd.

The big battle however is still price, and format(DRM).


I guess on last point is your example is probably not the best WotC really isn't very good at publishing eBooks. I think they give a lot of ground to their writes and it is up to the writers to publish eBooks or not. I'm not familiar with Golden Eagle however.

=X=

[Anthem]

Sometimes pointing things out sure feels like being castrated, doesn't it?

I expect most publishers to go with the e-publishing thing. Excepting the specialty publishers, obviously.