11-27-2008, 03:16 PM | #16 |
zeldinha zippy zeldissima
Posts: 27,827
Karma: 921169
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Paris, France
Device: eb1150 & is that a nook in her pocket, or she just happy to see you?
|
there has been much discussion of ways for local indy bookshops to remain relevant in the new reading landscape. the obvious first step is to make ebook download kiosks available in the shops, of course, but many people have also suggested adding a social dimension that is not available online ; author readings, bookgroups and discussions, theme nights, games, artist shows... i think the bookshop / café / community center would have a brilliant future ahead of it and could create a really interesting symbiosis with ebooks.
nekokami and Taylor514ce both had some very interesting ideas on the subject, if you want to try to find those threads. |
11-27-2008, 03:25 PM | #17 |
Somewhat clueless
Posts: 739
Karma: 7747724
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis, iPhone 6 Plus
|
This issue isn't confined to the book trade - retailers in all areas are having to come to terms with price competition from internet sales.
I don't know how it will work out, but high-street retailers need to find a way to compete on prices or services, or they'll go bust. We may not like it, but that's the way it is. /JB |
Advert | |
|
11-27-2008, 10:39 PM | #18 |
Guru
Posts: 774
Karma: 1211741
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Oregon
Device: EB1150, iPhone, Cool-er Purple, Pocketbook 360, Kindle Fire
|
ebook publishers
Devils Advocate here...
What about the authors and books that are published by the smaller publishing houses that primarily selling ebooks online, with only a few paperback sales because very simply they are so small. These give authors a chance to be published and sell their work, even if it is not through one of the major publishing houses. Amy |
11-28-2008, 01:47 PM | #19 | |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 11,470
Karma: 13095790
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Grass Valley, CA
Device: EB 1150, EZ Reader, Literati, iPad 2 & Air 2, iPhone 7
|
Quote:
Dale |
|
11-28-2008, 10:20 PM | #20 |
Has got to the black veil
Posts: 542
Karma: 2144168
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2
|
The obvious solution is that the B&M bookstores would have hard copies of the books available for browsing, which could then be downloaded in-store. And of course you have the personal interaction of a bookseller who knows your tastes and can connect you with other books you will like.
|
Advert | |
|
12-02-2008, 09:07 AM | #21 |
Resident Curmudgeon
Posts: 73,668
Karma: 127838212
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
|
What I have done before is go to the library and browse the new books section and take note of the books that interested me. Then I go home and see which of them are available as eBooks and go from there.
|
12-02-2008, 10:40 AM | #22 |
Fanatic
Posts: 509
Karma: 1098204
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Earth
Device: iPhone5, iPad Gen3, Kobo, Kindle Fire, Kobo Vox. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7
|
I remember a VHS rental store in my hometown. It closed down due to Blockbuster-type franchises. Now those same Blockbuster-type stores are changing to digital rental/membership stores or closing down themselves. I believe they can't compete against the 1$ Redbox type rentals. Yes, the old-type bookstores will go away. Only a few 'Rare Book' speciality stores will remain and discount resellers/pawn who will not only sell books but CDs and DVD used.
Just because you have fond memories of something is no reason to keep it going if it can't pay for itself. The only exceptions are Libraries and Museums who don't expect to make money on their services and survive through funding. It's sad but life marches on. I don't think the movie theatre has long either with everyone getting home theatres. Maybe a few big special theatres like 'Radio City' and not those 12 plexes they built 15 years ago. I think a lot of malls will be closing also, they just built too many and now they can't find people to rent the space. In Georgia I see a lot of empty stores and this didn't just happen. The Walmarts, Targets, Costco, Home Depot, Carmax are eating away at the small dealers, small stores. I also remember a lot of 'craft' shops a while back, they seem to be thinning out also. I'm one of those people with a home theatre, a Macpro with 4TB of Hardrive space and another in backups. I have a huge DVD collection (over 2 thousand) and a large CD collection (all ripped into my iTunes). The only time I buy a book is if it's a picture book or magazine. I buy online as much/often as I buy at a store. Last edited by pagansoul; 12-02-2008 at 10:55 AM. |
12-02-2008, 11:36 AM | #23 |
Hi There!
Posts: 7,473
Karma: 2930523
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ft Lauderdale
Device: iPad
|
I'm from Alabama, and we don't have no stinkin' bookstores around here!
Seriously however, in my home community, the only way to buy books is at the grocery store or Walmart. Otherwise, it is 11 miles to work and the college bookstore across the street, 20 miles to a mall with chain bookstores, or down the road a bit to the thrift store for used books (my favorite B&M). Amazon has been my first choice bookstore since its inception. I can surf there, buy a bunch of books for next to nothing, and they are brought to my house. I'm sure my mailman has wondered why there have not been many smiling Amazon boxes in the past year. So going "e" has not impacted my community of non-readers one tiny bit. |
01-13-2009, 10:38 PM | #24 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,289
Karma: 4525055
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: rural Illinois, USA
Device: Sony PRS-700 (traded in), Sony PRS-650
|
Quote:
http://www.symtio.com Unfortunately there isn't a retail store very near to me, but after questioning customer service, they said that I could order from them online and support the retail store of my choice. I think that they are fairly new and adding new stores, so I'm hoping they will soon be at my favorite store soon. But I like that I can order online as well. It's nice to have both options. |
|
01-14-2009, 10:47 AM | #25 |
PHD in Horribleness
Posts: 2,320
Karma: 23599604
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L
Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.
|
Ultimately (as with music) I generally don't want to buy local - because the internet makes it possible to buy directly from the author.
This assumes the author is still living - but I have watched this model work from the early MP3.com days, and the internet makes it viable. How many fewer readers does an author need to support a writing career when the author collects all the money? This article is about evolving publishing models in the music industry, but I maintain that the assertions it makes are applicable to print as well. Why not hire a firm to edit your work at a flat rate - if you are capable of marketing and distributing yourself? Thoughts? |
01-14-2009, 03:09 PM | #26 | |
Has got to the black veil
Posts: 542
Karma: 2144168
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2
|
Quote:
I do think the publishing paradigm as it currently exists needs work, and ebooks becoming popular might be both an opportunity and an excuse for such a reworking. But you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. |
|
01-14-2009, 04:41 PM | #27 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,230
Karma: 7145404
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Southern California
Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+
|
But, but... Amazon is very local. It is everywhere I have an internet-connected browser! I gave up on most mom and pop stores. There are exceptions, such as a most-excellent local hardware store with helpful staff, but the added value of being "local" doesn't carry much weight with me.
I do like to sniff and fondle books. But I've cut back on brick-and-mortar book shopping since I'm such a heavy e-reader now. |
01-15-2009, 12:55 PM | #28 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,289
Karma: 4525055
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: rural Illinois, USA
Device: Sony PRS-700 (traded in), Sony PRS-650
|
Quote:
|
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
K3 Wifi + 3G in stock at local Best Buy | jswinden | Amazon Kindle | 3 | 09-24-2010 03:05 PM |
Local Best Buy has a K3 demo unit | jswinden | Amazon Kindle | 0 | 09-17-2010 05:07 PM |
Want to buy 'local' (Australia)which one fits my requirements best? | Blizz | Which one should I buy? | 22 | 07-19-2010 07:28 PM |
Unutterably Silly Is this Zelda's local cafe? | ShortNCuddlyAm | Lounge | 16 | 11-04-2009 12:36 AM |
My local library is a MESS | Lobolover | Lounge | 21 | 11-30-2008 02:45 PM |