Will Subscription e-Book Sites Continue to be Viable in 2015?

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Could be I am wrong, but I think a big threat/competitor to subscription services, in Canada at least, are the public libraries. They do seem to keep getting better in BC at least.

You cannot get everything immediately but you can get so many things immediately, and many many bestsellers as well.

Public libraries also serve the market of people who can/will pay nothing up front at all. However, at my libraries, anything new and popular immediately has a waiting list in the hundreds.

They face some problems in that all publishers will not sell to libraries, but I think subscription services face the same problem?

Interestingly, there are some subgenres and publishers that are more likely to turn up on subscription services. Looking for m/m romance at your library, for example? You're going to have a hard time finding any.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Joykins

Public libraries also serve the market of people who can/will pay nothing up front at all. However, at my libraries, anything new and popular immediately has a waiting list in the hundreds.



Interestingly, there are some subgenres and publishers that are more likely to turn up on subscription services. Looking for m/m romance at your library, for example? You're going to have a hard time finding any.

Could be about the m/m romance but I tried one author, Joseph Hansen, Dave Brandstetter which is I originally stumbled upon his books at my library many years ago and there were 3. I am kind of excited about this.

But I doubt I would find much in the way of more explicit erotica or S/M books or anything you would not find displayed openly in a store or bookstore. I guess I wasn't thinking of this as a large market for subscription services. If it is, I stand corrected.

Helen

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

But I doubt I would find much in the way of more explicit erotica or S/M books or anything you would not find displayed openly in a store or bookstore. I guess I wasn't thinking of this as a large market for subscription services. If it is, I stand corrected.

Helen

How much of a market erotica (of all types) might be for subscription services is not something there'll be much talk about just as there is little talk about ebook *sales*. There is big money in it but after the mess of '13 nobody wants media attention.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

How much of a market erotica (of all types) might be for subscription services is not something there'll be much talk about just as there is little talk about ebook *sales*. There is big money in it but after the mess of '13 nobody wants media attention.

Don't personally pay much attention to erotica so I am unaware of the '13 mess. Nothing against most of it and there have been books in that genre that I have enjoyed when I was much much younger. Now I require at least a very good story and Joseph Hansen has always provided that IMO and Richard Stevenson is just too funny.

I like a book that has a good plot and a bit of romance and sexual interaction quite often adds to the book. Same with witty conversation and an insight into peoples motives and aspirations.

I just cannot see that a subscription service could become more attractive and viable by offering a wide selection of erotica without talking about it.

Helen

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

Don't personally pay much attention to erotica so I am unaware of the '13 mess.

Helen

Here:

http://the-digital-reader.com/2013/1...uk-ebookstore/

The Kobogeddon mess wasn't limited to erotica titles. It impacted a broad range, perhaps the majority of indie titles at Kobo.

The thing about ebook erotica is that while the ebookstores don't promote the titles, buyers know how to find them. That particular genre is used to being sidelined.

Don't know about Scribd or Oyster but given that indie erotica is a big chunk of indie titles at Kindle, I expect they'll be in KU quietly racking up reads and payouts.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

I just cannot see that a subscription service could become more attractive and viable by offering a wide selection of erotica without talking about it.

You label it "romance" or "lgbt" and let the readers browse the selection, as far as I can tell. Most erotica/erotic romance books are short, and for $8.99 /month unlimited titles--people are going to subscribe. (I too prefer my romances to be plot-heavy rather than sex-heavy, but with unlimited browsing I've happened upon some that I've finished).

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

Here:

http://the-digital-reader.com/2013/1...uk-ebookstore/

The Kobogeddon mess wasn't limited to erotica titles. It impacted a broad range, perhaps the majority of indie titles at Kobo.

The thing about ebook erotica is that while the ebookstores don't promote the titles, buyers know how to find them. That particular genre is used to being sidelined.

Don't know about Scribd or Oyster but given that indie erotica is a big chunk of indie titles at Kindle, I expect they'll be in KU quietly racking up reads and payouts.

Well that does look like a mess Overreacting later rather than paying attention sooner.

I cannot see anyone having trouble finding erotica, but I try not to because I don't care for the ebook ones I have I have accidentally started reading. Not saying they are overly objectionable, just boring and monotonous. Still I might have liked them when I was 13.

Helen

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by Joykins

You label it "romance" or "lgbt" and let the readers browse the selection, as far as I can tell. Most erotica/erotic romance books are short, and for $8.99 /month unlimited titles--people are going to subscribe. (I too prefer my romances to be plot-heavy rather than sex-heavy, but with unlimited browsing I've happened upon some that I've finished).

And more than a few you haven't I gather.
A good plot is improved by romance IMO. Often in a series, character interaction is what keeps me reading.

I do like several m/m mystery series. I was hooked on Donald Strachey from the first page where he kept hanging up when he was placed on hold for the person who's secretary was calling him.

As to the much more explicit/exploitive stuff, IMO you would just have to buy three and read them over and over. Why subscribe?

Helen

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

As to the much more explicit/exploitive stuff, IMO you would just have to buy three and read them over and over. Why subscribe?

Helen

To read something other than erotica?

The thing about subscription services is they allow risk-free extended sampling of new authors, genres, subgenres... Whatever catches your eye at the moment.

The real value is in the variety and freedom to explore, which might make it valuable even for people only reading two or three books a month.

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

As to the much more explicit/exploitive stuff, IMO you would just have to buy three and read them over and over. Why subscribe?

Probably for similar reasons people pay for porn subscriptions. Variety, novelty--and for other kinds of books too.

I've found an odd synergy between Scribd and my library, as well. Series with Books 1-2 on Scribd, books 3-4 at the library, and well, I buy book 5 because if an author gets me to finish a 5-book series they've more than earned a direct purchase. Or, even, books 1-4 at the library, books 5-6 on Scribd. They fill in the gaps in each others' collections more than you'd think.

[ebusinesstutor]

There may be some consolidation in the subscription ebook field but I think it is here to stay.

It is a fantastic deal for me. I am a voracious reader and I speed read. I love that my ScribeD membership lets me explore a wide range of authors and books for a minimal price.

The Netflix model will work in ebooks as well.

[pegasi&prefects]

I find I am going a little bonkers in adding this to my library... And reading more as well. This means that far more authors get a bit of income from my reading, as I an far more likely to give them a go at zero risk. I try to make sure I read until it registers as read even if I give up on it.

[speakingtohe]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

To read something other than erotica?

The thing about subscription services is they allow risk-free extended sampling of new authors, genres, subgenres... Whatever catches your eye at the moment.

The real value is in the variety and freedom to explore, which might make it valuable even for people only reading two or three books a month.

I always assumed reading other than erotica. Never occurred to me that erotica was a big draw until joykins brought it up.

My original argument was that, for those of us lucky to have good ones, libraries offered a pretty competitive product. Costs tax dollars but not extra tax dollars. Very wide selection where I live, and I understand others are not so fortunate. But also much better selections in some other libraries.

I could possibly read 100 books a month from my library and not worry about running out of titles I found interesting. An I would have to try really really hard to read more than twenty.

Helen

[pegasi&prefects]

My problem with (or rather, the problem with me and libraries) is that I am terrible about returning books. The fines cost more than my Scribd subscription. I also prefer ebooks these days, and the system used for ebooks in Australian libraries doesn't really work for me.

Also, my toddler can't rip pages out of borrowed ebooks. *weeps*

Don't get me wrong, I am massively pro library, I was a librarian, after all! I think they are a huge asset to the community and social justice. South Australia also operates a One Library scheme, where you can access books from any branch in the state for free by putting them on hold. That means that even in tiny rural libraries, there is a wonderful range of books available to borrow.

[booklover6]

Originally Posted by pegasi&prefects

My problem with (or rather, the problem with me and libraries) is that I am terrible about returning books. The fines cost more than my Scribd subscription.

Same here! I currently owe over $6.

Originally Posted by pegasi&prefects

Also, my toddler can't rip pages out of borrowed ebooks. *weeps*

I had one of those.....he's 17 now. I had to quit taking him to the library. He didn't rip out pages of our books, just library books! The brat!