I agree, QuantumIguana - I think the publishers are, ultimately, slitting their own throats by insisting on such high prices.

But, they do warn you that changes might be made.
Apache

eARC's
 

Thanks, Taustin, Becca. I wasn't aware of that. Personally, I think it's a brilliant idea. And considering how protective authors can be about their final product, I think it's very cool of some of them to be doing it, too. This is also a great alternative to the (in my opinion) highly-overpriced print ARC's that end up on eBay, sometimes selling for huge numbers.

I think if you look at it from a business perspective, high prices in ebooks are really the publishers crying out that their business--as they knew it for decades--is dying on the vine. There are already massive cutbacks taking place in the print divisions even as digital departments at the publishers are starting to grow.

Until there is a seismic shift in the physical organization of traditional publishers, you'll continue to see them trying to use the tsunami of digital sales to help keep themselves afloat.

Actually, I agree with Kumabjorn. I'm a great fan of "Modern Marvels". But, out of the 200+ channels I get on basic cable, I'll be darned if I can ever find anything like that on when I'm bored and want to watch TV.

I grew up watching the shows of the 70's and 80's and have no problem letting my 2 and 7 year-old sons watch any of them. These days, they'll put anything on TV. I have to be ready to mute or change the channel just for some of the commercials!