Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf
But, it costs hardly anything to keep and eBook "in print" long after the paper versions have gone out of print. So really, the eBook copies can continue to sell long after they can no longer be bought new in paper. So really, That is something that needs to be factored into the price.
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Yes and no.
One of the interesting side effects of ebook and print-on-demand solutions has been the effect on contracts. Contracts are valid for a particular period. The author contracts with the publisher, and the publisher has the right to offer an edition of the book for as long as the book is in print. When the book goes out of print, the author (or author's agent) can request that the rights revert, and attempt to resell the book elsewhere or self-publish.
What does "out of print" mean when you have POD and ebooks? A publisher could potentially hold the rights forever, and this is probably not what you want.
Current contracts take this into account, and look at the numbers of sales in POD and ebook editions to determine whether a book is still in print. Sales
below a certain number are taken as indicators that the publisher is no longer attempting to actively sell the book, and the rights should revert.
So that potentially longer sales period may not have the effect you think, as sales will drop below the contractually specified level, and the publisher will no longer have the right to offer the book.
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Dennis