Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lake
Give how against in store POD the big 5 are, I really don't see anything like that happening anytime soon. But then again, it may reach a point where big stores like B&N become little mom and pops and all tree books become POD in order to cut costs and keep the pbook market alive and profitable. If anyone ends up doing it first, I see B&N doing it. Of course, IMHO, publishers in general would be fools NOT to go with the system. For one, it would give instant availability to their entire out of print catalog (well, those they can legally reprint and sell anyways) at nearly zero cost to themselves.
A well run POD bookstore system would actually be cost effective for bookstores, and for publishers. 1) publishers wouldn't need to print pbooks anymore, and 2) bookstores wouldn't need to carry any stock. They just setup a bunch of terminals and let people pick out which ones they want and purchase/print right there. For books which will sell a LOT of copies, such as with big authors, special small print runs could be done in the stores in advance of opening in order to meet demand without tying up all the machines for most of the day printing just one book. ^_^
But alas, the big five sure as heck won't go for it, even if it is the most awesome idea ever. It's likely going to require all the small houses going to this new system and whipping the pants off the big guys before they'll get a clue and change.
|
Steve:
I absolutely agree with you. The current paper book system simply cannot survive -- there is too much cost and waste in the system with larger than needed print runs, returns, shipping, etc.
B&N and Borders are in serious financial trouble and don't seem to be making any headway with their brick and mortar stores.
Plus the current system of "big chain orders 5,000 books...and then returns 4,999 for credit three months later" is just certain death for smaller presses.
I love physical bookstores and I love having printed books...I think the only way the industry can survive is to go to the "boutique store" method above -- sure, there will always be a handful of "big box stores" I suppose, but I think the smaller stores will become the norm (again):
In many markets, smaller stores, comparable in size to the old Waldenbooks/B Daltons or typical Indie book store. The store probably only carries a couple of thousand titles, the titles that are guaranteed to sell.
A good chunk of the store is the cafe/lounge -- the idea is, "come in, get your drink and snack and browse for what you want." (Many people will use their existing ebook reader, laptop, smartphone, tablet if they have it with them, but there will be plenty of "loaner" browsing devices to go around.)
When you find something you want, you can buy and have it directly downloaded to your ebook device of choice but the really interesting option is you can buy a printed version -- then the dedicated ebook printers in the back go to work, printing out an "on demand" copy in a few minutes.
(I know most people are thinking of the Espresso Book Machine but the technology is still pretty finicky -- I don't see any reason you couldn't just use a business-quality high-volume laser printer and have the clerks in the back handbind the books with Gorilla Glue).
It's a great deal for everyone:
The publisher gets a sale with no printing, warehousing, shipping or return costs.
The bookstore gets a sale with no shipping or shelving or return costs. Huge savings on rent because the stores are physically much smaller. Plus the bookstore can position itself as "We have every book in the world -- in stock, in your hands in minutes."
And the reader gets presumably decent pricing and instant delivery of books instead of waiting a couple of days for a book to be mailed to them.
Naturally, the publishing industry would fight this business model tooth and nail because they'd have to come up with a secure means of protecting their content and monitoring printed copies...and well, it makes sense.
But it would be a great way for publishers and brick and mortar book stores to compete with ebooks.
Not only that, this model would enable the "bookstore boutique" to survive in smaller communities where the major chain stores cannot survive. I can see these smaller stores becoming as commonplace as McDs...well not quite, but you get the idea. (Or maybe some brilliant exec at McDs, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks or another large chain would add on the the "bookstore" model to an existing food/cafe chain).