MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - What is the optimal E-reader story size?

K-Thom · 12-31-2010, 09:04 PM

Seemingly reading habits don't change when someone is switching from pBooks to eBooks. For the last 10-15 years, the trend has been "the more pages the better". So I think most readers do prefer long novels.

There have been quite some discussions if eBooks will lead to a renaissance of short(er) stories. For mainstream (readers and publishers) I wouldn't count on it. On the other hand eBooks are not bound (literally) to any format sizes, so a 10 page story is as good for me as one with 1000. Today short stories are likely to find their audience rather in online shops than in bookstores.

So, there isn't any optimal length IMHO. Let the stories be as long (or short) as necessary.

12-31-2010, 09:04 PM	#2
K-Thom The one and only Posts: 3,302 Karma: 535819 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Berlin, Germany Device: yup!	Seemingly reading habits don't change when someone is switching from pBooks to eBooks. For the last 10-15 years, the trend has been "the more pages the better". So I think most readers do prefer long novels. There have been quite some discussions if eBooks will lead to a renaissance of short(er) stories. For mainstream (readers and publishers) I wouldn't count on it. On the other hand eBooks are not bound (literally) to any format sizes, so a 10 page story is as good for me as one with 1000. Today short stories are likely to find their audience rather in online shops than in bookstores. So, there isn't any optimal length IMHO. Let the stories be as long (or short) as necessary.