When we hear of new e-book publishers, it always makes our ears perk up a bit.
Walk Broad Publishing is a new children's e-book publisher with a daring new start from scratch.
We certainly can't argue with the motivation.
Quote:
Walk Broad Publishing is a company dedicated to bringing quality, original e-books to the Next Generation of Readers.
I started Walk Broad to serve those readers who have embraced e-book reading on their desktops, laptops, tablet PC as well as devices like the Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Cybook, iLiad (to name a few) to supplant, or in addition to, paper books.
Being an avid reader of e-books (who prefers them over paper books whenever possible), I am striving to do my part for their more general acceptance.
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The first e-book offered is "Good Morning, Friend Moon" for $4.99, currently in "a customized PDF that will work in all available ereader hardware, the Sony Reader, Amazon Kindle, Booken's Cybook and iRex iLiad.
As one looks at the site, the first thought that strikes me is how much work goes into a successful e-book publishing launch. A decent web store, with all the needed information about the books and formats, is already a challenge. Not to mention having good quality books in the first place. Then providing enough formats, and deciding where to start is another hurdle. Some of the veterans like the folks at Manybooks and Feedbooks show us what can be done if you are a sophisticated user.
Of course, there are the decisions to be made about DRM. I'm not sure what Walk Broad has decided, but you have to think that integrating DRM makes it a tough sell. However, I suppose, maybe a standard Digital Editions or Kindle DRM might have a chance, especially with those new to e-books.
And then there is the toughest thing of all. Even if you have top notch writing, and the best web site, and every format is supported and you don't burden the user with DRM... you still have to get people to notice you and be interested in getting your e-books. Free e-books are a great way to attract interest. If you have a great product, the more you grow awareness, the more you can reap the rewards with future sales. It's my firm belief, and I think so far the market bears this out for lesser known writers especially, that offering at least some free (and DRM-free) e-books is really the way to go.
Will Walk Broad Publishing (or the other e-book publishing startups) be successful? I don't know. I hope so. A lucrative market that shows successes from smaller publishers will certainly make e-books much more available to consumers are reasonable prices.
Will $4.99 for a new .pdf e-book from a new unknown publisher cut it? I don't think so. Especially without any obvious sample chapters to preview. But Walk Broad, we wish you well. And it's a long road from starting point to success, so I'm sure we'll see a lot of evolution in your web site, marketing and products over time. Good luck to you!