Quote:
Originally Posted by carpetmojo
JKR didn't do ebook versions originally because she felt the technology, being a lot more expensive than now, would in fact act as a barrier for children wanting to read the works.
I don't think the money was even a factor - anyway, profit-wise I don't expect it was significant.
|
How would that act as a barrier? If kids/their parents can't afford ereaders or other ebook devices, they buy the paper/hardback version. If the kids/parents didn't like ereaders, they buy the paper/hardback version.
Everyone else who can afford either, chooses.
That reason, along with the, withholding ebooks over piracy fears, just don't make sense to me. Not saying either of those are not really the reasons she gave, I've not seen any quotes from her explaining the decision, but if they are the reason, both are... flawed
I can see the logic if her point was more that she wanted kids to read using paper books instead of "tech", whilst I would still disagree with it, withholding ebooks would at least make sense there. (excluding those who will pirate it and read via "tech" anyway)
At the time Rowling released the first few books though, ebooks were nowhere near as popular as they've become in the last two years. I find it surprising any author would avoid/delay ebook releases unless they're trying to bring about the windowing option they tried to force on amazon (now that agency pricing is "on hold")