Quote:
Originally Posted by Abecedary
As for publishers having fewer costs when dealing with ebooks, you also need to look at the extra costs incurred (well, if they do it properly at least). Sure, they'll save a small amount on not printing, but they'll instead need to have someone handle the layout/formatting of the ebook, and then have another round or two of proofs of that. The layout/formatting does require a different skillset than what most print layout people will have, so it's not like they can just reassign someone over to that (of course, they may have someone eager to learn and do the job). So that's likely added cost. And for something that will maybe sell a few hundred to a few thousand copies, that's quite a bit of cost for such low return. Not saying it's right or that the publishers don't need to adjust with the times. Just looking at the situation from the other side.
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I've a small problem with this approach. If you ask information about costs at the paper books, about half of the prize is distribution, not printing. Why people don't count these costs when comparisons are made with electronic books. No storage (sorry, electronic storage is much cheaper than physical storage), no transport (electronic transport is much cheaper than physical transport), but usually people don't mention these costs. Usually only paper against technical skills and infrastructures.