As someone elsewhere pointed out, all this may do is decrease sales. As a former Sony and present Kindle owner, I have bought exactly ONE paper book since getting an e-reader in late 2006. That one book was only bought in paper because it was the first of a series and not available on the Kindle when the rest of the series was. I really do not like the paper experience anymore and avoid paper. The risk that Simon & Schuster are taking is that by the time the e-book version comes out, the e-consumer will have moved on.
As usual, they don't get it. Sooner or later, they will have no choice. You would think they would have learned by now, it is not like there is a shortage of examples. Exasperated Sigh.
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Alternatively, these publishers could look at a successful existing solution over at Webscriptions and Baen. The get their die-hard fan tax by selling eARCs (electronic Advance Reader Copies) for $15 to $2
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Indeed, and I am one of those who has done just that and bought a few ARCs. The nice thing about BAEN is when you buy the ARC, you already know when the regular, cheaper, e-version will come out so can make an intelligent choice. Transparency and honesty are the key here (not to mention no DRM). Treat your customers with respect and they will return. Why do the other publishers have so much trouble figuring this out?
Indeed, BAEN has ALWAYS been ahead of the curve. Before the ebook era, I can remember buying BAEN hardcovers with a CD-ROM filled with many other books attached inside the cover - a precursor to their free library.