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There seems to be a number of members who are pro-publisher on this site, but I suppose that is to be expected. I don't mind publishers making money, but I would mind my publisher delaying my book my readers are clamoring for. It is a safe and comfortable position to say that we have had this model forever and that it need not change. This falls in line with the brilliant person who once said people will never need a computer in their homes (Digital Equipment Corporation is no longer around).
Newspapers are dying, magazines are following close behind, and for anyone to say the dead-tree industry is robust and profitable is like saying the home telephone market is robust and profitable. We didn't create the revolutionary shift, but we are evolving with it. As a business person, I would give my customers what they want, when they want it, if it is physically possible, period. Those who play profit games at the expense of their paying customers will be circumvented (Piracy).
The internet has empowered the consumer, and businesses who have yet to embrace that fact will not be around much longer. Those businesses who have embraced the new technology and exploit it for their gain will flourish in this new electronic economy. As more and more publishers jump on board with the eBook publishing model, those who do not will be left behind. There is a reason B&N is back in eBooks in a big way.
I have read articles from authors who have said they have made more money on eBooks lately than from paperbacks. The reason? Many of their old books are pulled from distribution by the publisher after sales drop. Because of the book return policy with retailers, keeping the old books on shelves makes no sense. But many have since republished those as eBooks and the authors and publishers are making money off something they didn't in the past. EBooks make sense for all parties involved.
The Smartphone avalanche is just getting started, and electronic content will snowball right along with it. Those who believe this site represents the bulk of electronic readers are misguided. Look at the number of internet blogs and tweets to realize that just isn't so. Many of those people have already circumvented publishers and find their content for free on the internet.
To the publishers I say, "Be smart business people and devise a model that will satisfy all your constituents. If not, be prepared for the market to force you, and the market can be a harsh mistress."
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