Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich_D
I think b&m stores will be around for a while yet - at least another 20 years. E-readers are too expensive for the casual reader and most multi use devices aren't ideal as readers. I think the model you described is the future of publishing, but it's going to take a while before it's mainstream.
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I disagree that dedicated readers are too expensive for casual readers, and that multi-use devices aren't ideal as readers. As a user of a multi-use device (a smartphone), I can attest to the fact that they are easy to use and very readable. Anyone who doesn't want to pay $200 for a dedicated reader (and some will soon cost less than that) can easily use a multi-function device instead.
I can see bookstores not disappearing, but morphing into a different kind of store that allows visitors to peruse digital or special paper versions of the books, then conveniently download them to their reader of choice or print them in-house. Since they won't carry as many physical books, they will likely shrink in size, to fit into any medium-sized storefront. This will likely happen over less than a decade's time.
Hopefully these stores will be impartial to source, as opposed to selling only Big Pub labels... that will depend on licensing agreements and leverage, and influenced by successful indie novels (so, hopefully, there will be a lot of those!).