Harry Potter could go digital

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by rogue_librarian

See? She could be a billionaire by now ...

money ain't everything .....

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

it has to have been produced in writing and whilst sitting in a cafe.

Long hand, using only paper and pen.

[RainingLemur]

I'm largely indifferent to the Potter series, but I would like to see increased "official" support for these huge book series in e-form.

[6charlong]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

Did she say why she opposed ebook format? Sorry if that was mentioned already. I find it hard to believe that Rowling opposes ebooks for fear of piracy. She sold 450 million copies of Potter. I'd think she would be as concerned with the pirate ebook versions as I am when I lose a nickel.

We forget the state of eBooks in 2000. A 2.5-inch back-lit screen was the standard. When the 6-inch PRS500 came out it was expensive--I think I paid $375 for one when they were new--and the screen needed more contrast. That was in 2007 and not many children could afford one back then. Book readers have matured considerably in the last ten years.

I'd prefer to give Rowling the benefit of the doubt and assume she didn't want her work used to rip her readers off.

[ProfCrash]

She has said in past interviews that she is worried about piracy. She has also said that her books were meant to be read on paper and that she could not understand the desire for e-books. Given that all of her books were hand written, I have no idea when she committed them to a computer and word processor, her comments about books being meant to be read on paper only pretty much fit her experience.

As the author, it is her right to decide what formats the books are sold in. I just think that the books are meant to be read in paper form is silly and hypocritical given that she has allowed them to be made into films and audio books. I am ignoring the theme park mainly because that is probably tied into the movies more then the books.

Her problem, and it is not much of a problem for her, is that her reluctance to embrace ebooks has left many people who prefer that format out in the cold. Her reluctance has encouraged piracy. I know plenty of folks, I am one, who finally said screw it and downloaded pirated copies. I want to re-read her works and I don't want to hold a massive book in my hands. It is uncomfortable. I paid for the paperback and hardback books. I paid for books I lent out that were not returned. I will happily pay for the ebooks if they are ever released. If she doesn't, oh well. There are nicely formated copies available and people are reading them.

[GeoffC]

books ?

They are only 'stories'.

The medium doesn't necessary have a bearing on the story.....unless it morphs somewhat in the 000111 ...

[ProfCrash]

http://www.t3.com/news/harry-potter-...rowling?=55107

"Harry Potter eBooks put on hold by JK Rowling
Posted by Luke Johnson on Tue 5 Apr 2011

Potter eBooks still some way off



The phenomenally popular series of Harry Potter novels will not hit eBook readers in the near future as author JK Rowling continues to stall plans of digitally converting the boy wizard tales.



Refuting recent claims in a number of Scottish newspapers that have suggested Rowling is on the brink of unleashing the Potter franchise in a digital book form, the authors agent, Neil Blair at the Christopher Little Agency, has stated there is “nothing more to say” on the matter."

And it dies almost as quickly as it started.

[tponzo]

I would love to ask where to get them from, even though I know I can't.

Google is your friend.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

She has said in past interviews that she is worried about piracy. She has also said that her books were meant to be read on paper and that she could not understand the desire for e-books. Given that all of her books were hand written, I have no idea when she committed them to a computer and word processor, her comments about books being meant to be read on paper only pretty much fit her experience.

As the author, it is her right to decide what formats the books are sold in. I just think that the books are meant to be read in paper form is silly and hypocritical given that she has allowed them to be made into films and audio books. I am ignoring the theme park mainly because that is probably tied into the movies more then the books.

Her problem, and it is not much of a problem for her, is that her reluctance to embrace ebooks has left many people who prefer that format out in the cold. Her reluctance has encouraged piracy. [snip]

If she's worried about piracy, that's silly, especially considering people set up lawn chairs outside bookstores for the hardcover release. The fact that she hand writes the books and says they were meant to be in paper form suggests she has a romantic notion of a good ol' book. Given her genre and themes, I can sorta understand this. I suspect that reason is more the motivation, rather than fear of lost profits due to piracy; for one, she has to know they've already been pirated, and for two, the fortune from the books is beyond achieved.

I don't think it's hypocritical. Movies and audiobooks are performance presentations of the work. Different animals.

I seriously doubt the lack of ebook format has left people out in the cold. Seriously. Anyone who wants to read Harry Potter will, and probably has. Most readers still buy in paper form, and I doubt many of the ones that don't just can't bear to read the paper version of a book they're really interested in. Most Potter fans would read the books on bathroom tissue if that was their only option.

If a romantic notion of paper books is her primary reasoning, then good for her. Everyone cries about greed-motivated publishing decisions, so if an author rejects a format due to artistic principle, I may not agree but I certainly respect it. If she's genuinely motivated primarily by piracy concerns, well that's baffling.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

If she's worried about piracy, that's silly, especially considering people set up lawn chairs outside bookstores for the hardcover release. The fact that she hand writes the books and says they were meant to be in paper form suggests she has a romantic notion of a good ol' book. Given her genre and themes, I can sorta understand this. I suspect that reason is more the motivation, rather than fear of lost profits due to piracy; for one, she has to know they've already been pirated, and for two, the fortune from the books is beyond achieved.

I don't think it's hypocritical. Movies and audiobooks are performance presentations of the work. Different animals.

I seriously doubt the lack of ebook format has left people out in the cold. Seriously. Anyone who wants to read Harry Potter will, and probably has. Most readers still buy in paper form, and I doubt many of the ones that don't just can't bear to read the paper version of a book they're really interested in. Most Potter fans would read the books on bathroom tissue if that was their only option.

If a romantic notion of paper books is her primary reasoning, then good for her. Everyone cries about greed-motivated publishing decisions, so if an author rejects a format due to artistic principle, I may not agree but I certainly respect it. If she's genuinely motivated primarily by piracy concerns, well that's baffling.

how very muggle of her not being able to accept something that is different

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

how very muggle of her not being able to accept something that is different

Ha. It's possible to dislike something for its actual characteristics, not just for the sake of it being different.

Besides, isn't it muggles who use modern technology, and reject the old ways? I don't recall any Hogwarts students learning spells from dusty, leather bound Kindles. Or even using electricity.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Yup it was.

Multiple times!

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

Ha. It's possible to dislike something for its actual characteristics, not just for the sake of it being different.

Besides, isn't it muggles who use modern technology, and reject the old ways? I don't recall any Hogwarts students learning spells from dusty, leather bound Kindles. Or even using electricity.

Muggles had to learn how to use technology because Wizards and Witches hid themselves from the Muggles. The Wizarding world did not want to be called upon to do everything for Muggles. It was a decision made by the Magical Community, not by Muggles.

She is the author so she gets to chose how the books are sold. There is no denying that.

To choose to not allow people who want to read her words on an e-reader the oppertunity to do so because her books were meant to be read from paper while allowing her stories to be reinterpreted through film is, to me, hypocritical. She is willing to allow the content of the books to be altered, and they have been altered, in order to make the movies and then say that the experience of reading a book on an e-reader is some how different then reading a paper book and should not happen is just wrong. The movies alter the story and take away the joy of visualizing her world based on her words as you read the story. The e-book tells her story as she wrote it, word for word.

I am find with the movies but talk about wanting her stories read in a specific manner to preserve the experience when she has made millions by allowing the experience to be altered is just silly.

Again, she is the owner, creator, author. She gets to be silly and make decisions that she feel is right for her. That doesn't mean that I can't scratch my head and wonder what she is thinking.

[wodin]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

http://www.t3.com/news/harry-potter-...rowling?=55107

"Harry Potter eBooks put on hold by JK Rowling
Posted by Luke Johnson on Tue 5 Apr 2011

Potter eBooks still some way off



The phenomenally popular series of Harry Potter novels will not hit eBook readers in the near future as author JK Rowling continues to stall plans of digitally converting the boy wizard tales.



Refuting recent claims in a number of Scottish newspapers that have suggested Rowling is on the brink of unleashing the Potter franchise in a digital book form, the authors agent, Neil Blair at the Christopher Little Agency, has stated there is “nothing more to say” on the matter."

And it dies almost as quickly as it started.

Well SCREW it! Google here I come!

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

I am find with the movies but talk about wanting her stories read in a specific manner to preserve the experience when she has made millions by allowing the experience to be altered is just silly.

Again, she is the owner, creator, author. She gets to be silly and make decisions that she feel is right for her. That doesn't mean that I can't scratch my head and wonder what she is thinking.

It doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Some authors would allow their name to be slapped on anything that generated money. She doesn't, though she comes close. You think she should draw the line elsewhere, fair enough, but ultimately the "OK/not OK" determination is subjective. To each her own.

I don't think it's hypocritical, per se, because movies aren't a reading experience; they're an entirely different art form. She didn't give the OK to scroll the text on a movie screen. She's opposed to one particular means of delivery of the original text because she feels that the written work itself, the original product of her imagination, is not properly experienced on an electronic screen.

Sure, it's an emotionally based decision based on a romantic notion of what a book should be. Not a big surprise from someone whose fictional world is populated with candlelit rooms and magic. To be honest, I share that notion a little (obviously not fully, since I own a Kindle). I can't defend that rationally, nor can I make a purely logical argument for reading stories about wizards.

Frankly, I prefer the movies. I don't particularly like her writing, but the story is good enough for a fun viewing.