Will Subscription e-Book Sites Continue to be Viable in 2015?

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Even if the book is $2.99? I wouldn't pay $10/mos to read just one or two books.

Books from major publishers are rarely priced at $2.99. The folks reading a book or two a month would, I think, be looking for popular authors from major publishers.

[Purple Lady]

If Scribd or Oyster had apps that allowed changing margins, fonts and line heights I would try it. I don't mind reading on a tablet or phone with the right options. And not the Kindle version of formatting options either - their smallest line height on most books is almost double spaced, and their font sizes are lacking too.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by rixte

I like Kindle Unlimited's ability to be read in eink with all that entails (and it's actually fine for rereads, because unlike the lending to a friend program, you can borrow a book multiple times) but the selection is relatively poor and I only subbed for 2 months. This isn't helped by the fact that browsing for eligible books is a huge pain and trying to figure out what beyond the highlighted high-profile books were available through it was frustrating. If their catalogue increases, I'd consider it again.

Try using this calibre plugin: [GUI Plugin] OverDrive Link. It originally found OverDrive books by authors in your library (additionally allowing you to search for keywords) but now searches 3M, Scribd, Oyster, Axis360, Amazon (KU|Prime|KU with narration), and others, as well.

It will also save discovered books not in your library into an offline list that will open links in your browser.

[Tarana]

My personal belief is that all these subscription services will die when new contracts with the authors come up. I've noticed that some of the offerings of authors have backpedaled. The first book of a series might be available as a KU option, but the rest of the series must be purchased. Just like what has been happening with Whispersync, authors will reject having their works used as loss leaders. When the new contract comes out, they limit how much Amazon can discount their work.

So, I'm taking advantage of KU now for some stuff my library doesn't have that I enjoy.

[murg]

Originally Posted by Tarana

The first book of a series might be available as a KU option, but the rest of the series must be purchased.

This is a valid marketing technique, as Baen has proved.

Basically you give away the first of a series, in the hopes that the reader will purchase the rest of the series.

[j.p.s]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Books from major publishers are rarely priced at $2.99. The folks reading a book or two a month would, I think, be looking for popular authors from major publishers.

I read 0 to 2 books per month, averaging about 1, and neither exclude no require books by popular authors from major publishers. I am completely baffled that low volume would imply some requirement for popular authors from major publishers. Also, over the course of a year, there are large numbers of books by popular authors from major publishers temporarily on sale for $0.00 - $8.99

Even without considering the unacceptable device/app requirements and extremely limited selection, none of the current subscription services even slightly tempt me because of the high price. Since it is unlikely that they can make a lower price work for them, books subscription services will probably never have me as a customer.

[rixte]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Try using this calibre plugin: [GUI Plugin] OverDrive Link. It originally found OverDrive books by authors in your library (additionally allowing you to search for keywords) but now searches 3M, Scribd, Oyster, Axis360, Amazon (KU|Prime|KU with narration), and others, as well.

It will also save discovered books not in your library into an offline list that will open links in your browser.

Thanks! That looks extremely useful.

[pidgeon92]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Books from major publishers are rarely priced at $2.99. The folks reading a book or two a month would, I think, be looking for popular authors from major publishers.

I rarely pay more than $2.99 for books from major publishers. I just wait til they go on sale. I'm very thankful for ereaderiq for maintaining my wishlist and emailing me when books are on sale. In December I was able to purchase 10 ebooks from my wishlist that were on sale for 99¢ - $2.99.

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by rixte

Oh, and a friend of mine with a 10 year old finds Kindle Unlimited absolutely perfect for saving the number of times per week they need to go to the library!

As I mentioned elsewhere, as long as you have the proper ebooks, this sort of reader should do well. I noticed that scribed has the boxcar children series. My niece and nephew loved the boxcar kids books back when they were that age.

[SteveK]

I certainly hope the model remains viable. I have multiple dozens of titles in my library waiting to be read, so obviously I've had no difficulties finding books I'd like to read with my Scribd subscription.
I'd certainly agree that the app should be improved, and have made various suggestions to improve their interface, but I can deal with its quirks while I hope for improvements. But I definitely appreciate their selection, so hopefully they will remain viable.
SteveK

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by rixte

Thanks! That looks extremely useful.

Indeed it is. I hardly ever go to library ebook websites anymore except to actually check out the books.

[pegasi&prefects]

I would sign up for KU like a shot if it was available in Australia. I spend more than that on library fines.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by j.p.s

A Caesar cipher like rot13, but font based? Or something more complicated?

Yeah, it's basically just a letter substitution code, with the required font referenced in the html headers.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

If Scribd or Oyster had apps that allowed changing margins, fonts and line heights I would try it. I don't mind reading on a tablet or phone with the right options. And not the Kindle version of formatting options either - their smallest line height on most books is almost double spaced, and their font sizes are lacking too.

You can change the size of the font with a slider, and you can pick sans or serif, but that's all. The leading and margins are automatic.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by mr ploppy

You can change the size of the font with a slider, and you can pick sans or serif, but that's all. The leading and margins are automatic.

I know you can change font size, I just don't like the sans serif font that Scribd has. Even if I did like their font, their margins and line spacings are ridiculously large. If I remember correctly, Oyster doesn't let you change much of anything except font size. Font type and font and background colors are only able to be used together in their specific choices. They don't even allow you to test their app without signing up for a trial so I won't ever know how it works.