Paperless Publishing: The Future of Books

The imminent launch of Apple’s iPad and the restructuring of the e-book pricing system will change the game, and publishers, authors and consumers will have to adapt to the new world of digital publishing.

IPad impact

When the iPad reaches consumers in the spring of 2010, the publishing market will change overnight. By all accounts, the full-color iPad will be an upgrade on Amazon’s black-and-white Kindle, its closest competitor, as well as Sony’s eReader and the Barnes and Noble Nook. Apple’s iPad, essentially a larger version of the iPod Touch, will sell for just $ 499, and its iBook app will steer customers away from a virtual bookstore. Additionally, Apple has already pushed for new e-book prices, a move welcomed by publishers who have complained about Amazon’s $ 9.99 e-book price for some time.

Editors come on board

There is no longer any doubt about the enduring appeal of digital publishing. Publishers who are not planning dual programs in print and electronic publications will be left behind by those who do. The new pricing deals with Apple, which will make e-books a bit more expensive for consumers and therefore a bit more profitable for publishers, should make the decision to jump into ezine much more. easy for editors. And the benefits for publishers are very real. E-books eliminate expensive printing and storage costs, and supply problems (like out-of-print books) simply don’t exist.

The changing role of authors

In the past, the path to success for authors used to be through a publisher. However, authors who embrace digital publishing will largely be able to control their own path. Authors now have the option of turning to electronic desktop publishing. And this is not bad. Since there are the same cost-saving benefits of electronic publishing for authors as there are for publishers, authors can write and self-publish electronically at low cost. Authors will be able to control their work and earnings to a degree that did not exist recently.

Where does this leave consumers?

Ultimately, the big winner in the digital publishing world to come will be the consumer. It is true that the cost of an e-reader is quite high at the moment, which creates a very real barrier between publishers and their customers. However, it is very likely that e-reader prices will start to decline due to strong competition. The $ 499 price tag for the iPad, which many thought would be considerably higher, is a good indication that prices should start to drop in an effort to attract more buyers. Once customers have an e-reader, they will have immediate access to a full range of low-cost titles, even with the eventual price change from the current Kindle standard of $ 9.99.

What does this all mean?

Ultimately, the impact of digital publishing and how publishers respond will be driven by consumers. If people want to read e-books, they will vote by spending their money. Publishers will be forced to respond to demand if they want to stay in business.