Sunday 1 January 2012

A Kindle for Christmas

Well, I've finally got one, courtesy of Cassie, Alan, Christy, Erin and Neil! Many thanks to you all.

I must admit I was unsure whether I would ever make much use of one, even though I have two e-books out of my own (Goblin Mire and Sendings). Somehow, though, because they have only ever existed as e-books they have never seemed all that real to me.  I will also have a hardback collection of my earlier short stories out in September from Noose & Gibbet Press, The Lurkers in the Abyss. I have spoken to N&G's owner, Johnny Mains, and we have agreed to publish an e-book version of this collection after the print version has been sold out. This will ensure the collection will remain available and widen its market potential. I know there are a people (probably a growing number these days) who prefer to get their books this way.

The debate over e-books and printed books is still a hot issue, and there are those who will never accept e-books as being "real". But for writers I can't see any argument against them. They are an extra market, and an easy one for readers to access as bookshops dwindle in number and as the variety of books sold by  those that remain dwindle even more. It doesn't worry me. There will always be a place for print versions; there will always, I am sure, be a substantial number of readers who will continue to prefer their books in print. On the other hand, there are already many who actually prefer to read their books in an e-book format. The market can cope for both tastes. And with printing technology advancing all the time, with POD becoming better, and more widespread even amongst mainstream publishers, it's good news to writers - and for readers too.

In the meantime I now have about 20 books downloaded onto my Kindle - and the very latest copy of Theaker's Quarterly and Paperbacks.

2 comments:

  1. We do have a real argument raging in our writing group about this. I've been published in both print and e-book form, and have nothing against e-books - for other people.
    I'm one of the few people in my group who don't have a Kindle and I always say; the day they make an e-reader that smells like I book I'll consider getting one.
    Still not convinced.

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  2. As a writer I have absolutely nothing against e-books, though having a print version will always come first in my preferences. As a reader, I must admit to a strong bias in favour of printed books.

    I don't think the arguments will go away any time soon - if ever. That's healthy, though. It would be a shame if we all felt the same over this issue. Debate and argument are good. They keep complacency at bay.

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