Kindle version of Under the Dome [Archive] - The StephenKing.com Message Board

KittyNarcotica

October 21st, 2009, 11:14 PM

Well, that just blows. I am 39 years old and not since I was in 7th grade and had Duran Duran concert (yeah I know but I was in 7th grade) tickets have I made a countdown calendar for anything until UTD. And I have had some pretty amazing tickets since then, on a side note. I am wondering if writing a protest to Scribner would help? I could just stand outside Wal Mart at 6am and get UTD for 9 bucks on the release date but last month I had a hypertensive crisis and the pressure took out the vision in my right eye. I already had a Kindle and was so glad I did because of the ability to increase the font size. Sure in 6 to 9 months my vision should improve but in the meantime...life is BORING recuperating and UTD was something to look forward too.
I am sorry for going off an a tangent, I am just so totally bummed.
However, I am happy that you have been so helpful Ms. Mod, I really appreciate the information and updates. Thank you for the help :smile2:

tuttle300

October 22nd, 2009, 08:05 AM

I guess one can understand the publishers concerns about putting Dome out there for those who have chosen to buy a Kindle on the same date as the printed hardcover

After all, even though there is a small number of Kindles out there and an even smaller number of King fans who own one...if (just as an example) 20,000 Kindle folks downloaded Dome on Nov 10, TO THE PUBLISHER-- thats 20,000 unsold print copies they spent a great deal of money on.

But then, for Kindle folks to have to wait til December (as well as pay the full 35 dollar cost of the print version) seems a bit excessive

I understand the state of the industry is in flux.
Under attack from a shrinking readership (hardcovers are, after all, a huge expense if your worried about the future of your job and family) and this competition from these new e-readers (in fact Barnes and Noble is due to release a direct Kindle competitor in the next month or two) puts a direct hit on the bottom line of the standard print versions of books

But I should think it would be a more reasonable compromise to say, make Kindle folks wait maybe two weeks (so that the print copy can have a go at the maximum amount of sales) and even then maybe offer it up at 15.99 since, after all, it IS comparable to THREE hardcovers. But full price? GAH!!

Change.... as we all know.... is inevitable in all industries
But I see a time (perhaps ten years down the road) when we'll see news that another Stephen King book has come out and there were two million downloads bought for a variety of e-readers. THAT to me, is good news for the industry since the usual standard these days is just a million print copies for the few major authors that write hot books

In a country with a potential of 100 million buying customers (out of a population of over 300 million)....the standard million copy print run has always seemd (to me) a pretty sad number. Maybe if the industry would try to embrace this new technology a bit more and see how it plays out, it would be a good thing in the longterm for both readers as well as the industry

Sure there are bound to be roadbumps and chuckholes along the way. Look at the threat television brought to theater and radio. But everyone survived.
Things went through a change of course.
But it's all good
But thats just my two cents
I still plan to buy a print copy Nov 10 but thats only because I cant afford a Kindle yet
(but if I could and I heard this news I'd be kinda depressed myself)
Hopefully over time, this new technology and the standard print industry will settle into a new standard. But they should stop fighting each other. It's bad for business

KittyNarcotica

October 22nd, 2009, 09:45 AM

Well said Tuttle. I agree with you on many points and appreciated reading your clear and concise post. It is a pleasure to me to read a well written opinion even when it differs from mine. For what its worth in my opinion Ebook sales won't hurt hardcover sales to such an extent that it makes sense to publish ebooks weeks behind the hardcover release date especially when Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble ( I heard a rumor Sears has jumped in too but I dont know that to be a fact) are all offering Under The Dome for $9 or less when pre-ordered online. I find it hard to believe that many people will pay 35.00 in this economy for a book that can be had at less than a 3rd of that price. Had Scribner chosen to release UTD in the ebook format on 11/10 they could have charged say $15 which is better than 9 and not alienated ebook readers. I have a whole argument against a delayed release date but have already typed it on a few of the Kindle boards today and am just too dang tired to type it all again :)
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for the interesting post and for making some great and valid points. After spending time on some of the Kindle boards today where the conversation has devolved into junior high recess level discourse this has been a refreshing and much needed change.

Moderator

October 22nd, 2009, 09:57 AM

I should be getting a statement from Scribner soon regarding the incorrect price that was reported in the news articles yesterday. As soon as I do, I will report back with the correct amount.

Moderator

October 22nd, 2009, 10:51 AM

In the meantime, Steve asked me to put up this message:

Dear Constant Readers,

Please don’t believe the press reports that the e-book reader price for Under the Dome will be $35. This was the result of confusion from a press release from the publisher, what Big Jim Rennie would call a clustermug. It is true that you cannot order the book as an e-download until December 24th but the physical book, which is a beautiful thing, you can pre-order for less than $9—so who’s better than us?

Steve

Bev Vincent

October 22nd, 2009, 11:03 AM

I can't wait to read all the retractions! This story was showing up everywhere!

LASoundCrafter

October 22nd, 2009, 11:04 AM

The list price for the Kindle e-book edition will be $35. Amazon has a policy of selling "best sellers" at $9.99 and that probably be the case here.

The strange situation here is, the hardcover will be selling for LESS than the e-book edition. One can probably assume that a hardcover of a 1000+ page book costs more to produce (cost of paper, printing, transporting and more) than an e-book.

There is a rumor that Mr. King had a hand in the decision to delay the Kindle edition till December 24, however, I have not found any sources to verify, but supposedly he wanted brick-and-morter businesses to be supported with NOT having to compete with e-books and low prices. Of course, now WalMart, Target and Amazon have prices of $9.00 (or $8.99) for the hardcover: a price that NO brick-and-morter store could possibly compete with.

rjt65

October 22nd, 2009, 11:27 AM

Thanks Miss Mod--and kudo's again to Steve who still cares so much to put up a response for kindle users!!!

i have not dived into the kindle ...yet ;-)

Still love the hardcover...Realise everyone that the kindle is still a limited audience and the $$ for the book at list are 35$.

the reatiler wars -amazon -Walmart others copying thee leaders to sell for 9.99 does not incude the Kindle...

I assume the same price points are similar for charges to License the book for print and Kindle (maybe i am wrong here miss mod?)

So doubt the cost will be less for now till Amazon lowers it.

In the future we may see what is happening with some concerts, for recent (last jan actually) Metallica Concert I got a mp3 of the shows songs as a download with my ticket (week or so after show)

In the future (insert Conan and sidekick with the green flashlights here) I would expect packaged deals mayhpas? Book , with MP3 audio and maybe Kindle? for one price?

cheers

LASoundCrafter

October 22nd, 2009, 12:59 PM

I am a Kindle user (K1 purchased back in May of 2008) -- I just noticed a lot more Stephen King material available on Amazon in just the last couple of weeks -- including "The Long Walk," a book I never read before and so I downloaded it.

I am a little miffed at the publisher and Stephen's decision to delay the Kindle edition -- I have found it so much easier to read on a Kindle -- you just have to use a Kindle for a little while to understand what I'm saying. I just cannot pickup a regular book and read it for a long time because of my poor eyes. A Kindle's ability to change font size is so handy and there is just something about the "readabilty" of the thing -- my book reading has gone up 3X's since owning a Kindle. Anyway, if you want, go to Amazon's size to read about it.

I do support Stephen King's writing enterprises: preordered the signed edition (I won't be going out to dinner for a couple of months) -- the prized collectors edition to stay in the glass case and occasionally take down and look at. Also, I preordered a number of Under The Dome for a local school library from Amazon, and one for myself -- but again, I know that I'm going to find the print size just a little too small, and the book weight a little too heavy for marathon reading. Actually, I'll probably just listen to it the audio version via audio.com if and when it becomes available there.

But where I would really like to read it is on a Kindle. I'm still mystified as to the decision to delay the Kindle launch. So Stephen and publishers, you wouldn't hurt my feelings to change your mind.

A loyal and (would like to be) constant reader.

tuttle300

October 22nd, 2009, 04:25 PM

Its interesting that brick and mortar stores havent announced some sort of competitive price plan of some kind--(or, in war-like terms, fired a return shot accross the bow) though they may very well wait a week or so until announcing it since theres still time. Then if the deal is good enough, alot of people may cancel the online pre-orders and go to the bookstore instead. But I doubt many bookstores can dare to try to match 9.99 for any length of time.

If they don't join in and play the game soon, they find themselves with a large number of unsold books. Although the one thing to their advantage is that they can return the bulk of unsold copies for credit. But then, the way things are these days... they really can't pay the rent on unsold copies can they?

Isn't that the reason their in trouble in the first place?
One additional thought....with so many more people shopping online than the ones who have e-readers, this December delay is actually hurting them the most.
Perhaps at least making them wait til Thanksgiving would be a better alternative. That would give the brick and mortars at least two weeks of sales before Kindle people take sales away from them

In the end, thanks to the popularity of King as well as the way this typo of 35 bucks has fed the media fire about this price war....brick and mortars are going to lose money no matter what

Thats just couple of more nails in the coffin

lostknitter

October 22nd, 2009, 05:25 PM

I do appreciate the concern for small bookstores, but have to say that I am disappointed about the delay in ebook publishing, and find it difficult to understand how delaying the ebook release will help them in any way when the big guys are selling the book for $9. I have a Kindle, and love it, because my eyes need the larger print the readers provide. The only way I will be able to enjoy the book on release day is to use my Audible.com credit (or credits if the cost is 2) and listen to it. Not a bad experience, but it isn't like curling up with a good story. I will remain a Constant Reader, waiting for each new story Mr King imagines, but hope in the future, I can curl up with my reader on release day and enjoy the reading experience. Maybe by the time the next book is released, the Publishers will have come up with a plan that works for them, and their readers, without delaying, and I have to admit alienating a good portion of us.

dwbonline

October 23rd, 2009, 01:30 PM

After reading that some publishers were going to start withholding the Kindle version I wondered what to do. Understand this: I am angry beyond words. I've been supporting authors through my book purchases since I was 14 and until buying the Kindle most of my purchases were at local stores. And this is the thanks I get?

Part of me wants to say, "Hey, it'll be pirated and online long before it is available at Amazon. I'll show the greedy morons." But no, that just isn't right. So I'll use the other great sharing network - the library - which so far is still legal. That's right - this will be the first ever Stephen King book I won't be buying. If the publishers thought they'd get me to buy a hardcopy they were wrong and now they've lost the digital purchase too.

And that is my policy from now on. When a book isn't published on the Kindle by the time I'm ready to read it, I'll drive over to the local Public Library and 'steal my read'.

jules17330

October 26th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Wow-no need for blood dwbonline-is it REALLY that long of a wait?? SK is just trying to give a boost to bookstores. After all, the hard copy books are still the backbone of the publishing world. Ebooks are nice but still have a long way to go. I think it's a bit premature to get so defensive. Besides, it's doubtful it'll be at the library by the time it's available on a Kindle. Unless you happen to have a very resourceful library.

FrankJac

October 26th, 2009, 04:19 PM

I also own a Kindle and I was hoping to start reading UTD on it's hardcover release date as I travel to NY for Mr. King's appearance. One of the many advantages of the Kindle is not having to carry around [and damage] a book...especially one that runs over 1000+ pages. I was fortunate enough to reserve one of the signed collector's editions from Scribner, but not to read. Since I'm not willing to wait over a month to download UTD, I, like many others I'm sure, pre-ordered the hardcover from Amazon. I guess they're getting my $9.00 anyway, and lifting the book will be good exercise.

ccosborne3

October 26th, 2009, 09:42 PM

To start, Thanks for all the kind Welcomes I've received since joining the board two days ago, much appreciated.

Like many, I have a problem with the Under the Dome Kindle release. I understand that it's being done for a good cause, I too like to browse through bookstores, except I put them back on the shelf and download to my Kindle. I haven't bought a bound book for over a year and I really don't want to. I prefer reading the Ebook. I'm sure everyone is well versed in the pro's and con's of Ereaders so I won't get into that debate but I really have no intention of going back to the old ways.

What is the point of the delay? To get people to buy the book in bookstores? It's not going to happen. Everyone under the sun is going to take advantage of the Amazon/ Walmart/ Target/ Sears pricewar. The hardback books are going for Kindle prices and the people that ponyed up the $250 to be able to purchase new books for that price on the Kindle are getting stuffed. They haven't even announced the Kindle price yet. I wonder why?

The fact is the brick and mortar stores can no longer compete in a free and open marketplace. I wish it was different, I really do but it's not and it's only going to get worse for them. I'd like nothing better than to quit my job and open up a nice independent bookstore. Hang out and shoot the breeze, talk literature, live the good life. The reason I don't do that is because I'd be out of business in 6 months. It's a losing proposition.

I like my money, actually it's more of a love thing. I don't worship it but I try to keep what I have. I'm tired of seeing my money rerouted to people that are deemed needier than myself. When was it that bookstores were deemed a charity? That's what the whole thing comes down to, it's a charitable act.
I don't think it will make a fig of difference to the bookstores but the clear in tent is for me to spend my money there rather than Amazon.com. Que sera sera.

Am I going to buy Under the Dome? Yep. I'll probably even pick up an ARC, I'm really looking forward to the book. Do I hold it against King? No, his intentions are good and he means well. It's not going to work but I guess I don't blame the guy for trying. :wink2: His track record is better than any author out there as far as pleasing the fans go. I loved, absolutely loved those excerpts from The Cannibals. really good stuff, and best of all it was free. I even loved that it was unedited. somehow made it even better.

One last thing, it's more of a suggestion really. Why not release books a month or so early on the Ereaders? Sell them at list price for a huge profit and divy up the extra cash and give it to the brick and mortars or even a real charity or keep it even, far be it from me to tell someone else how to spend their money. I'd be willing to spend the extra cash for the early read and I'm sure many others would be willing to do the same. These ARC's floating around bug me a little. Why should the Author and Publisher not profit from books that are being sold? What an odd system we all have to deal with.

Sorry for the long never-ending post. All future entries will be brief.

newyearsevil01

October 27th, 2009, 01:06 AM

ccosborne3

October 27th, 2009, 07:14 PM

Mr. King's always going to care more about physical copies of his work rather than electronic downloads.

Have you read UR? Good Dark Tower related story available only on the Kindle.:wink2:

Kevrock

October 28th, 2009, 08:36 AM

To think avoidance of hard cover books is a reason that I purchased my Kindle! I live in an apartment and try to avoid clutter (like giant books) and carry whatever book I'm reading to work every day. Hardcovers are heavy and hardly fit in a laptop bag.

Other major releases you can preorder and the book gets delivered at 12:01am.

That being said, I am way too excited about having a new King novel to read to let this get me down. :geek: I'll likely cave and order the hardcover.

LASoundCrafter

October 29th, 2009, 11:58 AM

...And you will be ordering the hardcover of Under the Dome at Amazon or WalMart, NOT a small brick and morter book store. The very thing King was TRYING to protect will not be able to compete in the slightest!

The Kindle delayed release has just pissed a lot of people off! Where Kindle owners are concerned the majority will wait and NOT order a hardcover -- the poor brick and morter stores will still be without a sale unless they can sell at a loss.

Perhaps what King and company should do is NOT sell to Amazon and WalMart on release! Allow the brick and morter sell at full sale price $35, make their money, then wait till December 24 to allow Amazon and WalMart their ability to sell at $9.

newyearsevil01

November 3rd, 2009, 02:56 AM

Have you read UR? Good Dark Tower related story available only on the Kindle.:wink2:

I'm not trying to talk bad about the Kindle (I honestly don't think they look too bad even though I prefer hardcovers). I just think dwbonline was a little melodramatic with his post. No I haven't read UR but I'd like to.

mccub

November 3rd, 2009, 03:49 PM

As a casual fan of Stephen King I was looking forward to reading this on my Kindle. If the reasoning behind the delayed Kindle publication date is to get more people to purchase the hardcover, I think it is a mistake. The average fan who reads most, if not all, their books on Kindle will not purchase a hardcover regardless of the release date or price -- especially one that is 1000+ pages.

This has become a disturbing trend. The recent Ted Kennedy memoir comes to mind. I was ready to purchase it when it was released, yet it was not made available for the Kindle. The result: I didn't read it and publishers/authors don't get my money. Chances are by the time it comes out I will have forgotten about it or won't care any more.

I remember reading somewhere (perhaps his column in EW) about King's love of the Kindle. Heck, he even wrote a story especially for the device. Which is why, of all writers, I am saddened by this Dec 24 Kindle release date. I expect better from him on this.

With the rare exception, I don't purchase physical books any more (after buying dozens a month) and am upset that e-book readers -- who are still willing to pay good money for a book -- are treated differently.

scarywriter

November 3rd, 2009, 09:51 PM

from newyearsevil01- "You should consider yourself lucky that Mr. King even cares enough to put out any of his work on the Kindle. Like Jules said, hardcovers are the backbone of the publishing world."
look at it from this view:
1990-- You should consider yourself lucky that (that group) even cares enough to put out any of his work on CD. Albums are the backbone of the recording world.
2005--You should consider yourself lucky that (that group) even cares enough to put out any of his work on mp3. CDs are the backbone of the recording world.

of course, you can still buy records, but media changes and the most successful artists either change with it or see a limited following.
I love hardcovers, the feel, the smell, having them on my shelves after I finish a great book, but when i am buying disposable entertainment, i would rather jsut download it and save the tree, the shelf space, and the money. the world has moved on.

ccosborne3

November 3rd, 2009, 10:11 PM

I'm not trying to talk bad about the Kindle (I honestly don't think they look too bad even though I prefer hardcovers). I just think dwbonline was a little melodramatic with his post. No I haven't read UR but I'd like to.

No problemo. Sorry to rub it in like that. I would think UR might make it into the next short story collection. It's good stuff.

Keep in mind the base for all this hoopla is disappointment. King has a lot of hard core fans and they just flat out want to read this thing on a Kindle or a Sony or maybe they want it to be the first thing they read on the upcoming Nook. Lots of platforms nowadays.

conniemontana

November 5th, 2009, 12:42 PM

I just want to say, like everyone else that I am very unhappy about having to wait until 12/24 to get this on my Kindle. I will not be buying the hardback anyway, so I guess I will have to wait. I appreciate that it will be $9.00, but would happily pay the usual $9.99 to get it when the hardback comes out. I would guess that the vast majority of ebook readers will not buy it in the hardback format anyway, so he is just making it miserable for us ebook readers! Just had to vent a little! Thanks!!

Jordan

November 6th, 2009, 06:15 AM

I don't think there have been any books (from a major publisher) that became available in an electronic format at the same time as their first print edition becoming available. I could be wrong, but I haven't been able to find any evidence to the contrary.

I can understand the frustration, though.

Bev Vincent

November 6th, 2009, 08:17 AM

The new Dan Brown was available on Kindle the day of hardcover publication.

NorrathReaver

November 9th, 2009, 02:40 PM

Yup, The Lost Symbol was available day & date. Star Trek novels from Pocket Books are hit and miss but often are on time.

Breathless by Dean Koontz will release both in Hardcover and Kindle Editions on Nov 24th so that's also day & date.

It's becoming more and more common to have titles release both digital and physical at the same time.

The only big digital hold out these days is J.K. Rowling.

I was truly looking forward to reading this on 11/10. However picking it up from the library system we have here would involve waiting for at least 2-3 months (they order only a few copies to serve many libraries). So by the time I'd get a copy to read from them it will be Christmas Eve and my Kindle will have UTD on it.

rjt65

November 9th, 2009, 03:45 PM

Regardless of whether others release the new novel on e-formats and when they release the hardcover, I applaud him for doing something he thinks will help the small bookstore.

Sure all can can argue on the validity of the point but that is what he believes, and it is his gift to the many small bookstores and the every-man little guy SK wants to support.

It is perhaps a small contribution, that will potentially annoy some people, but this means a tremendous amount to the small bookstore owners I would think.

So again Kudos to the my fav writer of all time!!!

NorrathReaver

November 9th, 2009, 09:03 PM

rjt65

No irritation over here. I was just pointing it out since it had come up. I'm more than patient enough to wait for 12/24 if need be. I just wish there were a way to have my K2 autographed by Steve, especially since I have Ur on it ;)

jules17330

November 12th, 2009, 01:12 PM

Strong feelings on this one, there's no doubt about that.

I'm not a Kindle user (if I get any type of e-device, it'll be the Nook when it comes out) and I can understand a little frustration at having to wait about a month to start reading this one. However, in the grand scheme of things, a month is really not so long to wait. Remember that SK is a writer and obviously wants to support the bookstores-which, in my opinion, is an admirable thing. As a big fish, he has the power to do this and I'm sure if anyone here owned a little bookstore, they'd be appreciative, since most authors don't share the respect for bookstores and their employees (especially in this hard economic time). Keep in mind that when SK first started writing, bookstores selling his art was all there was-it was those types of places distributing his work that built him to where he is (yes, I know the fans also had something to do with that). Most writers (myself included) hold an actual book with paper pages on a pedestal compared to an e-reader. There's nothing quite like having the weight of a really good book in your hands and you can't beat the smell of those pages-I love the smell of books. Also, SK has pampered the Kindle users-he's released work for the Kindle that you can't get anywhere else and I'm not complaining about that.

Sorry, not trying to start a war or be slanderous-I totally feel for you; I'd be a little miffed as well but I'm a little surprised that people who claim to be King fans are so quick to draw their knives and go out for blood. But I stand by my hero and all his decisions-it's his work to distribute as he sees fit. If you publish a book, you can do whatever you want with it.

jules-out!

cunninghamair

November 12th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Ms. Mod,
This is a bummer. Since I bought my Kindle, I read more new releases than I ever did. I was counting down the days for UTD and now I'll have to keep waiting. I'm not sure of the publisher's thinking, but I hope it's not a marketing experiment at SK's (and his fans) expense.

zaphon

November 13th, 2009, 12:55 PM

I have mixed feelings on this as well.

I applaud the effort to try and help the small booksellers, but at the same time I don't see the point. With Amazon/Target/Wal-mart/Sears/etc. all in a price war, and selling the book for even lower than the Kindle edition will cost, how can these small booksellers even compete? They can't sell that low.

As for us Kindle owners, I am starting to see more and more of this, this is the third book now that I have purchased that I am being punished for because I own a Kindle. I could buy the hardcover, and in all 3 cases for LESS than the kindle edition (which I paid a lot of money to have), but yet I won't. I switched to a Kindle as between my wife and I, our small house just couldn't handle the number of books we owned. With the kindle, we can compress them all into a very small amount of space, plus it's way more convenient in my opinion. Nothing like carrying a book with you on a trip, half way through finishing it, and than not having another book. With my kindle I can be reading another book in a matter of minutes.

So yeah, a bit upset, but like others have said, I'll wait until December. I'm not going to go out and pay full price at some small book seller or even order the book from Amazon, I don't want the hard cover of any book, or I wouldn't have invested in a Kindle in the first place.

rjt65

November 13th, 2009, 02:49 PM

I wonder when i will go over to the dark side! (but as a robust Yankee proud fan I am accused of such already --yansk rule!!!)

my thought is to see how the other readers (B&Noble has a new one) come out will apple/itunes come out with one, will a standard like mp3 come out for the digital word, etc...

on another note a ?-- i work on a laptop (and poke around in here)for about 10 hours or so a day--readign a paper book feels good....

how is the kindles readability anyone on the computer all day and still prefer a kindle?

thanks

Drawn to Ka-tet

November 15th, 2009, 04:17 PM

I have a Kindle and I really like it. It is a portable library. Amazon has so many books to select from as well as newspaper and magazine subscriptions. I have 24 'free books' that I have downloaded- I really like the classics and so many of them are free.
I love to read from it in bed- I just put it on the nightstand when I'm done reading and it holds my place. I can write notes in it and I can bookmark spots that I want to go back to later.
The major drawback is the 'read aloud', it stinks- honestly- no inflection to the voice, just a Computer mispronouncing all the words- they should get rid of it or fix it, because it is crap!
But I love having it. And it will never replace paper books for me. Just a very cool tool to have.
Long days and pleasant nights.

donnas01

November 15th, 2009, 06:03 PM

I'm very disappointed, as a huge fan of the author, not to be able to have Under the Dome on my Kindle until Dec. 24th. What is enough money for people? I know it's all about the buck when it should be about the word. I feel Mr. King has sold out his Kindle fans. I would like to know how much he was paid to do the short story just for Kindle and to say he had one himself. My guess is that he didn't pay for his Kindle. This could be a big mistake if he cares at all about his image.

ladalonzo

November 16th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Not happy, not happy at all. You promote the Kindle, applaud the technology, sell the technology and then discriminate against the people using it because they are not spending the mega-bucks on the hard copies. Oh, no, I am not happy at all!

lostknitter

November 30th, 2009, 05:56 AM

I telework on the computer 8 hours a day and usually spend at least an hour or two on my personal computer each day. There is no comparison between a computer screen and the display on a Kindle. I can read on the Kindle for hours in the evening and my eyes are not strained by it, I keep a bottle of eye drops by my computer screen but have no need for them while I read on my Kindle. The Kindle and Sony reader (the only 2 I have any experience with) are very much like reading a book. If you read a lot, check out a reader, you may be surprised at how easy they really are on your eyes. Jeni

HayleyDiva

December 14th, 2009, 06:54 PM

I just wanted to say that I think it is a good thing that the Kindle books are so cheap and I do NOT want to pay any more for them. Regardless of the Author.

Since they don't have to make any paper copies, we shouldn't have to pay for that expense anymore. Don't try to ruin that.

I am still thinking of getting my Kindle but I'm pretty much sold on it. I'm glad to find out in advance that I will have to wait till after everyone gets a paper copy to get mine and, you know what? It seems perfectly fair to me.

It is expensive to make them and if no one buys them, then someone is out some money. No fair. Not to mention the waste of trees.

Kindle came along after & has the power to do some damage if they're suddenly put first. We have to understand that. We have to be careful that the technology we're creating isn't permitted to tear things apart for anyone. We all know it has power. We have to have as seamless a transition as possible (Though, they could move a little quicker on the electric car).

I don't have all the answers. I don't have any answers. All I know is that making unreasonable demands and playing the pity-card, is no way to effect positive change.

Also, I'm pretty sure I will still be adding SK hardcovers to my collection. No Kindle could ever make me give that up.

teejay17

December 16th, 2009, 09:18 AM

As an avid Kindle user/reader...and knowing that Stephen has many of his books on Kindle...I do not see that Under the Dome will be available on Kindle (not shown on Amazon as a pre-order)...why not??
:sad:
Kindle Shmindle. I'm a true Luddite when it comes to reading and I think e-reading will be the downfall of literature.
Look at King's decision to postpone release...to give publishers and Indy booksellers a fighting chance.
***and you don't even own the book you purchase on a Kindle! It's "rented", or "borrowed", or whatever other Corporate euphemistic gobbledygook they sell along with your book purchase.
And how do you read when there's an extended power failure?

LASoundCrafter

December 16th, 2009, 11:43 PM

I can see it now -- back several centuries ago monks were up in arms with that Gutenberg guy and his damnable printing press! Put them out of business. The affrontry!

Kindle, nook, Sony e-reader and all the others are simply the next step. I have a sense that the publishing world is not rooted in the same century we are all in -- Simon and Schuster with its "we're going to delay e-book releases" have a business model better suited for the area of Charles Dickens, not Stephen King. Or, maybe, they are just afraid of the unkown and realize that they are not in control of distribution.

At present, these publishers just have a knack to really piss their core audience off. Kindle owners are READERS and buy books. Me, I buy about 60-80/year. I don't feel warm embracable "fuzzies" emenating from book publishers as of late.

When printed books came out, they too were novel and dislocated those poor monks. Once publishers realize that they really should revamp a tired business model -- they might see money really can be made with e-ink.

Also, to those who say, "you don't even own the book you purchase on a Kindle..." does have a certain truth, but of course with technology, I can read it on my iPhone, computer or Kindle. And really, do you "own" the book? Try copying it out and calling it your own. I think King's lawyers would come a-calling on you pretty darn fast.

LASoundCrafter

December 17th, 2009, 04:53 AM

Ann Rice has been making some very interesting comments in a thread called "Should Major Authors go straight to Kindle" that she initiated a few days ago. I'm not sure if it's possible to supply links, but it is located in the Amazon Kindle Discussion Forum.

Presently, Ann is posing more questions than answers, but she does indicate there are some real problems in the publishing business. She has also indicated it is OK to quote her from this forum, and one statement she made was "I do think Kindle is actively expanding the reading public at a time when the Book Business is in real trouble"

With people like Stephen King, who is truly in a class of his own, the advent of e-readers really will only add another retail avenue to an already established career -- people who buy his hardcovers will continue to do so, in particular, if the hardcover is beautiful. But the publishers have indicated that it would be more difficult to introduce new authors because of this device -- their argument is because of a perceived cut in profit.

Because of Kindle, I have come across some truly talented self-published authors -- people like Boyd Morrison who got a nice deal because he DID publish via Kindle and got noticed by an established publisher. So again, publishers are just running scared from a technology that has more benefits than negatives.

lostknitter

December 17th, 2009, 01:06 PM

Thanks, you voiced my opinion much better than I could have. Jeni

albright58

December 17th, 2009, 06:35 PM

I have been a King fan for years, rushing to purchase each new book. Now I have a Kindle e-book reader and when I saw a Nov. 15th review of Under the Dome, I looked it up on Amazon to purchase it. I had to pre-order it, according to Amazon, but I love King so I started crossing off the days until Dec. 24 when the version would be released. I just now realized that the hardback version has been available for weeks, with the later date for the Kindle version a business decision by the publisher.

I don't understand why they are making his Kindle/e-book fans wait - I would have been happy to pay more for the Kindle version if that was the issue. I just recently purchased a Kindle book for $16 so a higher price wouldn't have stopped me, especially for a new book from my favorite author. I didn't mind waiting if everyone else had to wait but if it is only the Kindle fans, I don't agree with that.

Instead I have cancelled my Amazon pre-order because of this decision to hold up the release of the Kindle version. I am so disappointed that nobody cares about the King Kindle fans!
:sad:
Lee Albright

albright58

December 17th, 2009, 06:50 PM

I also would have paid $35 for a Kindle edition the day it came out in hardback - I would have rationalized it by saying it was a xmas present! But it disturbs me that the Kindle King fans were not considered as important as the rest of his fans. It doesn't make any sense at all. Kindle owners are die-hard readers and probably spend more just because it is so much easier to purchase a book. I know I do. But if a book I want isn't available, I can just pick another one. And the other person's comment in this forum is correct - it is easy to forget about a book if it isn't available when you want it. Maybe you will remember it later on, maybe you won't.