Kindle version of Under the Dome

[jlgwin]

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??

[Moderator]

Because the details are still being negotiated with Steve, Scribner, and Amazon.

[lostknitter]

Is it possible that the negotiations will be completed by 11/12/09? My eyes have a much easier time reading on the Kindle than in a book, I know, I'm getting old.

[KittyNarcotica]

I am going to give myself an anxiety attack from checking the Kindle store obsessively for Under the Dome. Any word on if the Kindle date will be the same day as the hardcover date? For the record, I don't mind paying more for the Kindle version than the 9.99 price point if I can get it on the hardcover release date.
Who am I trying to kid by sounding so composed about it....I am just desperately trying to stop myself from throwing myself on the ground kicking and pounding my fists and crying "but I want it on kindle now"

[Moderator]

Sorry, still no word from the Scribner.

[Moderator]

I'm not seeing it on Amazon's site yet, but it was announced today that UTD will be available for the Kindle on December 24th.

[Moderator]

Here's a news story about it.

[KittyNarcotica]

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

[tuttle300]

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]

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.