Ebook reader discrimination?

[frisbee]

SK's new works are coming out everywhere but on ebook. That seems to be at odds with his being at the forefront of electronic distribution. Based on Ms. Mod's comments it appears that SK's new works won't make it into electronic distribution (i.e. Kindle, etc.) for quite some time after initial publication. It's a bit frustrating to me as this is how I prefer to read now. Am I the only one who feels this way?

[Moderator]

I do realize Kindle has its own version but there are ebooks available. Scribner has been putting out all of his new books as ebook versions either simultaneously or soon after the print book version and you can find those on their web site. I don't know what the plans are for the timing of the release of Full Dark, No Stars on Kindle. Perhaps at some point publishers will decide that they have to release all of the formats at the same time to satisfy the wishes of readers who have different preferences for their reading matter, but for now this is the way it is.

[frisbee]

Ms. Mod - just so I understand - does this mean when Blockade Billy comes out Scribner will put out an ebook version of it very soon thereafter?

[Doc Wilson]

As a marketing model its completely understandable, though. If you want to see a film when it first comes out, you have to go the theatre. If you want a cheaper paperback version of a book, you have to wait.

Its always been that way, as Ms. Mod has pointed out time and time again.

[Moderator]

Ms. Mod - just so I understand - does this mean when Blockade Billy comes out Scribner will put out an ebook version of it very soon thereafter?

Scribner isn't publishing Blockade Billy. Perhaps I should have been more specific in saying that Scribner has been doing ebook format for all of the new Stephen King books they have published.

[frisbee]

Ms. Mod. That's what I thought. So, it's going to be awhile before BB comes out in ebook format. And I disagree with Doc that it's the same as movies. This has nothing to do with price. I think you'll find that those of us who read in ebook format do so because we like the format itself better than the price. I suppose this will change as more people move to ebrs. I just saw a study that suggested ebrs to be used by 10 million people in the next couple of years. If that's true, then the market practice will change as more ebr usage will demand it.

[devious1]

well i think the issue with BB is that it is only meant to be a limited run, and not one of his regularly released books, so i don't know if it should be expected on Kindle at all. that would invalidate the whole point of a limited release, wouldn't it? this is something King has done many times in the past (the limited run of My Pretty Pony, for example) and i personally have no problems with that. after all it is his work, and therefore his prerogative to distribute it as he sees fit. i know all of us feel entitled to get our hands on everything he writes, but at the end of the day it is his work and his decision, and we ultimately have to live with that.

as for Kindle and ebooks... i like the fact that there is a period between the release of the book and the electronic versions. it encourages people to actually read books instead of staring at a screen. i personally have nothing against Kindle or ebooks, but sadly because of these methods of publication, i fear that actual books will soon go the way of the dinosaur, and personally that breaks my heart. in my opinion, nothing beats actually holding a good book in your hands.

[frisbee]

Devious - didn't think of it from the perspective of it being a "limited run" - you may be right about that. Though, he could say, I suppose, that it's only downloadable for a particular time frame. Being an avid reader I would not characterize reading an ebook as "staring at a screen". I'm still reading an actual book, imho......

[devious1]

well maybe it's just me but i feel our society is already way too dependent on electronic devices as it is. and although i do see it as inevitable that printed books will eventually be phased out (and it hurts me to even type that lol), there is something to be said for picking up a printed book and reading it as opposed to simply holding an electronic gadget... the weight of the book in your hands, the smell of the paper, turning page after page and feeling the paper in your fingers... these are things an ebook or Kindle simply cannot replicate. all of those things, to me, are part of reading a book. simply pressing a button or sliding your finger on a screen to turn the page just doesn't cut it for me.

[frisbee]

Devious - I felt the same way as you - and you may continue to feel the same way after trying an ebr. I'm able to carry around Under The Dome, The Stand, and the entire Dark Tower series, along with lots of other books around with me wherever I go. I am actually reading more now as a result. I'm sure books will still be around. When cars took over people still rode horses for fun :-)