Comments on: Kindle, Anyone? Wicked Witch of Publishing Predicts End of the Era of “Used & New Books” Online.

By: Brother Rene

Brother Rene — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:36:36 +0000

One thing you must appreciate about Anne, is that she has strong opinions and she is not afraid to express herself. I like that a lot. So should you….
Bro

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Well, she has run her own publishing company so she’s got some derring-do, that’s for sure, and a bit of the gambler in her as well. Fear is what keeps people in publishing from speaking their mind — fear of retaliation; if not immediate, in the dark of night when least expected!

By: anne holland

anne holland — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:10:17 +0000

Now having spent a few hours reading online, including email and this Blog, I turn *thankfully* to a print paperback for the evening. Because at 46, my eyes can’t take the strain of staring at a screen to read for all that long. TV even gets painful when you’ve been at a PC all day. Screens, no matter how Kindle allows you to amp up the point size, are not good for eyes. Oh, and let’s not even bring up the health risks….

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): I’ve read so many books on my Kindle this summer — The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig, Home by Marilynne Robinson, Out Stealing Horses by Per Pettersen, Spirit House by Christopher Moore, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski, Bel Canto by Ann Pachett, Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Safron — that I don’t know how I got along without it, especially since the Kindle offers a sample read. However, now I can only recommend a book, not pass one along. Of course, for the author that’s great!

By: minx

minx — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 12:50:12 +0000

I don’t see why anyone has to have hysterics - surely there is room for all. Music can still be bought in a huge variety of ways and the try-before-you-buy is excellent.
Incidentally - just found a used out of print book on Amazon that I’ve been after for ages - it arrived yesterday and it smells gorgeous.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:56:43 +0000

I have now read two books on my Kindle: The Glass Castle: A Memoir and Duma Key: A Novel. I have just downloaded my third book (recommended over at Park Road Books’ Web site–an excellent source for recommendations, I have found), The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

I’ve downloaded three books for a total of approximately $27.00 over about a week-and-a-half. I’m happy with my Kindle thus far. Very convenient.

Interestingly, I downloaded a sample chapter of another book, read the chapter, and decided the book wasn’t for me. I just simply deleted the sample chapter from my Kindle.

By: Peter L. Winkler

Peter L. Winkler — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 19:38:05 +0000

A little Kindle satire here:

http://101reasonstostopwriting.com/2008/01/27/breaking-news-amazons-kindle-recalled-due-to-small-risk-of-fire/

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): I think that the person who created this had just a little too much time on his or her hands!

By: Tom Clavin

Tom Clavin — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:54:05 +0000

WW:
I don’t disagree with you. Inevitably, everything we read and watch will be wireless communication. However, as a personal preference, I am big on reading in bed — alas, only at night — and a book is a much better companion than an electronic devices . . . though I’m told they have their advantages too. Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out my new cell phone, so a Kindle won’t be found under my tree any Christmastime soon.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Tom Clavin’s and Bob Drury’s book, Halsey’s Typhoon, reached #15 on The New York Times’ Best Seller List last winter.

By: John Smith (really)

John Smith (really) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:16:42 +0000

Before one spends bucks on this thing, read what BoingBoing.net says about it. I’m not so inclined to buy one:

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/11/20/amazon-kindle-the-we.html

…but maybe someone else will come out with a product that is DRM-less, won’t spy on you, and is not crapped up like the Kindles will be. Hmmm, maybe Sony, or Apple, or Samsung…somebody, anybody… It’s a technology whose time has come, but not with Amazon’s stipulations, thank you very much.

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): I clicked over to the link. I think Cory Doctorow’s info about sharing e-books is incorrect, not that Amazon makes it easy for you to share, but you can, in a limited and tightly controlled way. As an author, the less sharing that goes on the more royalties I get. When I spoke with the Kindle folks, they talked about copyright and the need to have readers PAY for product. In case you missed it in a previous comment, did you see this link to Harlan Ellison’s tirade about not being paid?

By: Vikram Singh

Vikram Singh — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:49:44 +0000

I own one and love it. The issue I have is that I am heavy marker and note writer and typing is a little slow in Kndle and therefore frustrating to some degree. The upside is that Kindle gives you a summary of all your marking and notes.

Also, you can browse the book they way you would normally do and find something interesting that will catch your eye.

For pure fiction, less marking oriented and less intense books this is a great device.
We early adopters are paying dearly for the novelty though.

By: Tony Burton

Tony Burton — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:33:42 +0000

I don’t know, JA. As an author AND a publisher, I can understand the concern to some degree. But I think we are looking at two different markets, for the present anyway. There are way, way too many people out there who simply want a real paper book in their hands to worry about book sales stopping altogether, at least for a long time.

I’m really more concerned with resale of review copies, used books and the like.

It’s sad. People seem to want to berate publishers for not keeping titles in print and available for a longer time, yet when they plug into Amazon or walk into a bookstore, where do most people head? The used books section… the remainders tables… etc. What incentive is there for an author to continue writing OR for a publisher to keep a title in print, when buyers pick up the used books/resold ARCs/bargain books instead of buying the new item?

(And don’t tell me books are too expensive, especially if you’re reading this with a double-shot latte in your hand.)

Note from the Wicked Witch of Publishing (TM): Wolfmont Press is a small-press publishing house located in Ranger, Georgia.

By: JA Konrath

JA Konrath — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:11:21 +0000

I too have seen the future. It is the end of author royalties, once an ebook reader is embraced by readers like the iPod has been by music fans.

Then $7.99 for a download will be too much, especially when you can “share” a download for free.

Once the distribution network goes digital, authors won’t need publishers. If the majority of people are downloading, why bother with printing and shipping?

Impossible? Hardly. Have you noticed there aren’t any record stores anymore? The music industry never thought CDs would be replaced. They were wrong.

The question is: How will authors earn a living in a digital world where the consumer downloads books without paying?

I ponder about this a lot, and think I know the answer. Time will tell.