I don't think I'll ever be ready for an ebook reader. I'm stubborn and I love a book in my hand. It's like a part of me. I love to pass on books to others and that can't be done with ebooks.

I work in publishing, and it's a huge myth that ebooks cost enormous amounts less to produce than paper books. Printing and shipping are not huge costs in publishing, but author advances and royalties (even when they're not extravagant), editing the books and formatting them into a publishable form, and publicizing them--these are the main costs. Publishing houses are workplaces like any others, with the same expenses as most. eBooks, at least on Amazon, already cost less than paper books. They can't go much lower or they won't make a profit and therefore won't be worth producing at all.

Julie, thanks for explaining about the e-books.

I don't know that I'll ever switch completely to an ereader, but since I got my iPhone I've been reading books on that in addition to the "regular" books I read. It means there's one less thing for me to carry in my bag on a daily basis.

>>>They can't go much lower or they won't make a profit and therefore won't be worth producing at all.

For all the companies with the big overheads, you mean. Small presses will make out just fine. So will the writers.

Keep going against the perception of the public to your own doom.

I'm like some of the others here. I don't think I could ever give up my traditional paper books, but -- there are times when I'd love to have an ereader. I just wish their price would come down, just a bit!

I've got an eReader and I love it. It doesnt replace paper books for me (I still read them) but it fits into my handbag more neatly than the average paperback, it remembers what page I'm on and I can listen to my music on it too. I think replace is the wrong word here - supplement, perhaps.

I can see where a good eReader would be nice on a long vacation where you don't want to pack half a suitcase full of books to read, but for everyday, give me that paper book anytime.

I can't read off the computer either. I do proofreading and light editing for an author and I take her doublespaced manuscript and reformat it to it's printed singlespaced in landscape mode (fast draft print quality for quicker printing) with two columns on the page. It looks like you have an open book in front of you. I even reduce the font just a bit. It's still a lot of pages, but not 4 1/2 inches worth.

There are indeed distribution costs for eBooks. The cut that sites like Amazon.com and Fictionwise take for selling eBooks is enormous. That has to be built into the price of the ebook or the author and the publisher would literally make pennies per book.

E-books will not replace paper, but supplement them for user convenience. E-publishing does open up the market for intermediate lengths such as the novella, but the dedicated devices have already lost ground to iPhone and other telephony devices. Why have a separate gizmo when the iPhone works better?

I have been on Author's Boards and spoke to people in other countries, Argentina for example who can get the electronic versions of the books way BEFORE they can get the hard cover or paperbacks. This is more convenient for them but I don't see electronic readers completely replacing books, just supplementing them. Kids who wouldn't take the time to lug a book around might be more willing to read from their phone or an electronic reader.

My very first published novel was only available in digital format. Um ... 1998, and no one knew what an e-book was, much less how to read one. Now, I'm published by New American Library in mass market, and several of my NAL titles are available electronically. And nearly everyone is familiar with e-books.

Years ago, I bought a first generation Rocket eBook reader. It was heavy compared to the devices available today, but man oh man, it was awesomeness. It had a backlight screen, too, which my Sony eBook Reader does not. However, I still love it, and it's very light. And nobody can call me when I'm reading it. LOL.

I have been on the fence about this for awhile. I've looked into buying one, but don't know enough about which one...if anyone has one they like, please let me know. That would helpful. I like the look and feel and smell of a real book, that I can cuddle up with at night. I don't think i will get that same feeling. But I would like something I can carry with me anywhere..that would be helpful. I didn't know you could get books on your phone..I will look into that, as well. That may be a better option, since I am already carrying that.

I would love to get one. My e-books far outweigh my print books now. I live in the boonies and it's an 80 mile round trip to town to the nearest book store.

I would love to see our school systems go to e-books... after watching my high-schooler injure his back carrying a HUGE backpack full of heavy books to/from the bus stop a mile away, and around school all day long because there were no lockers available, something has got to change.

I would love to get one. My e-books far outweigh my print books now. I live in the boonies and it's an 80 mile round trip to town to the nearest book store.

I would love to see our school systems go to e-books... after watching my high-schooler injure his back carrying a HUGE backpack full of heavy books to/from the bus stop a mile away, and around school all day long because there were no lockers available, something has got to change.

I'm a huge ebook reading fan and I don't see it as a supplement for all people. Obviously there is no one right answer as everyone has their own reading tastes and preferences.

That said, I have totally replaced my paper reading with ebook reader where I can. I won't buy books if I think that they will come out in eform and I am thrilled with Dorchester's decision to digitize.

I currently read using the Sony Reader PRS700. It has a built in light so that I can read no matter what the ambient lighting conditions are. The screen quality is less paperlike than its sister model - the PRS505.

One thing that I've heard time and again from people who finally start reading on a dedicated reading device is how different the screen quality really is. It is not like reading on the computer because the screen technology is totally different.

If you have time and are interested, the sony reader is in stores like Borders and Target so you can actually eyeball one.

Barbara,

I don't have eReader. I've only read (for enjoyment) a few books on the computer. Like you, I prefer a book in my hands. However, I know I have had several readers email me and ask if my books would be available as an e-book.

So maybe it's a preference.

I don't see us going all digital in my life. However, I can still remember my grandparents talking about how stupid television remotes were. Today, ownership of the remote control in a household is a status symbol. If a remote becomes lost, a person will spend hours looking for it before they ever think about just turning the TV on the old fashion way.

And I'm told some TVs don't even turn on the old-fashion way. So who knows what will happen with books. However, I'm still with you, give me book to hold.

CC

No. I am not ready. And I don't think I want to be. What happens if your computer crashes? Your whole library wiped out with one bright blue screen! Will you remember all the books you have bought? Where you bought them from? Will they let you download them again?

I stare at a computer screen all day, and the light & glare make me tired. The last thing I want to do at the end of the day is look at ANOTHER screen, and one even smaller! And the older I get, the smaller that type looks...

I bought a Kindle back in August. Use it a lot, although more for news, galleys, and other material than purchased e-books. Saves lots of paper. Text files can be uploaded directly, other formats run through MobiCreator to make PRC files, which can be uploaded via the USB connection.

I thought I'd be the last "real" book holdout, but they'll take my Kindle away when they pry it out of my cold, dead hand. (LOL) <p><br>Seriously, I've gone back and rebought hardback books that are already in my TBR mountain because I don't want to read any other way anymore. <p><br>I don't want a backlight because I want to be able to read outside in the sunlight and without a backlight, it's not a computer screen, but real ink that's even easier on the eyes than paper and you can change the font size, which is a plus on nights my sweetie's eyes are tired. I also love that I can read one-handed, which means I can sip my tea WHILE reading, instead of putting the book down, picking the tea up, putting the cup down, picking the book back up<p><br>

I also love that I can highlight and make notes and they're kept filed not only by the book's title, but by "My notes" and also stored on Amazon, as are the books, unless I delet them, in case I lose it or drop it into a lake or bathtub. <br><p>

I have a friend whose agent reads all her writers' mss on her kindle, then writes notes and sends them back. (She never takes paper home from work anymore.) Also, I just today agreed to give a cover quote for a book and instead of having to deal with 400 pieces of paper, I had the writer email his book in a word document to my kindle so I can read it tomorrow while my sweetie's having oral surgery. <p><br>

Oh, and a super plus is that it's wireless, like a cellphone, so I can get a book anywhere, any time I want and never have to go near a computer. Also, it plays audio books. <br><p>As for pricing, since I buy a lot of hardcover (partly because my sweetie prefers the larger print), ebooks are actually cheaper because bestsellers tend to be $9.99. Paperbacks are less than in stores, except maybe wal-mart, but I live in state where sales tax is 9.75%, so there's a savings right there, since kindle sales aren't taxed. And each account allows six kindles, so he and I can share books the same as we do with paper books. <p><br>

When I go on a trip, or even to the doctor, if I'm not in the mood for one book, I've tons more I can switch to without packing a bunch of physical books. <br><p>Plus, and this is a big one for me, when you're talking about 50% or more of books being returned and trashed, I'm helping to save trees, which make oxygen, so I'm actually helping save the planet and preventing the use of all the nasty chemicals used in paper making and even recycling.

And no, Jeff Bezos is NOT paying me to say all this. LOL. I'd honestly rather give up my microwave than my kindle. My TiVo would be an iffier choice.

JoAnn, Kindle should give you a commission or at least hire you as spokesperson. :)<br><br>If Kindle wanted to send me one to try and write about, I wouldn't refuse, but until then, I'll read on my iPhone.

Is there a standard for e-readers? Some seem to be able to download one format and some another. And they are still way out of my price range. I download a lot of ebooks and some publishers seem pricier than others for what you get as far as word count and how the pages look. I do get tired of reading on my computer since I've only got a desktop and it's not the most comfortable reading area but if I'm interested enough in the book, it certainly doesn't stop me.

I too own a kindle and have since March 08. I absolutely love it. I also have a house full of books. I travel and kindle makes it easy on packing. I attend sports events and Kindle makes it easy when bored, same as when attending appts, or just waiting in line. It stays in my purse when not in use. I have a clip on light to use in dim or no lighting. Works just fine.

My TBR stacks number in excess of 500 HB/TPB books. I have repurchased favorite books in eformat and also have purchased in kindle edition some books in my TBR stacks. I more and more look at the books I have in HB and "

I too own a kindle and have since March 08. I absolutely love it. I also have a house full of books. I travel and kindle makes it easy on packing. I attend sports events and Kindle makes it easy when bored, same as when attending appts, or just waiting in line. It stays in my purse when not in use. I have a clip on light to use in dim or no lighting. Works just fine.

My TBR stacks number in excess of 500 HB/TPB books. I have repurchased favorite books in eformat and also have purchased in kindle edition some books in my TBR stacks. I more and more look at the books I have in HB and "

sorry for the duplicate and incomplete post. Guess my computer is fritzy.

I more and more look at the books I have in HB and wish I could afford to have them all in kindle format. But alas most are not avaiable in eformat yet.

My kindle right now has 192 books on it and my wish is for publishers, authors and agents to really work to push more and more books into the emarket.

Pricing is also important. Will not pay more than $10 for HB, and will not pay prices higher than TPB/PB pricing for books released in TPB/PB. I've read all the arguments from publishers but actually do not believe them. It's either better pricing or I hit the used book store. Would you rather sell 10 at $14 or 100 at $10? Again I am ready willing and able to buy books and do, my monthly purchasing has doubled since I bought the kindle.

sorry for the duplicate and incomplete post. Guess my computer is fritzy.

I more and more look at the books I have in HB and wish I could afford to have them all in kindle format. But alas most are not avaiable in eformat yet.

My kindle right now has 192 books on it and my wish is for publishers, authors and agents to really work to push more and more books into the emarket.

Pricing is also important. Will not pay more than $10 for HB, and will not pay prices higher than TPB/PB pricing for books released in TPB/PB. I've read all the arguments from publishers but actually do not believe them. It's either better pricing or I hit the used book store. Would you rather sell 10 at $14 or 100 at $10? Again I am ready willing and able to buy books and do, my monthly purchasing has doubled since I bought the kindle.

I'd really like to get an ebook reader, but right now I can't justify the cost. I'm hoping the prices will come down before long, while also increasing functionality (I'd love for the Kindle screen to be backlit, then it'd be just about perfect). I just keep reminding myself to have patience.

I love my Kindle and I probably won't buy many more paper books. It's convenient and I find I'm reading more books on it than I ever did on my old Reb1100 (former version of the eBookwise).

I love my Kindle and I probably won't buy many more paper books. It's convenient and I find I'm reading more books on it than I ever did on my old Reb1100 (former version of the eBookwise).

The iPhone is changing the way people think about e-books, and the industry had better be ready to deal with the changes.

I too own a Kindle. I've had it since December 2007. I too wouldn't let anyone take it away. It's my best friend.

I think a lot of people just aren't informed enough to answer this question fully. If they understood how each device works and what their differences were then yes, they could say if they'd be okay using one.

I chose to get the Kindle because it's Amazon.com. I love Amazon.com. It's a one stop shop and I couldn't ask for more.

The cost of the Kindle was pricey, yes, but over time it's going to pay for its self. How? Because eBooks are cheaper than paper books. They might not seem like it by much but if you're like me and read a lot then the pennies do start to add up. So far I've purchased over 100 titles from Amazon.com and saved approximately $225. And that's NOT including shipping or sales tax.

I believe eBooks are the future. Right now I don't buy a book if it's not in Kindle format. Of course I do make exceptions for a gorgeous cover i.e. Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev, which I will be buying the physical book.

And lots of people say how much they love the smell of the paper or the feel of the book in their hands. You feel the Kindle in your hands. If anything it's more comfortable. You can hold it with one hand or even none if you get the right angle support. And wouldn't you like to help save the trees? One day I bet they will only make a handful of every book published. One for each major city or something. It'll probably take centuries but I bet it'll happen.

eReaders are the way of the future. Get on board.

I bought a Sony eReader in November and have bought probably 30+ ebooks since then. (Versus about 5 in hard copy.) It took a little bit of time to get used to it, but I definitely like it now.

One nice thing about having the eReader is the ability to download a book on the day it is published. No need to go to the store to pick up a copy or wait for the UPS guy to deliver from Amazon. Just hook up and within a minute, I'm ready to read.

Generations Y and Z are used to viewing/reading on small, handheld devices (Nintendo DS and cell phones) and will therefore expect to continue to do so when reading. Publishers must add ebooks to their distribution platform or else risk becoming obsolete.

I bought a Sony eReader in November and have bought probably 30+ ebooks since then. (Versus about 5 in hard copy.) It took a little bit of time to get used to it, but I definitely like it now.

One nice thing about having the eReader is the ability to download a book on the day it is published. No need to go to the store to pick up a copy or wait for the UPS guy to deliver from Amazon. Just hook up and within a minute, I'm ready to read.

Generations Y and Z are used to viewing/reading on small, handheld devices (Nintendo DS and cell phones) and will therefore expect to continue to do so when reading. Publishers must add ebooks to their distribution platform or else risk becoming obsolete.

To my surprise, what I have found is that when I read a great book, it doesn’t matter if it is an ebook or paper. I don’t sit there and think, “Gee, I’m pushing a button instead of turning a page.” Because I am IN THE STORY! I read on a Hewlett Packard IPAQ pocket PC. Its lighted display is adjustable. It connects wirelessly wherever there is WiFi, so if you want to purchase from an ebook vendor, you can do it directly on the IPAQ. Since this is not a dedicated reader, but rather a very small computer, it will read any format you could read on your regular computer—Adobe, Mobipocket, MS Reader, etc. And you can make the font whatever size is comfortable. I don’t worry about my ebook library being lost, because I back up all my documents each week. If the laptop dies, the books are still on the IPAQ and the backup drive. Besides books, IPAQ also has my Outlook calendar, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and as many pictures as I want to transfer to it from the laptop. If it doesn’t all fit on IPAQ’s main memory, there’s an SD card slot for overflow. I can check and send email from the IPAQ. And it fits in my small purse. It is not a phone, nor a camera. But it’s almost everything else.

Oops. I forgot to say that anyone who has a PDA made in recent history can try ereading on that. A good friend of mine—who always said she couldn’t cuddle up with an ebook—gave her five-year-old Palm Pilot a try, and is now an absolute CONVERT! I imagine there are a lot of “outdated” PDA’s sitting in drawers all over this country that would enjoy a new lease on life as ereaders. Mobipocket.com has step-by-step instructions for setting up your Palm Pilot to read Mobipocket books. Quick! Easy! And if you already have the PDA, it’s really inexpensive.

With the loss of indie bookstores, the chains in danger of going bankrupt, and the smaller number of titles sold everywhere, I imagine the question is "If you can't buy a paper book in a store or online, will you be willing to read an ebook version?" I hope the answer is yes.

On the question of formats, no, there is no industry standard, and there won't be because too many large conglomerates have a stake in the issue to back down.

But, most formats are readily available at places like Fictionwise, and most of the publishers are there, as well.

I would never buy a Kindle because Amazon is ripping off the publishers and writers by taking 66% off the top of all prices when 50 percent or less is closer to the market standard.

Greed like that is why ebooks will never be cheap.

I've used one of the original Rocketbooks for years, and I've always loved it.

The NY TIMES has an excellent article about what ebook readers are out there and are forthcoming. Unfortunately, this blog won't allow me to paste the URL. Tio read it, go to the NY Times site and do a search for "electronic reader."

Thanks Marilynn, I was going to post the link to the NY Times article, but there are several about e-readers. Do you have a date on the article you are referring to?

First, I am a Kindle champion and could not live without it, and I am also a bestselling author. As I figure it, ebook royalties would cut my income significantly (as does Amazon sales which for complicated reasons give authors about 1/3 of hardcover royalties). What this means is some authors won't be able to afford to write and many publishers are cutting back to the bone in terms of staff and acquisitions as well. It's a conundrum that must be solved or there will be fewer choices for readers like you and me.

My husband has always been an avid reader, and in December of '07 I bought him the Sony E-Book reader for Christmas. At that time they ran a special with purchase -a coupon worth $50.00 free books included. (They always have some sort of promotion going on.) He has enjoyed classics, (they’re really inexpensive) and new releases (significant savings) over the past year and loves the concept and performance.
It's different from the Kindle in that you can't hook up directly to the web-but all those extras cost-and I didn't want to invest too much -just in case he didn't like reading this way. It’s convenient, lightweight, and just like a paper book...you get to read great stories.
On vacation, if I'd let him...he could literally read tons of books! I think he said 160 downloads (entire books) will fit in the memory. But...another good part has been the fact I'm an author-and the Sony has been an invaluable tool for promoting and selling my book. He has had so many people ask to check it out...so he hands over his reader to look at and they get a chance to read some of “I Must Be in Heaven, a promise kept" in medium to large print with e-ink technology. No glare screen mimics any and all printed pages... cover art as well as pictures.B.T.W. Bill still reads paper but is used to the reader and said they are equal to each other. One comment-he does like the fact it (his Sony reader) has a leather cover that makes the whole experience work! He recommends it highly! He loves it.

When I have an extra $350 I'll buy one. Until then, I'll stick to paper. I think I would like it for the convenience, though I'd still read print books. Like you, I don't read books on the computer either.

When I have an extra $350 I'll buy one. Until then, I'll stick to paper. I think I would like it for the convenience, though I'd still read print books. Like you, I don't read books on the computer either.

I'm ready...my budget isn't.

I'm frustrated at the different formats, the lack of ability to go between machines, etc.

I think if Sony eReader adds wireless to their next generation, it'll give Kindle a run for it's money

Ebooks are okay but to be honest I won't spend the money on the reader nor will I ever get over my love of buying real printed books. When I'm down I love to go to the bookstore and buy a book. It just makes me feel better. I have waited for some books to come out in print that were out in ebook form first. I just prefer my books in print. Nothing wrong with ebooks but I don't forsee me ever being a ebook gal.

I love ebooks, paper books, and audio books. All three have different positive and negative qualities. I read ebooks on my old PDA, but it can't handle most DRM ebooks. When the prices of both ebooks and ebook readers are right, I'll ask for a reader as a gift or something. I'm also kind of waiting to see what will happen with DRM and all the various ebook file formats.

Barbara, the article on ebook readers was in the Christmas Eve edition of the NY TIMES in the technology section.

On the Kindle royalties, one author here got it wrong. The PUBLISHER gets 33%. Most authors for the conglomerates get 15% of that 33% of the book price. Most authors for small press and epubs make 50 to 60% of the 33% their publisher receives.

If Amazon gets its way with POD copies of books sold through it and siphons away most of the profit, and most of the bookstores go out of business, publishing as a big business will cease to exist. Heaven help all writers and readers.

So many comments! This is obviously something people care about. I love my paper books and don't think they'll ever go away completely (just like hardcovers didn't vanish with the advent of mass market paperbacks). But I do buy e-books from time to time, when one of my favorite authors releases one, and I read a number of short stories from the wonderful (free) online magazines like SpaceWesterns dot com and CoyoteWildMag dot com. I also read quite a number of comics online. For me, the e-book reader issue is still a big one. There hasn't been one that's affordable enough for me to want to make the investment without being sure I'll like it. And I'm tempted to think that I'd actually prefer an e-book reader that also allowed me to connect to the internet and use a word processor--something larger than a PDA but smaller than a laptop, maybe with an optional keyboard attachment. :)

So many comments! This is obviously something people care about. I love my paper books and don't think they'll ever go away completely (just like hardcovers didn't vanish with the advent of mass market paperbacks). But I do buy e-books from time to time, when one of my favorite authors releases one, and I read a number of short stories from the wonderful (free) online magazines like SpaceWesterns dot com and CoyoteWildMag dot com. I also read quite a number of comics online. For me, the e-book reader issue is still a big one. There hasn't been one that's affordable enough for me to want to make the investment without being sure I'll like it. And I'm tempted to think that I'd actually prefer an e-book reader that also allowed me to connect to the internet and use a word processor--something larger than a PDA but smaller than a laptop, maybe with an optional keyboard attachment. :)

I got the Sony e-reader over Christmas and really like it so far. The backlight does eat up the battery, but I just attached my booklight to it to save the battery. I still buy paper books every month, but am trying to at least buy my series romance only for my e-reader. The cost of the e-reader is pretty high, but I'd been saving for a while and was tired of reading e-books on my computer. The e-reader is much better than reading on the computer, for me anyway.

I too love the smell of a library and bookstore and love the feel of a book in my hand. I don't know that the e-readers will ever replace books, but I've enjoyed mine so far.

I got the Sony e-reader over Christmas and really like it so far. The backlight does eat up the battery, but I just attached my booklight to it to save the battery. I still buy paper books every month, but am trying to at least buy my series romance only for my e-reader. The cost of the e-reader is pretty high, but I'd been saving for a while and was tired of reading e-books on my computer. The e-reader is much better than reading on the computer, for me anyway.

I too love the smell of a library and bookstore and love the feel of a book in my hand. I don't know that the e-readers will ever replace books, but I've enjoyed mine so far.

I too love my Kindle. Something no one has yet mentioned is that many books are available for free on Kindle. Also, the ability to download a free sample, which is often quite a large chunk, lets me know ahead of time if I'll enjoy the book. If I'm still reading at the end of the sample, I just hit the buy button.
As an author and publisher, I've found e-books have an important place in my marketing strategy. I am offering the first book of a trilogy for free to introduce people to my work. A copy of an e-book costs me nothing to produce, and has resulted in sales of the other two books.

My husband got me a Kindle for Christmas and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I still have to have my fill of books that I can actually hold in my hand and stick on my bookcases to look at after I've read them. I do like the fact that when a book comes out it is available on Kindle before it is in the store and like others have mentioned, you can read a chapter or two to see if you like it before you buy it.

I was one that never thought I would give up paper. Sure i'd read many ebooks because the books I wanted to read were only available in e, but I love the bookstore and the pretty books. But...I bought a Sony reader in April 08 and have been hooked ever since. I thought I would use the reader for those books only available in e and paperbacks of the rest. Nope. If it's not available in e I probably won't read it. I am slowly purging my house of the paperbacks and I couldn't be more pleased.

I think they're still like the debate between VHS and Betamax (or whatever the high-def DVD formats are): each ebook reader can read some ebooks, but not others. At the moment, I can pick up any paper book (printed in a language I know) and read it, with no prior investment in technology, no worry that it won't be compatible, and no fear that if I drop it, I'm out $300.

Also, as a new author, I wonder about the joy of a book signing when we're all reading ebooks. And as a reader, I know that when I finish a good book, I can hand it to a friend or relative who doesn't read in that genre and say "try this, you'll like it." In an ebook world, book sharing or giving becomes a thing of the past, and I'll miss it.

Barbara, Ian is right on about the compatibility issue. I have ebooks on my computer that use three different programs. I had to spend all of one afternoon loading all those programs to my computer and then another loading them to the laptop. I've also downloaded two different apps for my new iPod Touch. The only reason I went to that much trouble is that it was a business matter for me. I do book reviews and more and more of the books for review are offered as ebook files. This is great because my house is awash in books, ARCs aren't supposed to be resold, and frankly, some books I review aren't that great - I don't need them cluttering up my house. So the ebook files save physical space. <br><br>

In addition, my own first book is coming out later this year and will be released as an ebook prior to print. I've gotten to know a lot of other ebook authors and try to purchase and read their stuff as much as I can.
<br><br>
However, if I didn't have the twin issues of doing book reviews and of being an ebook author with a lot of e-author friends, I'm sure I would skip right over the all too complicated world of ebook formats and ebook readers. I'd go straight to the far simpler hi-tech solution of listening to an audiobook on my iPod. Or I'd just be a Luddite and stick with the print edition.