The Web is awash with ebook fiction that often doesn't measure up to
what readers demand. Thus many no longer even consider a purchase of fiction
in an ebook format. But this is changing. And rapidly.
Major Houses Are Moving Online
For some time now, work of established authors has been available in
electronic form through avenues such as Amazon.com. Offline print publishers
have been tracking this new idea with keen interest.
Now several publishers are making their entire list available in an electronic
format. It seems likely more will follow suit.
This means quality, professional work will soon be more readily available.
The Technology Behind It All
The reason print houses are making such moves is the proliferation of
portable devices. Lap tops have been around a while. But now we have dedicated
reading devices, Palms and related devices, and more recently, pocket
computers.
Of note was the introduction of the Microsoft Reader a short time back.
Software that runs on a variety of devices. More recently, Microsoft has
plunged into the hardware game with its Pocket PC. Microsoft knows how
to market. That they have joined in the fray, suggests a great future
for portable devices. And for authors and readers.
Why Portability Is The Key
The basic reason for lack of success in selling fiction in electronic
form has been that most folks won't read at a computer monitor. How-To
topics seem to sell well. But not fiction.
Readers want to cuddle up on the couch, the beach, or wherever to read
fiction. They don't want to be locked to a chair in front of a desktop
computer. They want to become totally comfortable, as they are accustomed
to doing with a printed book.
Portable devices now make this possible. While a bath tub might not be
a good location, most anyplace else will do.
What This Means To Writers
The path to becoming an established author will not change. First find
an agent who can get your book sold. Or possibly connect with a publisher
directly. Once published, keep those new titles coming.
There's nothing secret about the above approach. Any serious author has
taken this path. But the catch is, many top notch works don't make it
into print. There may be as many as a hundred titles rejected for every
one printed. And many of those rejected are as good or even better than
the one that was accepted.
If this is the case with your work, as it is for many, the growing acceptance
of fiction in electronic format offers a new path to success as an author.
While this trend is not going to knock hats off, there will be a constant
growth in sales of quality fiction in electronic formats. With each passing
day, there will be new and better opportunities for authors.
What This Means To Readers
A new kind of website will emerge, quite different from most existing
book sites. Savvy business professionals will avoid head-to-head competition
with the major houses, for they can be expected to dominate. Instead,
they will sell titles in a specific area of reader interest. By this I
mean they will focus total attention on areas major houses ignore.
For example, male adventure is a genre quite popular among many readers.
But by 1990, major houses had dropped this form in favor of others currently
selling better. Since the big guys can be expected to continue in this
manner, small businesses will succeed by catering to the needs of readers,
unfulfilled by major houses.
All of which means readers will again be able to find the kinds of tales
they enjoy, that are no longer available in their local bookstore.
The Web Makes It Happen
This is all made possible by the existence of the Web. Your favorite
bookstore is forced to carry titles in greatest demand. Else they'll lose
customers to other shops.
But the Web provides a different playing field. If there are only a few
in your home town interested in say, Historical Romance, then such titles
may not be available in bookstores.
But a website focused on such titles can be very successful by drawing
on the relatively small number of interested readers in every town in
the country. That is, an audience too small for a specific bookstore to
consider, collectively is a massive audience to a website. For potential
customers are only a click away, wherever they happen to be located geographically.
Here's To A Bright Future
Serious authors will have a great opportunity to attract fans. Readers
will have a wider, richer collection of titles to select from. It's happening
now. And the pace is accelerating.
