“...according to Trade Electronic Book Publishing 2013, paperback print books have about three times as many buyers as digital books. But with self publishing, the rush to digital is much faster.
"The rise of e-books runs almost perfectly parallel to the rise of self publishing," said Michael Norris , senior analyst of Simba Information's Consumer Media & Technology division, commenting on the findings. "When we compiled the data we realized we had enough to create a profile of the self published book buyer, both in terms of demographics and how they buy and use content. Additionally, since so many self published books have been showing up on national bestseller lists meant we could engage in a meaningful category analysis."
Is self-publishing a major force behind the ebook revolution?
From Mashable - Barnes & Noble reveals its Ultra-Light Nook GlowLight E-Reader. This product arrives on the heels of the latest Kindle Paperwhite e-reader and in conjunction with the I-Pad Air.
“Like the Paperwhite before it, Barnes & Nobles’ new e-reader features an updated 6-inch E-Ink display with 62% more pixels on the screen than the previous Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight; this improves text clarity and contrast.
“The most remarkable change, though, is its weight. The GlowLight weighs just 6.2 ounces; that makes it more than an ounce lighter than the Paperwhite — and it’s a noticeable difference.
“Storage space has now doubled to 4GB for the $119 model. Amazon’s Paperwhite also costs $119 (as long as you accept sleep-state ads), but comes with just 2GB. Of course, books don’t eat up a lot of space. The GlowLight can accommodate roughly 2,000 books, while the Paperwhite can hold roughly 1,100 books.”
Can Barnes & Noble continue to be competitive with this new device? Will it keep up with the Kindle or even be able to compete with tablets such as the IPad?
This Wednesday is the Insecure Writer’s Support Group post day. And don’t forget to check the Facebook IWSG, especially on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, for inspiration.
32 comments:
Since I got my Kindle a year ago, I'm reading a lot more than before, especially indie authors. Have a lovely week.
I am getting a Kindle tomorrow (it's my birthday present from hubby), so it will be interesting to see if I go digital.
I wish B&N could compete, but haven't seen it so far.
I'm thinking all numbers for digital publishing are skewed because Amazon doesn't report ebook sales. I do believe digital is more popular than print now.
Vanessa and Rhonda, my husband says he reads a lot more on his tablet.
Elizabeth, I think so, too.
I'm able to buy a lot more books, and hence read more. My Kindle is so convenient, I can stuff it in my purse, and then when I'm stuck in a line somewhere, I can read a few pages. I would never have done that with a "real" book.
It's interesting being part of all that's happening so fast now in the publishing industry!
Tina @ Life is Good
Barnes and Noble is sure trying.
I believe self-publishing is fueling eBooks. Of course, they are coming out so fast now it's hard to keep up.
Thanks Diane. All of this is good to know. I do think that e-readers gained more momentum with the publication of so many books. I take my Kindle everywhere and buy a lot more books than I used to. Still, I miss visiting the book store.
Tina, I know. just a couple years ago, people didn't believe ebooks would take over. Now they are.
Alex, I can't keep up.
Joy, there are so few bookstores left now.
I've had my Kindle a couple of years now. I think I read it about as often as I read hard copies. But when I go out, it's the Kindle I take with me...
I'm reading a lot of eBooks, but I have to admit that I'm giving up on a lot, too. It seems easier to switch off a book that's not holding my interest than it is to set a book aside. Maybe that will change as the Kindle becomes more a part of my regular reading life, but I'm an early adopter and have had one since the beginning.
Ebooks wouldn't be as popular without a good reader. I remember when they were basically available to the PC and there was an older PDA that you could read them from. I think with the ereader and ebooks go hand in hand.
I think that ebooks are much more popular than Book Business Magazine reports. I know most of my books read are e-book and that's due to convenience. If I could get the print book as quickly...
eBook readers used to be garbage, but every day they keep making better ones. They'll never replace books, but it's a good alternative for most people. Very informative L.
My aunt gave me a Nook when she got a new one. I love it for reading ARCs. But I'm still a fan of print books and I'm hoping they will be around in the future.
Sia, I think they underestimate their popularity, too.
Wow! They grow ever lighter. Thanks for all the comparison stats and info!
Mary Montague Sikes
Barnes & Noble is blatantly desperate. They should focus on what they used to do best: selling books. I think all these efforts to keep up with the times by venturing into areas they're not skilled at are self-sabotaging. I had a beef with them already, and I keep losing respect.
Hope you have a good week, Spunk.
xoRobyn
I use my Kindle Fire for nearly all the indie books I read. Actually, 90% of my ebooks are from small publishers or self pubs. I don't think Nook can keep up.
I love my Kindle. I can't see exchanging it for anything else—even if it does hold more books.
The e-book route has gotten so easy no wonder so many authors are turning to it. It's pretty cool in many ways.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Indie authors keep the devices filled with affordable and quality product. I'm don't think Kindle and Nook would do so well without us. I love my Nook.
I love reading on my Kindle. It's kinder on my eyes than paper, and I can read faster on it. Not to mention the cost of ebooks is cheaper overall than the cost of print ones.
I don't think any book could be printed these days without full consideration for the e-version. After all, both e-publishing and e-reading are easier than the standard variety. Sometimes too easy (some writers don't understand the concept of editing), but at least it's available to everyone.
We've come a long way quickly. To think just a few years ago it you self-published you were considered an undesirable. Writers like Mike Wallace are laughing all the way to the bank.
I'm ready for Wednesday!
And, I'm excited to see the book industry change in many ways, but slightly sad for the indie bookstore owners I meet who are being left out of the loop for ebook publishing.
Every indie bookstore owner I've met has been a huge encouragement to me as an indie author, and I have lessened my amazon spending habits because I want to honor the indie bookstores more - besides I don't want paperbacks to disappear!
It would be nice to see B&N do well!
WE sure have more options these days~
I think it gives us so many great options, otherwise we would not be exposed to~ Hope L.Diane I hope you are doing well~
More books = more choice!
I still read my ebooks on my iPad, but I do want a Kindle device.
I don't see how the Nook can keep up with the Kindle, because B & N just doesn't have what Amazon has. Amazon is incredibly business savvy and competitive and they could put B & N out of business tomorrow if they wanted to. Meanwhile, until that happens, I imagine people will buy both devices as they get cheaper and read on one or the other.
I do have to say that although I still like print books, I do have a LOT of books on my Kindle. Now to find time to read them all!
I am not quite sure how many books I have on my Kindle, but I have 50 pages of titles. I love my Kindle - I don't have much room for regular books in an apartment so it makes a terific difference. I honestly don't know whether many of the ebooks I have are self published or not. I seem to buy them on special or get them free and then end up buying all the sequels. I believe that except, possibly for research, ebooks are going to take over completely.
Ha, I'm still using my now 'ancient' kindle and it works just fine. :)
I'm not surprised by self-publishing gaining momentum. It's good to see.
I started reading ebooks in 2010 and my reading tripled. It's so much easier to buy and read books. When I travel, I read on my phone, Kindle, or iPad.
This was fascinating to me since my next release is electronic.
Thanks for sharing the information, Diane. It's amazing the advances that are being made in ereaders over the last few years and how popular the tablets are becoming.
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