Electronic books allow established authors to publish works themselves
E-books spell the end for publishers
/v3-uk/news/2005631/e-books-spell-publishers
24 Jul 2008, Matt Chapman , V3
A rise in the popularity of electronic books will spell the end for publishers, according to Toby Young, author of the bestselling How to Lose Friends and Alienate People.
Young claimed that the change will come about because the electronic format allows established authors to publish the books themselves.
"They can upload them onto their websites and charge people to download them onto their e-book readers," he said.
"And instead of taking 10 to 15 per cent of the purchase price, which is the position authors are in at the moment, they will be able to take 100 per cent of the retail price and cut publishers and agents out of the equation completely."
Young, who was speaking as an official ambassador for the Sony Reader, said that the only remaining costs would be to type up handwritten manuscripts, convert the text into downloadable form and marketing.
However, the author described these as "negligible" compared with the fees taken by other parties today.
Young also predicted a YouTube-style writing community where anyone with talent could post their work online and rise to the top.
"It could have the same effect on the world of publishing that blogging had on the world of journalism," he said.
"Essentially you are cutting out the filtering device whereby only established voices are able to speak.
"First time authors will simply be able to make their books available to anyone with an e-book reader without having to get an agent and a publishing deal."
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Do you agree?
Never mind the inconsistencies, here's the Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols still had a record producer. The publishing process refines a book through editing, design and production (especially editing). This 'anyone can do it' approach will mean us all having to wade through (electronic) page after page of unreadable guff that hasn't been through the hands of a skilled editor. (And it's not just about commas - it's about reading for the reader, seeing inconsistencies, maintaining style, to mention a few). And one consequence of this is that it might put people off reading instead of turning them on. I can understand the sentiment of these remarks but the 'democratisation' of writing is its death. And if that sounds elitist - too bad.
Posted by Frances Sessford, 29 Jul 2008
E-Books
They said Audiobooks would kill publishing as well... they didn't.
Posted by dwr50, 24 Jul 2008
How stupid
I seem to remember several years ago that another self important know-all said that by 2000 nobody would be using cash as all payments would be electronic.
I can't see printed books ever going out of fashion.
Posted by Martyn, 24 Jul 2008
Hmm
I seriously doubt it'll have that drastic an effect on the publishing industry for a long time. Ebooks are very much a novelty for most people, and with all novelties, the shine soon wears off.
Publishers are needed for far more than just printing the books.
I think it'll be beneficial for first time authors, a little exposure and a way to test the waters. It'll certainly help the big publishing companies find new talent. I hardly think it's going to spell the end for these companies.
Oh, and I don't think curling up under the covers with an ebook would have -quite- the same effect.
Posted by Makibird, 25 Jul 2008