E-books. What Are They and What is the Fuss About?

In the past four years I've seen, first hand, how the popularity of e-books have grown. First hand knowledge as both an author whose work is primarily released in e-book form and a reader who, on occasions, buys e-books. But what are they, and why is there a claim that they are dividing the publishing world?

E-books are an electronic downloadable book. They can be downloaded in many forms, which fit the various different types of readers out there. By and large e-books tend to be cheaper than print novels, though there are exceptions to the rule. And an e-book reader can often hold 20 or more books depending on the size of the memory. Some read them on their mp3 players, phones, computers, or specialized e-book readers.

Okay, so just what is the big deal about e-books?

They don't require paper, so are environmentally friendly. A lot of smaller presses use them. They aren't sold in chain stores, but are sold online via online stores run by either the publishing house itself, or through massive online stores such as the Fictionwise chain. Some of the major publishers, such as Harper Collins and Harlequin are now doing e-books, but they weren't the ones who paved the way. The smaller companies did that. And they've also pushed the boundaries on traditional genres.

You're more likely to find a book that wouldn't be so easy to shelve in Barnes and Noble from a small press or e-book publisher. Why is that? Because they're independent. Because they don't answer to major companies. And they aren't as wary about taking risks because there isn't a major print run to take into consideration.

For anyone who doesn't know how the publishing industry works, books are by and large printed in 5000-20,000 plus runs. This isn't cheap. And the books are often stripped of their cover if they don't sell. This means a new book that doesn't sell can lose money for the publishing house. So the publishing houses who deal primarily in print are often wary about taking risks with new story types or genre crosses that haven't been done before. It's a money issue, as well as marketing. In e-books the financial risk is still there but the numbers are lower.

They still have to pay for artwork, editors, and advertising, but no print run so the major cost factor isn't an issue.

"But e-books aren't real books!"

I've heard that so many times I've lost count. They are real books. There is a real ISBN. There, in most cases, is real artwork and real editors. With real authors being paid a very real royalty. In the case of small presses/e-book publishers, those royalties can range between 25% and 50% of cover. Far more than the 6%-10% paid on print books. The royalties are paid, normally, either quarterly or monthly. It's rare that there is an advance, but then there isn't, except in some rare cases, the normal 2 year or more wait between writing the book for the publishing house, and the book being released for sale. So the pressing need for an advance isn't there.

"They aren't properly edited"

Most e-books are. Just as most small press books are. You will find some that haven't been edited at all, and some with mistakes, but you'll find the same with print novels. There are a lot of self published novels that have never been put in front of an editor, and a fair amount of big house print novels that have basic editorial mistakes in them. So to think that because something is an e-book means that the editing is going to be poor, is more than a little unfair.

"Authors don't make much money from e-books."

Actually I know a fair few who make more in e-books than they do via their print releases from major New York houses. And they don't have to wait for half a year, or longer, after the release to see that payment.

"The artwork sucks."

Yes and no, again it depends on the publisher. Some take great time and effort working with digital artists and traditional artists to create cover art. It's the same with print publishers. There are some fantastic covers out there and then there are ones that leave you shaking your head wondering if they even read the book, or the synopsis, before they created the artwork.

E-books are growing in popularity and I believe they will continue to do so. The Eppies, a competition that is held every year, has more entries each year and the award has come to be the gold standard for E-books. With more and more main stream publishers jumping on the band wagon with e-books I truly believe that it won't be long before chain stores such as Barnes and Noble find a way to start selling e-books in their stores, along with e-readers of various types.