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Bookish Rants or Raves: eBook Publishing Fail
I have a bone to pick with publishers about eBook publishing. Something happened recently that really pissed me off. I am sure that I am not alone in being upset about the different release dates when it comes to releasing a book in electronic format verses release dates for hardcover or paperback.
The newest book in Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series was released February 23rd and I had pre-ordered it about a week before. On release day I found out that it had been pushed back a week and I was only going to be able to get it on March 2nd. When I went to the eBook online store where I bought it, I had the surprise of finding out that it had been pushed back once again to April 9th. WTF!?!?
That is so disrespectful to readers! I understand that publishers are all about the money and that whatever they can do, so that people will buy a hardcover version of a book, they will do it. I have bought a lot of hardcover versions and I don’t mind getting them when it’s a series or an author that I absolutely can’t live without.
However, it is not fair to the fans, like me who live outside of the U.S. or Canada and only have the option of getting books in English through Amazon.com, Book Depo or other websites that deliver abroad. I end up having to buy eBooks a lot of the times, because shipping is so expensive. Besides, being able to buy an eBook and download it in a couple seconds is amazingly easy.
I am an avid reader and I will not stop buying my favorite series and authors because of a crappy move like that, but I will definitely think twice before buying a debut book from a publisher that has no respect for the readers. It feels horrible to know that I bought a book weeks ago, a lot of people have had the chance to read it and I have to wait another month to get it, just because I chose to buy it in an electronic format.
I don’t get what goes through these publishers’ minds, that they think it is okay to neglect and disrespect eBook readers. Are we less important than readers that get the print copies? Is it worth it for you to stain your reputation by doing such a thing? eBooks are the future in my opinion, with Kindle, Nook and so many eReaders sweeping the nations, in a few years time I believe that it those eReaders are going to be even bigger than they are now and when that happens these publishers are going to have to eat crow and start respecting us, otherwise it’s going to be hard to keep up with the times.
What do you guys think about this? Publishers that treat eBook format releases as less important than standard releases and treat readers of eBooks as second class citizens?
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When one of the big 6 tells an agent this week they can't negotiate e-rights royalties on the agency model yet because they don't quite know what the percentages mean, they are in big trouble. I've had 40 books published and besides the adjective SLOW, my other experience with the big 6 is they are techno-phobic. I'm not seeing that changing any time soon. Dinosaurs roaring in the tar pits. My new company, Who Dares Wins Publishing, puts eBooks out first, then print.
@Bob
wow, being techno-phobic in this day in age when internet and gadgets are such a huge part of our lives is absurd and unacceptable… The more tech advances the more us, the consumers/readers will demand that they don't neglect our needs… at least i hope so…
Thanks for stopping by and for publishing eBooks even before print! =)
I feel your pain- I wanted to get the ebook even though I preordered the print UK edition, in this case I wanted both copies because I am a huge fan of this series. But I can't believe that a publisher is unwilling to sell books and frankly I think they will lose sales because of this. The UK edition which will be in paperback is going to come out roughly the same time as ebook in other formats will be release. And its easier to order print books online even though they are published in another country especially if its in paperback form and in this climate.
I have a Sony Reader, and a huge TBR. I suppose if I whittled down my TBR until it was basically empty and not downloading free classics via Project Guttenburg, I'd be pissed. As it is, I am pissed in solidarity with my fellow readers of e-books. How dare we be treated as second class citizens.
This frustrates me as well. When a new book in a series that I love releases I want it that exact day. Yes, I know I'm impatient 😉 My main reason for purchasing my Kindle is so that I could download it on the release date instead of making the hour trek to the closest bookstore. I have several must buys releasing this month and I'll be peeved if I can't download them.
I do most of my ebook buying directly from the publishers. Publishers that put them out in ebook only or at least months before the print version. For the book you used as your example I would get it in print.
I have a decent mix of print and ebook. Won't ever give up buying in print(6 day power outage taught me that one).
I don't buy from outlets like Amazon and Book Depository very often. In fact this month will be the first time ever. And even then it won't be for future releases. It will be books that are already available.
@Has
you're so right! at this point its better for me to fork over the shipping price than to suffer like this lol
@April
Exactly! Dont we deserve the same consideration??
@Mama
I feel for you! Its preposterous!
@Beth
I know what you mean! I would totally buy all the books I want in print! but I havent got the space at the moment! though, Im moving and will have it soon
With the big push to get readers out there, get sales up, I wonder why they would deliberately sabotage it with tactics like this.
@Mel
I completely agree, it does not make any sense in my head =)