We all know the electronic industry is here to stay. e-readers, e-books, e-commerce, e-publishing, e-libraries. e-everything these days.
So what are your thought? More specifically, what do you think about e-readers? Do you own a Kindle or other e-reader? Also, as a writer, have you published electronically? Would you be open to it?
In a nutshell, today’s Friday Free-for-All question is:
Are you embracing the whole electronic thing or are you still a paper person in a world full of e?
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12 Comments until now.
As an author, I believe that the publishing world is being cut into many smaller pieces (thanks, in part, to e-publishing). To me, this means that more of us can have some.
After getting to know a few e-authors and hearing about their positive experiences, reading some pretty good e-only books,and realizing that ebooks are here to stay, I decided to pursue this course. I can happily say that I’ve signed contracts for 4 books over the next two years.
I can also tell you that both epublishers, though small, are acting very professionally and giving my work solid, in-depth editing. They’ve only given me reason for confidence so far. I have quite a few ebooks on my laptop, but my Kindle is coming in November. I can hardly wait!
For anyone who might be interested, I’ve been chronicalling my e-pubbing journey on my site blog.
Thanks for sharing this, Naomi. Congratulations on your contracts!
I love solid books, but I totally have Kindle envy! Totally! The one in my house often calls my name, but I have to resist.
I’m totally open to publishing in an electronic format. Haven’t tried it, though.
Nothing will ever take the place of the joy of holding a book in your hands and unfolding its pages like petals. But there is definitely a place for e-books. I have the Bible on my droid and a few others. They are especially great for when you travel or are stuck waiting. I also like to add word docs of writings I’m working on so that if inspiration hits when I’m not near my computer I can add or edit. The down side is the size of the screen. I’m hoping Santa brings me an iPad for Christmas so that I’ll be able to read e-books more readily.
I do not own a reader, but I’ve been checking them out. I think I like the Sony Touch Reader best.
I don’t think it would ever take the place of my books. I love to hold the book, turn the page, etc.
I have thought about publishing electronic books. In fact I have a PDF book available on my site right now (www.wakeupyourmuse.com) and I’m trying to figure out how to publish it as an epub book for readers.
I love new technology!
I love the electronic stuff. I agree that it opens up the world of writing and getting published to more of us. I don’t have a Kindle or Nook ‘yet’. I, too, love the feel of a solid book in my hands and turning the pages.
I am with many regarding the feel of a book in my hands (especially when curled up by a warm fire on a cold winter morning). It’s hard to imagine “curling up” with Kindle. :0) I am enjoying technology as well, though, and have been encouraged by many to consider the e-book route for publishing. I’m not sure if I ever will, but it certainly isn’t out of the question.
Being so new to all of this, I find myself growing up in my writing in the internet’s womb, really.
I still prefer an actual book when I’m reading a novel, short story or article. But, I spend an awful lot of time online, and probably read more there than anywhere else. It keeps me awake at night, though–so, I have to be careful.
We’ve just had our first Literary Ezine (terra north/nord) go online, here in Northern Ontario, and I have two poems published in that. I like the ease of getting into it, but I also realize that it reaches only a small portion of readers. So many still don’t do most of their reading online.
Thanks for bringing this up–so many of us are in the transition between print and online reading/writing/living!
e-commerce and publishing have opened up lots of opportunities. web content writing is one. Although pay is low, by building up skills you can start your own business and recruit niche clients. Use your accumulated skills and experiences and focus, focus, focus. And don’t forget to focus. Persistence and a good attitude for learning and taking critiques helps too. Personally speaking, print publication is a realm only the few, the brilliant and the truly deserving can enter successfully.
Ebooks are certainly a fast, convenient way to get reading material. I myself will never give up an old bookstore full of stocked shelves. The treasure hunting is part of the experience and what joy to find a hard to find book that shares insight to a time gone by.
Now that I’m spending so much time at the computer, I look forward to chances to read print on paper. It’s a relaxing change both in subject matter and being easier on the eye sight. I never had any interest in getting any kind of e-book reader.
On the other hand, my computer-phobic wife got a Kindle for her birthday. Of course I had to set it up and talk her through the process of buying her first book, but I see her curled up with it quite a bit. Some time, I might have to (shudder) change my mind.
Looking at the world from a senior citizen’s perch high atop Mount Aging, it’s often times difficult to catch on to the fast developing e-world. I understand the significance of this new technology, even when I cannot understand the nuts and bolts. Still, I recognize e-technology has “left the train station,” and there’s no stopping it. So, I guess I’d better try to hop on board first chance I get, or get left behind.:-)