Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The eBook Debate


Susan Sleeman here weighing in on the eBook debate. Not the debate about which eReader is best, but about the future of eBooks. In my fellow author circles, discussions are flowing over the future of printed books and the effect of eReaders. As in any debate, authors have various opinions on the eBook revolution. Some see it as the beginning of the end of printed books. Some see it as a great way to offer another reading format. Some embrace eReaders themselves and read only on them. Some will read nothing but a printed book.



I personally own a Kindle. I received it as a Mother's Day gift and didn't know how I'd like it, but I have to tell you I LOVE it. I can get a book instantly from Amazon, I can read my manuscripts on it, I take notes and underline sections I want to remember, and I take thousands of books with me when I travel in the space of one book.

Does this mean I don't ever read printed books anymore? Not at all. I still love to hold a book in my hands and I love to go to bookstores and look at the amazing covers.


And my opinion doesn't differ as an author, Both of my books, High-Stakes Inheritance and Nipped in the Bud are available in eBook format which gives readers a choice in how to purchase my books. Of course, if printed books went away, I'd miss getting my author copies when a new book releases and miss seeing my own books on the shelves, but I really don't think printed books will disappear soon.


Now in case you didn't know this, all Love Inspired books come in eBook format. You can purchase them for most of the eReaders out there, so no matter the eReader you might own, our books are available for you.


So I thought I'd solicit the opinion of readers like you. What do you think about the ebook revolution? Do you own an eReader? If so which one and what do you like about it? Did you stop reading print books when you started using an eReader?

9 comments:

Camy Tang said...

I ADORE ebooks! I especially love that all the Love Inspired titles are in ebook format. I buy all the Love Inspired Suspense books on my Nook every month and they don't take up shelf space! (If you saw my office, you'd understand ...)

I really hope people start using ebooks more. I think it's a fantastic way to get books in the hands of readers a lot easier than having a copy mailed to you. I also love that I can have tons of books on my ereader and take that wherever I go.

Camy

Project Journal said...

Hey Susan and Camy! Good to see ya both : )

I have a Kindle that I got for my 18th birthday this past year and I really enjoy it : ) I think I enjoyed it the most when we were on vacation in Oregon and London this summer. Just sooooo much easier. I also like the convience of being able to buy the book whenever, where ever.

I mist definitely did not give up printed books. Nope, no way lol. I love those to death. I like having a variety though.
Nice to see you both!
Hannah

Jill W said...

Hi Susan,
I don't have an e-reader because I love books! I need to feel it, smell it and turn the pages. Yes, I have books everywhere, but I love them! If books go completely electronic and are no longer printed, I have peace of mind with my hundreds of unread books in my TBR stacks. By the way Camy, your book Formula for Danger was just delivered to my doorstep moments ago! Woo Hoo!

Susan Sleeman said...

Thanks all for weighing in on your opinion on this topic. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Jenna Mindel said...

Everyone I've talked to with an EBook device loves them. I prefer a book, myself, mostly because I'm no techie. But I can appreciate the advantages of both. Truly, no matter how digital life gets, I think there will always be a call for the original.
In my opinion, books will never go away....

Kimberly and Abby said...

i got a Kindle DX for my birthday, and I love it! I also like to read print books, because I love the feel and smell of them. But buying large print books is expensive, and I can change the print size easily on my Kindle. So I like them both.

Lyn Cote said...

I think that I'm about to take the plunge and get some kind of ereader. I think when people actually get to touch them in stores and see that they will never have to search high and low for a book they want--most real readers will buy and use them in addition to print books. It's going to cease being an either or to a both yes.

Jackie S. said...

I love to read...don't have Kindle or Nook...yet. Love to read posts like this though...to learn more and make my decision.

Unknown said...

i have the nook and really enjoy it. I also enjoy reading the written pages also.
Anne