BTT: Literary Evolution – Part 2

A continuation of my previous post, here are my responses to what other people wrote regarding this week’s BTT post:

D Dubs Says:
The concept of the book publishing industry changing, however, is a very positive thing. Similar to the new move away from DRM with online music, the publishing industry needs to reevaluate its practices. The more information that can get out there for us to absorb, the better. And one of the great things about digital media is that it is usually cheaper and more personal than media the “industry” decides is worthy of selling.

This I agree with, for sure!

claire Says:
Although I love the concept of having over a hundred books at my disposal in one tiny portable package.. I just don’t know if I’d be able to really enjoy it though. So much of my enjoyment in reading lies not only in the words but also in handling the pages themselves. I don’t know.. am I being too old-fashioned?

If you’re old fashioned, then I am, too! I love the idea of portable books, and the space-saving technology, but I also really like the feel & smell of good old-fashioned books, too.

Kat Says:
Besides, after staring at a computer monitor or my phone screen for lengths of time, my eyes hurt.

This is something I worry about, were I ever to actually go out and buy myself a Sony Reader. Much as they say they’ve made it so that the screen is very comparable to reading a paper page, I have to wonder if it wouldn’t still hurt my eyes, or give me a headache?

Kat ALSO says:
I agree with Trish on this one, anyone can publish, but not anyone can hit the jackpot.
Besides, I think that in the end, even if you self-publish, nothing still beats having a publisher at your back to help you promote and sell your story right?

My husband said something along these lines when I mentioned my excitement at not having to go through a publisher to get published… said that it’d ruin me for sales if I did it on my own. Sure, my writing isn’t gonna be a bestseller, but I’d like to think that *someone* out there, somewhere, would enjoy it. That’s why publishing the “old fashioned way” kinda turns me off… people like me don’t seem like they’d have a fair chance at getting their stuff read, just because some “higher up” decided it wasn’t “worthy”.

Peta Says:
I have around 15-20 ebooks on my computer but have not read a single one!

This is something that worries me, too — if I spent the money on a single-purpose device like the Sony Reader, would I even READ the books I buy for it and put on it? I thought I’d ‘read’ more audiobooks when I got my MP3 player a year ago, but I haven’t really listened to more than the beginnings of one or two since then! Would the Sony Reader be a “waste of money” for me? Maybe.

Robert Burdock says:
The main advantages I’ve found in using ebooks over their paper counterparts are – weight saving of course, especially when you’re mobile around campus or shuttling back and forth to work, and the fact that ebooks have an unchanging form i.e. no need for repositioning, struggling to keep the book open etc.
>Ultimately though I’d like to think that both forms can co-exist together, and in my experience I’ve found that they can. True bibliophiles would always pick traditional books over ‘newfangled’ ebooks and it’s obvious why.

Yep, I agree with everything Rob has said here. This is why these eReaders are appealing to me. But, I also still love my good ol’ paperbound books.

Mog says:
The book cover, type and colour all help to spark interest and these would all be lost in e-books.

Ooo, very good point! I hadn’t thought of that! I’m a total cover-junkie! What would I do without the covers???

Mog ALSO says:
I am not an expert on e-books so here’s a question for someone ‘How do I lend my individual e-books to friends?’

Ah! There’s another *advantage*, in my own opinion! LOL. I just blogged about loaning books, the other day, and was all irate because when I loan out my books, I often either don’t get them back, or they come back in terrible condition! So, with an eBook, I could either say “Sorry, but I can’t lend that one to you ’cause it’s in e-format”, or I could loan it (however that’s done, if it’s possible), and know that I’d not have to worry about how it came back to me! LOL.

SFP says:
For me, ebook devices are a niche product, a way of getting more reading opportunities into the day and more books into my hand when the bookcases in the house are overflowing and I can’t come up with any books I’m willing to part with so that I can make room for the new.

LOL. This is what I mean by “space-saving”! No need to worry about those overflowing bookshelves, or my spouse saying “You have too many”… ;P

–Deb says:
But I can certainly see the appeal of being able to travel without needing to carry a pile of books with me.

This is also a big factor for me (convenience). I frequently travel to my Dad’s, who lives 2 hours away. And, having to cart a backpack full of books (because I can’t live without my variety!) is often very inconvenient.

Becca says:
…anything that gets more people reading, and provides writers with more ways to be read, is a good thing in my book!

Amen to that! I thoroughly, and wholeheartedly agree!

See my original (Part 1) post HERE.

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