WHY THE eBOOK WILL WIN

WHY THE eBOOK WILL WIN

The eBook does not have much of a following in many parts of the world. But the secret of success of the eBook does not lie in its following, it lies in its power to reach more people. Most readers still believe in the "printed" word" rather than the "written" word.  That makes publishers, who have the power to print the word, the industry kings. The main cost of the printed word is the printing and distribution process. This bulk cost is passed on to the reader by the publisher. The ink, that makes up the text, is just a fraction of the cost of the book. The publisher also decides what the reader will read. And if a book is out of print – it is out of print.

When readers realize that the "written" word costs less and is easier to access than the "printed" word, the revolution will be complete.  The success of the eBook will not be because it is cheap – nobody boasts about cheap things. It will be because the eBook eliminates all other costs to the reader save the "text". Readers will only have to pay the writer for writing the text (eBook). The eBook shifts the balance of power from the "printer" to the "writer". The writer's income is only a small fraction of a publisher's expenses.

The implications of this last paragraph are huge. Publishers know these facts, but it's the readers that need to realize it.  Writers who have been submerged because their works were judged unprofitable will emerge. Books that were unprintable will soon be freely available. New levels of creativity will be required to remain profitable in the new industry. Established writers will compete, on equal footing, with self-published artists. Quality standards will change from book packaging to content and from content to thought.

There are real fears surrounding the eBook. I gave up printing one of my books because one excited reader confessed to me that they had really enjoyed a photocopy of my book. The fellow had also photocopied the book for the rest of the class. Everyone was doing it. The eBook provides massive opportunity to violate copyrights and intellectual property. If enforcing copyrights on hardcopy is nearly impossible, how will copying "softcopy" be contained. Strange as it may seem the answer to these violations may lie in "deregulation".

Much as self-publishing is a welcome idea, it does not guarantee readership. It promotes expression, but it does not imply consumption. I think good writers have nothing to fear. While good readers have more opportunity to read good writers, poor writers will get more poor readers. With all its challenges the eBook has the capacity to exponentially multiply readership far beyond the reach of the hardcopy. Multiplied publication, multiplied print, multiplied titles, multiplied availability, multiplied distribution, and multiplied readers.

I like the fact that the eBook restores power and income to writers. And I am as concerned, as is anybody, that the eBook brings with it real industry challenges. But I am aware that it is a new industry. It is no longer the "publishing" industry; it is now the "word" industry. By the way, though the eBook will win, it will not eliminate the hardcopy immediately. Cell phone text messages have not eradicated letters or parcel post; some would like to add, yet! However, the moral of this story is that, "books may pass away, but words will remain forever".

Allan Bukusi, 2012