E-books can now be created by almost anyone, by simply converting ‘DOC’ files (for Word), into Kindle format. The KDP, (‘Kindle Direct Publishing’), technology can be downloaded from Amazon.co.uk or work converted using Adobe InDesign in just seconds, (Amazon KDP Guide, 2014).
This craze now means that 15% of Kindle books sales come from authors without a book deal, (BBC, December, 2013), with a continuous stream of content being created, as well as the revival of literary classics.
Even as an avid Kindle supporter, I have my own opinions regarding the ethical standards surrounding e-book production. As a student I also appreciate the low price and convenience of simply clicking a few buttons and awaiting the arrival of a new book within seconds.
I can also see the benefit of e-books for publishers. E-books have boosted sales for the publishing industry, even if this is not in print form. After purchasing a Kindle, readers were buying four times more e-books, compared to the number of print books purchased prior to owning an e-reader, (BBC, 2012). This may not be the format that publishers desire to see sales, however, any sale is better than no sale and the digital revolution has opened the door to new sales opportunities and customers.
However, there is something about the printed word that deserves to be preserved. A survey by the Guardian found that 79% of people surveyed preferred print books, (Guardian, 2013), believing that e-books reduced the value of the content. For many, print books will always remain preferable to digital books. However, we cannot restrict a books progression from print to e-print based on subjective views. To do so could be result in an endless number of books being prevented from becoming e-books. There can be no doubt that the future of publishing lies in digital form, so can we really be allowed to hinder such progress.
354 Words.
Bibliography.
Amazon, (Online), Kindle Digital Publishing, available from:
<https://kdp.amazon.com/help?topicId=A17W8UM0MMSQX6> [Accessed 04/10/14]
Anon, BBC News Techonology, (Online), Amazon selling more Kindle books than Print Books, (2012) Available from:
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19148146> [accessed 27/09/2014]
Brady, Matthew, (2013), The Guardian, (online), Do You Prefer Print Books to Eooks?- Poll, available from:
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/poll/2013/nov/26/print-books-or-ebooks-poll Accessed [04/10/14]
Feeney-Hart, Alison, BBC News, (Online), Author Nick Spalding’s Top 10 tips on Self-Publishing, (2013), Available from:
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25366534> [Accessed 04/10/2014]
Mintel Academic Reports, 'Digital Trends, Summer -June 2014, accessed on 04/10/2014
< http://academic.mintel.com.oxfordbrookes.idm.oclc.org/display/705819/?highlight >