eBook market finally gets interesting

As you may have followed, we’ve been dipping our toe in the waters of eBook publishing, with varying results – trying to figure out which books to publish, which will appeal to our customers. Ideally, I’d like to publish our entire catalogue, but as a small publisher it’s not so easy, given that there is some work (and cost) involved in converting each title to an ePub. Especially as the market has been limited, until now having really only two options for consumers looking for eBooks in the UK:

• Waterstone’s & WH Smith, who sell DRM-ed (don’t get me started on that) books in ePub format, usable on a Sony reader, or a number of other devices;

• Amazon, whose Kindle is becoming very popular in the US but has been available here via an odd model; requiring you to buy it from the US, and go back there for eBooks.

Neither of which I have seen as particularly tempting; the former typically being too expensive and without wide exposure; the latter prompting too many logistical doubts for those outside the UK.

Now, however, it seems that the game is afoot! We have, in short succession, been presented with two very viable alternatives:

• Apple’s iPad – not a dedicated reader device, and perhaps without the readability of the e-ink devices; but versatile and aided by the iBookstore, bringing the ease of use of iTunes to eBooks. As with all things Apple, they have a way of making folk want it, and have sold millions already – so a definitely a lot of promise!

• The imminent arrival of the Kindle store in the UK, with UK pricing – an the accompanying announcement of the latest Kindle device, at an impressive price of £109 (for the wifi-only version). Having said that, contrary to Apple, Amazon seem more focused on selling eBooks themselves, allowing you to read Kindle editions on your Mac or PC, iPhone or iPad, as well as, of course, the Kindle.

Our eBooks are already available on amazon.com’s Kindle store, and (very nearly) on the iBookstore… given the renewed impetus, I’m off to make some more :) We started with a selection of our general interest books (including the very popular Letting Go, by Robert Lindsay), but next up are some of our bestselling business books. Please let us know in the comments if there are any particular titles that you’d like to see as eBooks!

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