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Joanne Wadsworth
Ebooks or Paperback?
What’s your Preference?
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| Amazon Link |
Just recently I was thrilled to be
interviewed by the editor of my regional newspaper, and she asked a very
intriguing question. “As a writer, what was my preference? Ebooks or
paperback?” When I answered ebooks, she then asked, “Where did I see the future
with them?”
I actually live in New Zealand,
and we’re a little behind the rest of the world with ereaders. Seriously,
we are. I’d say we’re even lagging by about three years. So many here
don’t understand how great ebooks are. Being able to buy and instantly
download, and at a fraction of the cost of a paperback means time
and money saved. When I’m asked by someone on the street where
they can buy my books, and I say they’re ebooks, half the time they frown
and say, “I’ve heard of ebooks, but I want a real book that I can
feel and touch.” Now they’re not saying this in a mean way, but they just
don’t understand.
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| Amazon Link |
Sure, I enjoy holding a paperback
and turning those crisp pages, and I still buy paperbacks from time to time.
Particularly from my favorite authors where I know I’ll want to mark up
pages which inspire me. But buying a paperback book is becoming rare for
me. So what to tell the editor, where did I see the future of them?
Particularly when I knew half the people reading the article would be of the
same mind as those I meet on the street. Thankfully, it came to me in a flash
of inspiration. Phew.
“You only have to look around you
to see the advances in technology and it becomes clear where
ebooks sit in the future. In preschool our under-fives use digital
devices. They play fun software games which teach them math, English and so
much more, but right along with those games they’re reading
ebooks. Our school-aged children read ebooks on
their ipads, smart phones, laptops, tablets and of course
ereaders. We’re teaching our young ones to read in a new
way. They’ll bring
what they know and enjoy with them into the future.”
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| Amazon Link |
It was then I realized the depth behind my
answer. What is going to happen to paperback in the future as the demand for
ebooks grow? Oh boy, will paperback even be able to maintain a
foothold on the market?
I’m reminded of when I was a child and of
how technology has changed. My mother had an old washing machine with a
manual wringer. We wouldn’t even consider holding onto one of those now. What
for when with the press of a button today’s washing machines do it all.
We could all name hundreds of new inventions which have surpassed the
old. So, what will happen to paperback in ten, twenty, thirty years’
time?
If you’re reading this, what are your thoughts?
Do you think they’ll
still be here? The atlas? Those beautiful photography books? Books of all
genres? It’s a little scary to think of paperback becoming rare.
Drop me a comment and tell me what you
think? And what’s your preference? Ebook or paperback? I’d love to hear.
And in light of all this talk of technology,
take a look at this funny picture I just had to share.
LOL. Fabulous, and I bet the child totally got
it.
BIO:
Reading romance books captivated Joanne
Wadsworth as a teenager, particularly when she tucked herself into bed at night
and continued to dream those stories as she slept. She'd visualize the
direction, taking the hero and heroine on an adventure unparalleled to what
she'd read. Today she is devoted to writing romance, bringing her imagination
to life within the lines of young adult, contemporary, and historical
Highlander.
Born in New Zealand, Joanne works both
as a writer and a financial controller, all while keeping up with her four
energetic children and dreamy husband.
When she's not writing her three series Joanne can be located at:
GOODREADS
Thank you, Joanne, for an interesting article. I confess, until recently I was a paper-book-in-hand person but now I have a Kindle, I suppose I'll adopt both. The inexorable march of progress!
Eric @ www.ericjgates.com
Thank you, Joanne, for an interesting article. I confess, until recently I was a paper-book-in-hand person but now I have a Kindle, I suppose I'll adopt both. The inexorable march of progress!
Eric @ www.ericjgates.com
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