The publishers of the printed book say South Africans must not worry that e-books will replace the printed version. In the USA, e-book versions have started outselling printed versions by 105 from every 100. Local publishers are not concerned, however, as they say, it will take some time for the trend to pick up in South Africa. Despite this positive statement, a website manager of a major South African online bookseller said that while they started selling e-books comprised roughly 10% of their book sales in December that year.
Printed books versus e-books
People are reading e-books at book clubs
The online manager of e-books said: 'Our high-end readers from our book clubs are now reading e-books.'
One sales director of a publishing house said that for publishers, e-books does present a challenge, but not one that is insurmountable.
Paperbacks threatened the hardcover book
There was a similar concern when paperback books first appear because it was seen as a challenge to hardcovers. It simply meant a different distribution model.
Many thought the arrival of the Kindle was the end of the era for the printed book, but they were very wrong. Buying the printed books is back in fashion.
Printed books are back again
Technology had to back down
The demise of the e-books was 'one of the rare examples where groundbreaking technology ends up being supplanted by its predecessor". reported the Guardian. The New York Times reported that much of the excitement around e-books had disappeared. Apparently, during the first half of 2015, sales fell by 10%, the printed books were back in fashion and popularity again. In the UK, Waterstones has stopped selling Kindles in most of their 280 bookstores, because the "sales of Kindles continue to be pitiful" according to MD James Daunt.
The feel of a book
Some people refuse to read the e-books and only read the paper edition. Some say the hunt for a printed book is much more exciting than downloading the e-book.
@frieda