Simon and Schuster and Hachette recently announced that their eBook offering will only be available after the hardcover book has been on the market but prior to the paperback hitting book stores. The Wall Street Journal reported on this recently and the article can be found here.
Once again we have a business model that is in direct conflict with what the consumer wants. Do you remember not all that long ago the issues in the music industry around buying a single song versus an entire album on-line? This smells suspiciously similar and the consumer is the one losing out.
I completely understand the challenges publishers face regarding the price disparity between hardcover and electronic formats, but postponing the inevitable is not a customer focused organization. Why not embrace the new business model and become the best eBook publisher? That is easier said than done when an entire industry is setup for publishing and distribution of a physical book.
It remains to be seen the next step in this business model, but for now, get in the virtual line and wait your turn to purchase that eBook.
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