Mass Market Publications
Here we have the most literal reinterpretation of the historical book form: the ebook-- which comes in a variety of forms: variations on software format and technological support platforms. In a free market and with developing technologies this makes for a proliferation of interpretations.
Most commonly, at this stage in their development ebooks exist as downloadable, for-pay files available in different, platform-compatible reader formats for display on personal computers or handheld devices such as pdas and cell phones and, in fewer instances, tablets. A hybrid technology directed at the consumer market, ebooks are for the most part published and produced in the traditional model by divisions of print book publishers like Simon and Schuster as well as software publishers like Microsoft and sold via ebookstores.
Some older texts in the public domain (Treasure Island, Vergil's Aeneid) have been made generally available on the web--the determinant of course being what people will pay to access. Project Gutenberg is notable for its efforts to make a wide selection of (mainly classic) texts available for free to readers (in plain text format).
It seems to me also worth commenting that while ebooks inspired a degree of general interest in 2000-2002, they haven't been making much news more recently (NYTimes article listing). This may or may not be due to debated infelicities of porting a static print-based object to a medium ill-suited to traditional reader practices. Copyright and security "piracy" issues also constitute an area of concern, just as they do with other consumer published media products like music and movies.
Further references:
Wikipedia:Ebook
Internet Public Library
Amazon
Sarah's comment about the falling off of mass-market interest in the ebook is an important point. Her observation that ebooks represent "the most literal reinterpretation of the historical book form" is, in my opinion, precisely the reason for their disappointing growth. Although sales of ebooks continues to rise, (see Open eBook Forum for industry stats), the ebook shows no sign of replacing its print counterpart anytime soon. However, we are beginning to see the emergence of an electronic book-like thing that is more than just a print surrogate. These new book paradigms exploit the unique capacities of the digital medium.
Books as Social Space
The introduction of social software has caused a rapid evolution of the ebook. Mass market social reading spaces like eharlequin are proving successful. The eharlequin website allows readers to interact with Harlequin products in various ways. The site is divided into three sections: read, talk, or shop. The talk section is a virtual community that connects users with readers, authors, or editors. The Reading section features free daily and weekly online novels. There is also a Writing Round Robin which allows readers to co-author an online novel.
Serialization via web, cellphone, or podcast
In 2000, Stephen King began to self-publish an epistolary novel entitled, "The Plant," on his website. The book was released in 5,000-word installments. Readers were asked to donate $1 for each download. This experiment sparked widespread speculation about the future of books and serialization. Judith Shulevitz's Slate article "Will the Future Be Serialized?" gives this interesting assessment of the potential for electronic serialization:
Serialized narratives are also being delivered via cell phones and podcasts. This format is extremely popular in Asia, but has yet to gain ground in U.S. markets. Please see the microlit thread on if:book for more information.
Electronic Audio Books
The digital audio book is poised to gain a large share of the publishing market. Audible.com whose tagline is "heard any good books lately?" has over 25,000 books, radio shows, newspapers, and magazines available for download.
Multiplayer Storyspaces
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games like Sims, Ultima Online, Everquest, Asheron's Call, Halo, and others set elaborate stages for playing out user-driven scenarios or co-created stories. Hackers are using these gamespaces to create "live action" narratives that are recorded and exported for sale and syndication. For example: This Spartan Life a talk show in game space.
Most commonly, at this stage in their development ebooks exist as downloadable, for-pay files available in different, platform-compatible reader formats for display on personal computers or handheld devices such as pdas and cell phones and, in fewer instances, tablets. A hybrid technology directed at the consumer market, ebooks are for the most part published and produced in the traditional model by divisions of print book publishers like Simon and Schuster as well as software publishers like Microsoft and sold via ebookstores.
Some older texts in the public domain (Treasure Island, Vergil's Aeneid) have been made generally available on the web--the determinant of course being what people will pay to access. Project Gutenberg is notable for its efforts to make a wide selection of (mainly classic) texts available for free to readers (in plain text format).
It seems to me also worth commenting that while ebooks inspired a degree of general interest in 2000-2002, they haven't been making much news more recently (NYTimes article listing). This may or may not be due to debated infelicities of porting a static print-based object to a medium ill-suited to traditional reader practices. Copyright and security "piracy" issues also constitute an area of concern, just as they do with other consumer published media products like music and movies.
Further references:
Wikipedia:Ebook
Internet Public Library
Amazon
Sarah's comment about the falling off of mass-market interest in the ebook is an important point. Her observation that ebooks represent "the most literal reinterpretation of the historical book form" is, in my opinion, precisely the reason for their disappointing growth. Although sales of ebooks continues to rise, (see Open eBook Forum for industry stats), the ebook shows no sign of replacing its print counterpart anytime soon. However, we are beginning to see the emergence of an electronic book-like thing that is more than just a print surrogate. These new book paradigms exploit the unique capacities of the digital medium.
Books as Social Space
The introduction of social software has caused a rapid evolution of the ebook. Mass market social reading spaces like eharlequin are proving successful. The eharlequin website allows readers to interact with Harlequin products in various ways. The site is divided into three sections: read, talk, or shop. The talk section is a virtual community that connects users with readers, authors, or editors. The Reading section features free daily and weekly online novels. There is also a Writing Round Robin which allows readers to co-author an online novel.
Serialization via web, cellphone, or podcast
In 2000, Stephen King began to self-publish an epistolary novel entitled, "The Plant," on his website. The book was released in 5,000-word installments. Readers were asked to donate $1 for each download. This experiment sparked widespread speculation about the future of books and serialization. Judith Shulevitz's Slate article "Will the Future Be Serialized?" gives this interesting assessment of the potential for electronic serialization:
The neo-serial novel would have to be interactive in a deep and thoughtful way, the way Greek poetry and Renaissance theater and the Victorian serial were. The callow interactivity of hypertext novels, in which novelists abdicate their literary responsibility in favor of some vague open-endedness, is not likely to have any lasting appeal.
Serialized narratives are also being delivered via cell phones and podcasts. This format is extremely popular in Asia, but has yet to gain ground in U.S. markets. Please see the microlit thread on if:book for more information.
Electronic Audio Books
The digital audio book is poised to gain a large share of the publishing market. Audible.com whose tagline is "heard any good books lately?" has over 25,000 books, radio shows, newspapers, and magazines available for download.
Multiplayer Storyspaces
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games like Sims, Ultima Online, Everquest, Asheron's Call, Halo, and others set elaborate stages for playing out user-driven scenarios or co-created stories. Hackers are using these gamespaces to create "live action" narratives that are recorded and exported for sale and syndication. For example: This Spartan Life a talk show in game space.
posted by sat at 10:38 AM
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