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eBook Questions &
Answers
What’s an eBook?
“eBook” stands for “electronic book” for
those of you not in the know. They are real books in a digital format,
formatted for various software programs and eBook readers.
The eBook market is booming and there
are many excellent eBook publishers out there. The quality of writing,
book editing and production are as good as any big company print
publisher. In addition, you’ll find a greater variety of eBook genres and
subject matters since many eBook publishers will take on works written
outside the box that the big companies won’t touch.
How can I read an eBook?
Contrary to old-fashioned belief, you do
not have to sit at your computer and read an eBook. There are many
portable eReaders on the market, including your standard PDA and even some
cell phones. The latest and greatest include Amazon’s Kindle and Sony’s
eBook reader. I read my eBooks on an old Franklin eBookMan or my Dell iPaq
or even on my laptop. You can also download and read books on many
phone models.
Of course, each device can only read eBooks in certain formats. Some will
read all the popular formats, such as your PDA and your computer, with the
appropriate software. With Amazon’s 2007 introduction of the Kindle,
eBooks have hit the mainstream of reading after over 10 years on the rise.
What’s the big deal about
eBooks?
(a) eBooks are a convenient and
affordable way to supplement your library. They’re cheaper than print
books as it’s very inexpensive for publishers to produce them.
(b) They’re quick and easy to
download. If you’re dying for something new to read at 2:00 am, just hop
on the internet, search, buy and download instantaneously. You can store
dozens of books on an eBook reader. This is a great feature if you’re
traveling extensively. It gives you many titles to choose from no matter
what you’re in the mood to read.
(c) Most eBook readers allow you to
change your font to adapt to your eyesight preferences. They include
backlights if you wish to read in the dark.
(d) They provide great flexibility for
those who adapt to both eBook and print worlds. If you want to hold a
print book in your hands, you can still do it (albeit with a smaller
selection of books). If you’re running out of shelf space (like me), then
your eBook options are endless. You can read an eBook, delete it from
your reader, and it’s still stored on your computer if you want to read it
again. For those of you who are going green, well, eBooks are your next
best friend!
Will my book make it to print?
My publisher does print its books.
However, it may take 6-9 months after eBook release for the print version
to come out. When it’s available, you’ll be able to order from Cerridwen
Press directly or through Amazon and Barnes & Noble online. Many Barnes &
Noble stores carry my publisher’s titles, but if you can’t find my book
(once released in print!) you can ask them to order it for you. Any other
bricks & mortar bookstore can order it also.
Stay-tuned and check my website for
relevant updates about my print release!
FYI…eBooks are copyrighted and cannot be
copied (except to make a personal backup), nor can you print them.
Here’s a link to
Cerridwen Press,
who has much more to say about eBooks, including information about the
different software formats and devices.
Get on the bandwagon
and buy an eBook.
Try it, you’ll like it! Save a tree!
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