Should we be surprised that publishers are changing their minds on their books being available for e-sale? I’m not.  If anything, this is only an omen of what is to come.

          It is a fairly well known fact that e-books tend to be cheaper than actual books.  This makes sense because there is not the cost of actually producing the book.   With book prices down it would mean less money to be earned.  Of course publishers are going to start to get concerned.  If it is effecting their sales drastically, they will do whatever it means to make those numbers again.  If that means taking back the rights to sale there book electonically, can you really blame them?

           One interesting point in this article was that it pointed out that when you are done reading the books you do not have the option of reselling or donating this book.  I’m sure those types of sales hurt the publishing industry too but I had thought about how it affect how many people can read.   Think about how many books get donated every year to schools or anywhere else that kids would otherwise not get these books.  Think about how many people buy books at Goodwill or used bookstores because they just plain can’t afford to buy new books.  I know I buy quite a few books used personally because I do love to read so much and can’t always afford new books.  It seems like a huge hit to the reading community to take away so many used books.  Plus honestly, if you sell back a book you will probably make the difference you would have saved buying it electonically.  Furthermore, I am willing to bet most authors would say that would rather there books be read by tons of people than make massive amounts of money.  I know if I ever get published I would be so happy to hear anyone read by book and wouldn’t care if they paid $10 or $.10.

          Do you think that this is a warning of things to come?  Do you think more publishers will end up pulling books too as their sales drop.