An update on the Publishers Weekly website talks about the current state of book publishing in light of the growing popularity of e-books. Contrary to suspicions that printed books are a dying breed, industry experts agree that print publications can coexist with their electronic counterparts. Recent figures seem to suggest such a development, as the article points out:
So the book publishing industry appears to be headed toward a hybrid market, meaning that consumers will be buying a mix of e-books and print books. Financial reports from six major trade houses that have large North American operations show the demand for both print books and e-books. Penguin Group, for example, reported that worldwide print sales rose 13% in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period last year, while digital sales increased 28%. At Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s trade operation, print sales rose at a faster pace than e-book sales in the same period, with print up 30% and e-books ahead 13%.
The figures certainly don’t lie—printing is still a popular and beloved medium. While e-books may be quite convenient, there’s still a certain charm to flipping through the pages of an exquisitely printed book that e-readers can only hope to simulate. Those who wish to self-publish books on a small-scale, limited-edition basis can turn to trusted printing companies in NH.
The fact that traditional books – be they paperbacks or hardcovers – don’t need any sort of power supply makes them even more appealing to die-hard bookworms. Indeed, there’s often something special about holding an actual book in your hand compared to swiping through your smartphone or tablet. In addition, the results of a recent survey reveal that 89% of regular book readers have read at least one printed book in the last 12 months.
There will always be a place for printed books, and authors shouldn’t be afraid to release their works on paper. An established printing company in NH – like R.C. Brayshaw & Company, for instance – make it possible for writers to produce small batches of their work for their target audiences. Just because e-books are a lot easier to publish doesn’t guarantee optimum readership; a printed book could still make all the difference.
(From Reinventing Book Printing Toward a Hybrid Market, Publishers Weekly, September 20, 2013)