ebooks vs paper books?

[bemused_leftist]

Some people seem to be arguing that each ebook copy of a book sold (or not sold?) costs the publisher as much as each paper copy?

If that's in any way true, then something is very wrong with the publishing industry.

Comments

[fantasylite.livejournal.com]

^--kelsieds husband.

Actually, that might be true (in a way, and to a limited extent.)

Remember, the bulk of the price of any book is in shipping, which is really paid by the store ordering the books, not the publisher. It's actually cheaper to print a book, than to mail it to the store.

The publisher pays to edit the book, to format it, provide the cover art, pay royalties, and so on. All things that have to be done whether they are going to print it or distribute it electronically. They pay to market the book, as well.

In the case of a print book, they also pay for the ink and paper, in the case of the electronic book, they pay to put it on electronic media. In either case, those two costs are small compared to everything else.

So yes, the print book and the electronic book cost very similar amounts. (especially if we are comparing paper backs to e-books.) The e-Books price difference comes in distribution, which is cheaper, but even there it is not free.

That said, the only person who really could tell you what the price difference is is a publisher.