Read an Ebook Week, March 8-14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 25, 2009 -- Cathy Macleod, 25 January 2009: Canadian author Rita Toews suggested “Read an Ebook Week”, nominating March 8-14, and her initiative has met worldwide acclaim.
Even, one hopes, from busy President Obama who, presumably, sometimes applies his Blackberry to recreational reading. An email from Rita to the White House this week requested official recognition of the event.

Of course, Read an Ebook Week will help flag 2009 as YEAR of the ebook no matter how Mr Obama responds. There’s a big tide flowing and all sections of the book trade in January and February are aware of it as they struggle to slash overheads.
The Week that Rita suggests is not a commercial ploy, yet its successful reception could sow a few seeds of inspiration.
o Most readers still need to be inspired to give digital novels a go. In a recent survey asking people if they had read an ebook, more than 60 percent replied “What’s an ebook?”
o Most publishers still need to find a digital formula that returns satisfactory profit. They badly need response from readers to point the way.

o And booksellers? They don’t need convincing. Just count the DVDs and CDs that crowd their shelves these days. Their problem is how to earn a living from ebooks.
With all sections of the book industry striving to meet the digital trend, it is the buying public who will eventually determine an acceptable pattern of trade. Good books at a fraction of current prices is an attractive proposition. But how enjoyable is an electronic page compared to paper and a sturdy cover?
If Ebook Week can get more folk trying the unfamiliar and finding pleasure, then it will be not just a happy event. It will have added a dimension to human happiness! Does that claim sound pompous? Okay, so let me pomp, because Happy always gets my vote.

Happy reading! From Cathy at www.booktaste.com

blackberry     digital-publishers     ebook-news     ebook-retailers     ebook-week     ereaders     Obama