Angry Robots Make Me Angry

SFSignal turned me on to a survey from the folks at Angry Robot (Harper Collins) publishing;? they want to know what the e-book buying public thinks an e-book is worth.

The survey though leaves a lot to be desired if you are really trying to ferret out the wants, desires, preferences and recommendations of e-book buying SF readers.

There was no opportunity to state something like “I would be much more likely to purchase an e-book if it were prices thus and so” or “I’d be more inclined to purchase an e-book as part of a regular subscription service” – or even a place to write in your ‘brilliant pricing scheme’ – which AR intimates they are looking for.

My brilliant solution?? Package an e-book with the print version – or vice versa.? Add two bucks?to the cover price of the book (in paperback), include all DRM-free e-book formats on the CD AND include the audio book as well.

Now the purchaser has all the options and the book is truly a utility product; stick the electronic files on your laptop, rip the audio.? Now you can ‘read’ the book no matter where you are.? Listen to a chapter on the way to work in the car.? Read the next chapter on your phone during lunch break. Read a couple more in the print version at home?before bed.

Yes, you make?all three versions available as separate items and price them accordingly, but your big push is the truly multi-platform version.

Want to make it cheaper to produce/distribute?? All someone has to do is buy the book (at the adjusted rate) and then they get a product code;? they visit your website, plug in the code and download the electronic files.

They’re already on your website?? They order the print version and get offered the download right then and there.

They’re on a third party website? after the purchase, they get shunted to your website, where they are forced to endure a page of ‘if you liked X, you might very well enjoy Y – and if you order it right now, you can buy it for the reduced price of…” (because, since you’re now selling directly, you don’t have to give the third party a cut).

Hey, I appreciate Angry Robots attempt at a little social engineering, but methinks they need to delve into the subject a bit more before attempting to engage;? the survey left me frustrated rather than impressed.? On a topic like this one, EVERY question should have had a write-in option.? Answering ‘No’ to the ‘do you purchase e-books’ option essentialy justifies ignoring all of the rest of my answers, considering the subject matter.

But I do appreciate the start up of the looksee at e-book pricing.? Its about time.