The New York Times recently published an article on their website titled, A New World: Scheduling E-Books by Motoko Rich and Brad Stone. The article describes the controversy over whether publishers should release the print edition and the e-book edition of a new title simultaneously.
No topic is more hotly debated in book circles at the moment than the timing, pricing and ultimate impact of e-books on the financial health of publishers and retailers. Publishers are grappling with e-book release dates partly because they are trying to understand how digital editions affect demand for hardcover books. A hardcover typically sells for anywhere from $25 to $35, while the most common price for an e-book has quickly become $9.99.
The article looks at both sides of the argument. Some believe the price difference will sway consumers to purchase the e-book format. The other side of the argument states that there is a fine line between e-book buyers and those that buy the print edition. In the article Mike Shatzkin, founder and chief executive of the Idea Logical Company, says “People who read e-books don’t buy physical books, and people who buy physical books don’t buy e-books.”
If you wanted to purchase a specific title, what would be your deciding factor: price or format?
Posted by Templeton Editor 
