My previous Windows CE Book, coauthored with Aspi Havewala, entitled “Building Powerful Platforms With Windows CE” was published using a traditional publisher. I learned a lot and the team at Addison-Wesley was very helpful, always working hard to make sure our book would be a success. This time around, however, I want to try something different, self publishing.
I used to view self publishing as a last resort measure for those authors who couldn’t find anyone else to publish their musings. I see it differently now, especially since the distribution mechanisms and print technologies available to authors is far more sophisticated. You are, after all, comfortable with using technology or you probably wouldn't be reading this using your web browser. So why not use this same technology to communicate directly with my intended audience?
To that end I am considering the following mechanisms for publication of “Learning Embedded Systems With Windows CE”. I would use these tools, individually or in combination.
E-Book:
Various alternatives exist today for generating a book electronically, in the form of a PDF file, or some other file format supported by reader software, downloadable without charge. Adobe has their “Acrobat Reader” which now supports e-books and Microsoft has their Microsoft Reader. There are others, some lacking digital rights management options.
Print On Demand:
No matter how good the ebook reader is, there will always be a need for the tactile experience of a book printed on paper. For the time being, paper is a technology without equal, in terms of cost, deployment, and contrast ratio (intensity of the printed text). Thankfully, many print on demand companies have emerged, which allow books to be printed and bound when ordered in any quantity, with cost reductions at specified quantity levels. Some companies will also assist with obtaining an ISBN number, sell to traditional retail stores (Borders, Barnes and Nobles, etc.), drop ship to the requested address, and will even provide copy editing services. The range of services offered varies with each company.
Distribution:
Perhaps the biggest advantage a traditional publisher provides to an author is that of a very mature, well connected distribution network. It is no small feat to service the many brick and mortar book stores, all of which demand the right to return the books they can’t sell. I could possibly sell the e-book on this website, using PayPal or some other merchant account service providing credit card transactions. I might even be able to sell the printed book directly through this web site, but then I would be forced to handle the same shipping and returns that a book store must handle. I could also use a Print On Demand company to sell the printed book. Amazon.com is also offering services to support self-publishers, but I have not researched this yet.
What Say You?
So what would you think if I sold a copy of the book in electronic form?
What e-book reader would you prefer?
Would you mind if the e-book file used some form of digital rights management (to prevent copying to other computers)?
Would you still want a printed book? If so, would you be willing to wait a few weeks to obtain a copy of the printed book, thus reducing the need to carry an inventory?
Would you expect the e-book to be included with the printed book?
Would you be comfortable ordering the printed and/or electronic book from this web site, with no option to purchase the book at a traditional book store?
And finally, do you have any experiences with self publishing or suggestions that you might like to share?
I am all ears!