Some questions about e-books and book events

[foresthouse]

At the National Press Club, we do one or more book events per month, where an author with a new book out will come and talk, answer questions, and sign books that are purchased there from Barnes & Noble, and that raise a bit of money per book for the non-profit journalism library. Lately there's been some discussion regarding how to adjust this

Comments

[pann_cake]

For me, the ebooks are more about convenience and price. If something is a lot cheaper on the nook, I will buy it that way. I especially love it for series, because I can buy the next one instantly. But there are certain authors that I don't mind paying full-price for, especially if it's part of a set or collectors' thing, because I like stuff to match.

That being said, I have bought multiple versions of books so I have it in paper and e-book format. Like I said up there, I have a paperback copy of "American Gods" but it's always being leant to people and I honestly don't know where it is right now. So bought it on ebook during the anniversary promotion, so I can always have it. :)

[blergeatkitty]

I hate to be the person whose answers are so special and unique that I have to comment and be all, "it depends," but ...it depends.

I'm crazy about my e-reader and there are many books I prefer to have in e-format (for example, most books that weigh more than five pounds), but I will invest in a hardcover (and autograph) from an author I really love and I prefer to have physical books from my faves. On the other hand, if it were an event by an author I was less familiar with and I liked their reading, I would love to be able to get the e-book on the spot. For an event like what you're describing, I could see e-books being pretty successful, since people would probably come for reasons other than "this is my favoritest author and I want to meet him/her." (When I lived two blocks from a B&N, I would sometimes just drop in and hear whoever was reading on author event nights.)

[particle_person]

Why would you buy a regular book at an author event?

One other reason: I still buy physical books if I really love the cover. Call me shallow. ;-)

[makotohanabi]

Pretty new to the ebook thing, it's more about being able to buy books and not having to find a place for the physical copy. Right now we have book piles higher than the bookshelves.

I prefer print books for prebedtime reading, and wandering around bookstores looking for something interesting.

Still buy print books I want signed or from series I'm already collecting.

[spectralbovine]

I don't understand how or why you would buy an ebook at an event. You can buy ebooks anywhere. That's sort of the point. Why would an ebook be offered only at a physical location that you must attend? There's nothing really special about where you buy it. You can buy it on your phone while you're there, but that's sort of secondary to the event itself.

I'm new to ebooks, and I prefer buying physical books, if I'm going to spend money, and for author events, I like buying books at the venue to support the bookstore as well as get the book signed. (The local bookstore, I mean. I wouldn't really feel compelled to support Barnes and Noble, a major chain.) I don't know what you envision for this "ebooks at the event" thing.

[scifantasy]

I didn't read that as "only" at the event, just something to buy. I remember going to a Terry Pratchett reading, and being told I had to buy a copy of the book to get in. (foresthouse would remember it too, as I sold the book to her for a second copy for her mother, as I recall.)

My idea of a branded USB stick would also mean another memento, in the stick itself. And the book could (maybe; this could be a limitation) have a de-DRM'd copy, which would be nice. (Or else just a link/clicky setup to get the book from any given vendor...?)