The Benefits of EBook Publishing

It was quite a sight seven years ago, at the first and only Writer's Festival held at Franciscan University of Steubenville. As the moderator of an online writer's forum and a fledgling publisher of electronic books, I had been asked to speak on the future of eBook publication and distribution. While the concept of eBooks was still quite new at the time, my speech was blessedly short. Yet, I felt I offered an optimistic view of the industry, one that inspired the authors who came to hear me talk. Many had been writing for years, discouraged by constant rejection from the top publishers.

The most interesting part of the conference for me happened shortly afterward, when a young girl happened upon my booth. I had several eBook discs on display, along with a PDA reader and a laptop. She took one look and snorted, "I'd rather read a real book." My explanation that these were real books fell on deaf ears, and I am ashamed to admit my growing anger during the exchange. It got so bad that I had to excuse myself and leave the building.

Since then, I have been published in print format, though I continue to work in the eBook publishing industry. I am also to say I am very mellow these days when people turn their noses up at eBooks. Perhaps it is because I have seen the industry grow exponentially since that writer's conference, and have come into contact with authors who were able to quit their jobs and sustain themselves with eBook royalties. I know a few print-only authors who can't claim that!