The tensions of e-book creation and distribution in a small-language culture

• We report on research in progress on the e-book phenomenon in Sweden, the aim of which is to explore the impact of the e-book at every stage, from authorship, through publishing, library lending and bookselling to readership. Here two aspects of the research are covered, the attitudes of authors and publishers towards e-books, to demonstrate the ‘early adoption’ stage of the e-book in the Swedish market. Interviews with authors reveal that most regard e-books favourably, although most of those who have a contract with publishers see it as a by-product of print publishing. Most authors do not have much experience in e-book publishing or self-publishing. The survey of publishers reveals ambivalence towards e-books and in their relationships with libraries and booksellers. The main ‘drivers’ in the uptake of e-books are consumers’ demands for portable, convenient formats and the search for more economic solutions to the provision of textbooks.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap -- Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Media and Communications -- Information Studies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

e-books

publishers

authors

e-book market

self-publishing

digital publishing

book-circuit

small-language culture

Library and information science

Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap

Library and Information Science

Biblioteks- och informationsvetenskap

e-books

publishers

authors

e-book market

self-publishing

digital publishing

book circuit

small-language culture

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)