Book Sales; The Print Books versus Ebooks Debate
The digital sphere has allowed us to get anything we want the moment we want it. We’ve all become so accustomed to instant gratification because of the endless possibilities of the internet. When the internet came about almost every industry in the world changed. Everybody had to begin adapting to the new ‘I want it now’ attitude, especially book printers and publishers. EBooks are an extension of this desire, with an ever-growing digital library of content covering all manner of subject matter available at the click-of-a-mouse.
At Minuteman Press, this made us wonder. If every other industry now favourites the digital… Why do book lovers prefer the classic way?
Despite this, sales of eBooks have started a steady decline and printed books seem to be becoming more popular once more. We all have our preference, whether you like the lightweight option of carrying one device with hundreds of books, or you prefer to hold the bound pages tightly in your grip. It seems that less and less people are advocating for eBooks anymore.
As publishers we’ve started to wonder; What is fuelling this resurgence in physical books? Why are eBook sales declining? This article will explore the physical vs digital debate, and how book lovers are keeping it classic.
What is an eBook?
In simple terms, an eBook is simply the pages of a book, put into pixels and displayed on a screen. EBooks are usually written using word processing software on a computer, which is then saved in a specific format that can be read on diverse devices. In essence an eBook is an electronic version of a physical book.
A Brief History of eBooks
The history of eBooks began in the 1970s, a lot earlier than most would assume. Historically the eBook revolution is considered to have started in earnest with the advent of Project Gutenberg, although references to earlier individuals such as Angela Ruiz Robles and Roberto Busa, cite details of the phenomenon in the late 1940’s!
Project Gutenberg was created by Michael Hart whilst at the University of Illinois. His ultimate goal was to create 10,000 books electronically, which seems only a small feat today but one of grandeur in the 70s. Hart commenced by creating the electronic version of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Those who study the philosophy of the digital often source Project Gutenberg as one of the catalysts to the creation of the internet. At this time, creatives began to see the endless opportunities available in the digital sphere, while others remained weary to the concept.
Why have eBooks Become Popular?
Instant Gratification
As I mentioned previously, the internet has bred a new attitude that requires instant gratification. An eBook can be downloaded within minutes, without the need to go to a bookshop or order the physical copy to be delivered. You can also use eBooks on almost any device now, meaning you can read the book that you want whenever you want through your phone.
Accessibility
EBooks are incredibly easy to access. During lockdown periods, students and avid readers have had no choice but to find digital versions of the books they need. Furthermore, libraries and bookstores aren’t accessible for everyone, especially those with hidden disabilities. An eBook offers the reader the ability to buy any book they like, from the comfort of their own home.
Accessibility is an inherent benefit of eBooks. The ability to download a number of eBooks onto a single small handheld portable device and then read wherever and whenever desired.
Versatility
If you like to travel or take a book on your commute the lightweight portability of eBooks is perfect. Nobody wants to weigh down their luggage with an extra five kilograms of literature and an Amazon Kindle weighs significantly less.
EBook readers have significant storage capacity which means a vast number of books can be held on one single lightweight mobile device. EBooks offer the versatility to select a different book with ease; this means that should a book not be to the reader’s particular taste, then it is easy to swap the book.
Environmentally Friendly
Obviously, eBooks do not create any waste as they aren’t tangible. Meanwhile, physical books are printed on paper and therefore have an environmental effect. However, responsible publishers will utilise substrate from sustainable sources.
Why the Decline in eBook Sales and Increase in Physical Printed Books?
With all those benefits, we can only ask one question, ‘why the decline in eBook sales?’.
Digital & Screen Fatigue
Looking at a screen all day can be tiring and cause eye strain, something you don’t want when you’re trying to relax with a good book. For people who work on computers all day, they consider eBooks more unnecessary screen time on top of their work. While some may experience screen fatigue more than others, it’s sometimes nice to give our eyes a break from harsh LED screens.
This constant barrage of digital material overloads the senses and for some the desire to switch-off manifests itself in digital and screen fatigue.
Cost
The price of eBooks is often debated within the bookworm community. On one hand, the eBook hasn’t required as many materials and labour costs as a physical print does. Therefore, you could assume eBooks should be cheaper than their printed counterparts. On the other hand, the content of the eBook is exactly the same as the physical copy, therefore the writing (the part you’re paying for) is of equal value.
For this reason, Some eBook sellers have increased the cost of their eBooks, which many consumers feel is unjustified. Although eBooks are somewhat easier to deliver in electronic format, the fact remains that a comparable amount of effort was involved in creating the eBooks content as per a physical book.
Different Styles of Printed Books
Nothing beats a beautifully bound copy of a novel, or a textbook that has the perfect amount of margin space for annotations. The way a book looks can really affect how much somebody is willing to spend on it. For instance, a hardback copy with limited edition cover art could be twice the price of a paperback copy. Some readers love the sentiment of certain collections and really do judge a book by its cover. At Minuteman Press we print such a wide variety of mediums, and love the feeling of a physical book.
An interesting element within all of this is that it is actually the younger generation, those brought up with digital devices, which are driving this trend back to physical books.
Availability
Another overriding factor in terms of physical books growing in popularity is that not all physical books are available in ebook format. Some publishers make the choice to not offer an ebook alternative therefore for some titles only a physical book option exists. This has become a problem for these publishers during the Covid-19 pandemic, where students have had no choice but to rely on digital books.
Emotive
Although eBooks present a viable alternative, for many, the feeling of physically holding a book and thumbing through the pages delivers a more satisfying feeling than the sanitised digital feel of an eReader. In addition, consumers may well choose a physical book over an ebook, to add to their collection that can be retained and displayed within a bookshelf.
The feeling of holding the pages in your hands can almost be magical, and that’s why some just cannot get onboard with eBooks. As publishers ourselves, Minuteman Press are always keeping up to date with book trends, to find out more; read our blog!
