Comments on: I Have A Dream…The Literary Review of the 21st Century

By: Kim Werker

Kim Werker — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 16:45:15 +0000

Big-time fantasies about such things are one of my favourite things — especially when they start to bleed into reality.

What would start-up costs look like for something like this? If it’s initially all digital (with POD), there’s relatively little by way of overhead; though development costs could be significant (but only in the beginning). So that leaves people. How many people? An editorial staff, writers, designers, a publisher, technical mavens. I doubt a pilot issue or two would be prohibitively expensive, which should make initial investment a realistic goal. Then, once the journal sticks (and of course it would, what with the brilliant content and flexible distribution), having a subscription model that’s sustainable would be a wonder in itself (one worth striving for, in my opinion).

Seems you sucked me into your fantasy.

By: Angela James

Angela James — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:31:36 +0000

Yes, that’s right, you can transfer content via the USB cord (just did it last night, actually). I didn’t think of that for a newspaper subscription because I just think of them as being wireless. But if you want a certain US paper, I guess hooking your Kindle up to your computer is just as easy as trying to find one overseas.

By: Kassia Krozser

Kassia Krozser — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:33:47 +0000

I *think* (in other words, may totally be making this up) that the usb thingy allows you to download content. I, naturally, left for the UK without bringing my cable (heck, I was lucky to pack myself), so haven’t actually tested it. Did warn her about this eventuality…hated that the wireless didn’t work once I left the U.S. Compensated by, uh, accidentally buying big thick books from Waterstones (Kate Atkinson and Marion Keyes — life is good!).

By: Angela James

Angela James — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:29:29 +0000

When I poked and prodded a kindle at BEA, I asked the representative whether I could make the font smaller. He blinked, showed me how, and remarked that no one had ever asked him that.

That’s the one thing I get asked most often. Almost everyone asks.

Kassia, will she be able to get the subscriptions while in Paris? I couldn’t access any wireless on the Kindle while I was in NZ/Australia. I think the wireless capabilities only work in the States, so she might want to wait until she returns to do it.

By: Kassia Krozser

Kassia Krozser — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:10:19 +0000

Antoine — I firmly believe that people are willing to pay for quality (and convenient) content, and sure, a subscription-based portal can be part of the dream (dream big, why not?). The key here is to create good reading — lots of good reading that appeals to a crazy range of readers — and get it to those readers in the way that suits them best.

I’m focused on the Kindle personally because I love the notion of pushing content to me, to something I carry in my purse (sometimes, sigh, the laptop is just too heavy to haul around). My iPhone is great, but not always optimal for certain kinds of reading. But would I want to access content this way? Absolutely — the iPhone with its wireless web access would be a boon in Vroman’s. The Kindle is great for long-term curled up reading. The laptop for when I’m at my desk (or curled up, let’s be honest about the amount of time I spend with this machine). A paper book for other moments.

Oh yes, I want it all, and I want it to be good.

By: antoine

antoine — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:04:45 +0000

tv = the

By: antoine

antoine — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:03:58 +0000

When I poked and prodded a kindle at BEA, I asked the representative whether I could make the font smaller. He blinked, showed me how, and remarked that no one had ever asked him that.

I’m waiting for the Plastic Logic Reader.

As for the subscription idea, aren’t all these readers bound to become wireless Internet devices too? Seems like hosting a web portal for subscription based fiction would work better in tv long run. Of course, everyone is used to getting content for free these days, so I dunno.

By: Kassia Krozser

Kassia Krozser — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:28:20 +0000

Maybe subscription can cover costs, but I think it will be slow-going (though you’re right to say there are many factors at play), and start up costs need to be considered. ‘Cause you know I’m dreaming of a world where people get paid for their content, that sort of thing. But, then again, it’s a numbers game.

Of course, I’m dreaming (it’s a fantasy for now, right) of a big project with lots of moving parts. If I scaled it back to something more like a daydream…

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:14:51 +0000

You argue that subscriptions alone won’t cover the costs. I think that depends on the depth of the ebook market. I.e., apps on the iphone that sell for a one time fee of $.99 to $4.99 can make the developer a boatload of cash. I read where one developer quit his job after raking in over $240K in just a few months of sales.

The iPhone app store, however, serves millions of customers and therefore, you only need a tiny percentage of the market to make a financially viable product.

If there were 1 million customers of ebooks, how many would need to subscribe to make something like you suggest viable? 10% at .99 a month? That would translate into nearly $100,000 per month in revenue.