[edwest]

A few more points:

1) Publishers exist for another reason: to earn a reputation. I recently tried a new publisher, finished the book, and was amazed at its lack of completeness and lack of depth. The author had some information I was looking for, so it was not a total loss, but would I buy the next promised book from this author and company? No, I would not. I am much more likely to buy from a publisher that has earned a reputation for readability, accuracy and presentation.

2) Amazon takes a cut of each e-book sold. From their site:

1-1. How are royalties calculated?
If you select the 35 percent royalty option, your royalty will be 35 percent of your list price for each unit sold. If you select the 70 percent royalty option, your royalty will be 70 percent of the list price (but if we sell at a lower price to match a competitor’s price for a digital or physical edition of the book or our price for a physical edition of the book, you will receive 70 percent of our sale price) for each eligible book sold to U.S. customers, net delivery costs, and 35 percent of the list price for each unit sold to customers residing outside the 70% territories listed above.


Finally, I would like to repeat. I am not against e-books and e-articles. I simply won't buy anything electronic. I would write/e-mail to the author/publisher and request a printed version - even unbound sheets - and pay what they asked, including shipping.



Best,
Ed