David vs. Goliath
AK: The paper book will always be a fundamental part of the industry. The growth of a $2.5 billion recorded audio business hasn't hurt the physical business. Television, cable and home videos haven't hurt the theatrical business. E-books will be their own thriving business, helping the life of the physical book. Keep in mind that e-reading incorporates newspapers, magazines, texts, professional publishing, distanced learning, manuals, corporate documents, etc. Trade books are a relatively small piece of this "ink on paper" world. The e-reading world much sooner than observers think will be the first major change in ink on paper since Gutenberg.
Leo Dwyer, COO of RosettaBooks, will be at BookTech 2002 to present his thoughts on "Finding the 'Right' Business Model for the E-Book," Monday, February 11 from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
