In our premiere episode, Glenn Fleishman and Jane Friedman talk over the concept of the "Netflix of ebooks": can one or more online services accumulate enough books of interest to allow subscription-based access that's interesting to readers, produces more revenue for publishers, and has a business case for survival?
Sponsor: This podcast is made possible through the generous support of MailChimp, which is underwriting our first six episodes. MailChimp lets you manage email lists of any size. They also make hats for cats and dogs.
How can we keep up with the constant change in publishing?
Existing subscription-based ebooks servcies
Can these services:
Are libraries suffering from Blockbuster Syndrome?
Rights to books seems to be much more complicated than other media channels.
Is there a gatekeeper for the overwhelmed reader?
The biggest problem with subscription services:
Safari Books by O’Reilly is a specialized market:
Industry background:
Where does an e-book go when it dies?
Other book-based models
Do publishers even know what is going on?
Glenn predicts a new dystopian future with algorithm created books based on demand.
Ultimately, e-book subscription services have a big struggle ahead of them.
Recommended articles:
LifeHacker article “Are E-book Subscription Services Worth It?”
“Books will be like Netflix, with Revenue as Cliffhanger” by Jonathan Blum
“Everybody Wants a Netflix for Books” by Joseph Esposito
“Subscription Models seem to be for Ebook Niches…” by Mike Shatzkin
“Explaining my Skepticism about the Liklihood of Success for a General Subcription Model…” by Mike Shatzkin
“8 ways Oyster Books can Rule the Ebook Subscription Market” by Andrew Pantoja
