Is Amazon a predatory monster monopolising the book trade? Do e-books mean the death of publishing? Are we standing at the edge of a bright new dawn, as readers and writers – or staring into the abyss?
Is it a storm in a teacup?
I have no idea – but I may have a better answer in the months to come. I have just published – with Argonaut Books, whose CEO, staff and publicity director are all me – the Kindle edition of the first book I ever wrote, The Gunpowder Gardens.
Published in the USA as A Time for Tea: Travels in China and India in Search of Tea, it’s a travel book, a history book – and a book about tea. It was shortlisted for the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award, ran to numerous editions on both sides of the Atlantic, and is now out of print. Until today, at least.
Having proof-read the digital edition myself, I can say that I am still as proud of this book as I was on the day it first came out, with beautiful covers done by my friend Mark Kesteven.
For UK Kindlers: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Gunpowder-Gardens-Time-ebook/dp/B007YANR90/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1335700500&sr=8-4
For more about the book, click this link
I think that books will always hold a magical appeal, however, having access to a digital copy is like having a lifeline to the world if you are living in a country where books in your own language a scarce to find. I have all your books in paperback except ‘An Evil Eye’ which I own in digital format.
I hope that the digital form never supersedes the paperback, but, they are becoming more and more essential in this world of diminishing borders.
I think it’s Time for Tea now – Thank you and keep up the great work.
I agree, there is certainly an argument for the convenience of ebooks and Amazon. But both are presumably prey to power cuts and bath tubs?