I will observe that at volumes of 80K +, the narrower margins
of mmpbs (and even tbps) more than makeup for the lack of hardcover margins, so I don't think the underlying math changes so much.
There is a business model in place within print publishing, and it hasn't changed radically since the successful introduction
of MMPBs after WWII.
The thing is, waaaay back when, the price increase
of MMPB from $ 3.99 to $ 4.99 was pitched as an increase in the price of paper.
They've willingly sacrificed the sales
of mmpb and trade paperbacks in order to try to save hardcovers.
Not exact matches
Romance also has much larger numbers than sf / f — I recall a romance writer friend
of mine complaining that her latest
mmpb release «only» sold 80,000 copies, and wasn't going back for a second printing.
Cost really is an issue for me and I desided I could buy a lot
of books for the price
of a Kindle, especially since I buy most
of my reading material in
mmpb.
I want to be able to snag a book whenever / wherever, and I'm out
of shelf space so unless it is a book that I desperately want a hardcover / TPB /
MMPB of (mostly these books that get my precious shelf space are either by authors I know, authors whose work I absolutely love, or a combination
of the above), I'm going to get it on my Kindle.
I've got the 1970
MMPB reissue from Avon, retitled Masters
of the Vortex.
As
MMPBs are phased out in favor
of trade paperbacks, I see e-book prices rising to match that void.
Were they in the least interested in developing a successful business model in the current publishing world
of HB,
MMPB, and e-books, there is nothing stopping them from copying what Baen has done.
Toni has also assured the «flies that the pricing will decrease as
mmpb versions
of books are released.
Bill, the
MMPB of «Rule 34» has not been published yet, and won't be out until July.