Yes, eReader IS adding new titles ‘like hotcakes’: 50K total expected in summer ‘08, double the current number
jkOnTheRun was right. Here’s the lowdown directly from Steve Pendergrast, co-owner of eReader.com, now part of Fictionwise:
“We currently have a little over 25,000 titles on ereader.com. Under the prior owners the number was about 17,500 at the end of 2007.
“We expect to hit 50,000 titles on ereader.com sometime this summer.
“So yes, we are adding quite a few. And these are legit titles, not thousands of vanity press/self published titles. These are major trade publisher titles or respected independent publishers.”
April 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Did you ask Mr. Pendergast if Fictionwise had plans for a dedicated ebook reader?
April 12th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Steve, that’s a great question from Nate. What’s the latest?
David
April 13th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Uh, Fictionwise already offers the eBookWise.
My question for Scott–any dates on when small publishers like BooksForABuck.com will be included in the eReader catalog?
Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com
April 13th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Rob, I think Nate meant a NEW dedicated ebook reader, using E Ink tech. I myself should have been clearer. Thanks for helping out the newbies who wouldn’t have all the background. David
April 13th, 2008 at 11:54 am
David is correct somewhat. My question was less than clear. When I read the quote my first thought was: if Fictionwise is investing in this format, when would they announce a dedicated eReader e-reader*?
I knew about the Ebookwise. Since Fictionwise already has experience distributing and supporting a device, so adding a new one would not be difficult. I’m slightly puzzled that they haven’t already announced one.
*I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.
April 13th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Sorry. My misunderstanding. However, with the release of the Kindle, Fictionwise did up their marketing effort for the eBookWise.
I hope that, if they do work with a manufacturer to release a new reader, they find a way not to strand us eBookWise users.
Rob Preece
Publisher, http://www.BooksForABuck.com
April 13th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Hey, I’d hope that the possible reader hardware from Fictionwise could handle .epub as well as eReader and the eBookwise format. Significantly, Garth Conboy, a founder of ETI, the company providing the current eBookwise hardware to Fictionwise, is one of the main IDPF guys developing .epub. He even worked on the .epub validation project. Folks already know, from my posting today, about the pain that the Tower of eBabel is making consumers suffer. It’ll really help if dedicated devices include .epub capablities. Thanks. David