Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Is South Africa lagging behind when it comes to electronic book reading?
I have a wide and varied bunch of friends, and most of them would probably say they are quite tech savvy. They have the latest cell phones, I pads and other electronic gadgets.
When I told them about my writing and that I got published on Kindle they were absolutely amazed, and assured me that they would buy my books, yet almost none of them did this. I know, because I see my sales figures.
Yet when I went through the trouble of importing a box of ten books (Dream World) from the states, they were very quickly taken off my hands by my friends who were eager to read my books.
So now I’m sitting here wondering if our country is really embracing electronic reading technology. I actually ask a lot more for a hard copy of my books than it would cost to buy that same book from Kindle or Smashwords. And yet�
So please enlighten me, dear readers of South Africa, have you embraced electronic reading yet, or are we as a country still clinging to our beloved paperbacks?

Hi Leon, I can tell you that a very large number of us in this group read electronically. I myself mix ebooks, paperbacks and audiobooks and read at least 1 of these a month. I know some on here only read ebooks and a few that only read paperbacks.

Even my mother has recently bought a Kindle and is reading ebooks.

I may not be the best person to ask actually, as everyone I know reads ebooks (except maybe 1 person).

I do understand the draw of paperbacks tho, I have waaay to many books and bookshelves and they are great to look at and hold.

I just can't read on screen, the headaches are not worth it. That and I can't concentrate.

Make that 2 people then :)

To be fair Leon, you're basing your conclusion on one book and a very, very small sample of people. If I were your friend I might have held back on buying the eBook until I had time to start reading, because it will always be available. On the other hand if you went to the trouble of importing ten books for friends I might feel obliged to compensate you or motivated to buy what is essentially a limited edition (which I could also ask you to sign).

As Lu said, lots of people in this group read eBooks. Outside of this group, I find that it tends to be the more dedicated bookworms who buy eReaders and eBooks; more casual readers stick to print copies. I suppose it's because you really need to buy an eReader to get the best out of eBooks (no one wants to read on a computer) and only those with the money or inclination are going to make that investment.

Also, the reading market in SA simply isn't as big as it is elsewhere, so we will be a bit slower to adopt new tech.

Personally, I also disagree with the whole either/or question that people tend to raise in relation to digital and print copies - you don't have to choose one over the other. I find eBooks very convenient for several reasons, but I still buy print copies, either to collect or because I find them on sale. They're much more pleasurable to own than intangible eBooks.

@Bianca: have you read books on readers with e-ink technology or only on backlit screens? Because the e-ink looks just like a book so it doesn't have the glare that gives you a headache.

In reply to Message 1, Leon's lament on whether South Africans are lagging behind when it comes to electronic book reading I would unequivocally say YES.

I can state this from experience. I have two books, "The Supreme Bloody Joker" (Booktango, UK) and "Through a Mirror Darkly" (Itoh Publishers, USA)published in the first instance as an E-book and the second as both E-book and paperback available on Amazon and the like. And like Leon, if the many promises from friends, family, and acquaintances had to be believed I would be smiling all the way to the bank.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we are South African authors? If you're not Wilbur Smith you're not worth reading?

I have just had a British publisher accept my "The Jesus Parallel", which will be available as an E-book as from end October ( as conventional and paperback from early next year. So let's see what happens.

I think, unlike in Europe and the States, perhaps our country is lagging behind in the Kindle etc. division because the majority of the population are not really into reading, the smart phones and other gimmicks are more to their liking.

Pity!

Peter Rossfour

Gonna throw a few ideas out there, please don't take it the wrong way Peter and Leon. But if you guys are talking from an SA author point of few, then maybe the ebook situation is not the problem.

I have recently read more SA author books that anything else. So I have no problem reading SA books, nor do a lot of people in this group.

What I find tho, and what might be the actual problem:
- What do your covers look like?
This is a BIG problem for most people, including me. If you cover does not look professional or draw me in, then I'm sorry I won't read it.

So there might be other problems, and not that your books are in ebook format.

Or in your case, Peter, I would never read a book like "The Jesus Parallel", maybe that is just a book for a certain market?

In response to the 1st - recent studies have shown that a number of South African's are loath to use their credit cards online - (you might notice that the biggest of our SA online stores have alternate payment methods.) - so this could be part of the problem. Add to that, many still aren't confident searching online or willing shop online.

To Peter - you're right, according to the ‘Leland Stanford Junior University�, from a survey done in 2004: SA doesn't have a big reading culture. I think that we are slowly improving in this, but its not going to happen overnight. In many cases people just don't think they should have to pay for books, especially not digital, when they wouldn't have anything physical to show for it. The reading community in SA is a rather small one in relation to general population.

Then of course there's the marketing aspect.
As Lu said - despite the saying of Not judging a book by its cover - many of us do (to a certain extent). The cover is what draws the eye, and gets a new reader to pick the book up and read the back.
Further - books aren't promoted as well here.

I don't think it's that we're 'behind' technologically, but that as a country, we're more interested in sport than books.

In my house alone, we have 2 Kobos, 1 Kobo Glo, 1 Kindle and 2 tabs all of which are used for reading digital content. But then I also own plenty physical books - which I can tell you - makes me the odd one out in my family. Out of 25 family members - only 10 read. And out of those I am the only one who regularly buys books- be they digital or physical. Outside of that, I think perhaps 3 actually purchase books on occasion - though not many by any of our (this group's) standards. :)

Commenting on Lu's(Sugar and Snark)remark that South African author's covers may be lacking, perhaps in a few instances this may be the case, I haven't looked - my covers are all designed by a professional graphic artist, Mark Ross ([email protected])and I daresay they are very good. If you care to look on Amazon you will see that "The Supreme Bloody Joker" cover is outstanding, as well as "The Jesus Parallel".

Interestingly though, it is the American publisher, Itoh Publishing, who severely let me down in the cover for "Through a Mirror Darkly" - they somehow managed to launch my book with an IDENTICAL cover to a little book called "OBLONG - Through a Mirror Darkly"! When I objected I was told that the latter is a 26 page booklet and it doesn't matter. Needless to say I commissioned Mark to design a proper cover which I have just mailed to Itoh. Hopefully the new cover will be replacing the old one in the near future.

If you're keen on reading, Lu, please download "Through a Mirror Darkly", it is the first book of "The Three Mirrors" trilogy and a very interesting read. It tells the story of three teenagers who, through the use of an ancient mirror found in a hidden room in the family Manor, transverse to another parallel where they find out they are actually royalty. The transfer goes badly wrong and the three are separated, facing all kinds of dangers, struggling to survive, but in the effort find out who they are and what they're made of.

So , dear Lu, If you dare put your money where your mouth is, download my book and let me know the result.

As for 'never' reading a book like "The Jesus Parallel" - you don't even know what it's about, how can you judge it before you have read it? For a certain market? Yes, for thinking people who like to keep an open mind and have the courage to look at different view points and still not lose their faith. If you are a true believer, believe it or not, "The Jesus Parallel" will actually strengthen your faith. Here is a link to give you info:


**

To Jax - I like a man who can speak from a position of authority in that he has obviously done his research. I agree, South Africans are loath to use their credit cards on line with very good reason, our country is riddled with corrupt individuals always on the prowl for unwitting shoppers. Credit card fraud in this country is a HUGE problem. Sadly CORRUPTION on a grand scale is a MAMMOTH problem starting right at the top (Nkandla)!

Yes, once again I have to agree, marketing is a major problem. Overseas publishers (in my case Booktango and Itoh for "The Supreme Bloody Joker" and "Through a Mirror Darkly") are not keen to spend money on the South African market which they deem to be so small it is basically insignificant. The British publisher for "The Jesus Parallel" however seems to be more open and is willing to, in the coming year when the hard cover and paperback appear, "assess" the local market. I'm not holding my breath though.

Yes, Jax, once again I have to agree, we're not significantly behind technologically, but the general populace are definitely more interested in sport than in books. I have two teenage grandsons who sadly to say has never read a book in their life (no, not even mine)apart from the one's set in the school curriculum, and then barely. It is not to say they are not intelligent enough, the elder one is a computer boffin and the younger one ( Grade eleven) excels at sport (just attained his Hockey colours). And I am afraid they seem to be the norm. Which to my mind is infinitely sad. Reading, like travel, broadens the mind and builds the personality. Personally I think a person who has not read Shakespeare, Tolkien, Stephen Donaldson, Agatha Christie, Alexander Pushkin, and Tolstoy, to name a few, cannot have but a limited outlook on life. No person can experience everything in life, it is impossible, but reading about other people's experiences, allows better insight, more tolerance, more compassion, and better integrity in a person's basic makeup.

Just as an aside, it is a fact that Shakespeare and Agatha Christie are the world's top two authors, being the only ones ever to have sold copies of their work in the billions!

Having said all the above, I must say I still like the feel of a physical book in my hand. I have a huge library (had over two hundred books when I was ten)but still would like people to download my e-books. Purely selfish I know.

Jax, if you would like to contact me you can find me at [email protected].

Peter you miss my point. I was trying to help you with thinking out of the box and not just blaming ebooks. As you can see Jax has come up with some great feedback that is out of the box.

"So , dear Lu, If you dare put your money where your mouth is, download my book and let me know the result."

I don't even know why you are saying this Peter. What exactly did I say that offends? I am trying to help figure it out, have a discussion.

About "The Jesus Parallel" - honestly I read the summary, and that is how I know the book is not for me. Just like someone would not read an erotic novel as they don't feel comfortable with that, I wouldn't read anything 'religious'. It's not a stab at anyone, its just my personal preference, and what I am trying to say, that if I wouldn't read it, there might be others that feel the same, and thus it might not be for everyone.

Well said Lu, I thought Peter's comment "put yr money where yr mouth is" was pretty harsh. It's good to have discussions with "thinking out the box" to challenge us and hopefully broaden our minds. Just thought I would add my 2 cents.

"Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we are South African authors? If you're not Wilbur Smith you're not worth reading?

I think the bigger problem is that your books haven't been picked up by the big traditional publishers and aren't sitting on the shelves at Exclusive Books or similar. They're not nearly as broadly marketed as those books, and lack the prestige that comes with being published by a big name. Unfortunately self-published and indie books also have a bad reputation for low quality, and having read many truly awful indie and self-pubbed books, I can see where that reputation comes from. I'm not saying your books are bad but rather that the rep of indies in general may work against you.

I'll admit that when it comes to paying for indie books, I'm biased too. I would happily pay $8-15 for the eBooks of my favourite authors or the most talked about sff and horror titles, but I'd hesitate to pay $2 for a self-pubbed book I've never heard of. It's not just about the amount of money, but the feeling that you'll get your money's worth. Traditionally published books aren't always good, and indie books aren't always bad, but I know which one I'm more likely to enjoy.

Sometimes I also buy and read books because people are talking about them, and, if it seems like a good conversation, I want to get in on it. If your book isn't getting reviewed on my favourite blogs or being read by my friends, then I'm less likely to want to read it. You have to get your name out there.

I haven't looked at any studies for this, but I'm sure other people feel the same way. Add to this the other problems mentioned - the small reading market in SA and the reluctance to shop online and you can see why your eBooks aren't selling well locally. I've also heard that, in SA, non-fiction tends to sell better than fiction.

Finally, I have to point out that you guys are basing this whole thing on the fact that people said they would buy your eBook and didn't. I'm pretty sure lots of those people were just being polite. Or perhaps trying to brush you off, Peter, if you usually use bullying marketing tactics like "If you dare put your money where your mouth is, download my book and let me know the result." I wouldn't buy your book if you spoke to me like that, but I might just tell you I would so you'd leave me alone.

Some really thoughtful insights in the responses, thanks everyone. I'm sure I (and others) will be able to put the information in this conversation to good use.

Peter: I have to agree with Lu, I'm not quite sure why the dare tactic?

Shouldn't you want people to WANT to read your books?
I can say from experience being told I HAVE to read, or just having to read something not of my own personal choice already puts in the mindset of "I'm probably not going to enjoy this" which most often results in a low rating once I'm done.
Also, just a little unsolicited advice: Readers (myself especially) don't like to feel bullied into buying/reading a book. There is marketing, and there's sales, and then there's just being pushy.
I realize that getting into the market is difficult as hell, but a lot of new & self-published authors shoot themselves in the foot over-doing it.
Most groups have a bookshelf - browse through it to see if they read books similar to yours before trying to market.

Anyhow. I followed the link you provided, and then also checked Amazon for your other listings.

Again, I'm with Lu in that I also would not read "the Jesus Parallel" simply because I'm not partial to the genre (I'm a Sc-Fi/Fantasy junkie). For this novel, you may have better sales if you were stocked at the CUM bookstores??

On to the others:
I have to admit - yes, Itoh press could have done a better job on "Through a Mirror Darkly" - but honestly? It's the cover that I like the most. I think they could have put a little more effort into it, but for myself personally it drew the eye more than "The Supreme Bloody Joker" or "The Jesus Parallel".
(However, the synopsis did nothing to get me to want to read more.
So, you may want to look it over and perhaps make a few adjustments.)

Now I'm not saying the other covers suck, but they don't appeal to me personally. (And on a side note - just because a person is a qualified whatever, doesn't necessarily make them good at it.)

I think you should try and look at the covers which are "trending"...
Get an idea of what IS getting people to pick the books up, and then go from there.

*please note that all of the above are my personal opinion and do not necessarily agree with public opinion and are not intended to offend anyone.*

I have to agree with Jax on the covers. To me they are really unappealing and just scream "Indie" title. Most people would avoid reading them on that point alone. Your pricing is also not very appealing, most of these are the equivalent of a major seller from a big publisher. I'm far more likely to spend that amount on an author/publisher I trust than a completely unknown author.

Hey Guys!

You're taking this WAY out of context! "Put your money where your mouth is" is NOT a harsh comment, simply another way of saying, hey, read the book and see if its okay!

In my dim and distant past I used to be a Marketing/ Management Consultant, I trained a lot of corporate executives.

Sorry Lu if you took offense, it was not the intention. For all the others who climbed on to the bandwagon, I don't have the time now to respond, but will do so in the near future.

Peter Rossfour.

Peter wrote: ""Put your money where your mouth is" is NOT a harsh comment, simply another way of saying, hey, read the book and see if its okay! "

Perhaps it wasn't taken as you intended, but given that it several people interpreted that as being quite rude, you might want to rethink your communication style, especially when trying to sell your book. I personally think you come off as very pushy and patronising.

And I have to agree with Jax and Crusader on the covers and pricing. Definitely the poorer sort of indie cover, and the book is too expensive. Take Jax's advice and take a good look at covers in the same genres as your books and you'll have a better idea of what appeals to readers. Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' Listopia feature (find it under "Explore" at the top of the page) is a great way to browse lists of what users think is cool.

I was bored, so I played with some ideas.
Google images, Photoshop and 20 minutes...



From what I found on Listopia most of the popular religious/anti-religious / historical novels favor simpler covers with straight forward fonts.

This question made me consider how I make my decisions on which format to buy. Something like 1% of the South African population reads and buys books which is a total of 500,000 people. Within that section you'll find that a very small group of people regularly buys books. In my family, I probably buy 85% of all books some of which then get shared between myself/mother/parents-in-law/step-mother/some friends. That means 6-8 readers in my circle are pretty dependent on my book selection and genre choices (to my mother's frustration at the moment).

So, I will buy physical books if I know I'll be sharing it around or if I already have a collection by that author. Text books, non-fiction and books for my children are paper format and makes up about 70% of my book purchases at the moment. I buy electronic if the books are not easily obtainable in South Africa and I tend to read classics in e-format.

In terms of Indie authors in general, I'll tend to buy electronic. I find that these days I'll consider an Indie author if I find a strong recommendation for their books on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ in a group which reads within a genre that I normally enjoy. Alternatively, if an author contributes constructively and positively within a group to such an extent that I am sufficiently interested to view their profile, I'll consider their books. That is based on the fact that during interaction in the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ group, I have already established that I enjoy the author's comments/insights etc.

I am not a very visual person so book covers matter less to me than most (a lecturer once infamously referred to me as the graphic Sahara in a design subject). I can appreciate a good cover, but it is seldom a main point in my decision-making. If I am going to buy an author for the first time based on the above criteria, I have a price point of between $3-$5 where I am comfortable to consider it.

In terms of South African fiction, I discover some new books via this group and the SA Reads groups on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Also the book sections in the Sunday newspapers or the JCW book show on 702. However, my main source of information is newsletters from Skoobs and Love Books as independent book sellers which therefore tend to tilt my decisions towards physical books. Both of those shops have brilliant SA sections where I buy most of my South African books. Again, I read more SA non-fiction than fiction so I'll probably buy 5-8 SA fiction books a year in both formats. I've bought three SA fiction e-books this year. One was for a group read and the other two based on author interaction.

So to the whole discussion above, I think SA Indie authors will struggle to sell books purely in e-format unless they can establish themselves within an international group of readers who read that specific genre. The South African book-buying population is tiny and they are competing for a very limited number of readers and rands.

Physical books also matter in this market since the average book buyer will buy a book that they see. I very rarely browse on Amazon. I tend to look for a specific book or author which I am already considering buying.

That's a really good point Carolien.

I also don't generally browse Kobo or Amazon, but rather search for specific titles I may want, have heard of via GoodReads or newsletters I've signed up for. On the very rare occasions that I do browse, it's genre specific.

And... really?? Only 1%?
I knew we were a rather small group, but that just makes it seem so, TINY!!
Although, sadly,not hard to believe.

Jax wrote: "That's a really good point Carolien.

I also don't generally browse Kobo or Amazon, but rather search for specific titles I may want, have heard of via GoodReads or newsletters I've signed up for. ..."

I found my number here .

There's also some valid points in this old thread in the group: /topic/show/...

I've been for a long walk, so had some more time to consider it. Indie authors will have to work hard to establish a tribe/following external to a forum like Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. If you have people who care sufficiently about your opinion to follow you on social media, they will probably care enough to read your book and spread the word on your behalf.

Case in point, I've been following this blog for years . I cannot remember who recommended it and the authors are not particularly well-known. There are about 8-10 contributing authors in a genre which I generally read. They may only plug their own books once a year. I have only started reading these authors after following the blog. I have physical books of the South African authors Michael Stanley and cared enough to attend their most recent book launch in Joburg. I have downloaded and read e-books by two more authors, downloaded and not yet read e-books by two other authors and borrow another author's books from my local library. I will rate and review these books and mention them in the appropriate threads in relevant groups on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, because I follow the blog and feel connected to the authors.

Just a side comment on book covers, I adore Tokoloshe Song's cover. Janice kindly pointed me in the direction of the artist. His book went onto my TBR list even though I have little information on the book as it seems to fall in the Indie category. (So exceptional covers can matter).

On the subject of pricing, I follow probably the best subject matter expert on Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us, author Seth Godin. In terms of my book budget, I have his recent recommendation for The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires and Peter's request above. Both books fall within the same price range on Amazon. The rational decision for me is to choose the book recommended by Seth who I have been following for a long time and whose book tastes I know and share, rather than a book by an unknown author in a genre that I don't particularly read. (That is not an opinion on Peter's book, it's just the basis for my decision-making).

Another pricing comment, SA fiction is very expensive. The trade off for me is something like 3 children's books or 2 general fiction books vs 1 SA fiction book. So I cannot really afford to get this wrong. Which gets us back to a similar place as above, do I buy the slightly more expensive e-book by Michael Stanley who I know and trust or take a chance on an unknown author?

Hopefully last point, I have capacity to read about 100 books a year between work/children/studies etc. I have to be sufficiently interested to put a book on that list where there are about 900 other books competing for attention.

You guys make some excellent points!

For me the cover is extremely important. That is why I run a cover characteristic meme each month, I love browsing covers and admiring them.

When I get a review request, the first thing I do is look at the cover, and I must say this makes up 50% of my mind. When I browse Netgalley, I open up books that I like the cover of.

This is a time saving process for me. Instead of reading every single summary, I open up covers I like and then read the summary and then do my research on goodreads etc to see if I want to read it.

If I get a review request, it also saves time. If the cover is absolutely terrible, and the author isn't on goodreads and there are no reviews, I will seldom take it on. Unless it is a SA author, then I really try to accept it. Which tells me something, that I have a different standard to which I accept SA authors, which shouldn't be the case. SA authors can and should have amazing covers and should be able to market their products.

Indie authors is not a problem for me, one of my fav authors is indie, I also try and read 1 indie a month. All I expect is that the author takes care of their product and makes me want it.

I am not South African but wanted to give my opinion anyway.

I am a book reader and part of that experience for me is holding a book and feeling its thickness and heaviness and smelling the paper and ink and if it is a really really new book even having the ink rubbing off on your fingers. But also if it is an old book smelling the dust accumulated in its pages and seeing the crumpling in the pages that other people have left behind in their haste of finishing the journey that each book offers.
Having said that you'ld probably think I don't read ebooks, but I do. Yes they lack something I crave when I read, yes I feel they diminish my reading pleasure and reading experience, but yes they are convenient at times where paper books can be a hassle. I am talking about long train journeys and holidays. On holiday reading ebooks is a lot easier than bringing 4-5 books for every week you're away.
All this however influences what I buy in which format. My favorite authors I will always buy in paper. I have all their books on my shelves and adding to them is one of life's greatest pleasures. These are the books I will read in the bathtub, under the covers on a rainy sunday afternoon and I will be reading them way past my bedtime and when I finish them I will discover that all the lights are out and the world has gone asleep and that I alone are awake and damn I forgot to feed the cats.
These are therefor not the books I will read on my kindle as my enjoyment of them is less and I won't do that to my favorite authors and series and books.
The books I will read on my kindle are books that are only published as an ebook, indie authors, free ebooks :D Hey I am buying books by the dozen so who am I to spurn a free book. Things that might be interseting but I am not too sure about and the ebook is way cheaper than the paper version.

What books do I read? I think I am safe to say that I have read more books in more genres than most of our members. I read anything from Dostoyevksi and Shakespeare (and I don't think you have to have read them to have a broad outlook on life. I think a limited outlook on life comes from a closed mind and not from whether or not you have read a certain book) to Stephenie Meyer and Erin Hunter. I have read the classics, sf, fantasy, ya, comtemporary, romance, horror, thriller, non-fiction etc etc etc. I don't exlude any book because of its genre. I do read religious books unless they want to change the way I feel about that religion. Yes you may educate me but no you may not convert me.
For me browsing through the millions of books published every year the cover is still an important factor of selecting what to read next. A cover will grab my attention and make me read the blurb and reading the blurb will decide whether I buy it or not and yes I buy every book I read (unless it is a free ebook). More and more my decisions of what books to read are made with the help of the internet. My favorite goodreads group (yes it is this one) and it's many challenges are a good help to search for books as I do need to finish those challenges. Also my friends in this group are a source of inspiration. Seeing what they read and what they liked or not liked might make me want to pick a book up.
The only two things that can put me off a book are: 1) when the book is trying to sell me something. This can be religion or an education or a car I need to drive or whatever. I am a smart girl I will decide what I need to do thank you very much. 2) an author who is too aggressive in selling his books.

So that is my opinion and thoughts about this topic, but not being South African but Dutch I am not sure if they will be helpful.

My thoughts at this stage of the discussion is that although I should not dump the SA market completely, I should be concentrating my efforts on the USA, UK and European markets.
Thanks again for all the replies.

Leon wrote: "My thoughts at this stage of the discussion is that although I should not dump the SA market completely, I should be concentrating my efforts on the USA, UK and European markets.
Thanks again for ..."

I think that's a good idea Leon. The great thing about digital is it makes your location irrelevant (except perhaps when it comes to regional restrictions). You can buy whatever you want wherever you are and receive it immediately, so whatever marketing strategy you use, it's scope should be international.

My experience has been that it's only when you present your friends with the actual print version that they respond, "Oh, you've written a BOOK." (eye roll Lol.)

LOL :)

As a young author and reader, I've found that ereaders are in a way better. I can write and read on the same device and I have everything with me whereever I go.
But, with that said...once in a while you just need to feel and smell a real book!

I thought everyone who has commented in this thread may be interested in this article on how books are changing by The Economist. There are a few interesting statistics in there.

Hi Carolien - thanks for the referral to The Economist. The statement that 'short stories and novellas are making a comeback' has made my day.

Thanks Carolien!

That was quite interesting!

Thanks for the link. Very interesting reading.

My university course requires me to read a lot of electronic documents and books. For pleasure I tend to stay away from ebooks because I associate them too much with university.

I can't read for pleasure on the computer either - I want to start editing everything!

Any author who commented in this thread should keep an eye on the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ blog. Every once in a while, they publish presentations that they have done at trade shows etc which provides insights in how books are marketed etc on platforms like Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.

To find the blog, scroll to the very bottom of this page on your screen. You'll find a toolbar that starts with "about us". Select "our blog" and check through the archives.

I'm an eBook fan, but I've had two bad experiences that have put me off.

I bought an ebook: A week in December, by Sebastian Faulks two years ago, from a large local online seller that to this day I have not been able to read. I have contacted the store on numerous occasions and had no success in opening the files on my ereader. I still haven't read the book!

Also, about a year ago, my eReader was stolen out of my bag while I was travelling home from work by train.

Since then, I'm back to "real" books.

Hi JK

I'm a internationally published South African Author, and understand your frustration. However, don't let that put you off. The real McCoy is still "real books", but besides an e-reader, there are other options. You can download a program off the Internet, which will open your e-books so you're able to read them. Here are the links to my two novels in Amazon's Kindle store. You might like them. The first is entitled Guns of Justice, and is available in paperback as well , and the second book is Satan's Serpent(Evil Has A New Name)

Check them out, and give me some feedback. Enjoy the reading! Leonard D. Rawlins

Leon - I'm finding the same thing with my book. I have sales in the US and EU... and nothing on Kindle in SA... yet I sell the printed versions here as fast as I can print (on demand) them....
Hey... print locally, no need to import - I'll give you my printer if you need.
I think SA is a bit slow in the e-book uptake.

I've been getting one of my books printed locally since 2006, but I print 1000 or 1500 at a time and it works out favourably for selling to Exclusive Books as I give them a 52% discount.

However, for POD I found it worked out cheaper to have them done through CreateSpace and to buy at least 5 at a time to keep the shipping costs reasonable, but still not cheap enough to give the bookshops a 52% discount. But I sell to a worldwide readership through Amazon.

I lived in SA for five years, and back in the UK my first book set during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, has now been published. However, I have struggled to get sales in SA. I have spoken to friends who have the kindle app on their phone and who have tried to download it, only to be given a message about the title being unavailable... But I think there is a desire for ebooks, and once the remaining (few) technical issues are ironed out, I think SA will be a large market for ebooks.

If you live in SA you have to buy through Amazon.com. Is your book available on .com? There are more readers buying Kindles in SA, but I think it is slow compared to the UK.

It is available on .com and the problem my friend was having seems to have been with the particular phone she has. Luckily she had a technical friend who sorted it out! If anyone is interested, the .com link is:

Ian wrote: "It is available on .com and the problem my friend was having seems to have been with the particular phone she has. Luckily she had a technical friend who sorted it out! If anyone is interested, the..."

I recently self-published two books. “Spine of Delta� and “Kleurskakerings van Skarlaken�. Within 4 weeks I sold 700 books (Combined on the two publications mentioned). Out of all these, I only received 2 x enquiries about availability on-book or Kindle. I do believe that the average South African Bushwar veteran (That is my market) prefers a hard copy in his hand. Although it is almost certain that within the next 10 to 15 years, e books will be the norm. As some reported on my site, “A coupon code as a present to someone about your books � means very little in comparison with the feeling of the book in my hands�

I guess you're right about the market segment and Kindle use. Hopefully I shall have a paperback print on demand in a month or so. Shame I have no contacts at Exclusive Books :-)

This article in the NY Times has some amazing stats regarding the sheer number of ebooks out there which provides some perspective on the level of competition in the ebook market. The number of ebooks in the Kindle store alone has increased from 600,000 to 3 million since 2010.

I was fortunate that I published my first e-book (But Can You Drink The Water?) in 2010 when it was still 600,000. It made it to #20 on the bestseller list in the UK. Now it's MUCH harder when competing with 3 million titles.

I am very new to this. My first book The Journalist went live on amazon.com and Kindle at end November. It is a biography-based story of a Victorian journalist Flora Shaw who led an amazing life and was involved in the Jameson Raid plot, went to the Klondike Gold Rush. etc. I found December not a good time to do much marketing so I will start in January. What I found strange is that half the paperbacks sold so far have been in the UK. At least half the balance in the US and the remainder bought by some friends and family in SA. So I will concentrate my initial marketing in the UK and US. In total 6 Kindles bought. I have been asked to do book launches and give talks by friends, but I have to get some books printed here in SA. Exclusive Books have told me the same. I thought I would have a go at 1000 to start and see what happens. Can anyone recommend a good printer in Johannesburg. It would be much appreciated as CreateSpace will only be sending me 30 free copies.

There's some advice in this old thread that may assist you, Jos.

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I haven't heard about CreateSpace sending anyone free copies and I've published four books with them and have two still in the proof stage (waiting for new covers). Where did you find out about the 30 free copies?

I would investigate how you are going to market 1 000 books before you get them printed as this could become very expensive. It will probably cost you about R15 000 to get them printed locally. Distributors take about 60% and bookshops about 45%.