Pandora and cd sales -- and e-book sales

Whenever I take an informal poll of what % of music sales are physical CD’s, people usually guess 5-10%. Nope. 45%. Despite the most ubiquitous product launch of our time. So when people say the logical trajectory of ebook sales takes us to 90% – or 100% - I have to disagree. I think it tops out at 35%, with physical books still generating most of the sales – and the buzz that sells ebooks. This is all good for reading, and let’s be sure that everyone who can’t afford a reader – which is 90% of America - has plenty of access to books, books, books. And by the way, I just bought my 5^th CD after hearing a song on Pandora. Todd Snider Live.

Comments

[Bill Swan]

The reality about e-books: nobody knows.

Yes, e-readers will sell. What remains to be seen is whether they are bought and used by readers. (Writers who can't write write for readers who can't read: Piet Hein).

If these are bought as gadgets/apps, they will be like book gifts to non-readers: on the bedside table but never cracked even to smile.

Every years, people receive bread-making machines for Xmas. And for two weeks the sales of flour skyrockets -- and then plummets back to normal after the thrill of the first two loaves wears off. It could be the same for e-readers. Prophets about e-books could be trading half-baked ideas.

By the way: how does a writer autograph an e-book?

[Carl]

There is the novelty factor, but I see ereaders in use everywhere. I love the feel of books, but I love that people are reading more now, not less.