E-Book Prices Prop Up Print Siblings
Even as readers grow more comfortable with digital books, some continue to question why so many of the most popular new e-books are priced so high. Michael Connelly’s recent legal thriller, “The Fifth Witness,” has more one-star reviews on Amazon than five-star reviews in part because some angry reviewers focused on the e-book’s $14.99 price.
As physical book sales fall, publishers’ fixed costs are becoming more cumbersome. One area major publishers can cushion the blow is by keeping e-book prices higher. “If e-book prices land at 99 cents in the future we’re not going to be in good shape,” said one New York publishing executive, who asked not to be identified.
Indeed, e-book prices on many new national best sellers are higher today than they were at the start of last year.
