I am Frustrated with KINDLE!

[DawnCt1]

Twice over the last two weeks there have been books that I have wanted to read only to find that they are NOT available on Kindle. The first book is not a new book; The True History of Paradise is a novel. about a young woman and Jamaica. Not available. The book I wanted to read today; Alone, Orphaned at Sea. Not available. The hard copies are available on Amazon but what is the point of having a Kindle if you can't read the books you want to read, when you want to read them. Vent over.

 

[mrsv98]

Twice over the last two weeks there have been books that I have wanted to read only to find that they are NOT available on Kindle. The first book is not a new book; The True History of Paradise is a novel. about a young woman and Jamaica. Not available. The book I wanted to read today; Alone, Orphaned at Sea. Not available. The hard copies are available on Amazon but what is the point of having a Kindle if you can't read the books you want to read, when you want to read them. Vent over.

Don't blame Amazon, blame the publisher. It is up to the publisher to allow a Kindle version of the book. If you look on the order page, there is a place to click "Want this book on Kindle? Tell the Publisher!" That shows the publishing house that readers want the book in Kindle form.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Are they published by penguin? If so Amazon is currently fighting them about pricing.

 

[EveDallas]

This is one of the many reasons I prefer real books.

 

[FireDancer]

Don't blame Amazon, blame the publisher. It is up to the publisher to allow a Kindle version of the book. If you look on the order page, there is a place to click "Want this book on Kindle? Tell the Publisher!" That shows the publishing house that readers want the book in Kindle form.

The publishers are clinging to old business models that have a chance of cutting them out. Tech-savvy publishers are holding onto their digital rights and self publishing electronic versions while other authors are allowing their publishers to handle the electronic rights for them.

Much like the music industry took forever to get on board with electronic distribution and the movie industry is making many of the same mistakes, the publishers will all drag their fee and repeat many of them also.

We are approaching a time when the power will be transferred back to the authors and away from publishers just like much of the power to self distribute is in the hands of musicians instead of labels. The publishers, much like the labels and studios before them, are fighting this tooth and nail.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Think about it...you could have more creative control (possibly) as a writer if you did not have to deal with a publishing house. If Stephen King wants to put forth his 1000 page horror story in full bloom he might be able to offer a verison on Kindle whereas a reg. pub house forces writers to shave there books to "X" # of words.

Also book editors could be freelance and have more clout maybe? You would not be tied to a publishing house. I suppose that is good/bad.

(I know nothing about book publishing and am just speculating obviously).

Anyway, interesting concept to think about. I imagine lots of tweaking before it finally "works".

 

[Tinkermommy]

Count me in. I wanted to get a newly released book but it is published by Penguin and they are fighting with Amazon so I can't get it. It is available on the Nook though, so it's really about price. Kindle wants to keep the prices under $9.99 and publishers want to charge what they want to charge.

I do not want to buy the hardcopy so I guess I will wait and see what happens.

I love my Kindle, but this is a bit frustrating!

 

[DawnCt1]

This is one of the many reasons I prefer real books.

I only have so much room for "real books". I love have my clutter free Kindle. I did get the True History of Paradise, (great novel by the way) from the library. I called the library and they are getting Alone for me but I love the convenience of having a book at my house in 3 minutes. You can't beat that....when it works.

 

[Handbag Lady]

AGREED!

I wish publishers would get with the program. I found a few books yesterday I wanted to read, but they don't have a Kindle version.

Oh, well! There's money I didn't need to spend, anyway. Instead of them selling a Kindle version, they sold NO version.

And I love clicking that little button telling the publishers I want X on my Kindle.

 

[HM]

I buy books both on Kindle and hard/paper copy and I use my library. I like having lots of options.

 

[Arielle22]

I had the same problem with a new book I wanted this week. However I caved and bought it in hardcover (only $9.99). I read my books several times so I don't mind spending the money. I love the idea of not taking up so much room and always being able to get a book.

My horror situation last year was being stuck 10 hours in an airport. I finished the book I had in my carryon and my other books were in my checked luggage. I made due with some magazines but if I had my Kindle then I would have had all my books with me.

I did write to the publisher and author telling them my displeasure.

 

[marlynnp]

I love my Nook!

I do still read some 'real' books too. I have a home library and I will continue to buy books from my favorite authors.

 

[bumbershoot]

Paradise will be available tomorrow. They have it available for pre-order today.

The other book, is it actually "ALONE: Orphaned on the Ocean"? The hardcover edition that amazon has shows that it was just published May 1, and it's only available for a 1-3 week order (which probably means it's a tiny publishing house). So it only makes sense the publisher hasn't done the e-book version yet.

Frustration about this sort of thing is always best placed on the publisher, but frustration in THIS case seems entirely misplaced due to the circumstances for each of them.

 

[DawnCt1]

Paradise will be available tomorrow. They have it available for pre-order today.

The other book, is it actually "ALONE: Orphaned on the Ocean"? The hardcover edition that amazon has shows that it was just published May 1, and it's only available for a 1-3 week order (which probably means it's a tiny publishing house). So it only makes sense the publisher hasn't done the e-book version yet.

Frustration about this sort of thing is always best placed on the publisher, but frustration in THIS case seems entirely misplaced due to the circumstances for each of them.

Considering that the True History of Paradise is NOT a new book, 1999 I think, it sure took a while. You are right, it is Alone, Orphaned on the Ocean. Hopefully the library will get it quickly, then its free!

 

[Pakey]

This is one of the many reasons I prefer real books.

Oh but having that little 1 lb Kindle when you travel is so much nicer than lugging books.

It was frustrating to have to buy a hard copy of a book I wanted due to the Penguin issue but other than that, I just love the electronic book.

 

[Ember]

I was hoping publishers would have learned from the recording labels and the transition would have been easier. Apparently, not so much. They're learn eventually, though. Like a PP, I'm at the point where it's a digital copy or they loose the sale.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I love books. I really do. But with a 1600 sq. foot apartment and four bookcases and several shelves full of books I am not willing to part with; coupled with my nearest libraries being overrun by homeless people, I have no choice but to love my Kindle.

I seriously think I'll be divorced if I bring in one more book to our home.


Plus, I'm getting a kick out of reading the free classics on my Kindle!

 

[FireDancer]

I was hoping publishers would have learned from the recording labels and the transition would have been easier.

Unfortunately that isn't the case, though I am not surprised. What they really failed to learn is that offering a legitimate alternative to piracy will cut down on it. Yes, there are people who will never buy your book and will just pirate it, but that isn't a lost sale anyway. As of right now, I can guarantee you I can find a text version of any of the books you are looking for that can be ported to the Kindle for free. Instead of offering the book for sale it either gets pirated or not purchased at all.

This is the main lesson that the music industry learned and I would have hoped the movie, game, and publishing industry would have learned from the music industry. I guess they will just make the same mistakes all over again.

 

[EveDallas]

I know many people who have a Kindle or Nook and love it. I also know lots of people (like me) who want nothing to do with them. Personally, I think reading is a great thing, no matter what form people choose

 

[Handbag Lady]

I know many people who have a Kindle or Nook and love it. I also know lots of people (like me) who want nothing to do with them. Personally, I think reading is a great thing, no matter what form people choose

I totally agree!