[meteorite-list] Meteorite eBook Opinions Sought

From: Gary Fujihara <fujmon_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:57:54 -1000
Message-ID: <A243A4AA-F6ED-4E71-9D9B-DAA61A574DCA_at_mac.com>

Aloha Kevin, Mike, Bernd, list,

I am a happy owner of a "The Art of Collecting Meteorites" book, one of many dozens on meteorites that I have in my library. I agree with Bernd that I would not like many photos deleted, color illustrations eliminated or the quality of paper diminished. I love books, and to have a tangible reference at my disposal is indispensable.

I suppose eBooks serve a purpose, but to this old school collector, I just don't like reading things on a computer monitor. I also hope that in the future, books like "The Art of Collecting Meteorites" will continue to be available to new collectors and students of those intriguing black rocks.

gary

On Sep 28, 2010, at 11:31 AM, Kevin Kichinka wrote:

> Many of you on the list have purchased, and hopefully enjoyed, my book
> "The Art of Collecting Meteorites". It was self-published in 2005.
> When it was still just a dream no publisher found my proffered
> synopsis worthy of consideration. After I had sold hundreds of copies
> I re-submitted the actual book to a dozen publishers. Most rejected
> it, and the couple that were interested wanted to change the title,
> change the cover, delete many photos, eliminate "color" illustrations
> and diminish the quality of the paper it was written on. For this, I
> would net about $1 per sold copy. Unpalatable.
>
> I'm down to about twenty copies (Blaine Reed also has a few left for
> sale) and have considered having the printer, Bookmasters, run off a
> hundred more so I can continue to fill orders. Otherwise "we will turn
> the final page" (pun intended) and it will go "out of print" soon. The
> cost of this small run is so high that I would need to charge $26.95
> for a book that has sold since 2005 for $21.95 to earn the same slim
> profit margin.
>
> I am looking for learned opinions from the people who have or could be
> the end users, the fine people who are avid meteorite aficionados on
> this meteorite bulletin board.
>
> 1. Are there any buyers in these difficult times for a 232 page
> all-color, high-quality paperback book priced at $26.95?
>
> 2. Would anyone purchase the same book for $13 (half-price) to be read
> on their computer in a pdf (Adobe) format?
>
> 3. Would anyone purchase this to be read as an eBook (Apple) or from
> Amazon (Kindle)? How much is "The Art of Collecting Meteorites" worth
> to you in these formats?
>
> Your opinions will play a great part in my decision.
>
> Regards from Nine Degrees North....
>
> Kevin Kichinka (MARSROX at gmail.com)
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Gary Fujihara
Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693)
105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/
http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html
(808) 640-9161
Received on Tue 28 Sep 2010 06:57:54 PM PDT