meBooks launches eBooks site for NZ

meBooks launches eBooks site for New Zealand readers and publishers

New Zealanders now have access to a range of eBook titles created for and by New Zealanders.

mebooks.co.nz have today launched their online eBooks site which will allow local titles of interest to Kiwis to be purchased and downloaded. The company will also help local publishers in the production and sale of their titles as eBooks, which can then be sold through the meBooks site or via other sales channels.

meBook's director, Jason Darwin, thinks that there is a definite need for such a service. "Although current efforts by organisations such as the REDgroup to introduce eBooks into New Zealand are laudable, we're concerned that there is a distinct lack of titles featuring local content. If we're going to address this, it means helping local publishers to convert their recent and backlist titles into electronic format."

He thinks that eBooks have the potential for unlocking a lot of value for both readers and publishers in this country. "Because the economics of publishing is based on print-runs of a certain minimum number, local publishers are often unable to justify the cost of going to reprint even though they know that there is some demand out there. With eBooks the book is effectively always in print, and each extra unit effectively costs the publisher nothing to produce."

To help introduce New Zealanders to the eBook experience, most of the titles on the meBooks site will initially be those that are available for free download.

"We hope to provide a good kick-start to the market for local eBook content, and to help readers and publishers get to grips with the new technology. Kiwis have always been big on reading stories about themselves, and we think that there is an opportunity to help those New Zealand publishers interested in eBooks, especially those small and medium-sized outfits."

At the moment the main mobile eBook reading devices in New Zealand are the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch, though readers here have been hampered by the delay in the introduction of dedicated eBook reading devices. These dedicated devices, which feature a book-like reading experience and the ability to go for weeks before needing to be recharged, are widely available in overseas markets and have proven to be very popular. With the New Zealand introduction of eBook readers such as the Kobo Reader which is to be sold through Whitcoulls store, it is expected that consumers here will adopt eBooks as quickly as they have overseas.

Ends

© Scoop Media