I finally got around to reading the July, 2008, issue of the Independent Book Publisher’s Association newsletter (Carol is a member of IBPA), and read about the Espresso Book Machine, which “starts with a PDF and 15 minutes later produces a finished bound book.” You can buy one from On Demand Books to put into your bookstore or print shop — for about $50K, which is so expensive you’re unlikely to see one in your home town next week.
But I’ll bet the price is going to come down quickly, and I’ll bet that there’s going to be an ongoing demand for paper-based books for quite some time. So here are four possible scenarios: (1) Libraries will start installing one of these next to the copy machines, allowing library patrons to produce paper-based copies of books in the public domain. (2) Bookstores will install these, and they’ll get especially heavy use at author signings, so you can get your favorite author to sign his or her out-of-print books. (3) Colleges and universities will install these, allowing their professors to assign out-of-print books to students, and allowing easier publication of dissertations. (4) A few big megachurches will install these machines, allowing them to print out the latest inspirational tome by their senior pastor, as well as the church cookbook.
So — those of you who are writers, readers, librarians, professors, and ministers — do you think there is a bright future for printing on-demand bound books on-site?
Yes, I think this technology will eventually trickle down to on-site venues if the cost is right. I know several book distributors who already have on-demand engines–I work for a university library and there are a number of books we have ordered that have come from a print on demand engine.
Personally, I would rather see handmade books, one of a kind, or a limited run, with the prose or poetry inside lovingly crafted. Or, I would like to see broadsheets make a comeback. Or, better yet, put writing on the walls of restaurants, diners, truckstops, restrooms at rest stops on Midwest highways. Books are fine, but print on demand is not going to reach the kind of reader I want to reach. It’s not quite public discourse, unless you are a member of the public with access to or knowledge of print on demand sites.
Just realized I should say something about this, but honestly? We’re in for an interesting ride.
Print on demand books are already on the shelves. We call them “digitals.” I have digitals made for short-run printing when I don’t want to print in the thousands because I’m working on a new edition. Probably PD will go the distance and allow instantly customized books, with your name, your preferred ending, your preferred chapters, etc.
That said, I also don’t like the idea of “one-off” books at bookstores—-even though they avoid the costs of shipping and storage. Many might not realize that the Web has taken so much profit out of publishing. Now, folks feel they can find all they need to know on the Web. And: Amazon.com, etc., has seen the end of bookstores and fair publisher compensation. Amazon.com takes the lowest reseller discount, whether it buys 1 copy or 100, and requires publishers to pay for shipping. This means many publishers are making zero on these sales. Yet it’s assumed you have to be on Amazon to be taken seriously.