By Hannah Johnson
In an interview with Publishing Perspectives, Eva Bonnier said that English-language book exports “can be a problem” for publishers in markets like Sweden where many people buy and read English books. If it takes a year for a Swedish publisher to put out a translation, many readers have likely already bought the English version and won’t buy the translation.
The export of English-language e-books to markets like Sweden is creating demand among readers for e-books, which is good news for publishers facing flat or declining print sales. However, the rise of English as a global language along with the huge selection of English-language e-books means that US-based platforms like Amazon and Apple are attractive options to many readers around the world.
When will the selection and availability of local e-book editions increase to a level that will attract readers to buy from local publishers or platforms? Or should these markets simply wait for Amazon to come in? When will local e-book editions and platforms compete with English-language editions for readers?
Tell us what you think in the comments.
2 Comments
I wouldn’t count that much on English-language titles. People turn to them, because simply there are not enough books in other languages in Kindle Store and iBookstore.
I’m not talking about Portuguese or French or German. I’m talking about Swedish or Polish. The number of Polish ebooks is 8,000 to 10,000, but they are available via Polish ebookstores (ePub+Adobe DRM). But people don’t buy ereaders from Polish ebookstores, no. They buy Kindles and iPads like crazy – and can’t find the offer. Up to 50 Polish ebooks in recently opened Polish iBookstore – this is not the offer.
Having in mind that content is the future I would rather rephrase the question: When will international ebookstores offer ebooks for international, non-English users?
Here is more: http://ebookfriendly.com/2011/08/19/international-content-for-kindle-missed-opportunity/
I think this really varies from market to market.
Scandinavia is quite different. In markets like Denmark, English language editions regularly outsell local language editions. Reports indicate that this is down to the English language edition being available much earlier, the often poor quality of the translations, and the extremely high level of English speaking locals.
All of these factors may be reduced in other foreign markets.
In response to the comment above, I don’t think it’s necessarily a fault of the e-bookstores. They need to make deals with local publishers to get content. Some of them may be dragging their feet.
Although, it must be said that some of the e-bookstores (like Kobo) make it difficult for self-publishers to get on board – content holders who would be more than willing to expand their distribution.