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Digital Short-form, or is it Long-form?

01.29.2012, Uncategorized, by .

I had the honor of moderating a panel last week at Digital Book World. The panel was titled “Digital Shorts and Singles.” There were four members of the panel, Tim  Holman, publisher at Orbit; Carrie Swetonic, marketing director at Dutton; Jon Meacham, EVP and Editor at RH and Evan Ratliff, CEO of The Atavist. Two had book backgrounds and two came from magazines.

From a book perspective, these are ‘short-form.’  From a magazine perspective, these are ‘long-form.’  Call it whatever you feel appropriate.

A digital single is defined:

  • Original work.
  • 5,000-30,000 words.
  • Priced between $1.99-$4.99 generally.

Digital singles are one of the great developments and advantages of the new technology. No longer are publishers forced to bulk up a book, add extra chapters, larger margins and additional blank pages to make a book “look good on the shelf.” The words determine the form, not the other way around.

Digital singles have also allowed established authors to explore a story line that may not have been big enough for a full-length book. Or to introduce a new idea or develop of minor character. It also gives the fans original work while waiting for that author’s next book.

Digital singles also create the ability to take current non-fiction and produce work that is more in-depth than a magazine article and more timely than a book.

One thing that was clear from the panel is regardless of what one is publishing, marketing is key. Either the author has a following that will come to the single or the topic is so timely it will be easily promoted.

All of the major eBook vendors sell these. Amazon Kindle has it’s own separate store just for Singles.

This new form is here to stay (maybe is was always here because it is just a short book or a long article.)

Digital opens so many opportunities. If a publisher is not producing singles, they need to start now. There is money here.

 

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