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 \u00a0Holman, 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.<\/p>\n
From a book perspective, these are ‘short-form.’ \u00a0From a magazine perspective, these are ‘long-form.’ \u00a0Call it whatever you feel appropriate.<\/p>\n
A digital single is defined:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
All of the major eBook vendors sell these. Amazon Kindle has it’s own separate store just for Singles.<\/p>\n
This new form is here to stay (maybe is was always here because it is just a short book or a long article.)<\/p>\n
Digital opens so many opportunities. If a publisher is not producing singles, they need to start now. There is money here.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"