5 questions for publishers

In my last post, I discussed some pros and cons of using smart phones as platforms for children's e-books. Conclusion: one major problem (health risk to children) can outweigh any number of great benefits. 

Publishers need to consider these kinds of new factors in deciding which e-book formats are appropriate for a given category and audience.

Ask yourself:
• Who are my readers?
• What information or experience do they want or need?
• Will they read straight through, browse, or search for specific sections?
• In what context will they be using it?
• Are there any other deal-breakers?

Readers
Who are your readers? Do they have any special needs (e.g. low vision, limited dexterity) that might make a format more or less appropriate? What technology do they already use? Are there any barriers to adoption of new platforms?

Wants
Digital displays tend to reduce reading speed, comprehension, and retention (though to a lesser degree with e-ink than other displays). Think about how this changes the value of digital textbooks and other informational books. Is this reduction outweighed by other features (e.g. searchability, easy reference look-up, motion graphics)?

Interaction
We have different ways of reading novels, lifestyle guides, and reference books. Consider what affordances are gained and lost with each format. Can readers "browse" for decorating ideas? Easily flip back and forth between sections? Highlight important references? 

Context
Will your readers will be curling up with your book for a few hours, or a few minutes? For reading in line, on the bus, or whenever you have a few minutes, smart phones are great, if for no reason other than that you always have them with you - convenience trumps the small display. Will they be reading outdoors, where glare and weatherproofing are issues?

Deal-breakers
For children's products, safety is the most important issue: everything else is secondary. What non-negotiable issues matter to your audience? Size or weight? Battery life? If the design and layout of your books is part of the reader experience, how can you accommodate readers who need to increase text size or reverse contrast?

With all the attention around digital rights management, pricing, and competition, it's easy to forget why we fell in love with books in the first place. If we want to make sure that books retain their magic - in every format - we need to look at the reading experience itself.