Mainstream e-books and electronic publishing is still a developing platform, hence its full impact on the electronic and Internet ecosystems\u00a0is still emerging. Nevertheless and as mentioned above, it is providing greater access to publications, even for Caribbean consumers, since most e-books can be purchased and downloaded from popular online booksellers without hassle. As a result, we, in the region, will likely be reading more.<\/p>\n

Attention must also be drawn to the relative ease and cost-effectiveness of producing an e-book \u2013 there are several\u00a0free options \u2013 which means that unlike traditional publishing methods, this medium can facilitate\u00a0even greater content creation. Hence similar to social media and Web 2.0, where each user can be\u00a0a content creator, every individual\u00a0has the potential to prepare and publish an e-book, and so contribute to the global body of knowledge.<\/p>\n

The ease of e-book publishing could be a significant factor in the Caribbean and in other developing countries, where there has been a continuing emphasis on the creation of\u00a0local content. Unlike social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, which to foster immediate but temporary communication, the e-book lends itself to more cogent and lasting engagement. Hence it offers a valuable and viable option, to supplement or replace tradition publishing.<\/p>\n

Finally, have you ever been in search of a particular book, only to eventually realise that it is out of print, and so is not readily available? The e-book has the potential to eliminate\u00a0this. Printed books are published\u00a0in finite batches. When the initial\u00a0supply is exhausted\u00a0it tends to be\u00a0replenished only when there is sufficient\u00a0demand, for example\u00a0when the book is considered\u00a0a best seller, or is mandatory reading. However, when an e-book is published, it potentially can exist and be accessed into perpetuity, with minimal to no additional\u00a0cost being incurred by the publisher.\u00a0 Hence, it can create a win-win situation for not just publishers and authors, whose books can remain (almost permanently) in circulation, but also for prospective readers, who can have access to that content as and when needed.<\/p>\n

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