10 popular myths about Ebooks, by Michael Pastore
By Paul Biba
Editor’s Note: The following is the beginning of a long essay by Michael. The full 
essay can be found at Epublishers Weekly.
Paper books: I love them, and I hope that they are never replaced completely by their electronic progeny. Nevertheless, every day, ebooks are growing in use, in sales, and in significance. To promote the growth of this young industry — and to nourish the aspects of the digital reading revolution that can make us a nation of readers again — publishers and authors need to educate the reading public about the brave new worlds of ebooks and electronic publishing.
Here are ten myths about ebooks that would be better placed in Bullfinch than in Britannica. First, the 10 myths are listed; and then — myth by myth — the opposite point of view is humbly explained.
Myth # 1.
The only way to read ebooks is to read them on a dedicated ebook reading device.
Myth # 2.
There are not very many ebooks available to read.
Myth # 3.
Buying ebooks instead of paper books does not really help the environment.
Myth # 4.
DRM (Digital Rights Management) is used by many major ebook sellers, so DRM must be good for ebook buyers.
Myth # 5.
There is no end in sight to the ebook format wars.
Myth # 6.
Ebooks have short lifespans, because it’s so easy to delete an ebook.
Myth # 7.
If I publish my book in ebook format, it will be stolen by ebook pirates.
Myth # 8.
Books published as ebooks are books that are not good enough to be published in paperback.
Myth # 9.
Ebooks, and electronic publishing, are killing the print publishing industry.
Myth # 10.
Ebooks are not ready for prime time: the digital reading revolution is years away.
Michael fleshes each point out in detail at the link above.
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