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By David Rothman

image Whether it’s software or content, both the free and paid varieties can build on each other.

The latest example is Penguin‘s new line of e-classics, which, as reported in Publishers Weekly, will “be compatible with all e-book devices, will feature an array of features, including a filmography, period book reviews, recipes and black-and-white illustrations. Price will be the same as the print edition, $8.”

Starting in May with Pride and Prejudice—you’re seeing the cover of Penguin’s p-edition for the U.S. market—the company will offer ten classics this year in E.

Value added

I wish the e-price were lower, but at least Penguin is adding some value here, and I suspect that the freebies at public domain archives will whet interest in Penguin’s efforts.

At the same time Penguin offers a clue for public domain folks, who, in the case of the most popular classics, might want to consider similar wrinkles—beyond, say, Wikipedia links. When the technology is ready, Penguin can ratchet up the competition with video clips. Or maybe the PD people will get there first. The public can only benefit with different business models to choose from.

Pub domain alternatives

Meanwhile, for one of the better-looking public domain editions of the Jane Austen masterpiece, check out Feedbooks, which offers it and other Austen books in .epub, Mobipocket/Kindle, custom PDF, and Sony- and iLiad-optimized formats.

The interactive e-books angle: What if Penguin commissioned panels of experts to hold ongoing discussions within page-specific annotations and forums appearing within classics? Interested readers could subscribe for updates. I can also envision institutionally financed editions doing the same thing—and being free to the public. Here’s rooting for the IDPF to address the interactivity issue through appropriate annotations standards.

The format angle: Notice? “All e-book device” are reportedly “compatible.” Absolutely true in all senses of the word? Or are we simply talking about the Kindle, the Sony Reader and the Cybook Gen3? And what about PDAs and cellphones? I don’t know. Anyone at Penguin care to enlighten me? Hello, Jeff Gomez or colleagues? If Penguin isn’t shackling the e-classics with DRM, it wins many extra points.

Fiction previews: Shoppers as of March 17 will be able to enjoy e-previews of all new novels and other fiction from Penguin UK, and the program will later be extended to Penguin USA. “Penguin Tasters” will appear for iPhones, Palms and Blackberries and as printable files (PDF?).  Nice. Anyone know if all of Penguin’s new books—fiction and nonfiction—are available in E? Hachette is able to do this thanks in part to the efficiencies of standardizing on the .epub format for distribution.

And some smart words: Genevieve Shore, global digital director for Penguin Group, believes, according to PW, that multiuse devices will triumph in the long run. Right! While the Kindle has many positives, publishers should beware of relying too heavily on it. Needless to say, the .epub format could simplify the issue of supporting different cellphones and the rest.

 
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