Digital Book World Dispatches

GalleyCat and eBookNewser have been covering Digital Book World in New York City. Here are some highlights from the crowded schedule.

Goldman Sachs’ Barnes & Noble analyst/managing director Matthew Fassler had some gloomy predictions: “The economics of the digital business for B&N today looks a lot worse than it should. eBooks should be making more money when you think about the lack of physical inventory and the agency model. The startup costs to enter this market are enormous, but we are concerned that it is not making enough money, which reflects a competitive marketplace.”

Macmillan CEO Brian Napack confessed he didn’t know how eBooks would work in libraries: “We believe that libraries play a critical role in society, but we are searching for a business model that will allow us to work with libraries.”

Finally, Jane Friedman, CEO of Open Road Integrated Media, studied eBook pricing: “There is nothing wrong with the $9.99 price, if it works within the business model.”

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