: Re: Why do ebooks often mimic the layout of the printed page? I was recently editing a novel destined to be published primarily in e-book form, and made a list of pre-press instructions, to be

I think the theories about eye strain is completely valid and may have been part of the thought process. That said, let's not forget that many people are still not sold on the e-book experience. Keeping it familiar will help ease the pain of switching for the uninitiated or reluctant.

When computers shrunk to the size of a microwave and could theoretically be put in someone's kitchen, it wasn't until they added the metaphor of a desktop (with all the fancy icons that entailed) that massive adoption started to happen. People get familiar with a particular process or methodology and can't imagine switching from it.

Several times (because this is a debate I have a lot), people have told me they don't want to buy an e-reader because they like to physically turn the page or need the smell of the paper. I always laugh and say that's the same reason I can't get rid of my horse and buggy (it's just a more visceral experience). I also ask them how many blogs they read in a day and why they don't print them out before they read them.

Just as the metaphor we use to interact with computers is changing (i.e. touchscreen tablets), the metaphor we use to read e-books may change. But people need to be eased into it first.

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: Re: Why do ebooks often mimic the layout of the printed page? I was recently editing a novel destined to be published primarily in e-book form, and made a list of pre-press instructions, to be

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: How should I break up chapters in a novel? Is it acceptable to pace my chapters in terms of an event? Can I get away with a 4 page chapter here, and a 30 page chapter there? Are there

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