Going beyond the text: David Baldacci experiments with enriched ebooks

Ever since I became an ebook evangelist I have promoted the idea that ebooks are the perfect platform to offer more than just the text of the novel/short story. What does this mean? An enriched ebook offers a glimpse of a working author in a “behind the scenes” sort of fashion.

While there are any number of ways to enrich an ebook, I always envisioned them with rough drafts (so the reader can see how the story evolved), outlines, interviews, alternate endings and more.

Bestselling novelist David Baldacci has done just that with his new book Deliver Us from Evil (aff link). According to Galley Cat, he’s offering an enriched ebook with a smorgasbord of features including a video tour of his office (I love seeing author’s working spaces), audio Q & A about the book, research material, deleted scenes (including the original ending) and other goodies that will enhance the reading experience.

Why did he choose to create an enriched ebook?

“They [the reader] want to look behind the curtain and learn more about a writer whose work they love. To get into the head of the person who creates the stories that keep them enthralled. It gives you several entertainment experiences, and provides more than what you would get from simply reading the book. It allows the writer to connect with the reader in new and fascinating ways. It’s aptly named because it really does enrich the experience.”

He continues by saying:

“People want to be informed and entertained. The enriched E-book does both. Bottom line is the content should drive this industry, not the delivery system. An eBook by itself is not enthralling; what’s on it is. And we have the technology that allows us to do all of this. So why not use it?”

Yes, yes and yes! Finally, an established, bestselling, traditionally published author who really gets ebooks and their potential for the future of publishing. Furthermore, it’s innovation like this that will keep the publishing industry alive. Hopefully other authors (and publishers) will catch on and give readers a choice to either just read the book, or dive a little deeper and catch a glimpse behind the text.

What do you think about David Baldacci’s enriched ebook experiment? Would you pay more for all these extra goodies? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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