Part I of Everything E explored the advantages of e-publishing. Now, let's take a look at the down side:

DISADVANTAGES

Lower Sales
While royalties are higher than print, e-publishing sales are lower. Hitting your 500th sale is considered successful in e-publishing.

You can also expect to do 100 times more promotion than with traditional publishing. You'll have to market your book through Web sites, chats, booksignings, interviews and any other promotional opportunity that comes your way.

No Advance
Many e-publishers don't pay an advance. Not only is this another financial disadvantage for authors but many genre organizations don't consider a book "commercially published" unless an advance is paid. Ultimately, an author's e-book may not meet the association's pre-requisites or even qualify for certain industry awards.

Prices
Most e-books are priced about the same as mass market paperbacks. But some e-publishers are jacking up their prices - even as high as $25. A high price to pay for an e-book.

Bookstore Availability
Online bookstores carry many e-books. But if you visit your local brick and mortar store, the scene is quite different.

If you can find e-books in-stock at the bookstore, it's mainly because the author is local or is having a signing at that location. In other cases, an e-book is accepted at a bookstore because of an author's heavy promotional efforts.

While anyone can order your book by its ISBN, it's not the same as being able to take it off the shelf and carrying it to the cash register.

Reviews
Many online publications review e-books. But other review sources like magazines and metropolitan newspapers are still sticking with tradition.

Format
E-publishing initially required readers to have certain software for e-books. Most have now adapted their formats to serve their customers better. E-books are now available in a variety of forms like ".pdf" for Adobe Acrobat, text formats, HTML and disks for Windows. Keep in mind, though, not everyone has the latest technology. Mac users often encounter compatibility problems as well.

Security Issues
Someone could buy your e-book, make copies and distribute them. E-publishers are quick to note that piracy shouldn't prevent an author from publishing their e-book. Since electronic marketing isn't a lucrative business, bootlegging copies isn't a real threat.

Reading Online
Reading an entire e-book on your computer's monitor may leave consumers blurry about e-publishing. Even using printer ink and paper to print your novel is probably not the consumer's top choice. While portable readers are adding to the convenience factor, many consumers are reluctant to pay hundreds of dollars for e-book technology.

Weigh the advantages and disadvantages before you make an e-publishing decision. And if you decide you're ready to enter the electronic age, remember that electronic publishing is a slow process. Avoid any e-publisher who tries to convince you it's a "get rich quick" business.