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Le Bélial Editions, a French sci-fi specialist, is to launch an e-book platform on 1st September. The four-year-old independent will sell all its books at between nine and 11 euros, about half the price of the print versions, according to c.e.o. Olivier Girard, and will offer buyers the possibility of paying more out of solidarity with the author or publisher.
The price will buy the book, not just a first download, so customers can start again at no extra cost if they lose a file. A supplement of two euros will be charged to buy the electronic as well as the print versions of a book, and short stories will be available singly as well as in whole collections. The amount of the supplement may change after launch if feedback demands it. "We are flexible—everything changes so fast in this area," Girard said.
Also, authors will be paid 30% instead of the usual 8% or 10% in royalties because the absence of transport and storage keeps costs low, and there will be no digital rights management fees. DRM
penalises customers more than internet pirates because of the numerous technical problems it entails, the Le Bélial website says.
Initially, only French titles will be involved. "Anglo-saxon agents, especially American, are either unwilling to sell electronic rights or charge too much, so until this is resolved, we will stick to
French authors," Girard added.