Harpercollins NOT made the right channel decision to delay release e-book until after the hardcover has had a chance to generate sales through the conventional channels.
Harpercollins should introduce in both hardcover and e-book version simultaneously.....
BECAUSE.....The combination of traditional and electronic channel provide a level of market coverage that actually increased total book sales.
Author John Grisham's latest Novel, was introduced in both hardcover and e-book versions simultaneously in fall of 2010.
The publisher, Random house and the author were delighted with the result: in the first week, e-book sales reached 70,000 compared to about 200,000 hardcover books.
CAN MAXIMIZE SALES.....
More firms will use both channels simultaneously in an effort to maximize sales.
For the publisher , only revenue from e-book and hardcover sales matter.
If publisher can set e-book prices in accordance with hardcover price set by amazon,the optimal prices difference across differences hardcover prices.
SO, HarperCollins should wait until e-book version available and introduce the both of channel of hardcover and e-book to maximize sales.