Going Forward with the Flipbacks
August 30, 2011
Hodder & Stoughton, a UK publisher, recently introduced a paperback book format that’s the size of an iPhone. Called Flipbacks, the books are one-third the size of traditional books.
They’re lightweight, feel nice in the palm of your hand and fit conveniently in a back pocket or purse. Some booksellers are already thinking of them as a great alternative to the e-reader … Flipbacks are always fully charged.
Only a few titles have been published in the format so far: The Other Hand by Chris Cleave; The Adventures of English by Melvyn Bragg; Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré; Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde; A Million Little Pieces by James Frey; Misery by Stephen King; Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis; Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell; One Day by David Nicholls; My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult; Piece of My Heart by Peter Robinson and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.
Flipbacks have been launched in Spain, France and Australia to date with deals pending in Germany and Scandinavia.