What is and what is not a book: its materiality and editorial processes

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a discussion on e-books as a marked product, not just as a discursive framework or because its format, but also by an editorial process at least partially distinct from the printed book. Moreover, the concepts of material formats and reading practices help to deal with aspects of reading modes that are in evidence when books and e-books are referred. Devices for reading and reader's experience seem to have a key role in proposing a process for publishing electronic books. It is argued here that, since the editorial processes of the printed book and eBook are partly differentiated, besides offering different size and experience, the book could be considered simply as a metaphor of the new editorial product produced to be read in new devices. If the entered text genres are the same, the objects are not, and thus it can be said that those genres that are published in a book not necessarily characterize it, but other elements of its characterization. The arguments posed here are based on discussions on editing processes (Eco and Carriere, 2010; Darnton, 2010; Chartier,1998, 2000, 2002; and Procopio, 2010). The concepts of formats are based on Távora (2008).

Keywords

• processo de edição
• livros
• e-books
• produção editorial.