Two of the biggest publication houses in the United States, Simon & Schuster and Hachette Book Group have announced their decision to hold back on the launch of their e-books citing pricing issues, that currently makes available e-books at $9.99 per edition. Simon & Schuster publications has decided to delay the launch of 35 titles that are supposed to be released in 2010 by four months.

According to Carolyn Reidy (CEO, Simon & Schuster),

“The right place for the e-book is after the hardcover but before the paperback. We believe some people will be disappointed. But with new [electronic] readers coming and sales booming, we need to do this now, before the installed base of e-book reading devices gets to a size where doing it would be impossible.”

This recent move is reflects upon the ups and downs faced by publishers as the industry is readying itself for the transition of books from hardbacks and paperbacks to online digital editions, that are viewed in electronic book readers and are delivered not by post, but by wireless networks. The new migration trends have further complicated the pricing platforms for the e-books. In the recent months, there has been an exponential increase in hardware that supports e-books. From Barnes & Noble’s Nook to Amazon Inc’s Kindle e-book readers to mobile applications for Apple iPhone, Blackberry, computers and other mobile devices that enable consumers to read their favorite titles electronically is fast changing the face of the publishing industry.

Many experts such as,. Fordham University Graduate School of Business’s professor, Albert Greco believe that the surge in the e-books’ trend could lead to an exciting time for the publishers in the year 2010, with sales reaching to an estimated $201 million as against the $150 million recorded for the year 2009.

Via Wall Street Journal.