USB – the next generation?

I was checking the Broad Universe mailing list and was excited to hear a new idea for selling and distributing e-books: USB drives.  Branded USB drives are becoming available from a variety of sources, with many different styles and colors; you can even create your own custom shapes.  To make a long story short, you can do almost anything with the external look of the drive.

Writers also have a wealth of options when it comes to the files loaded on drives.  You can load your drives with a single book, or all of the books in a series, or even an anthology.  This customization would provide an individualized product, one that also takes advantage of the growing use of computers.

Are USB drives cost effective for solo writers?  Probably not.  It seems fairly typical for sellers to charge around $11 per drive with a minimum order of 50 drives; this means you have to be confident you can sell at least 50, and at a higher price so you can at least earn a profit.  Selling CDs loaded with your book may remain the safer way to sell your work in a self-publishing situation.

Despite the cost, I think it’s a valid idea for publishers (and writers that can afford it) to explore.  USB drives may cost a little more, but imagine a Golden Snitch-shaped drive loaded with all seven Harry Potter books or a steampunk novel loaded onto an airship drive.  Different USB keys could be designed as collectors items, increasing the visibility of the brand and leading to widespread distribution of the book.  There are already some new products taking advantage of the movie market.  Why not the realm of publishing?