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What are the services that publishers provide that we really value? ... Is it thoughtful editing and careful editing? Maybe, but many people accustomed to reading lightly-edited posts on the web may think that this sort of production is overvalued.

This gives me an idea: use the readers as editors. For every mistake found, offer $0.X rebate off their next book by the author.

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This is an interesting idea, but many people don't realize that editing a book is more than just "finding mistakes." That's a proof reader's job. A good developmental editor helps shape a book from the ground up, and can make a significant impact on the final product.

(Disclaimer: I edit books for a living.)

This is a cool idea. I doubt you'd even need to offer a rebate at all, though it'd be an interesting incentive. If reporting errors was as easy as highlighting a passage and clicking a button on your e-book reader, I bet a lot of people would do it.

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