The times are changing: how publishing has evolved
2008 is closing in fast. Like it or not, the years tend to fly by, and with increasing speed the older you get. But the passing years isn’t all depressing. Just think back 10 years, which isn’t all that long ago. I was still in high school and I’m amazed how much things have changed since then.
One of my favorite blogs, Print is Dead, talks about this issue of change during the last decade in the context of publishing. Blogger/author Jeff Gomez recalls how helpless he felt because he wasn’t able to promote his book back then. While the internet did exist, it was still in its infancy:
And while the Internet existed in 1997, it was hardly the ubiquitous presence it is today. Back then, the Web was more about tech-savvy geeks and early adopters. Whereas, today, almost everyone has an e-mail address and surfs the web at least a few times a week (not to mention that more people than ever have their own website or blog).
Think about! Today, because of the power and reach of the internet, an unknown author can publish a book, promote it, and in theory, can do very well…just by using the internet. Yes, it’s easier said than done, but the technology that exists now has greatly leveled the playing field in the world of publishing.
Before the internet became popular, authors relied heavily on their publishers to get their books out into the hands of readers. However, unless you were a big fish in the pond, large publishers spent very little time and money promoting your book. Leaving most authors to fend for themselves. Oh how the internet has changed things:
But now, with the Internet, I feel completely empowered. I don’t need to wait for my publisher to do something on my behalf; instead, I just need to sit down at my laptop, do a bit of online research, and from there I can do any number of promotional things for my book.
Have we reached the pinnacle of technology as far as publishing is concerned? Of course not! Ebooks are coming (actually, they are already here, but still in that awkward infant stage the internet went through in the late 90s). Many are making predictions that ebooks will become mainstream soon. It’s just a matter of time.
Ebooks will change the publishing industry again, broadening the playing field for authors and readers alike. Instant gratification will become the norm; downloading a book (or books) and being able to read it right away. This can be seen even now with the release of a few prominent ebook reading devices (mainly Sony’s Reader and the Amazon Kindle).
A lot has changed in the last decade and I’m sure much more will change in the coming decade. We are seeing a publishing revolution right before our eyes.
What do you predict for the future of publishing and related technology?
That was then, this is now: What a difference a decade makes
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