...with developments in the digital world, and how they affect book publishing, keep an eye on Val Landi's blog, because he has his ear down at gravel level. He also has good links to other people equally well connected.
In his latest post Val compares the attitude of the present-day book industry with that of the movie business some twenty-five years ago. He also links to an extensive essay by Doc Searls, one of the founders of the blog world and a man who really knows what is happening.
The key point made by Doc Searls seems to be this: content distribution is becoming more efficient, and is being 'routed from more and more independent producers to more and more independent consumers.' Translates as: big boys are in trouble, whether in TV, film, publishing, music; and, conversely, small operators are faced with opportunities.
Compare and contrast with the view from the inside of the book trade given by Lynne W. Scanlon.
True, the video-recorder did not kill the movie business, and POD and ebooks and Booksurge will not kill off Random House, HarperCollins, Waterstone's, and W.H. Smith (though some of those named are doing their level best to commit suicide). But there will be changes. Are you ready? Are you thinking clearly, children?
'The clue train stopped there four times a day for ten years and they never took delivery.' — Veteran of a firm now free-falling out of the Fortune 500. Lifted from Doc Searls, co-author of The Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business As Usual (1999).
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1 comment:
I guess everybody's diversifying.
Wall-Mart sells everything.
I think I should have published my book in Mexico. Then run with it across the border.
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