I wrote two articles for Time this week. Two. Because that's how I roll. I roll prolific.
Article #1: A piece about the great switchover to digital TV -- the "analog sunset," if you will -- which is supposed to happen on February 17. Except now, maybe not. My advanced polling techniques suggest to me that this event will not affect anybody who reads this blog in any way. Part of the piece talks about how badly the government is screwing up the switchover. (Coupons will save everything! Coupons, I say!) The other part is an elegy for a truly great technological monument, the analog television signal. I mean, think about it: they had wireless, full-screen, full-motion video over most of the country back in 1941. You could probably get VC funding for that shiznit now.
Article #2: My thoughts about the future of publishing. Which ... yeah, I know. But think about it. If you follow the publishing biz, which you probably don't, you know that it's in catastrophic disarray. My point, basically, is that the book as we know it is largely a product of a unique confluence of money and technology:
New industrial printing techniques meant you could print lots of books cheaply; a modern capitalist marketplace had evolved in which you could sell them; and for the first time there was a large, increasingly literate, relatively well-off urban middle class to buy and read them. Once those conditions were in place, writers like Defoe and Richardson showed up to take advantage of them.
Since we're currently going through one of the greatest financial and technological convulsions since the one that created the novel, in the early 18th century, it stands to reason (at least enough reason for a magazine article, anyway) that we'll see new literary forms emerge as a result. Alternative electronic forms of publishing -- cell phone novels, self-publishing, POD, Kindle publishing, fan fiction -- are going to rise up and engulf and transform conventional paper publishing. In cool interesting ways.
OK, that's enough of that. Let's have a dance party ... in London!
Thanks for the Potter Puppet Pals:
http://www.bobrozak.com/music/pottermusicindex.html
(at the bottom)
Church
Jan. 23, 2009 21:10:pm
at 21:10:pm
Article #2 is exactly what worries me about wanting to join the publishing industry in a couple of years. I keep telling myself everyone needs an editor, but do they really?
maytinee369
Jan. 23, 2009 21:59:pm
at 21:59:pm
"it stands to reason (at least enough reason for a magazine article, anyway) that we'll see new literary forms emerge as a result. Alternative electronic forms of publishing -- cell phone novels, self-publishing, POD, Kindle publishing, fan fiction -- are going to rise up and engulf and transform conventional paper publishing. In cool interesting ways."
That might be true, but there's no guarantee that people will pay money for these cool, interesting forms of print.
matthewmcguire
Jan. 25, 2009 11:53:am
at 11:53:am
I still just don't believe that traditional paper novels are as doomed as everyone thinks. So far, none of the electronic options are pleasant to read on for long periods of time and listening to a book (for me) defeats the entire purpose of reading (also my attention wanders). I'm fairly confident that I'm not in a minority by thinking this way. People in general are slow to adapt new technologies.
Also, I just love books. Even if I'm never going to read a book again, once I buy it I have a very hard time getting rid of it. Part of the reading experience is holding the book in my hand, looking at the cover artwork, checking the business on the back of the title page, and often flipping back to a previous page or chapter to double check something. I don't know if that works with electronic media or not. I don't care. There's a feeling of anticipation that comes from getting a new book, either bought or borrowed, and physically having it in my hands before I start to read. This goes double for previously read and much loved books.
So, yeah, I'm a huge geek about books and somewhat compulsive about actually owning and keeping them, but I still think there are enough other people who like things the way they are that the industry's not finished yet. Maybe I'm just stubborn. If I am, and I'm wrong, I'll be disappointed to see books become a laughed-at, old-fashioned technology.
meredith81
Jan. 26, 2009 10:25:am
at 10:25:am
You have to remember though, Meredith, that it will be different for people that are younger, growing up with it. I'll never stop reading physical books, but my parents never got into text messaging.
I don't think the problem will be book readers switching over to the new thing anytime soon, but with kids growing up with the new thing. For that reason I think books won't be dead for a couple more generations.
Rorschach
Jan. 26, 2009 13:55:pm
at 13:55:pm
How'd they make Ron's tiny leather jacket?
tereglith
Jan. 26, 2009 17:57:pm
at 17:57:pm
I know the articles aren't exactly on point but your article on the future of books is much more thought-provoking than the NYT's on self-publishing. It must be nearly impossible to do, but has anyone ever discussed the statistical data on how many of these self-published/blogs/fan fiction get picked up, sign, and published by a "real" press?
My favorite potter pals is still "the mysterious ticking noise one."
Brew
Jan. 28, 2009 14:08:pm
at 14:08:pm
Sorry folks, but your beloved bound book will be an antique in 5-10 years. It makes perfect business sense to eliminate paper, storage, production, etc. when one original can be turned into an infinite number of copies for no cost. Read my study on the future of publishing. It takes it to a new level: The Future of Publishing, an Industry Study.
Future eReaders will be widely accepted by all. It will start in businesses and college. Think about replacing your backpack of textbooks for a handheld reader. Also, the device will mature into more than just eReaders. They will have functionality like color, moving graphics, and things we can't think of yet. The bound book has 5-10 years.
To the one poster, you still need an editor. No one can possibly edit their own work completely. Maybe you meant publisher. They may die off. The traditional models of the recording industry and publishing industry used to be identical, look at the recording industry now.
smather2175
Feb. 1, 2009 13:40:pm
at 13:40:pm
Sorry, the first link is broken. The Future of Publishing, an Industry Study. That link should work
smather2175
Feb. 1, 2009 13:43:pm
at 13:43:pm