First, I'd like to welcome all of the new followers, especially the Blog Crusader folks. I've had so much fun reading all of your blogs, and we're only 1 week into the actual event! Only great things to come, I'm sure. I'll also say 'hey' to the followers who've joined me via Twitter. A couple of weeks into the Twitter experiment, and I'm already glad I did it.
Second, in response to my previous post (Crusade Challenge #1), I'll now reveal my “secret” or lie. E.J. Wesley is a pen name. I can't actually say it isn't my REAL name, because it kind of is—just rearranged a bit. At any rate, I'll say congrats to Jess for guessing it. I hear Sir Holmes is looking for a new Watson, Jess, so you might want to put in your application! :0) Now to the post.
Don't fear the reaper - The book business is fine
Publishing industry news hits fast and hard nowadays. It seems there are daily declarations of drastic sweeping changes to the book business, and I'm not even talking about the prognosticating going on with regards to eBooks. No, most of the news isn't simply bombastic “wolf!” crying. There are hard indications that trouble isn't just a'brewing, it's spilled over onto the stove top and is now making a hell of a mess. Bookstores closing, publishers downsizing, authors struggling with escalating expectations and diminishing support—we've read and heard it all.
Interestingly enough, the latest addition to the bad news pot seems to be the one causing the most stir. The blogs and FaceTweet were alive with outrage and despair over the announcement that mega-bookstore chain, Borders, was declaring bankruptcy. Frankly, I think it jostled so many people because it was the first really tangible indication that change was no longer something to prepare for, but something that would have to be endured. Borders closed enough stores in the initial cut that many people lost their neighborhood bookstore. People they knew lost their jobs. Book clubs lost their hangout spot. Authors lost some longtime supporters of their work. Simply put, it gave a face to the problem.
What's to blame? Lots of things, some of them self-inflicted, some not. As much as anything, I think publishing is a victim of the times. The merciless hunter, also known as the struggling world economy, is taking down the vulnerable businesses in the herd. Only the extremely fit are surviving the culling, and sadly the publishing industry has been limping along for quite some time. It hasn't aged gracefully, and the years of navigating a harsh landscape have left it struggling to keep up with the times. Now it looks like the book business has been singled out from the group, primed for an easy kill.
Again, strip it all down to reading and writing and I believe the problem will self-correct. In the end, authors will write and readers will read. If you can let go of the other 'stuff', I think you'll sleep well tonight.
~EJW~
Interestingly enough, the latest addition to the bad news pot seems to be the one causing the most stir. The blogs and FaceTweet were alive with outrage and despair over the announcement that mega-bookstore chain, Borders, was declaring bankruptcy. Frankly, I think it jostled so many people because it was the first really tangible indication that change was no longer something to prepare for, but something that would have to be endured. Borders closed enough stores in the initial cut that many people lost their neighborhood bookstore. People they knew lost their jobs. Book clubs lost their hangout spot. Authors lost some longtime supporters of their work. Simply put, it gave a face to the problem.
What's to blame? Lots of things, some of them self-inflicted, some not. As much as anything, I think publishing is a victim of the times. The merciless hunter, also known as the struggling world economy, is taking down the vulnerable businesses in the herd. Only the extremely fit are surviving the culling, and sadly the publishing industry has been limping along for quite some time. It hasn't aged gracefully, and the years of navigating a harsh landscape have left it struggling to keep up with the times. Now it looks like the book business has been singled out from the group, primed for an easy kill.
Before you change the channel to avoid the kiddos seeing the brutality, you should know there might be hope for the 'old buffalo' yet. She's still got some fight in her, if she can only find her focus.
For writers and readers the news has been bleak; however, I have a theory that may assuage our fears. My theory is simple: At its core, the publishing industry is about reading and writing. All the other 'stuff' that comes along with it—like paper, coffee, electronic gadgets, big dollar advances, and a comfy chair—are extraneous. If I believe that (which I do, with all of my nerd heart), I can safely say the book business is in great, if a little unsettled, shape.
Books, or more specifically the written words they contain, readers, and authors aren't going anywhere. Ever. It's a form of creative expression, and it's a part of our DNA. Cavemen (and women) doodled on--well, caves--and musical instruments have been found with the earliest civilizations. The human need to communicate, create and express is perhaps only a step below food and shelter on the life scale. We're not losing language (although texting and the Twitter may have something to say about that), so writing and reading are safe.
How we produce and consume the writing, however, is changing. Paper books, no matter how fondly we may perceive them, are a medium. A vehicle, if you will. First and foremost, they serve a function, and that function is to disseminate an idea or story with words. They used to write on stone tablets. The medium evolved. It's evolving again, simple as that.
For writers and readers the news has been bleak; however, I have a theory that may assuage our fears. My theory is simple: At its core, the publishing industry is about reading and writing. All the other 'stuff' that comes along with it—like paper, coffee, electronic gadgets, big dollar advances, and a comfy chair—are extraneous. If I believe that (which I do, with all of my nerd heart), I can safely say the book business is in great, if a little unsettled, shape.
Books, or more specifically the written words they contain, readers, and authors aren't going anywhere. Ever. It's a form of creative expression, and it's a part of our DNA. Cavemen (and women) doodled on--well, caves--and musical instruments have been found with the earliest civilizations. The human need to communicate, create and express is perhaps only a step below food and shelter on the life scale. We're not losing language (although texting and the Twitter may have something to say about that), so writing and reading are safe.
How we produce and consume the writing, however, is changing. Paper books, no matter how fondly we may perceive them, are a medium. A vehicle, if you will. First and foremost, they serve a function, and that function is to disseminate an idea or story with words. They used to write on stone tablets. The medium evolved. It's evolving again, simple as that.
Hey Barnes & Noble, I think we're going to need more cowbell ...
Are bookstores doomed? Possibly. If they can't figure out a way to facilitate reading and writing by offering something other than paper books, sadly they may have to go away. (Incidentally, publishers are at a similar crossroads.) Businesses involved with the industry must examine how they can support readers and authors. That's it. If you can add to the experience, fine, but make damn sure you're handling the prime directive as best as it can be handled.
Again, strip it all down to reading and writing and I believe the problem will self-correct. In the end, authors will write and readers will read. If you can let go of the other 'stuff', I think you'll sleep well tonight.
~EJW~
Posts
