It's E-Publish or E-Perish

From paper to Web to e-readers, the publishing industry embraces a digital revolution. In the wake of the Kindle Fire, it’s e-publish or die. Amazon is chiefly responsible for the largest shift in consumption of the written word since Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. Just this week it’s announced not just the trailblazing tablet the Kindle Fire, but three new versions of the Kindle ereader. We’ve grown accustomed to flipping through pages on our Kindles (and Nooks, iPads, and the like). Now, authors, publishing houses, and agents must explore this brave new world, too.

Mapping this uncharted land has been a rocky road for writers and retailers alike. Borders emptied its shelves just this month, Barnes & Noble has reported losses each quarter so far this year, and much of the industry is still struggling against Google’s plan to create a virtual library by scanning in millions of book titles. Add to that the accessibility of self-publishing and self-marketing, which has led to many writers bypassing the traditional publishing process altogether, and you have a horror story for some.

For others, there’s a happy ending. In the stead of the old guard are indie publishers that use new media tools to print books faster and cheaper than ever before. Authors can market themselves through social media. Self-published writers cross the one-million mark in sales.
While e-publishing might span many genres, its story is nevertheless a gripping read.

Adapted from a Sept. 29, 2011 article by Chandra Steel