Comments on: When less is more

By: franklycreative

franklycreative — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:13:26 +0000

I agree with you and appreciate the post. Though I am yet unpublished, I know that I want the backing of a reputable publisher behind my books. The thought of self-publishing just feels WRONG. I'll keep working at my writing until I can gain the attention of a good publisher. That said, I think (in my mind) it shows the lack of determination/work in those who self-publish.

By: Clix

Clix — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:18:26 +0000

I follow people with similar tastes/interests on Goodreads.

By: M. M. Justus

M. M. Justus — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:45:53 +0000

I think there's room for librarians to have a much bigger role, frankly. And I'd rather have a librarian, who doesn't have a financial stake in what I read, help me find material I'd like to read than a publisher or agent.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:36:25 +0000

No, Michael, you are not being a Pollyanna. The ones who are being Pollyannas are those who insist that we are embarking on some egalitarian golden age when all writers will be on a level playing field thanks to technology. The world has never worked that way and it never will.

By: CoachMT

CoachMT — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:12:51 +0000

Personally, I think people will begin to look for reviewers/bloggers that follow their tastes and take recommendations based on their opinions. At least when they are looking for something new. Many people have a stable of favorite authors and rarely stray from reading books from that group. All in all, it's a fascinating (if somewhat nervous) time to be in the business.

By: Amber Keyser

Amber Keyser — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:55:37 +0000

In the past, influential reviewers acted as gate-keepers who pointed us in the direction of the best books out there. As traditional news media evolves, those positions are being cut. Now we turn to the blogosphere for literary reviews. What does it mean that those people are doing this important service for free? I'm not discouraged just curious to see what happens.

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:53:44 +0000

I've been weeding my RSS feeds lately too. There are lots of blogs I'd like to read, or feel I should, but I only have so much time on my lunch break/when it's slow on the reference desk/after work, and lots of things to do.

No. I'm in full agreement with you. If everyone can publish, it becomes that much harder to find the good books in the pile. Publishers will become the brands we trust and impart a sense of authority, quality, and prestige to the books they publish. If anything, they may become more noticeable to the average consumer as a result. Now we trust that most things in the bookstore met some sort of standard, without caring too much about who published them; if anyone can be in the bookstore, we'll actually start paying attention to the imprint as a way to weed through it all.

By: DGLM

DGLM — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:10:49 +0000

Thanks for all the comments! Publishing will change and grow in the years to come, adapting to the changes in the marketplace -- the industry doesn't have a choice. I have faith in this very resilient business!

-Michael

By: Jess

Jess — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:30:10 +0000

AGREED AGREED AGREED. Great post!

By: Wendy Delfosse

Wendy Delfosse — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:27:12 +0000

This is a great point. Even though music has been able to be purchased electronically for years few people have "made it big" without going through a traditional label still (at least to my knowledge.) I suspect like Mike said the publishing industry will have to change some to keep up with the new system (music certainly did) but in the end I don't think it will be doomsday.