The Future of Publishing and Reading

By Anne Lebrecht

The question on many minds presently is the future for the readers of books and the authors that write them. Will the new ebooks and programs such as "The Amazon Shorts" change the reading public into on line readers of short stories, and not of the printed texts. How will this new era change the future for writers and readers?

Well the reality is that it is not really about the quality of the literature but about the money it earns. In this and past times it has always been that society measures success with money. How much is needed to be claimed a success? That is the question.

Yes it would be nice to be on the New York Times best sellers. BUT at what price? The other question is how do publishers manipulate these lists. It has been said that the New York Times list is based not on sales to readers but the sales to the stores. Publishers dictate how many copies the huge chains will carry and which books and authors they will buy. Then they accept all returns if some are not sold and give the store credit. However the returns are not deducted from the total so called sales records making the Best sellers list.

So how many readers actually read these so called "Best Sellers." Talent and quality of publication is not a factor. How many authors are passed by and talent lost because of this practice?

To have a producer read a manuscript or to even contemplate a good story to develop into a movie means the author must have some inside friend or some means to get to that producer or insider for any consideration.

So now we come to the INTERNET. This is an opportunity for many new authors to be read and heard. The Amazon Shorts program is an example of this. I am grateful a s many other newer unknown authors are for this chance. Whether this will ever truly change or compete with the more mainstream publications is a matter of some question. The future is open and I for one feel hopeful for some change.

Anne Lebrecht loves to tell a story almost as much as she loves to read them. She has published three novels, a book of poetry, six short stories and several articles. Her Memories of a Forgotten Past and Discoveries of a Hidden Past are available at all bookstores and online. Her latest novel The Daughters of Nora Crawford and her book of poetry Simply Poetry are also now available. In 1952 Anne Lebrecht left Montreal, Canada to come to California. She lives in Laguna Woods Village, in Laguna Woods, California, with her husband of 53 years. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. She wrote poetry and short stories as a hobby since childhood. When she retired from an executive position as CFO of a large corporation, she turned her hobby into a full time occupation. She has published short stories, poetry, and novels. Visit her website.

Wordpreneur.com — How to Make Money Writing!