It's Not the End of the (publishing) World

Sailors training at Sagres in Portugal used to believe they faced the end of the world. Looking out to the Atlantic they saw turbulence around what later proved to be submerged rocks. They decided the sea was boiling and that a few miles west the world ended. They would have enjoyed reading, a few days ago, the announcement by Amazon that for the first time they are selling more e-books than print. For 6 weeks downloads have outstripped traditional sales, even when you include print books with no e-version and exclude free e-books. In the span of such a turning history is made. Some think this is game over: just as a few thousand Christians waited to be raptured on Saturday. But it's not the end of the world. Beyond the boiling sea e-books will flourish. Print books will become hand-made, precious and beautiful. Ultimately both writers and readers will win. Publishing will never be the same. But it will not die. My advice? Get a boat and join the adventure.