Newsy Notes: 10 Publishing Predictions: #1 Self-Publishing Will Lose Its Stigma

Confused by rapid-fire changes in the publishing landscape? Over the next ten Sundays I'll provide links to articles covering publishing predictions. Here's the first:

One of the media transformations I expect to take place over the next 10 years, if not sooner, is that book publishing will become more blog-like — that is, micropublishing, the interest of the New York houses in putting out blockbusters, and the decline of the industry (and its retail counterpart) generally will lead to a proliferation of vanity presses that will, over time, lose their stigma. ~ David McCarthy The American Conservative: Publishing Predictions

Of interest to writers: The plethora of downloadable free books by antiquated authors benefits readers but means a disadvantage to living writers who otherwise might have received healthy advances and sales from traditional publishers. However, writers whose books would have been passed over will instead see their books come to fruition. Also, the consequences to an author of languishing sales won't be as dire, since moving 200 copies will be the marginally-profitable norm. Published authors will no longer be considered famous. David McCarthy predicts that a new mainstream will arise and publishing gems will arise above the rubbish. He sees the key to survival as editorial branding.

My take: The responsibility for producing a quality book will fall to its author. Those who see a profit to be made from self-publishers will jump into the editing pool, regardless of their ability level. As a result, it will become difficult for writers to determine the caliber of editorial services offered. Some will find the costs of editing prohibitive. This will result in many books of poor quality and disenchanted readers. Writers of quality will need to use good marketing and branding tactics in order to ride out the wave and reach readers.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt

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