Newsy Notes: Publishing Predictions: #5 Ebooks Will Gain in Popularity

Janalyn Voigt

Confused by rapid-fire changes in the publishing landscape? Here's a link to an article covering one of ten publishing predictions I'll cover on consecutive weeks on this blog. I give an analysis of the post and my own take on the prediction.

In the next twelve months the relationship between book content, online content, marketing materials, ad campaigns and experimentation will continue to break down, seeing the development of a new style of work that exists somewhere between them all.~ Michael Bhaskar, Digital Publishing Manager, Profile Books; A Year in Digital Publishing

Points of Interest to Writers:

Several editors call for standardized ebook pricing.
Ebooks are now seen as a valid publishing option rather than just usable for marketing and branding.
Look for continued development of touch-screen devices and interactive apps.
Social media engagement will become even more vital to a book publisher's health.
Flexibility and the lack of an undigitized backlist gives small presses an advantage.
With games console makers like Nintendo entering the digital market, the boundaries between reading and gameplay will blur. This will attract new audiences.

My take: I wholeheartedly agree that ebooks will become more popular, especially as the lines blur between reading and gaming. As smaller presses position themselves on the cusp of change, larger publishers will have to restructure to become more nimble to survive and thrive. The ebook wave has yet to crest.

© 2010 Janalyn Voigt

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