Because SF writers like to speculate, what do you see happening to the publishing world within the next twenty years or so?
OK, here is my vision.
In 2029, I will walk into my local bookshop to the smell of coffee and fresh bread. It's just after opening time (I won't change my habits between now and then), and only two people are sitting at the twenty-odd reading screens. One has just received a cappucino from the kitchen. She has a palmtop with her and is downloading some information onto the bookshop's system. Because last night a friend told her about a great book, and now she wants a copy. After all, an electronic cookbook is not easy to use.
A shop assistant behind the sales counter is whacking a few reams of paper into the printing machine and checking the ink cartidges, ready to start when the first order comes in. On the counter, there is a stand with the latest in electronic readers, but fair number of people still prefers a paper version. You can have them gift-wrapped by the second shop assistant who is at the computer using the shop's link with the sales database. This program links directly to the shop's account, and pays royalties to the author.
The second customer in the shop is a middle-aged man. He's an author and he's here to check that his book is available through this database. He wants to order a copy for someone at work.
I sit down at another of the screens and hit Science Fiction (I don't expect to have changed tastes either). A list of books comes up, with their covers and a one-line blurb. New releases at the top, a search field and various field to narrow the results.
I don't actually want anything new. There is a book I read when I was at high school that has stayed with me all those years. I never remembered either title or author, but I've searched and found it, based on what I did remember. It has been out of print for more than fifty years of course and the publisher went broke long ago, but that doesn't matter. I order a copy and drink my coffee browsing the latest releases, and get three for $1 on my electronic reader, while the machine behind the counter churns out my print order.
And somewhere faraway in England, the daughter of a long-dead author receives a bit of money or her mother's account.
What is your vision?
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label publishing. Show all posts
03 February 2009
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