Talk – 14 comments
The future of the BOOK?
Will our ideas be free, when they're not bound in paper?
Anyone as curious about the future of publishing as I am?
I'd love to take part in an open conversation about the technology of books;
Will ebooks mean authors will be free of publishers?
If we lose the paper, will the concept of a 'book' disappear?
Will 'authors' still exist?
Will ebooks mean resurgence of the political pamphlet?
Will paper books still dominate, or be a curiosity?
Is e-ink any good?
Does anyone have a Kindle?
Do we still read (books) a lot?
Will there be a market in second-hand ebooks?
Format war? Amazon dominance?
Anyone fancy joining in - I suggest one of the smaller discussion rooms?
14 comments
Exactly!
I'm convinced books, by necessity of the format of published sheaves of paper, has influenced the length and format of writing (hence the 4 cm thick PC books; size=VALUE!).
Will we see chapter-length novels released for smaller cost (or free) by authors - an extension of the browseable chapter, when the physical restrictions of a 'book' are removed?
I (try) and read a lot of 'business' books, but most of them could easily be condensed into a chapter or less - perhaps the economic value of the idea (and the lowered time requirement to read) will pave a way for future biz book publishing?
www.getabstract.com is perhaps a pre-cursor of this model..?
Chris Anderson ( www.thelongtail.com ) talks about an economic model of giving away the 'book' as its true cost is minimal and supply is infinite, and charging for the finite resource of his time.
Is free-as-marketing a model for future authors, particularly if the expectation, in terms of writing quantity disappears?
great topic
perhaps also connect it with the role of libraries - especially with the angle of goal versus means.
perhaps also think about free formats and the endless free scope of versions - with our need to have structure and fixed references.
is the format a conversation?
I think a conversation would work best?
I mean, anyone's who's picked up a book is an expert on reading and would have something to contribute.
It would be great if some people with experience of publishing were able to contribute their experiences.
Happy to start the conversation off in the room...
I'd love to see publishers join this
And professional writers too - what will/can be the busines model of the future from their poin of view
Great topic, indeed
Fantastic idea
As both a copywriter and an author, I would be very eager to participate in this discussion... just tell me when and where!
very very interesting
I have just written a book and now fighting with the publisher about how to release it in electronic form. The publishing industry seems to lag so far behind - it's sad to see them work on their own demise. I wish "someone" would "do something" to re-boot the publishers
Yes, yes
Walking around with ideas for more than one book in my head, but feeling kind of disappointed by the value added by the publisher of my last book, this is a topic I definitely like to explore.
@Jens-Christian-Fischer: Same thing with any content driven industry right now, Music, Movies, Scientific Papers, etc. etc.
We've got authors...any publishers out there?
I agree, Carl, Jens-Christian, Minna :-) I hope someone's involved in publishing at Reboot, and will come along and share their perspectives.
I actually think the paperback format is a wonderful technology, and I anticipate a long future for traditional publishing (particularly if it's blended with the web; see bkkeepr.com as a great example of the web augmenting the book reading experience.
The Open Discussion format
I was really inspired by the unconference format described here: www.bloggercon.org/II/newbies
I'll do some advance preparation (discussion points, some relevant facts, anecdotes) so I can facilitate (at least initially) the conversation.
If you're coming along, here's a guide to getting involved in the discussion (I've based this on the BloggerCon guide referenced earlier):
- Everyone is an equal participant; try and have at least a little think about the subject in advance.
- Read through the main description, follow some of the links in the comments.
- Bring some ideas and opinions to the session please!
- Prepare some questions/discussion points in advance, if you can.
Really looking forward to this open discussion.
And the discussion was....?
Alas, I could not be there this year, so interested to know how the discussion turned out. Very keen for many years on the disruptions to the publishing industry.
Great conversation -thanks to all who participated
I think we collectively learnt a lot...
Someone (lost her name) was recording the talk on a handheld recorder; I'm hoping she'll pop a link to the audio file in the next few days.
Publishing 2.0 /3.0 or whatever
The publishing industry needs to think in different ways, just as authors and others who contribute to producing content, books and such. Ebooks as such, suck - especially Adobe DRM formats. There is an incredible hype around the kindle. Even though I am a gadget freak, and a publisher - i can stop thinking about the days where a palmpilot in one hand and a cell phone in another was trendy. Do we really need YAD Yet Another Device?
I am not sure. But I know for sure that partnership between the publisher and the author is crucial to success. And that divergent thinking in a convergent industry is key.
By the way. I am a publisher of good old print. But also a publisher who has experience with ebooks and would love to work with brilliant authors. Feel free to get in touch.
Great idea
On the one hand, you have e-books - trying to simulate the closed work that is the paper book.
On the other, we can look at for example online poetry that takes a much more open approach - existing in communities, as an exchange between authors. This also allow us to question how you can, if at all, distinguish books from other kinds of digital text. Is it a matter on convention, format, style or interpretation.