I recently read an article in the New York Observer about the demise of the movie theater. Are they on the way out? Will we all just download movies in the privacy and seclusion of our own homes? Will the only laughter in the audience be our own? I hope not. Of course this unsettling thought led me the to ever present threat to books.
There has been a lot of talk about the end of bookstores and publishing as we know it. Yes, technology has created significant changes in all of these areas but I find it difficult to subscribe to this "total extinction" notion.
Publishing is changing. It is in a big state of flux. No one really knows to the extent the impact of the iPad and other future delivery systems will have on book publication. I do not believe that digital books will ever fully replace printed books. I could never imagine the world, at least certainly my world without printed books.
What is your prediction? As a reader, what do you think? As an author, how do you see yourself adjusting to these changes? Please join the discussion and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
In the meantime, if you are a published author or an aspiring author and you want to learn more about how to market your book during these changing times, you'll want to check out this upcoming event. The 21st Century Book Marketing Event will show you how to master the changing market, get the publicity you deserve, and get your book where it belongs -- into the hands of your readers.
In these two full days, you'll get a chance to network with top people in the field. You'll get to ask questions and you'll learn how to separate yourself from the pack. Keynote speaker is Arianna Huffington. I look forward to meeting you there.
Arielle Ford has launched the careers of many NY Times bestselling authors including Deepak Chopra, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Neale Donald Walsch & Debbie Ford. She is a former book publicist, literary agent and the author of seven books. To learn how to get started writing a book please visit: www.HowToWriteMyBook.com