We are on the cusp of a revolution in book publishing on a scale not seen since Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type. Yes, this is a grandiose statement, but certainly not one that should shock anyone following the sea changes taking place in the book world. For the first time since Gutenberg, the very idea of what constitutes a book and how it is delivered to customers is under debate, study and scrutiny -- and the changes have already begun.
Since Gutenberg, the idea of what constituted a book was pretty simple: It was a bound document, and for the most part linear in format: excepting reference works, you read it front to back. Sure, it could be sold by a bookseller, a department store, a specialty retailer or some sort of big-box vendor, but in the end a book was a book was a book, published by a publisher and distributed by a distributor. It was a genteel system that, for the most part, didn't change a whole lot -- to the point where the book-publishing industry has become an ossified system that probably deserves to die (in a worst-case scenario) or evolve into something that better serves authors, publishers and readers (in a best-case scenario).
In short, the whole book universe will be turned upside down in a chaotic, bloody mess as publishers, booksellers, distributors and authors all try to make sense of what comes next. And the same will happen in the magazine world, where dwindling sales and declining subscriptions have forced many either to the Web or a format featured on tablets.
But in chaos comes opportunity. And that's where Tomorrow's Book comes in: making sense of what comes next.
Not that there haven't been attempts to redefine what makes a good: there's a whole academic world of experimental books that, while fascinating, hasn't broken into the mainstream. One of these efforts, though, is worth noting because it predated the Internet yet predicted a document of the future that bears close resemblance to today's World Wide Web as well as what some people see in tomorrow's book: Ted Nelson's Xanadu Project. Though largely forgotten today, Nelson laid out a vision of a document that was nonlinear and connected to other documents via links. His best ideas ended up as part of the World Wide Web, and although we're oversimplifying his vision (we strongly encourage you to take a look for yourself), many of his 1960s-era ideas are currently being tossed about as part of tomorrow's book.
As the definition of what constitutes a book and/or a magazine evolves, we'll be there to chart the path. The intersection between printed works and technology will be our focus, as e-readers finally becoming part of the mainstream. Whether the future of the book lies in the likes of the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook or tablets like the iPad remains to be seen; we suspect the reading device of five years in the future will not at all resemble today's units. And we'll be around as that evolution occurs.
Tomorrow's Book is from August Publications, a Website and book publisher. As electronic books emerge in the marketplace, we've adjusted our publishing plans to address these changes. We're in the unique position of both being part of the industry and covering it, and we hope what we learn along the way will be of value to you as well. We want to know what you think; feel free to drop us a line at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.
STAFF
Publisher
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
was part of the first wave of Web-based publishing as executive editor at internet.com/Jupitermedia, covering a wide range of computing and technology topics. Before working at internet.com Reichard wrote extensively for PC Magazine, Computer Shopper, CNet and other computing publications. Since leaving internet.com he's headed the Minneapolis-based August Publications.
Staff Writer
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
contributes to several August Publications Websites, including Yellowstone Insider.
Sales rep:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Site design: Michael Hall
August Publications
5408 Tamarack Circle
Minnetonka, MN 55345
612.343.5207
| Next > |
|---|
