by Anne Lebrecht

Created on: November 12, 2008

The Future for readers, and authors on the Internet.

The question on many minds, presently, is the future for the readers of books, and the authors that write them. Will the new books and programs such as "The Amazon Shorts" change the current reading publics habits into on line readers of short stories, and not of the printed texts. How will this new era change the future for writers, and their readers? Will the publishers of the printed text survive and continue to be read?

Well the reality is that it is not really about the quality of the literature, but about the money it earns. In this current time, as well as past times it has always been that society measures success with how much money is earned. How much is enough or needed to be claimed a success? That is the big question.This obsession with money earned has become a bigger issue as publishers meet the challenges of new competition and higher expenses.

Yes it would be nice to be on the New York Times best sellers list. BUT at what personal price? The other issue to consider is how the publishers manipulate these lists. Are the numbers you see honest? It has been said that the New York Times list is based not on sales to readers but the sales to the stores. Publishers dictate how many copies the huge chains will carry and which books and authors they will buy. Then they accept all unsold books and returns, for a full credit to the store. However, the returns are not deducted from the total so called sales records, making the Best sellers list.

This now makes one wonder how many readers actually read these so called, "Best Sellers." Can these publishers continue to survive by using these manipulative tactics?

The talent or ability of the author, and quality of publication, is not a factor. How many authors are passed by and talent lost because of this practice?

As for movies, made for TV or screen, that too is problem for the new writer. To have a producer read a manuscript, or to even contemplate a good story to develop into a movie, the author must have some inside friend, or some means to get to that producer for any consideration.

So now we come to the INTERNET. This is an opportunity for many new authors to be read and heard. The Amazon Shorts program is an example of this. I am personally grateful, as many other unknown authors are, as well for this chance. Whether this will ever truly change or compete with the more mainstream publications is a matter of some question. The future is open and I for one feel hopeful for some change.

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