by Cindy Kessler

Created on: February 14, 2011

The new role of publishers in the digital age appears to be heading toward promoting some books as an experience in excellence (small publishing houses) while making more books available to more people with digital publishing (important to a literate society.)

 A December 30, 2010 column in the Los Angeles Times by David L.Ulin is titled “Making books do things e-books can’t—and vice versa” The article connects the reader with a small publisher who is a craftsman, preparing each manuscript for the market in the manor of an art form.

Lisa Pearson’s Siglio Press is successfully presenting beautifully covered and printed books to the world, at a time when e-books are rapidly expanding in the marketplace. Her online catalog is a work of art introducing itself with “Siglio is an independent press in Los Angeles dedicated to publishing uncommon books that live at the intersection of art and literature.” Her business is growing despite the digital explosion. Her talent will insure that more people will be able to rediscover the enjoyment of “slow reading.” 

The slow movement which gained national notice with their urging people to “eat slow foods” now includes “slow books” as an interest group within their organization. Sitting down and allowing your imagination to explore the landscape of a just opened beautifully printed book is indeed one of the most enjoyable moments in life. Turning each page can be a sensory experience, connecting the reader to the book in a unique way.

Amazon .com now sells more e-books than print; but according to Media Memo that still accounts for only 9 percent of the market. While digital sales have doubled in the last year, most of the industries sales remain in print form. But the ease and swiftness of downloading a manuscript into a digital book reader will contribute to the expansion of this technology.

Publishers are increasing the practice of expecting the author of a new book to provide much of the cost of promoting their print work. While an e-book self- published on Amazon.com or other similar sites has an instant audience. Publishers are taking a look at self-published work that has garnered a following this way. And it is not uncommon today for Author’s whose work has risen to the top in this format, to be offered contracts.

While the role of publishing is rapidly changing, the choices for the author are simultaneously evolving.   

Publishers are striving to provide both digital and print books to the public in ways that engage readers of both formats. This is a very good thing.

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