HACT

I am researching a new idea that has a lot of potential to revolutionize and, in many respects, help the book publishers to expand their reach and significantly lower their costs. I have been reading a lot of trade rags to get the pulse of what’s going on with them and to see what their views are towards emerging digital technology. One of the most revealing articles I’ve ready is called “The Perfect Storm” by the editor of Book Business Magazine Noelle Skodzinski.

In this sadly misguided post, she makes me wary of doing any business with the publishing companies by calling Google’s deal with the American Association of Publishers and the downturn in the economy a perfect storm for book publishers. “Book Business columnist Andrew Brenneman refers to this perfect storm—brought on by digitally induced changes in the fundamentals of how we publish and sell books, and the global financial crisis, among other things.” This is a dangerous road to hoe given that very few publishers have any right at this point to deny any technological solution to their growing problems.

The publishing industry is poised on the brink of major changes that will allow it to continue to bring us high quality and vetted books and magazines. This “digitization” is inevitable and actually a great thing for the industry. There will be more need to print and ship millions of volumes. The idea of returns and printing fees will disappear. The publishers can focus once again on the thing they are best at and that’s getting books written and distributed.