'scuze me, can I recharge my book in your socket?
Mike Hyatt, the CEO at Thomas Nelson Publishers has a gloriously foolish post about the future of publishing, as he sees it.
It's a good read, not necessarily because of the specifics realted to publishing, but as an example of the need to plan for the destruction of your successful present in order to build a successful future.
- As you read Mike's post keep in mind that the more precise you are in your prediction of the future, the greater chance you have of being wrong.
2 comments:
Of course there will be new digital devices for "publishing." We are a nation of gadget-mongers, and print-to-digital is just waiting to be exploited. But will "digital readers" replace, or even seriously challenge, the supremacy of the printed book? Not a chance! I believe we are hard-wired by God for the printed word, and books with pages will always be in demand. Keep in mind, the Lamb's Book of Life is a book with pages in heaven, and it is there for ETERNITY. I am convinced that what will change is the delivery of printed books. POD (print on demand) will eventually replace the offset printing industry and give anyone the ability to get a book to market at minimal cost. And I fully expect to see, maybe within a decade or two, home book printers that can turn out a quality, fully-bound book from a digital download. We do it with music and pictures, so why not books? I like Hyatt, but I don't think he's right on this one. The printed book is here to stay.
Clay,
Mike's version is a bit fancier than necessary, although his idea could be done too.
I prefer a $20 screen that can be rolled up and put in your pocket, looks just like paper, only uses power when changing pages so the battery will last for hundreds of hours, and is not back-lit. And the best part is that the technology already exists.
The iPage (an ebook reader, only better)
iPage questions and replies
Also POD is fairly expensive, web publishing and a "gadget" is a much more affordable option.
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