I think they're aware of it, but in an abstract way. I talk to a lot of people in the business, and when most of them talk about digital and the changes it's causing in the industry, you can tell they're imagining a future that's safely abstract and far off. Something you acknowledge in conversation, of course—you're not in denial, after all—but that fundamentally feels to you like theory. Because you're still having your Tuesday morning editorial meetings, right? And you just launched a new title that made the New York Times list, right? And signed that hot new author, right?
Sure, there are rumblings in the provinces, but at court in Versailles, the food is still delicious and the courtiers still accord deference appropriate to your rank. When you live at the palace at Versailles, the rumblings in the provinces always sound far away. Right up until the peasants are dragging you out of your bed in the middle of the night and setting fire to your throne.
Barry Eisler, Joe Konrath: Ebooks and Self-Publishing: A Conversation Between Authors
Painting: Madame Adelaide, Louis XVI's Aunt (1787) by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard
Hi Gary, I love your place! It's so interesting and the design is classy. Well done, sir! This post and the way you equate the clueless Versailles court to the traditional publishing industry... utter brilliance.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to keep poking up, checking your great posts. Have an awesome day!
If you have a few extra minutes, go check out my place at www.diaryofawriterinprogress.blogspot.com
Very interesting. That's quite the comparison. I'll have to check out your link now. Thanks! :)
ReplyDelete@Gina Thanks for commenting. I'm glad you like my place and hope you become a regular. I will definitely visit your blog.
ReplyDelete@David Thanks for stopping by. Eisler & Konrath's book is a great and really funny read. You won't be disappointed. And it's free!
I'm so excited to see how the changes in publishing unfold. I know there's going to be a lot of shakeup with the big traditional publisher and many may not survive but I'm hoping we'll find new paths that work best for the reader and the writer.
ReplyDeleteSonia, If things sort themselves out for the best for readers and for writers--well, that would be the best of all possible outcomes. Let's hope and pray.
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