state of the paid word

seems like the publishing industry changes quickly these days. everything from publisher return policies for trade stores to burgeoning formats available to readers just bursts from the headlines.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-book_reader
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBNG35703020081216
http://editingpublishing.suite101.com/article.cfm/podvstradpublishing1
http://opengardensblog.futuretext.com/archives/2008/06/the_future_of_t_1.html

the old dream was daunting enough. we clung to the fantasy of receiving that phone call, like the one Stephen King received from his agent. you know the one. we knew the odds were against us, that chances were, we would never see major publication, or print publication, or any kind of publication, really. but we slogged on, writing and fretting and networking and fantasizing.

but now, with the framework changing, with this shift in responsiblity from publisher to writer, with the radical changes in digital technology, the entire world is different. chaotic and free, and frightening.

publishers are required to narrow their focus, to offer fewer chances to unknown writers (and smaller paychecks), in order to stay afloat. each new title on the shelf should hold within it the potential for blockbuster status. that squeezes out a number of niche writers.

bookstores buy from centralized distributors, higher quantities allowing them better discounts, and this squeezes out smaller publishers.

that leaves two branches to crawl out upon. one, pursue major publishers with the knowledge that reaching contract is slim odds at best, or two, pursue publishing on a smaller scale and accept that we'll be carrying the bulk of the load of marketing and finances. in addition, small-scale publishing makes for a harder road as far as getting that word out, selling copies. access just isn't there unless writers create it themselves.

the stereotype of the reclusive, eccentric writer is a bygone. now, writers need to be savvy and make for a good interview. witty and attractive, in addition to developing their writing. writers need to be salesmen, and that's a new wrinkle. at least, the weight of importance has increased. if the odds were slim before against making a living as a published writer, what are they now?

with choices like these, i still have to opt for the larger publisher. the industry is dicey, like the rest of the economy right now (discretionary products feeling the effect in particular), but i have to think publishers' survival instinct will push them to integrate digital technologies into their stable, to help the writers under contract adapt and thrive in this strange new world filled with clicks and whirrs.

it's a big world and we're pretty small, unless we consider the world without us.