This morning I was watching the Today Show and caught an interview with John Grisham about his new book of short stories.
In the interview, he was asked about his book's involvement in a Justice Department investigation prompted by the American Booksellers Association into what they call predatory pricing where some stores are selling the book for $24 and other stores sell it for $9. I won't go into the details of what was said, but something that Grisham said I wanted to get others' opinions on.
He said that if the future publishing lies with ebooks, there will be a change in publishing as a whole (which I agree with) but also that there'd be fewer writers. I don't see how that is an accurate statement. Anyone agree or disagree?
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John Grisham Interview
I disagree. What are there going to be 10 authors writing books? How can that be when if its true what they say, and ebooks are cheaper then doesnt that mean you could have more authors. Of course that could also mean you could have more crappy authors out there.
I think he's wrong on that point. but thats just me.
I think he's wrong on that point. but thats just me.
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- MLE (Emily Cotton)
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I can't see why ebooks would reduce the number of 'good' writers, although the ease of expression will certainly increase the number of poor ones. But consumers don't buy according to ratios, and cream always rises to the top.
I think he meant that there would be fewer people who wrote books for a living. When there are more opportunities than anybody has time to taste, the financial pie gets sliced smaller for everybody on the producing end.
I think there will be fewer professional writers because there will be so many people who do it for the love of expression, without being paid. Not that either is better or worse. It's just economics, as in "very few people buy cows when there is plenty of free milk to be had."
I think he meant that there would be fewer people who wrote books for a living. When there are more opportunities than anybody has time to taste, the financial pie gets sliced smaller for everybody on the producing end.
I think there will be fewer professional writers because there will be so many people who do it for the love of expression, without being paid. Not that either is better or worse. It's just economics, as in "very few people buy cows when there is plenty of free milk to be had."
Last edited by MLE (Emily Cotton) on Tue November 24th, 2009, 2:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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I still think ebooks are a long way from becoming standard. I would rather hold a real book in my hand. Of course if they ever make an ebook reader that is completely 100% water proof or water resistant (so I can read in the tub without fear of ruining the thing) then I might jump on the bandwagon. Until then, Mr Grisham can make all the predictions he likes.