In keeping with the theme of Spring and Green Publishing
The Industry is changing from traditional book publishing to the electronic age. For better? For worse? Same issue, different medium? I suppose sorting through garbage will always be an issue regardless of whether it is physical trash, a waste of paper on a tired theme book, or being bombed by cyberspace waves and material.
That reminds me, I haven't checked my email yet today. Habit to, I guess. Worth the time and space? ...well, spam is what it is...isn't it?
Blogs, E-zines, E-magazines...all contribute to saving paper. Are we being flooded? Of course we are. That's the way of people...but still, at least the positive side...our landfills aren't filling up with paper product.
Are we impacting our environment and our lifestyle? Of course we are. Innocent use of resources for the advancement of man's purpose? Well...I suspect when trees first became paper, impact wasn't viewable at that time, either. Just something to think about when we consume in our day-to-day, eye and ear pluggin' in around the clock.
A great book find on the topic of changes in the publishing industry...and is it true?
Print Is Dead, by Jeff Gomez
Given Amazon's recent release of the Kindle ebook reader, the timing of Jeff Gomez's Print Is Dead couldn't be better. Regardless of your beliefs about print vs. e-content, you need to read this book, especially if you're in the publishing business. You might not agree with Jeff's opinions but I guarantee you he'll make you think about the industry...(read more on blog) http://jwikert.typepad.com/the_average_joe/2007/11/print-is-dead-b.html
So something to think about as a Publisher. Something to think about the next time as an author you self-publish your book and decide print options. Traditional soft or hardcover book printed on recycled paper? Maybe a book that has as much value reading the information from a computer screen than printing it out to read in hand?
One positive thought of how we can impact our environment as authors and publishers: since the #1 leading seller consistant over time is currently the "How To" book...could we learn "how to" in ways that don't also kill so many trees? Maybe design the book content more consise, to the point, the summary pages being more the "book"? Then transmit that as an e-book as the primary selling and distribution pathway? We're heading there but still a long way from it from my view the last time I went to a large book store...flooded with How Tos.
So once again...maybe it all comes down to asking ourselves, as writers and publishers, What is the purpose of this book? Create the book for its purpose to society and contribution? That I hope always remains true. To create it as just another book to fill a landfill after a discounted book sale following a 6 week selling spree has attempted to capture market share? I hope we all find another way to recycle or not create that book in the first place.
Timber...sorry I thought I heard something in the woods.
Since we all share the same planet,
Here's a great online find for home as well as industry news.
Have a Green thought-full day. Hug a tree.
Jane Marla VerDow
Author: Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy copyright ©2004; Independent Publishing: Rising Sparrow Press, est. 2003. Visit Author Website http://www.risingsparrowpress.com/ to learn more about author’s upcoming titles or for writing and self-publishing resources. Also find Hard to Find Resources on history, travel, rare/old book finds, and arts/literature. Enjoy following Blogs: http://www.storytellersandwriters.blogspot.com/ and http://lakeontarioshoreline.blogspot.com/
And the latest addition, http://www.recordfootsteps.typepad.com/ to explore Writer-Publishing topics.
i went to the same school as patrick. i remeber those girls from my school who wrote in. they were white trash...i always felt so bad for them.
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