What an exhilarating time to be an author!
The old rules are changing – in some cases being trashed altogether. Walls are crumbling. Writers everywhere are trying out new tools, new canvasses upon which to create and showcase their work.
The bravest among us are thrilling to new-found freedoms. History shows that in times of explosive change, artistic expression thrives.
As with all change, there is a painful downside to the emergence of e-books in today’s publishing industry. Many seasoned literary professionals are seeing their worlds turned upside-down. Some will find a footing in the electronic age. Others, sadly, will not.
For the writer, though, there has never been a better time to reach readers. Gone is the high cost (and poor performance) of the old ‘printing and mailing’ model. It cannot compete with the instant (and low-cost) gratification of purchasing an e-book in less than 60 seconds!
Does this mean the craft of creating a book is dead?
Not at all. Now, more than ever, the quality of our work is of utmost importance. We are today’s scribes, the keepers of the collective memory. The future will judge us for our passion and artistry — our dedication to great storytelling.
Today’s community of writers and artists is bound to throw forward some memorable talent. The people I’ve met (and read) are committed to freedom of expression, to capturing the flavour of our time.
Thanks to the burgeoning world of e-books, we now have the technology to make it happen! We are no longer bound by the high cost of print publishing. Out of this tornado of change, we’re sure to see great stories rise.
Who knows which voices will carry us into the future? I have no doubt they will be writers of exceptional courage and talent.
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