E-publishing carries pros and cons for authors

In the February 8 issue of “The Weekly Standard,” author James Gardner pointed out the up side of electronic publishing: access to the sum total of written knowledge available instantly no matter where you are (as long as you have an internet connection).

In addition to all the books he pointed out that are available for free (if published prior to 1923 when modern copyright law was enacted), a wide variety of new publications are available as e-books or pdf versions for a much lower price than hardcover or softcover editions.

To a writer, this may seem like bad news. How can we make a living in an already competitive publishing market when prices for e-books are dropping? Where will we find work? Will our job disappear?

To these concerns, I say a world of opportunities have opened for writers, editors, and even publishers. We can make a living with lower prices because the volume of sales for e-books on the internet is potentially exponential. Rather than a small market of those who browse bookstores or Amazon, you have the opportunity to reach the entire internet public – for decades.

We will find work because there will always be a market for current fiction and non-fiction. Those who read fiction want new stories and new characters – especially if it’s an interesting series. Non-fiction continues to be a growing market, and everyone is interested in learning something new about an area of special interest to them, such as history, biography, or self-help.

For publishers, the world of e-books solves a problem that has been around since Gutenberg printed the first Bible: the budget has only so much room for launching new books every year. However, in a world of online publishing, the budget can be stretched because of savings on paper, ink, and shipping (just to name a few expenses).

Most importantly, to me, is that research is vital for writers, especially in the area of non-fiction. Imagine the amount of research you can conduct when the world’s great libraries and books are open to you at the touch of a button. It is like finding a way to walk the universe.

Links to like:

• Project Gutenberg
• Online Libraries
• Bibliothica Alexandrina (the reincarnated Library of Alexandria)
• iPhone App: Free Books (small fee for app but books are free to download to phone or computer)

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Cecilia Sepp is an association management consultant and writer based in Silver Spring, MD. She is currently in her third year on the AIW Board of Directors as Immediate Past President and chair of the Member Engagement Committee. She blogs at Association Puzzle.