Monday, January 23, 2012

Stormy Predictions

The weather reports for this past Saturday called for our area of Penns Woods to receive 1-2 inches of snow followed by a short period of sleet and freezing rain, all to end by the middle of the morning.  For lots of different reasons including our day jobs and our recreational interests, my family always checks the weather forecast a number of times per day.  As experience weather watchers, we didn't trust a thing the TV said.  How often are those reports correct, after all?  Around six inches of snow fell upon us with no sleet or freezing rain.  We weren't shocked.
From FB

I'm not one of those people who get mad at the weathermen because they're so often wrong.  It's a tough job filled with so many variables beyond a mortal's ability to predict.  It reminds me of the publishing industry right now and writing in general.

Who can predict what genre of book will be the next hot thing? Zombies, hobbits, fairy tale characters, angels, or something other than fantasy characters? Maybe the entire paranormal thing will go away. Will dystopia lose its appeal if the economy improves? What is next after ebooks? Interactive books? Can everyone become a published author? Will the big NY publishers be able to stay in business?

No one knows. I eagerly read blogs and articles in writing magazines as industry professionals advise wielders of the pen what paths they should take, what preparations to make, to stay afloat and ahead of the stormy weather to come. 

But storms, while dangerous, can also be lovely, exciting things. The rapid changes in the world of publishing is thrilling to be a part of as long as one keeps running to keep up with it.  So like the weather forecasters, I don't expect anyone to be able to predict exactly what will happen next and how I should guide my career to be safe and successful when changes come.  I can only listen and then make my own calls and judgements based on my experience. 

Does the rapidly changing world of books leave you feeling adrift in a storm at times? Are you enjoying the thrill of being part of these sweeping changes and the progress of technology overtaking the writing world?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the changes as these give me more control over my works in real time. I welcome and embrace the changes.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I like the trend towards eBooks!
And I'm still laughing at the graph suggesting those people need to hit the liquor stores.

Bossy Betty said...

Ahhhhh, change! I am learning to embrace it though I feared it for years. You know what? It's really fine. I am learning that change, though sometimes painful is good many times. Thanks for this thought-provoking post!

Mel Chesley said...

Change is good. I like where some things are going in the writing industry, but not all aspects. But, like the weather, it is unpredictable and sometimes thrilling. :D

L. Diane Wolfe said...

The changes are long overdue. Big publishers should've heeded the warning when digital/POD printing started to rise. Now that ebooks are taking over, their power has shifted to readers, authors, and smaller publishers who can adapt much faster.

jan said...

Great post! Love, love, love the map! I'm an obsessive weather watcher myself. There's nothing like a stormy day or a good, old-fashioned blizzard to set the mood for a full day of writing.

Golden Eagle said...

That's a cheerful graph . . .

I like the changes, for the most part. Though I have to say, I still prefer the feel of physical paper books next to ebooks.

Maria Zannini said...

I could go for a little more stability. The changes don't bother me, but I'm a little tired of the cut-throat contracts publishers are pushing.

Cate Masters said...

I'm so excited to see changes in the publishing world, though sometimes turbulent. The appearance of ebooks on NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists is a huge thrill. I never thought I'd see the playing field level to this degree, but I'm loving it.

Paula RC said...

I'm just waiting for the dust to settle from the fall out from printed book to ebook. I still feel we need to be sure of what is the next best thing. Everyone is rushing to be the next best kindle author but will kindle format be what everyone will be reading their books with or is there something new in the pipeline. There are other ereaders about which don't use Kindle. With a Book everyone had the same thing, but not everyone has a Kindle.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I think most of the writers I know are embracing the change and so are millions of readers but I don't think the dust is going to settle anytime soon.

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