Hi gang,
It's taken me all day to decide what to write about this week. Of course I send you the usual Happy New Year greeting. My prayer for all is that it won't be as bad as predicted:)
I've finally decided to briefly talk about my concern--fear, if you will for the coming year. I'm not the best candidate to discuss this, but I'll give it a try. The coming year is going to be tough in the publishing world. You will see many of your favorite authors no longer published. Book sales are rapidly falling. Stores--large chains are in trouble. The reason is sales. An author must have sales or he/she will not be published. You won't lose your mega sellers though their sales will be affected. It's the mid-list authors who will be affected. Every author I know value their readers however they come about. Libraries--greatest places on earth, but author's aren't like musician. We don't get one cent from a library book. Used book store. The author receives no credit or compensation. Our greatest way of gaining readership is passing a book among friends. We love that; but one book among 10 people earns the author one sale. You can see the author's dilemma and they know yours. Times are tough and predicted to get tougher. We have to put food on the table, clothe our children and maintain our cars. The price of a new book compared to a pass around, library or used book store is deeply appreciated, but the author will cease to survive.
Gloomy thoughts at the start of a bright shiny new year. I'm praying that none of the dire predictions tossed about so frequently these days will come true, but if you love an author's work, support her/him with a new sale. It's the only way they'll be around in the coming years.
Thanks for sharing that, Robin. I'm sure a lot of us have not thought of it. And I do hope your fears don't come true. We just pray for a better year.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand, musicians don't make that much either, unless they have a hit! I'm still hoping for something to happen with my music.