Question of the Day: What Are You Reading?
News broke yesterday that Random House, the world’s largest book publisher, was re-structuring and would eliminate two large publishing groups. This is not the first time we have heard about trouble in the book publishing industry, but certainly one of the most alarming signs that the books are suffering in the digital age (as well as the slowdown in the economy).
I have a pile of books in my office, and more at home, that I haven’t yet had time to read. Of course, the pile of books is sitting on top of a pile of magazines and newspaper articles that I am working my way through. And those piles are sitting next to my computer, which is my access point to hundreds of blogs and online news sites which I read regularly and throughout the day. So, you get the picture.
The point is this: I don’t fully understand why the publishing world is having so much trouble. Almost every week a new book, sometimes two or three new books, are released and want to run out and purchase them. Often I do (which is why I have a pile I haven’t been able to get through). I love books! And I know I am not alone. My assumption is, the book publishing industry is producing books that most people don’t want to read. They can’t sell enough books to offset the cost or production (or the big advances they give to authors).
I want to help. I want to tell the book industry what types of books they should print, so that if/when they listen, I will do my part. And I want you to do the same.
The question of the day: What are you reading? Or should I say, what would you read more of if the publishing industry were to make it available? What do you want to see books about?
Thoughts?
Brian is Managing Director of little m media which provides strategic guidance and support to organizations around the use of the internet and technology to facilitate communications, engagement, education, and mobilization.
