Say Goodbye To Books
POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Book Reviews, Culture
In an interview yesterday, Seth Godin, popular blogger and author of some of my all-time favorite books including Purple Cow, The Dip and Tribes, said that he is done with the book publishing industry and will be distributing future work in less traditional ways.
I’ve decided not to publish any more books in the traditional way. 12 for 12 and I’m done. I like the people, but I can’t abide the long wait, the filters, the big push at launch, the nudging to get people to go to a store they don’t usually visit to buy something they don’t usually buy, to get them to pay for an idea in a form that’s hard to spread … I really don’t think the process is worth the effort that it now takes to make it work. I can reach 10 or 50 times as many people electronically.
That’s quite the statement for a successful author to make. You’ve got to remember, we’re not talking about a small-time author – in its first two years of release, Purple Cow sold over 150,000 copies in more than 23 printings and The Dip was a Business Week and New York Times bestseller. So what is making him jump ship?
Godin’s little gem of a statement is right in the middle of that quote when he talks about trying to get people to “pay for an idea in a form that’s hard to spread.” That is what separates the traditional publishing industry from electronic forms of idea distribution like blogs – if you can’t Tweet it, Like it, Digg it or email it, then how will you spread it?
I’m not saying that books are a thing of the past but I do agree with Godin that there are some significant paradigm shifts about to rock the publishing industry over the next decade or two. The earliest waves of that shift are already starting to hit the magazine world which often relies on current news stories to sell their stories. How can a traditionally published magazine keep up with the speed and flexibility of the Internet where stories trend and fall into obscurity before a printed page can even hit the stands?
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August 24, 2010
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Yes, I agree. I signed a book contract 3 years ago and published my first book. It was exciting at first, but the process did get very laborious. Once my book hit stores, I did book signings and short lectures. It was fun, but definitely seemed really old school and out of touch with how we now assimilate information these days. I saw modest sales with little in the form of royalties. Immediately, I knew that my next efforts would be electronic for all the reasons he voiced… thanks for the post
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August 24, 2010
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There will probably always be a place for books. But as a primary way of spreading ideas? I think its days are done.
Like you, I blog a lot. I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words and tens of thousands of people have read them. Fifteen years ago I would have had absolutely no outlet to reach an audience unless I was published. Now you just have to know how to set up a WordPress blog.
The ability for everyone to spread ideas quickly and efficiently will always trump an archaic system. That’s probably why we don’t write on stone tablets anymore. The fact that I could be hired by a publisher to write a book and the time from start to when it is published can be measured in years illustrates the problem.
I think the irony of this topic is that most published authors have a desire to reach their audience without publisher interference and most bloggers desire to have a book published.
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August 24, 2010
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As an aspiring author, I’ve heard Godin’s argument as advice from other well-known authors and editors alike. One editor even went so far as to tell me to self-publish electronically… and nothing else. I’ve seen book signings, lonely authors waiting at a fold-out table, Sharpie in hand. People walk by like they’re homeless, asking for change. It’s frustrating and scary. I, personally, love a book. But, seeing the other side, totally understand.
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August 24, 2010
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Luke – Interesting perspective from someone “on the inside” who has actually published a book.
Chad – I can totally appreciate the irony of both groups thinking the grass is greener on the other side. It it true, many bloggers I know see publishing a book as a sign that they have finally arrived. I know I’ve been guilty of seeing my blog as only a stepping stone to something more. The biggest question is what are we doing to reach the audience we have?
D. Marie – that’s a funny (but sad) mental picture of a lonely author sitting at a book signing with no one there. It’s not quite as glamorous as we might think.
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August 24, 2010
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I’m really excited about the path he’s taking and am considering it myself. My first three short novels are coming out this winter through a small e-book/POD press. My witting is improving and with my next book (which is a start a new series) I’m torn as to whether to aim for a better publisher, a traditional publishers, or go the way of self-pub. 2-5 years is a long time to give up my rights over my books. In this changing climate, I’m not sur I feel confortable handing over the reigns to any publishing house.
Thanks for the great blog post!
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August 24, 2010
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I would have to agree it is just easier for me to read on my phone when convenient and there are list of consumers in my boat. I think paradigms shifts happen and they are not that big a deal we just adapt and move on.
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August 24, 2010
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Another thing to consider, can authors say more with less words by publishing through electronic mediums?
Think of the last non-fiction book you read. More than likely you could have condensed it down to 40-60% of the book and still have gotten the gist of what the author was saying, In fact, you may have even been able to remember it better because you read it quicker.
Why do authors add the extra stuff in there? Some would argue that it’s an important part of setting the stage for each point they make but in many cases I think it’s just because no one wants to pay full-price for a 35-page book. We feel better about paying $12-15 for a 150-page book.
Why then is Seth Godin’s blog the number 1 blog according to AdWeek? He takes the concepts he talks about in his books (and some that he only digests on his blog) and presents them in short, bite-sized pieces that his audience can read, remember and share. It’s so sharable in fact that fans developed a site called http://sethsaid.com
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August 24, 2010
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I completely understand why Seth Godin would get away from publishing. He communicates ideas. While I love him and read his blog religiously, I couldn’t help but feel cheated when I bought one of his books. 130 pages with 2 inch margins and big titles? His best medium is his blog. It’s so much better than his books.
But sometimes books are better. Just because we can say something with less words does that mean we always should? Like a song you like, it wouldn’t be as good if it’s only a 20 second chorus.
So I for one hope the book doesn’t die. I hope all sides win.
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August 24, 2010
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I don’t think publishing/printing books will ever be OUT. Especially for fiction. I am not a fan of electronic books for pleasure reading..don’t and won’t own a kindle! I can download on my pc if I must. I just prefer a hard copy in my hand when reading something that I want to remember
I THINK what will change is the WAY publisher PROMOTE and PUSH BOOKS…they will have to do more virtual PUSHING to keep up with the economy. Not many people go to book signings when you can read an on-line interview or the authors personal blog. SETH’s genre is a limited choice buyer so I can see where virtual publishing would work really well or him. Of course with his printed past behind him, he is in the postion to go virual.
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August 24, 2010
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Jason playing Switzerland and toing the line for both…. I like it
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August 25, 2010
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After thinking about this more, I have to say the problem isn’t books. Many people still love having a printed book in hand and authors love seeing them. The problem is the system of getting words from an author’s brain into printed form. It’s very, very broken. It would be a shame if the book died because the system was bad.
But, I think even self-publishing and print on demand has begun to change the game in that regard. I don’t know if they are the final answer, but they will get better and better over time.
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September 1, 2010
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I mostly agree with Seth Godin’s argument. I guess it would be different if publishers could guarantee their authors reach a substantial audience, but they can’t. Even Booker prize listees often sell only a few thousand copies in hardback – a writer with a high-trafficked blog could reach as many readers within days.
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September 2, 2010
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Electronic printing is here to stay and grow, definitely. Seth is onto something.
At the SAME TIME, books are here to stay. If you have a bookshelve or two or three at home filled with your favorites, or a favorite reading chair and lamp, then you’ll know exactly what I mean.
As for selling the books or “spreading” the message, the principle is still a viral marketing thing, meaning it has to be set up and systemetized. a good book on that is “1001 Ways to Market Your Books.” In it, all the methods Jack Canfield used. Sitting at a table is not one of them.
Neither is being in an electronic form a sure thing for your written ideas to fly far and wide. Marketing takes effort. beside the ideas need to be good.