Etienne Borgers (freeweb@rocketmail.com)
Mon, 16 Aug 1999 00:13:15 -0700 (PDT)
Even if not mainstream for our discussion here, I think the
following announcement is not totally off-topic.
In Time Magazine, two weeks ago, there was an article
describing a new technology to produce "books on demand" in
printed format, based on electronic storage of the texts.
There are no stocks of "paper books" in that system, each
book being processed on order. The article implies this
process is viable financially and that it is applied already
by some marketing companies. It underlines the big advantage
for texts by new writers that have little or no chance to
find a publisher by the traditional means. This seems
obvious, but I still doubt how they can do an effective
marketing for their books... especially when they produce
fiction.
On the other hand I see instant possibilities for reputed
novels, with restricted audiences, that are now out of print.
And this will fit perfectly HB novels -by known writers for
which shelves life is short and reprint scarces. It certainly
could work for all the old novels of past writers of quality.
There is just now the need for somebody to start it and the
WEB could be a good place to promote the
"genre" and specialist instant reprint books.
This echoes our previous discussions about weak publishers'
views or the "strangling" role for literature big American
bookshop chains have by their marketing policies.
Could it be a way out?
E.Borgers Hard-Boiled Mysteries http://www.geocities.com/Athens/6384
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