I’ve been listening to dire warnings way too much lately. I’m something of a news junkie (print, web, and television), but I’ve had to cut back on my habit like so many others that aren’t good for me. After all, how much bad news can we take? The economy is falling apart around our ears, unemployment is up, crime is up, schools are in dire need of funds, there’s swine flu for God’s sake….
For some reason, out of all the negative news out there, the ailing publishing and newspaper industries seemed to hit me the hardest. At first.
The idea of not having a newspaper to cuddle up with at five A.M. was…disturbing to me. The last 18 years of my life have involved mornings with the newspaper and a cup of joe. I’m a creature of habit.
Bookstores facing bankruptcy gave me chills.
The news of layoffs in the publishing industry, coupled with news of publishers cutting back on their lists or not signing new authors also gave me pause.
I wasn’t even sure what I should feel about this story about a man writing a 100,000 word novel on his cell phone.
Then there was the Kindle. I felt very conflicted about the Kindle. Books on a computer screen. Hmm.
But if you think about it, books (or reading, even if you’re doing it on a Kindle or Sony Reader) is an escape. You can’t really read a book and do anything else at the same time. I’ve been to both Borders and Barnes and Noble and they’re crowded with people. People who aren’t at home watching cable news. People who are drinking coffee and reading newspapers and buying books.
Sales for mysteries and romance are up (both provide excellent escapes from reality.)
And then I realized that it doesn’t really matter what the medium is. I can change with the times. If I’m reading my newspaper online or if I’m downloading books, I can adapt. The important thing is that there are still reporters out there who are uncovering dirt and making sure that I’m informed. There are fiction writers out there penning books that transport me to another world (no matter how I’m reading them.) And I feel fine…
It’s enough to make a person crazy, isn’t it? I guess that’s why I love television escape shows like American Idol and Dancing With the Stars.
But as writers, we have a mission to turn people on to reading, no matter the form or format. The only gift I give to a child these days is a book. Take heart. We’ll build a new generation of readers….Pat
I have been reading most of my escapist fiction on the computer for years now, because the bulk of what I read is non-professional offerings that are freely posted on-line.
But even with that comfort level, I really did find it hard to embrace the ebook format for my own novel. I’m pretty comfortable with it now, and I genuinely adore ebooks…but I’ll confess, I’ll still be thrilled if my book goes to print.
Elle Parker
http://elleparkerbooks.blogspot.com/
I agree, I’m adaptable, if a little cranky about it. Okay, a lot cranky. I’m looking forward to being able to afford a Kindle so I can take several books on vacation without breaking my back. As far as the newspaper… I guess I can adjust, but how am I going to do the crossword puzzle?
Oh-oh-oh, I forgot to work in the fact that, in this economy, an author selling books needs to point out how much value a reader gets for their money. Hours of entertainment, for a few pennies!
Gayle
http://gaylecarline.blogspot.com
I hear you. Here – when I’ve had it up to my ears with all the bad news I go to: http://www.goodnewsgazette.net/
The Good News Gazette. There ARE good things going on in the world and they publish pages of the stuff everyday. :)
Thanks everybody! I appreciate the uplifing comments and the link to happy news.
Elizabeth
http://www.mysterywritingismurder.blogspot.com/
I like it. Upbeat and folksy. Just the right tone and the picture at the beginning is perfect.
Regarding escapism, I thought I would try escaping through my protagonist. He’s a bit taller than me, a it smarter, faster, better looking, richer, etc. Everything I want to be. If a movie is made, Matthew McConnaghy would play him.
Nicely put! Reminds me of an anonymous quote that I love:
“When the wind of change blows, some build walls, others build windmills.”
I used to travel 24/7 and one thing I always enjoyed each morning in a new hotel in a new city was checking out the local newspaper with my breakfast. Now it seems the future of the Boston Globe is now on the line…but as a famous character once said, “We’ll always have Paris.” Or I should have said, “we’ll always have online.”
Very insightful post. But first, please tell me – what rock group did the song you reference in your title? Was it REM? I can hear it in my head but can’t remember who sang it.
The problems in the publishing industry worry me too. Last week I went to the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Symposium in New York City. There was an “editors and agents” cocktail party afterwards, but there were scarcely any editors and agents there – just writers. You could tell by the color of the name tags. Even worse, Sue Grafton had hardly anyone in her book signing line – whereas three years ago I had to wait 45 minutes for her signature. Go figure.
But I agree – people will be reading, one way or another.
Thanks everyone! Yes, the title is a reference to an old (late 1980s) REM song.
Elizabeth