We, as a generation, are obsessed. But, more importantly, possessed. Wherever you go, you can see people, be it your friends or family members, staring into their devices and outrightly ignoring everything else. They prefer to see the world around them through the glass screens of their tiny gadgets.
Change is the Only Constant
While most of the changes in this digital fortress of a world have brought about positive impacts so far, it is essential to be aware and stay smart to ensure that you tag along with it before it disrupts your livelihood. The digitalization of content, of every possible form, has shaken the economic foundations of several industries such as press, publishing, music, and video industries.
These changes have been catastrophic in the print journalism industry. As print sales and distribution fell, more and more publications are cutting costs by accepting the internet as their new partner.
On the other hand, the online news media has equipped itself with technology to make it easier for consumers to navigate and interact with them regularly. However, the only question is about the lost revenue.
But, right now, what do these developments in the digital publishing era mean for writers and their industry?
The Age of E-Books
In the last few years, we have watched quite a lot of independent and well-reputed bookstores shrinking in size or falling on their knees. Moreover, libraries have almost disappeared or have dedicated a majority of their time to perfecting their digital media strategy.
What does this mean for aspiring writers who are hoping to see their own work in the physical form of a book in the future?
While many have predicted the untimely fate of the industry, reading would most definitely not go out of style. Nevertheless, the book would not be the best delivery system for future literature enthusiasts.
E-books are known to be the preferred choice for readers now. They have already begun to overshadow the printed form. Even though print sales are the most extensive channel for published books, it has dropped considerably since the inception of e-books and technology.
A New World Ahead
There is still hope. Irrespective of the opposing views surrounding the publishing industry, print books and e-books can share a bright future together. While e-books can offer their readers selections, convenience, portability, and technical mobility, there are a few fundamental qualities that they can never accomplish.
As long as print books exist, there will always be people who whole-heartedly cherish the wonderful experience of holding a book, and subsequently, creating a market.
While the instant delivery of e-books and online reading may be fascinating and widely loved, it is hard to imagine a world where no one wants books on their shelves. Who wouldn’t enjoy passing down treasured titles to their beloved ones?
While print sales may be declining due to technology, they won’t go anywhere, anytime soon, because books represent much more than just words on a screen.
Thriving as a Writer Today
Since the wake of advanced technology, anyone with a computer can become a published writer. The process has become as simple as effortlessly typing on a keyboard and clicking the post button. You do not even have to make your way to the publisher’s; you can merely email your work to the online publication.
With technology, you can drastically increase your written output in a particular time frame. For example, with the use of a book writing app, you can follow a structure that will help you reach the finish line quicker. With tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway, you can keep a quality check on the work that you produce and edit effortlessly.
On the other hand, you have handy tools such as Milanote and Evernote to help you outline your story and keep your ideas and thoughts in an organized manner. These mesmerizing software are bound to lend a helping hand if you ever hit a dead-end in the writing process.
Aspiring writers, authors, and journalists can now use the power of that extra platform to showcase their talent and market their own work through several mediums such as websites, blogs, and the most powerful tool of all; social media.
The level of exposure available for writers in this new era of digitized print and press industries has significantly increased. On the other hand, with the power of the internet, publishers can sustain the growing demand and establish a direct link to their consumers.
Surveys have indicated the fact that readers who have access to digital readers are likely to increase in their patterns of reading. More importantly, a vast majority of these customers will continue to pay for their e-books, and that can work in favor of authors who are hoping to publish their work through the e-book format.
Digital publishing has the potential to reach millions of readers around the world. It has opened up a whole new audience for writers and thereby, positioning authors with the advantage of benefiting from this digital era.
While online publishing may seem daunting, it is, in fact, the same as the traditional publishing route, but only simpler. Knowing your book market, socially networking, continually researching, and writing with advanced technology such as a novel writing app, success in the digital sphere is guaranteed.
Remember, opportunities lie between a keyboard and a chair.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the technologies of today’s world can become your friend or foe. It is solely up to you to decide on the same.
By mastering them, you can experience the best of both worlds. Combine your strengths as a conscious writer with the data-driven and technologically-advanced opportunities of our time.
Who knows? This digital transformation may inspire you to publish your best-selling literary work yet!
