There’s been a great deal written recently about how the book publishing industry is changing, but I think how it impacts writers is still very much a work in progress.
Last fall, NPR did a report on Pearl Jam’s self released ninth album, Backspacer. The report made it clear that for a handful of very popular established bands like Pearl Jam, they could release their music without the help of the “established” industry organizations entirely. However, they are very much te exception, not the rule.
New bands, like most other new artists, need the marketing and promotion that comes with corporate backing. In the case of bands, that comes from concert promoters and recording labels. For writers, that comes from being published by a respected publishing house. I’ve heard a lot of writers talk about self-publishing. That’s certainly an option, but be ready for a struggle to sell without the marketing and promotion muscle of a large corporation behind you.
I’m sure I’ll have more to say on this later. Right now, I have to get back to work.
