Publishing Evolution #84: Writer Communities & Author Websites

I don't particularly have a favorite author, I just like to read good books! However I have helped many patrons find the websites of their favorite author, it definitely is helpful when you visit their websites. Some websites are updated often whereas others aren't. Many of them allow you to email or leave comments or give you an option to join their fan club. Books published by popular vote? Well I don't know about that, I tend to sway away from popular books because I think its just hype in the end.I think it would give me less faith. Some novels I must get a really good review from a friend I trust before I would read it.

Publishing Evolution #83: Paper to Pixels (or e-ink)

I definitely prefer ink and paper, the glare of the computer screen is not as appealing as crisp pages and the new book smell. I think it's great that materials are available at the click of a button, who doesnt like convenience? But there is nothing like finding a confortable spot in the house or outside and immersing yourself in a good book. Reading materials in paper format is more important to me, I remember reading assigned books, I would make notes in the margin, I can highlight things I need to reference back to. Yes you can do it on a digital format but when you think about it, what if you have no access to the computer, computer crashes, or there is a power outage? The digital format would not be of use at all.

Price definitely influences whether or not I would buy something. But regardless I would prefer the paper and ink stuff. A book is portable and cheaper in the long run, in order to access digital materials, you need first a computer or some type of overpriced computerized device to retrieve it and then you have to buy the actual file. Call me old fashioned I guess.

I went to iFiction, and I definitely like the idea. I have a magazine subscription that does something similar to this. They have excerpts from what they call "Good Reads" and I have found myself finding interest in the items after I have read a small part of the book. Its practically what you would do in a bookstore, flip through a few pages, read a few paragraphs and if you like it purchase it.

Working in a library is great, I get to see all kinds of new materials when they come in at the branch. I get to read the books or preview them without paying the price.