I have been reading a lot of articles on how the digital era of books has changed the publishing landscape. I’ve even read a few articles from less-than-reputable sources, as well as some from reputable ones, that talk about this very subject. There are too many to list. But, here is the one that made me feel like I wanted to put my opinion out there.
I am not doing a study. This is my opinion on the matter, and my experience on books that have gone digital.
I have purchased a lot more books now that I have the option of buying digital books.
What? Blasphemy! I buy more books because they’re digital? What happened to the sweet, sweet, dusty smell of a used book — the fresh, crisp scent of ink and paper of a new one? What about the starving writer who needs the hard copies to sell?
I am an impulsive person. I buy something I want. Digital books let me buy books immediately. I actually was infuriated that a big 6 publisher did not have a digital copy of a book I really wanted available. I didn’t have time to go to the book store. (I still go to the book store, by the way. I still buy a certain number of books in hard copies. These are books by authors that are my true favorites, when I really want to curl up in front of the fire with a real book. I even have two copies of these books. One on my kindle, and one in paper or hardback.)
Yes, yes, I had to buy a kindle. Boo hoo, woe is me. The kindle is actually better on my eyes, my back, and my neck. Ever since I transitioned, I got far fewer headaches from reading. I got to enjoy the books more. I was one of those people who swore never to give up the real book.
I changed my mind when I realized I could read without developing a headache, and that I was still prone to brush off the ‘page’ when I ‘turned’ it in my kindle. I forgot I wasn’t reading a real book. Because I was! The words were as real as before. I just got to enjoy them even more.
Perhaps the nature of the game has changed. Perhaps the ways books reach me have changed. But the truth of the matter is, I still go to the bookstore to scope out books to read. I still enjoy libraries and places where I can touch and enjoy real books.
But I buy most of my books as digital acquisitions. So there is more competition as self-published authors fight for the same market place, but when I want a really good book, I go to a bookstore.
Why? Because I still feel the quality books are there. I’ve taken my kindle into the bookstore and have purchased books on the spot I have found in the bookstore. I have — in that same trip to the bookstore — purchased real copies of books because I wanted that specific book on my bookshelf.
There is room for everyone. Adaption is necessary.
Self-pity at the fact things change is optional. Me? I think there is still a lot to be said for traditional publication. I know it does now — and forever will — hold a place in my heart. Why?
Sometimes there is nothing as comforting as the rustle of pages when turned, the scent of the ink and the paper, and sometimes — just sometimes — the staining of a page from tears when an author does their job.