Cassie is a tech blogger who spends all her free time reading. She’s most interested in the way technology has changed the book world for readers and writers alike. Follow her on Twitter.
Reading and
writing are some of the oldest pastimes. For generations, stories have lit up
our lives and helped us share important ideas and messages. This tradition is
no different in the modern world, with one key exception: technology. The Internet
has revolutionized the way authors produce books and stories.
However,
whether these changes have been purely negative or positive is debatable. While
technology has undoubtedly afforded us new writing opportunities, there are
some unavoidable downsides. This post documents the good and the bad of how the
world of writing has changed.
The Way We Read
Perhaps the most
obvious transformation in the modern literary landscape is in the way we read.
There is now a plethora of formats available where once the only option would
have been a physical book. For authors, this means endless new ways to get
their work to readers.
Audiobooks became the first significant
technological development for the industry and allowed readers to engage with
their favorite novels without actually reading. Story tapes were an incredibly
popular medium for helping young children sleep. Apps such as Audible have
provided the opportunity for prospective readers to get involved no matter
where they are.
Similarly, the e-book format has instigated a revolution is its own right. Not
only have these virtual downloads slashed the costs of publishing, it has also encouraged
readers to buy more than ever before. While many claim an e-reader such as
Kindle can never replace the holistic experience of reading a physical book, it
still has some undeniable advantages for up-and-coming authors.
The Way We Write
Authors
worldwide have benefited significantly from the global literary community the Internet provides. Where once prospective writers would have had to lobby for
investment and publishing facilities, it’s now possible to get work to its
audience with no intermediary.
Self-publishing
has given the power to many new up-and-coming and independent authors, and it’s
easier than ever to get your voice out there! Using any of the available online
resources, you can devise, write and publish a story for minimal cost. This is
an incredible advantage for writers and readers alike.
Some excellent sources to consider when self-publishing include:
·
Book Aggregators. These online resources, such as Smashwords, support you through the process
of publishing your work on numerous platforms.
·
Editing Software. Apps such as Grammarly are a great support for
self-editors.
·
Formatting Tools. Services such as Pressbooks allow you to format your
manuscript for publishing.
The Way We Sell
Today, the
bookshop/library culture of yesteryear is almost entirely gone. Except for the
few literature purists, most of your customers will come from the internet.
Thankfully, distributors have made it easy to sell your work. It’s now possible
to upload your manuscript to a variety of online bookstores no matter where you
are. Your readers can have physical copies sent to their doors or download any e-book
in a matter in of minutes, making it more likely for them to invest in your
product.
The access this has allowed authors is infinite. No longer do you have to go
through exclusive and expensive publishing houses. Similarly, your readers
don’t even have to have a dedicated e-reader to benefit anymore. Many apps
provide cheap downloads straight to a phone, tablet or any other device.
The Risks We Face
While
the benefits of this digitalization are numerous, some unfortunate new risks
have come along. Before the Internet, if you insinuated there were threats
associated with writing books, you would have been viewed as crazy. Now, the
risk factors involved with e-commerce and making sales when on-the-go are much
more prevalent.
Kindle
Fire has already been criticized for its lack of protection when purchasing
books on public
WiFi networks. These insecure hotspots allow hackers to intercept credit card
details, and users are advised to install security software. For writers, this threat extends to all computers,
phones and tablets used remotely; you don’t want to lose your manuscript to a
virus or hacker.
As more and more of our lives become digitalized, cyberthreats like these are
essential to consider! It’s one of the most negative repercussions of the
online literary culture.
The Way We Share
Last,
but by no means least, the book community itself has seen a dramatic
transformation. As the Internet has allowed us to share further, easier and
more often, it has meant the literary society has expanded in ways unlike every
before.
A fantastic example of this is Goodreads, the book review site. This platform,
alongside many others like it, has allowed readers and writers access to
multiple in-depth reviews on different books. Similarly, the many recommended book
lists on the site can help authors market their work to the right target
audience.
The blogosphere has also had a significant hand in sharing books over the Internet. Online book blogs allow authors to engage in niche communities where
they can discuss, share and promote their work.
The
Internet has completely revolutionized the life of an author. Every single
element of literature has been affected, and things do not look to be reversing
anytime soon. While many bemoan the downsides of digitalizing books, it’s
undeniable the impact it’s had on those who write them is unmatchable.
What are
your thoughts? Do you love the opportunities the Internet has afforded writers?
Or has it taken something away from the purity of writing and reading?
Cassie is a tech blogger who spends all her free time reading. She’s most interested in the way technology has changed the book world for readers and writers alike. Follow her on Twitter. 
However,
whether these changes have been purely negative or positive is debatable. While
technology has undoubtedly afforded us new writing opportunities, there are
some unavoidable downsides. This post documents the good and the bad of how the
world of writing has changed. 
Today, the
bookshop/library culture of yesteryear is almost entirely gone. Except for the
few literature purists, most of your customers will come from the internet.
Thankfully, distributors have made it easy to sell your work. It’s now possible
to upload your manuscript to a variety of online bookstores no matter where you
are. Your readers can have physical copies sent to their doors or download any e-book
in a matter in of minutes, making it more likely for them to invest in your
product. 