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LitNotes: Digital Developments
April 11, 2008
Our language changes: "The digitization of words in time allows us to see language as it really is—not so much an 
abstract code as a dynamic system," writes Christine Kenneally in Slate while discussing Joshua Kendall's new book The Man Who Made Lists: Love, Death, Madness, and the Creation of Roget's Thesaurus. Love it or hate it, the power of computing combined with online databases has changed the way we use reference books -- and it's definitely changed the way we create them, too. What will be the next model for selling dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauruses? As usual when I ask these questions, I have no idea: but take a look at the Historical Thesaurus of English that Kenneally references and see if it gives you any ideas.
Ebooks sales increase: Evidently the Device Which Must Not Be Named has had an effect on ebooks already: 
"Publishing officials are reluctant to discuss sales figures, but say that they have seen double digit increases in ebook sales since the Kindle's release, and renewed interest in downloads for the Sony Reader," says an AP story. I'm glad to see Jonathan Karp embracing the Other Device Which Must Not Be Named as a tool, too:"I actually read in bed with the Sony e-reader, and I love it. It's lighter than a regular book, and easier to turn the pages than with a manuscript. I don't have to lug books back and forth. I'm saving paper. It's wonderful." I'm still amazed that, in this Age of Green, more people aren't embracing e-readers for this very reason -- and remember, I love traditional books as much as the next bibliophile. Thoughts?
Readers listen up: Offering free podcasts of books might seem like a surefire way to decrease actual book sales, 
but some authors have found that the freebies actually help them to gain loyal readers -- and by "loyal" I mean "willing to then pony up for an actual copy of the book." If you write it, they will come, author Scott Sigler discovered. Sigler knew that getting a bunch of people to buy your book at once boosts Amazon sales rankings, so he used the momentum from his podcast fans to get his book some attention. Very smart; a division of Universal Pictures has optioned his novel Infected. (Could there be a more appropriate titles for a book promoted through viral marketing?)
Posted by Bethanne Patrick on April 11, 2008 | Comments (2)
