Comments on: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/ the 26th Story Sun, 20 May 2012 18:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: cheapshoesbag http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4810 cheapshoesbag Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:08:01 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4810 People, looking at the same thing from different angles, may come to different conclusions. It was maybe the best of times for someone, and the worst for others. <p>  Buy <a href="http://www.jerseygate.com/" rel="nofollow">cheap jerseys</a>, wholesale nfl jerseys, nhl jerseys, please visit: <a href="http://www.jerseygate.com/" rel="nofollow">www.jerseygate.com</a></p> People, looking at the same thing from different angles, may come to different conclusions. It was maybe the best of times for someone, and the worst for others.

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]]> By: büyüler http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4757 büyüler Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:22:27 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4757 thanks for admin wonderfull blog and so many information.. thanks for admin wonderfull blog and so many information..

]]> By: Ankaradekorasyon http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4709 Ankaradekorasyon Tue, 17 May 2011 18:15:13 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4709 ankara uçan balon dekorasyoncankaya@gmail.com <a href="http://www.ankaraucanbalon.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.ankaraucanbalon.com</a> ankara uçan balon dekorasyoncankaya@gmail.com http://www.ankaraucanbalon.com

]]> By: thomas sabo http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4692 thomas sabo Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:40:21 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4692 ed the list, especially #8. I'd love to have an agent like that. ed the list, especially #8. I'd love to have an agent like that.

]]> By: Çelik kapı http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4670 Çelik kapı Sat, 12 Feb 2011 13:01:17 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4670 Dawwins :D Dawwins :D

]]> By: Escort istanbul http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4669 Escort istanbul Thu, 10 Feb 2011 10:54:36 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4669 Thanks for chiming in, Patrick!!! and Happy New Year to you, too...<br><br>Here's to persisting (making books, raising children) in spite of all advice to the contrary Thanks for chiming in, Patrick!!! and Happy New Year to you, too…

Here's to persisting (making books, raising children) in spite of all advice to the contrary

]]> By: Stephen Brayton http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4658 Stephen Brayton Wed, 05 Jan 2011 07:20:36 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4658 Very insightful. But don't forget about the trend of the growing success of smaller presses. Very insightful. But don't forget about the trend of the growing success of smaller presses.

]]> By: Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Q&A: How Bad Is It Really in the Publishing Industry? http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4657 Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Q&A: How Bad Is It Really in the Publishing Industry? Tue, 28 Dec 2010 12:01:56 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4657 [...] If you’d like a narrative account of changes taking place (with predictions), this blog post by former HarperStudio publisher, Bob Miller, still carries meaning and insight after.... [...] [...] If you’d like a narrative account of changes taking place (with predictions), this blog post by former HarperStudio publisher, Bob Miller, still carries meaning and insight after…. [...]

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]]> By: medyum http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4632 medyum Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:25:13 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4632 thanks for admin wonderfull blog and dissenger thanks for admin wonderfull blog and dissenger

]]> By: Niyazisenturk http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4627 Niyazisenturk Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:43:27 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4627 <a href="http://www.medyumniyazi.com" rel="nofollow">www.medyumniyazi.com</a> http://www.medyumniyazi.com

]]> By: IKE | 10-10-10 Plus 10 http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4626 IKE | 10-10-10 Plus 10 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 08:10:40 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4626 [...] At the end of 2009, Bob Miller, who was at the time the head honcho at HarperStudio, posted a year-end wrap-up on their blog that included a Top Ten List of predictions for the future of publishing called – It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… [...] [...] At the end of 2009, Bob Miller, who was at the time the head honcho at HarperStudio, posted a year-end wrap-up on their blog that included a Top Ten List of predictions for the future of publishing called – It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… [...]

]]> By: medyumlar http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4617 medyumlar Thu, 16 Sep 2010 16:57:34 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4617 <br>Bob -- As usual, you clarify the trends and counter-trends which is (brilliant cop-out) to say that it's impossible to come up with definitive trends. In a business where hundreds of thousands of new titles come out every year, how can you quantify or qualify what will happen? Nonetheless, I agree with much of what you say. I don't agree that Boomers are losing their eye-sight, at least not so fast. Nor are we about to be dead and then un-dead. I wonder how Obama-care will treat zombies? If insurance companies can't cancel coverage, does that include those who were dead and returned? But I digress. The missing 10th or 11th trend above is that the consumer and author will become much more directly connected in the next decade thanks to the internet environment. And it isn't just the YA or college audience, I heard more cocktail discussion about the Kindle and Nook over the holiday than I did about where to get the Early-Bird specials near the retirement communities in Florida. In the end, the consumer of all ages is really getting comfortable with digital reception in smart phones or smart readers or, coming shortly, expansive tablets from Apple and Microsoft. Bookstores will become digital centers, ditto for libraries, and yet -- counter-trend, two can play this game -- many physical books will benefit from the ability to publicize and socialize or twitterize the books that aren't brand names (as you do so brilliantly). Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars.<br> Bob — As usual, you clarify the trends and counter-trends which is (brilliant cop-out) to say that it's impossible to come up with definitive trends. In a business where hundreds of thousands of new titles come out every year, how can you quantify or qualify what will happen? Nonetheless, I agree with much of what you say. I don't agree that Boomers are losing their eye-sight, at least not so fast. Nor are we about to be dead and then un-dead. I wonder how Obama-care will treat zombies? If insurance companies can't cancel coverage, does that include those who were dead and returned? But I digress. The missing 10th or 11th trend above is that the consumer and author will become much more directly connected in the next decade thanks to the internet environment. And it isn't just the YA or college audience, I heard more cocktail discussion about the Kindle and Nook over the holiday than I did about where to get the Early-Bird specials near the retirement communities in Florida. In the end, the consumer of all ages is really getting comfortable with digital reception in smart phones or smart readers or, coming shortly, expansive tablets from Apple and Microsoft. Bookstores will become digital centers, ditto for libraries, and yet — counter-trend, two can play this game — many physical books will benefit from the ability to publicize and socialize or twitterize the books that aren't brand names (as you do so brilliantly). Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars.

]]> By: Discount Timberland uk http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4601 Discount Timberland uk Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:19:44 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4601 quite nice quite nice

]]> By: New Yorker; “Publish or Perish” – The future of books in a world with iPads, Kindles, Google Edition « The Washington Syndicate http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4499 New Yorker; “Publish or Perish” – The future of books in a world with iPads, Kindles, Google Edition « The Washington Syndicate Thu, 06 May 2010 04:47:55 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4499 [...] on in the publishing world including Robert S. Miller, President and Publisher of HarperStudio who looks back on 2009 as a watershed year and predicts the dominant group of six publishing titans (Random House, Hachette, Pearson, HarperCollins, [...] [...] on in the publishing world including Robert S. Miller, President and Publisher of HarperStudio who looks back on 2009 as a watershed year and predicts the dominant group of six publishing titans (Random House, Hachette, Pearson, HarperCollins, [...]

]]> By: E-Reads: Publishing In the 21st Century » Blog Archiv » Now We Are Three. Robert Miller Predicts Big Six Publishers Will Shrink to Three http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4443 E-Reads: Publishing In the 21st Century » Blog Archiv » Now We Are Three. Robert Miller Predicts Big Six Publishers Will Shrink to Three Fri, 26 Mar 2010 07:18:38 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4443 [...] a piece entitled It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times posted on the HarperStudio website, Miller not only projects trends but counter trends. Some might [...] [...] a piece entitled It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times posted on the HarperStudio website, Miller not only projects trends but counter trends. Some might [...]

]]> By: How Much Can a Typical Self-Published Author Make? « R.W. Ridley http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4277 How Much Can a Typical Self-Published Author Make? « R.W. Ridley Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:03:02 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4277 [...] self-published author can make in a year.  Robert Miller of HarperStudios wrote an excellent piece on the changing face of the publishing industry.  For those of you who don’t know, Miller is [...] [...] self-published author can make in a year.  Robert Miller of HarperStudios wrote an excellent piece on the changing face of the publishing industry.  For those of you who don’t know, Miller is [...]

]]> By: Sean Cranbury Talks Publishing 3.0 @ The Shebeen Club « books on the radio http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4097 Sean Cranbury Talks Publishing 3.0 @ The Shebeen Club « books on the radio Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:31:47 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4097 [...] It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… by Bob Miller, Harper Studio. [...] [...] It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times… by Bob Miller, Harper Studio. [...]

]]> By: BruceBatchelor http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4076 BruceBatchelor Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:59:14 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4076 Bob, loved your list! I could really relate to that last trend, but can report that I do feel much better and lighter now. :-)<br>If I was to suggest a few more trends, they would be:<br>11. the decline of independent, new-book stores, following the pattern of collapse of music stores and video rental stores. The counter trend will be the reinvention of some of those stores by adding other higher-margin products, such as used books, gifts, etc., and more "entertainment" such as dramatic readings and musical performances, accompanied by food and alcohol. The former bookstore becomes an evening destination for cultural creatives.<br><br>12. Trend: end of returnable book terms as publishers finally figure out that their bottom lines are suffering needlessly. Counter trend: publishers increasingly selling directly to the public, cutting out the retailer altogether (saving 40% or more). And also cutting out the distributor (and its 10% to 20% margin).<br><br>13. Trend: most p-books will be bought online as local bookbuying opportunities dry up with closures. Counter trend: the larger publishers will set up drop-shipping capabilities to allow any website to sell their products. These e-retailers will earn only about 10 to 15%, relaying the order to the publisher who will ship the product directly to the consumer under the retailer's label. (Note that again the distributor has been cut out of the process altogether.)<br><br>14. Trend. Consumers will be thinking about "who tells the best stories" (and spreading the word virally) and "how do I enjoy them best." This means the big publishers lose their advantages of big wallets to finance ad campaigns and pay for massive print runs sold on consignment; and everyone will scramble to offer their p-books in a dozen formats of eBooks, audio books, video books, etc., etc. to satisfy an increasingly fragmented marketplace. Counter trend: This suggests opportunities for re-thinking the business we are all in, and stop being fixated with p-books. We may see the next big innovation in storytelling during this coming decade.<br><br>Best wishes for 2010.<br>thanks, cheers,<br>Bruce Batchelor, publisher at Agio Publishing House Bob, loved your list! I could really relate to that last trend, but can report that I do feel much better and lighter now. :-)
If I was to suggest a few more trends, they would be:
11. the decline of independent, new-book stores, following the pattern of collapse of music stores and video rental stores. The counter trend will be the reinvention of some of those stores by adding other higher-margin products, such as used books, gifts, etc., and more “entertainment” such as dramatic readings and musical performances, accompanied by food and alcohol. The former bookstore becomes an evening destination for cultural creatives.

12. Trend: end of returnable book terms as publishers finally figure out that their bottom lines are suffering needlessly. Counter trend: publishers increasingly selling directly to the public, cutting out the retailer altogether (saving 40% or more). And also cutting out the distributor (and its 10% to 20% margin).

13. Trend: most p-books will be bought online as local bookbuying opportunities dry up with closures. Counter trend: the larger publishers will set up drop-shipping capabilities to allow any website to sell their products. These e-retailers will earn only about 10 to 15%, relaying the order to the publisher who will ship the product directly to the consumer under the retailer's label. (Note that again the distributor has been cut out of the process altogether.)

14. Trend. Consumers will be thinking about “who tells the best stories” (and spreading the word virally) and “how do I enjoy them best.” This means the big publishers lose their advantages of big wallets to finance ad campaigns and pay for massive print runs sold on consignment; and everyone will scramble to offer their p-books in a dozen formats of eBooks, audio books, video books, etc., etc. to satisfy an increasingly fragmented marketplace. Counter trend: This suggests opportunities for re-thinking the business we are all in, and stop being fixated with p-books. We may see the next big innovation in storytelling during this coming decade.

Best wishes for 2010.
thanks, cheers,
Bruce Batchelor, publisher at Agio Publishing House

]]> By: Laurence Hughes: The Future of Publishing: 10 Predictions Plus 2 | Blog News Web http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4073 Laurence Hughes: The Future of Publishing: 10 Predictions Plus 2 | Blog News Web Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:18:35 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4073 [...] Plus 2 Lately some prominent book industry figures have been making predictions and forecasting trends about the future of publishing. To quote the great seer Nostradamus: I knew that was going to [...] [...] Plus 2 Lately some prominent book industry figures have been making predictions and forecasting trends about the future of publishing. To quote the great seer Nostradamus: I knew that was going to [...]

]]> By: Predictions | The Casual Optimist http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4065 Predictions | The Casual Optimist Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:49:07 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4065 [...] It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times — Bob Miller, president and publisher of HarperStudio: [F]or every trend there will be a counter trend [...] [...] It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times — Bob Miller, president and publisher of HarperStudio: [F]or every trend there will be a counter trend [...]

]]> By: cherylktardif http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4062 cherylktardif Thu, 07 Jan 2010 05:00:43 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4062 I found your predictions for a new era in publishing to be very interesting--and I believe you've hit the nail on most of them. Thanks for sharing your insights, Bob. It's going to be very interesting to see how things progress in the book industry.<br><br>As a published author, I always try to embrace new technology and directions. At some point, it becomes "sink or swim", and I've learned that the only way to get ahead in this biz is to paddle hard!<br><br>Cheryl Kaye Tardif, suspense author I found your predictions for a new era in publishing to be very interesting–and I believe you've hit the nail on most of them. Thanks for sharing your insights, Bob. It's going to be very interesting to see how things progress in the book industry.

As a published author, I always try to embrace new technology and directions. At some point, it becomes “sink or swim”, and I've learned that the only way to get ahead in this biz is to paddle hard!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, suspense author

]]> By: Bob Miller http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4061 Bob Miller Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:05:23 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4061 Thanks for chiming in, Patrick!!! and Happy New Year to you, too...<br><br>Here's to persisting (making books, raising children) in spite of all advice to the contrary... Thanks for chiming in, Patrick!!! and Happy New Year to you, too…

Here's to persisting (making books, raising children) in spite of all advice to the contrary…

]]> By: Kate http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4054 Kate Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:40:14 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4054 I think you're absolutely right about the changes in payment structures and acquisitions to come - the current model is rapidly becoming untenable, and I have a feeling profit-sharing (or at least lower advances and higher royalties) is going to be the way of the future.<br><br>Bundling looks to be big, too - I see 2010 as the year when mass-market publishing begins a sea change towards selling content, not platform, and starts to do what a lot of textbook publishers already do - include electronic access to the content along with the paper version, perhaps for a slightly higher price. Along with this, I have a feeling we're going to see a shakeout over standards - Kindle? ePub? PDF? - and readers demanding to be able to access content they've paid for on any platform they own (paper, Kindle, iPhone, BlackBerry, laptop).<br><br>Should be an interesting year...<br><br>All that said, I think Prediction #4 is going to be hard on authors. Mostly because I think you're right - it's going to come down to superstars publishing, and a lot of hard times for lesser-known authors, and really rough going for new authors. There's a chance, though, that small presses can step in where the big houses might be unwilling to take a risk - or that new platforms like <a href="http://Catchn.net" rel="nofollow">Catchn.net</a> might be able to step up as launching pads for new voices, proving that there's an audience for a particular writer before a big publishing house takes the risk of acquiring them. I think you're absolutely right about the changes in payment structures and acquisitions to come – the current model is rapidly becoming untenable, and I have a feeling profit-sharing (or at least lower advances and higher royalties) is going to be the way of the future.

Bundling looks to be big, too – I see 2010 as the year when mass-market publishing begins a sea change towards selling content, not platform, and starts to do what a lot of textbook publishers already do – include electronic access to the content along with the paper version, perhaps for a slightly higher price. Along with this, I have a feeling we're going to see a shakeout over standards – Kindle? ePub? PDF? – and readers demanding to be able to access content they've paid for on any platform they own (paper, Kindle, iPhone, BlackBerry, laptop).

Should be an interesting year…

All that said, I think Prediction #4 is going to be hard on authors. Mostly because I think you're right – it's going to come down to superstars publishing, and a lot of hard times for lesser-known authors, and really rough going for new authors. There's a chance, though, that small presses can step in where the big houses might be unwilling to take a risk – or that new platforms like Catchn.net might be able to step up as launching pads for new voices, proving that there's an audience for a particular writer before a big publishing house takes the risk of acquiring them.

]]> By: Kay Shostak http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4053 Kay Shostak Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:02:36 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4053 Good post and one I'll be sharing on twitter. On #8, I've recently been signed by a new agency and the model you propose is how they are set up. I loved the concept while talking to them and like it even more seeing it on your list! Good post and one I'll be sharing on twitter. On #8, I've recently been signed by a new agency and the model you propose is how they are set up. I loved the concept while talking to them and like it even more seeing it on your list!

]]> By: Debbie Williams http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4052 Debbie Williams Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:09:52 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4052 Liked the article...<br><br>Trend - publishing houses will move out of London to try and bring down overheads<br>Trend - there'll be a VERY cheap and basic e-reader (£50ish?) which will become a huge seller<br>Trend - there'll also be a very snazzy, interactive e-reader at the top end which will enable bookd to have add-ons, enabling authors to become even more branded then they are already Liked the article…

Trend – publishing houses will move out of London to try and bring down overheads
Trend – there'll be a VERY cheap and basic e-reader (£50ish?) which will become a huge seller
Trend – there'll also be a very snazzy, interactive e-reader at the top end which will enable bookd to have add-ons, enabling authors to become even more branded then they are already

]]> By: Patrick Janson-Smith http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4051 Patrick Janson-Smith Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:01:36 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4051 This is a fascinating and thought-provoking analysis, Bob, I congratulate you. A Happy New Year to you and to all of us who're still in the book publishing business and have every intention of sticking around, awake to an ever-more-rapidly changing world. The possibilities are endless, the challenges are daunting, but let's take heart from the late great Charles Dickens and those wonderful opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities, written in 1859. It puts me in mind of a remark I once made to my mother-in-law in re bringing children into the world: "I don't want to have children, the world's too ugly a place." "That's exactly what our generation thought," she replied. (Four children later...) When I think of all the changes wrought since I entered publishing in the late 1960s (from the manual typewriter to the electric typewriter to the computer to the desktop; from the telephone to the telex, to the fax to the cellphone; from the mad panic over the introduction of CD-Roms to the advent of the E-book, and all manner of developments in between, the future does not frighten me: books will still furnish many rooms. It's only if they are burned that we should start to worry about the loss of civilization. Onwards. This is a fascinating and thought-provoking analysis, Bob, I congratulate you. A Happy New Year to you and to all of us who're still in the book publishing business and have every intention of sticking around, awake to an ever-more-rapidly changing world. The possibilities are endless, the challenges are daunting, but let's take heart from the late great Charles Dickens and those wonderful opening lines from A Tale of Two Cities, written in 1859. It puts me in mind of a remark I once made to my mother-in-law in re bringing children into the world: “I don't want to have children, the world's too ugly a place.” “That's exactly what our generation thought,” she replied. (Four children later…) When I think of all the changes wrought since I entered publishing in the late 1960s (from the manual typewriter to the electric typewriter to the computer to the desktop; from the telephone to the telex, to the fax to the cellphone; from the mad panic over the introduction of CD-Roms to the advent of the E-book, and all manner of developments in between, the future does not frighten me: books will still furnish many rooms. It's only if they are burned that we should start to worry about the loss of civilization. Onwards.

]]> By: 1eleanorandrews http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4050 1eleanorandrews Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:16:27 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4050 Laurence Kirshbaum,<br><br>Authors and audience already interact through social sites like Facebook and Twitter. And it is correct that a diverse demographic utilizes electronic readers. <br><br>However, one vital trend seems missed. eBooks haven't been a profit generator as demonstrated by an article in the Huffington Post "eBooks Outsell Print Books And Free eBooks Are Biggest Bestsellers by Jessie Kunhardt and in the GalleyCat's "64 of the 100 Top Kindle Store Bestsellers Are Free" By Jason Boog on Dec 28, 2009.<br><br>Amazon seems to profit from the Kindle but not from the eBook. So the trend of "free" content is a powerful foe to the "pay for" published content in any format.<br><br>Eleanor Andrews . . .<br>on Facebook and Twitter Laurence Kirshbaum,

Authors and audience already interact through social sites like Facebook and Twitter. And it is correct that a diverse demographic utilizes electronic readers.

However, one vital trend seems missed. eBooks haven't been a profit generator as demonstrated by an article in the Huffington Post “eBooks Outsell Print Books And Free eBooks Are Biggest Bestsellers by Jessie Kunhardt and in the GalleyCat's “64 of the 100 Top Kindle Store Bestsellers Are Free” By Jason Boog on Dec 28, 2009.

Amazon seems to profit from the Kindle but not from the eBook. So the trend of “free” content is a powerful foe to the “pay for” published content in any format.

Eleanor Andrews . . .
on Facebook and Twitter

]]> By: Debbie Stier http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4049 Debbie Stier Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:16:52 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4049 Agreed. I just discovered <a href="http://www.dailyburn.com" rel="nofollow">www.dailyburn.com</a> and I'm obsessed! Agreed. I just discovered http://www.dailyburn.com and I'm obsessed!

]]> By: Debbie Stier http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4048 Debbie Stier Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:15:51 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4048 "Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars." -- Or, as Gary Vaynerchuk says, Content is King, but Marketing is the Queen and the Queen rules the house. “Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars.” — Or, as Gary Vaynerchuk says, Content is King, but Marketing is the Queen and the Queen rules the house.

]]> By: Debbie Stier http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4047 Debbie Stier Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:13:28 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4047 I agree Mike -- and I loved seeing the story in PW today that F & W is having such success with that strategy. I agree Mike — and I loved seeing the story in PW today that F & W is having such success with that strategy.

]]> By: albert http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4046 albert Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:10:42 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4046 cool post cool post

]]> By: Laurence Kirshbaum http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4044 Laurence Kirshbaum Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:43:38 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4044 Bob -- As usual, you clarify the trends and counter-trends which is (brilliant cop-out) to say that it's impossible to come up with definitive trends. In a business where hundreds of thousands of new titles come out every year, how can you quantify or qualify what will happen? Nonetheless, I agree with much of what you say. I don't agree that Boomers are losing their eye-sight, at least not so fast. Nor are we about to be dead and then un-dead. I wonder how Obama-care will treat zombies? If insurance companies can't cancel coverage, does that include those who were dead and returned? But I digress. The missing 10th or 11th trend above is that the consumer and author will become much more directly connected in the next decade thanks to the internet environment. And it isn't just the YA or college audience, I heard more cocktail discussion about the Kindle and Nook over the holiday than I did about where to get the Early-Bird specials near the retirement communities in Florida. In the end, the consumer of all ages is really getting comfortable with digital reception in smart phones or smart readers or, coming shortly, expansive tablets from Apple and Microsoft. Bookstores will become digital centers, ditto for libraries, and yet -- counter-trend, two can play this game -- many physical books will benefit from the ability to publicize and socialize or twitterize the books that aren't brand names (as you do so brilliantly). Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars. Bob — As usual, you clarify the trends and counter-trends which is (brilliant cop-out) to say that it's impossible to come up with definitive trends. In a business where hundreds of thousands of new titles come out every year, how can you quantify or qualify what will happen? Nonetheless, I agree with much of what you say. I don't agree that Boomers are losing their eye-sight, at least not so fast. Nor are we about to be dead and then un-dead. I wonder how Obama-care will treat zombies? If insurance companies can't cancel coverage, does that include those who were dead and returned? But I digress. The missing 10th or 11th trend above is that the consumer and author will become much more directly connected in the next decade thanks to the internet environment. And it isn't just the YA or college audience, I heard more cocktail discussion about the Kindle and Nook over the holiday than I did about where to get the Early-Bird specials near the retirement communities in Florida. In the end, the consumer of all ages is really getting comfortable with digital reception in smart phones or smart readers or, coming shortly, expansive tablets from Apple and Microsoft. Bookstores will become digital centers, ditto for libraries, and yet — counter-trend, two can play this game — many physical books will benefit from the ability to publicize and socialize or twitterize the books that aren't brand names (as you do so brilliantly). Content is still king, but its digital warriors will be powerful avatars.

]]> By: Tableau des prédictions « teXtes http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4043 Tableau des prédictions « teXtes Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:57:36 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4043 [...] Bob Miller [...] [...] Bob Miller [...]

]]> By: azikate http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4041 azikate Mon, 04 Jan 2010 05:21:37 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4041 I think you've got a lot of sense. : Another trend is not wanting to read large blocks of text. That first paragraph? I had to force myself to read it. So here's my #10 Trend: Reading will shift in line with the 140 character tweets to transition to short, punchy paragraphs. Anything longer that four or five lines should be a new paragraph. For everything. I think you've got a lot of sense. : Another trend is not wanting to read large blocks of text. That first paragraph? I had to force myself to read it. So here's my #10 Trend: Reading will shift in line with the 140 character tweets to transition to short, punchy paragraphs. Anything longer that four or five lines should be a new paragraph. For everything.

]]> By: Poker Businessman http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4038 Poker Businessman Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:35:55 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4038 I predict future kindle clones will cost less than $29.99 at Wal-Mart. Information is going to be dirt cheap in the coming years. We have definitely entered the "conceptual age" as Daniel Pink calls it in A Whole New Mind. The best strategists and manipulators of information will win. I predict future kindle clones will cost less than $29.99 at Wal-Mart. Information is going to be dirt cheap in the coming years. We have definitely entered the “conceptual age” as Daniel Pink calls it in A Whole New Mind. The best strategists and manipulators of information will win.

]]> By: robert wahl http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4037 robert wahl Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:43:17 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4037 TREND... Sarah Palin's book continues to hemorrhoid the eye!<br><br>Haste yee back ;-) TREND… Sarah Palin's book continues to hemorrhoid the eye!

Haste yee back ;-)

]]> By: mrjeffrivera http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4035 mrjeffrivera Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:06:45 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4035 Great thoughts, Bob. I'll be sure to include some of these in your forthcoming GalleyCat article. Great thoughts, Bob. I'll be sure to include some of these in your forthcoming GalleyCat article.

]]> By: Amy Hertz http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4031 Amy Hertz Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:03:39 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4031 Love this Bob. Disagree with #10--diet books will disappear unless they're a major celebrity. People will turn to the web for the information. Love this Bob. Disagree with #10–diet books will disappear unless they're a major celebrity. People will turn to the web for the information.

]]> By: Bob Miller http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4030 Bob Miller Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:22:49 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4030 great to see the feedback, thanks...and thanks for your verticalization point, Mike...that would have been a much better #10 than diet books! great to see the feedback, thanks…and thanks for your verticalization point, Mike…that would have been a much better #10 than diet books!

]]> By: Kate http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4029 Kate Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:53:42 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4029 Thanks for writing this analysis - I am weary of articles on the "death" of publishing or books. Your perspective shows change, which might cause anxiety, but it's normal and opens new opportunities. E-books might be the best thing that's happened to literature in a long time, and those of us who write/illustrate for children and teens are pretty jazzed. Thanks for writing this analysis – I am weary of articles on the “death” of publishing or books. Your perspective shows change, which might cause anxiety, but it's normal and opens new opportunities. E-books might be the best thing that's happened to literature in a long time, and those of us who write/illustrate for children and teens are pretty jazzed.

]]> By: Mike Shatzkin http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4028 Mike Shatzkin Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:20:41 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4028 Bob, this is a very perceptive post. I like your new auction idea and it triggered a related thought for me. If the agent sets the number for the advance and the houses compete for the best deal that meets that number, might not things like royalties and rights splits enter into the negotiation as well as marketing dollars?<br><br>I also like your perspective on the agents' business model. I don't think there are very many working agents today who aren't thinking about that question.<br><br>The one big thing I think you leave out is the trend to verticalization. Big houses will be really rearranging their lists for marketing logic (not just "new writers" versus "established writers"), exiting genres or categories because other houses, large or small, have established a web-based marketing foothold that can't be matched. Any house not working on creating those edges for themselves in the future will be yielding the market, niche by niche, to everybody else.<br><br>Happy New Year. Bob, this is a very perceptive post. I like your new auction idea and it triggered a related thought for me. If the agent sets the number for the advance and the houses compete for the best deal that meets that number, might not things like royalties and rights splits enter into the negotiation as well as marketing dollars?

I also like your perspective on the agents' business model. I don't think there are very many working agents today who aren't thinking about that question.

The one big thing I think you leave out is the trend to verticalization. Big houses will be really rearranging their lists for marketing logic (not just “new writers” versus “established writers”), exiting genres or categories because other houses, large or small, have established a web-based marketing foothold that can't be matched. Any house not working on creating those edges for themselves in the future will be yielding the market, niche by niche, to everybody else.

Happy New Year.

]]> By: Looking Back and Forward | books@torontoist http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4034 Looking Back and Forward | books@torontoist Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:07:59 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4034 [...] isn’t the only one getting in on industry recap action. Bob Miller of HarperCollins put together a great list of trends and counter-trends we saw start in 2009 and forecasts [...] [...] isn’t the only one getting in on industry recap action. Bob Miller of HarperCollins put together a great list of trends and counter-trends we saw start in 2009 and forecasts [...]

]]> By: Trends and counter trends in book publishing’s future « Jacque's Journal http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4033 Trends and counter trends in book publishing’s future « Jacque's Journal Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:43:23 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4033 [...] on the future of book publishing, from Harper Studio. (via The Huffington [...] [...] on the future of book publishing, from Harper Studio. (via The Huffington [...]

]]> By: 1eleanorandrews http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4027 1eleanorandrews Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:51:50 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4027 Bob,<br><br>Trend 1 . . . agree.<br>Trend 2 . . . agree.<br>Trend 3 . . . agree.<br>Trend 4 . . . don't agree.<br>Trend 5 . . . strongly disagree -- from GALLEYCAT: "Bloggers Question Amazon Sales"<br>By Jason Boog on Dec 29, 2009 04:23 PM<br>Trend 6 . . . don't agree.<br>Trend 7 . . . agree.<br>Trend 8 . . . agree with trend but strongly disagree with counter trend.<br>Trend 9 . . . wrong. Most ebook readers are middle aged with bad eyesight! While I agree the growing target audience of choice is young adults and the many publishers will look for the next Twilight series, I strongly disagree with the devoted undead departments. As with all book buying trends, the undead craze will die out only to return another day. <br><br>The young adult audience is fickle and titles must compete with electronics, gaming, and music for that group's disposable dollars.<br><br>Trend 10 . . . incomplete. You left out the undead and zombies for October 31. <br><br>Eleanor Andrews Bob,

Trend 1 . . . agree.
Trend 2 . . . agree.
Trend 3 . . . agree.
Trend 4 . . . don't agree.
Trend 5 . . . strongly disagree — from GALLEYCAT: “Bloggers Question Amazon Sales”
By Jason Boog on Dec 29, 2009 04:23 PM
Trend 6 . . . don't agree.
Trend 7 . . . agree.
Trend 8 . . . agree with trend but strongly disagree with counter trend.
Trend 9 . . . wrong. Most ebook readers are middle aged with bad eyesight! While I agree the growing target audience of choice is young adults and the many publishers will look for the next Twilight series, I strongly disagree with the devoted undead departments. As with all book buying trends, the undead craze will die out only to return another day.

The young adult audience is fickle and titles must compete with electronics, gaming, and music for that group's disposable dollars.

Trend 10 . . . incomplete. You left out the undead and zombies for October 31.

Eleanor Andrews

]]> By: kwn2196 http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4026 kwn2196 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:11:27 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4026 I think you were smart to predict "digital reading" without getting device-specific. eReaders are just getting started and I think the multi-use devices will be popular but not replace dedicated devices, at least not without some real leaps in technology. I think you were smart to predict “digital reading” without getting device-specific. eReaders are just getting started and I think the multi-use devices will be popular but not replace dedicated devices, at least not without some real leaps in technology.

]]> By: Guy LeCharles Gonzalez http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4025 Guy LeCharles Gonzalez Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:40:00 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4025 Great post, Bob. Briefly, the act of publishing will survive, while publishers will need to get smarter in order to do it profitably. Makes sense to me! #7 is particularly intriguing.<br><br>Bonus points for not referencing the mythical iUnicorn! Great post, Bob. Briefly, the act of publishing will survive, while publishers will need to get smarter in order to do it profitably. Makes sense to me! #7 is particularly intriguing.

Bonus points for not referencing the mythical iUnicorn!

]]> By: Joe Flood http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4024 Joe Flood Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:25:22 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4024 What, no mention of the Apple Tablet? If it's true, it could have a huge impact on e-books by making them mainstream.<br><br>Really liked the list, especially #8. I'd love to have an agent like that. What, no mention of the Apple Tablet? If it's true, it could have a huge impact on e-books by making them mainstream.

Really liked the list, especially #8. I'd love to have an agent like that.

]]> By: MJRose http://theharperstudio.com/2009/12/it-was-the-best-of-times-it-was-the-worst-of-times/comment-page-1/#comment-4022 MJRose Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:52:38 +0000 http://theharperstudio.com/?p=5332#comment-4022 Bob - I'm not in the slightest bit surprised that I agree with all of that and have been talking about 8 al a lot! And right on about print ads! (<a href="http://Authorbuzz.com" rel="nofollow">Authorbuzz.com</a> increased sales of some books as much as 20% by going online and doing marketing smart). <br><br>Things are not going to look the same for long but we are in a creative biz and we need to approach the future with excitement not fear. <br><br>Happy New Year. Bob – I'm not in the slightest bit surprised that I agree with all of that and have been talking about 8 al a lot! And right on about print ads! (Authorbuzz.com increased sales of some books as much as 20% by going online and doing marketing smart).

Things are not going to look the same for long but we are in a creative biz and we need to approach the future with excitement not fear.

Happy New Year.

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