The Bookseller.com

25th July 2008

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Will internet destroy the book?

01.04.08

Guy Dammann weighs into the debate on whether the internet is destroying the book in his Guardian blog.

"How many times have we been told that the internet will destroy all that we know and hold dear?," he asks. "Hitherto, the loudest and most regular tolling of heavy bells has been in the music industry. But the death knell of the book has also been sounded often enough, and now it seems that the problem of internet book piracy may ultimately threaten to put an end to writing."

Damman refers to an article in the Times, in which Tracy Chevalier chair of the Society of Authors, said that her members were deeply concerned that the publishing industry was failing to adapt to the digital age, and that "people will stop writing".

"But wait a minute," writes Damman. "Does anyone know of any authors who are giving up writing because their work is being copied on the internet? I know of many who would consider giving up because of a publishing industry structured around the interests of celebrity cash cows at the considerable expense of more talented stock.

"But informal proliferation via internet chat rooms, email and blogs is simply not a major threat, especially where - and almost all the signs suggest this - people still prefer physical books when any extended reading is called for. In fact many authors are convinced that the best way to sell their books is to give them away for free. Look at Paolo Coelho, or Scott Sigler."

Guardian blog

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