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Some areas of publishing will change "beyond recognition" over the next decade thanks to digital technology, Scott Pack told Sky News, adding that "in 10 years' time we won't have cookery books any more".
Speaking to the news channel ahead of a debate on publishing in the digital era at The London Word Festival last week, Pack explained: "The big difference between books and the digital revolution in the music industry is that in music it was all about making your entire record or CD collection portable. But it doesn't work like that with books. You don't want to read James Joyce on the train, Maeve Binchy while you're walking and John Grisham at your desk."
Regarding cookery books, he predicted: "We'll have a flip-down screen by the cooker and we'll type in fish and 500 recipes will come up. And not only will the recipe be there, but I'll watch Delia or Jamie dice the carrots. We're almost there now with the technology."
Similarly, he thinks dictionaries, alongside reference books generally and printed travel guides will disappear altogether, as all the information they carry - and more - will be at our fingertips on our phones.
On the advent of the Kindle, Pack added: "Reading things electronically is a dissatisfying experience. And I don't think that will ever completely be cracked by technology."
So when we walk into our local branch of W H Smith's and Waterstone's in 10 years, will we see the same number of books on display, asked Sky News.
"I reckon 80% of today's level of books will still be there," he replied. "Fewer books will be published as a whole, because the strike rate [for successful books] is going down and I think there'll be some form of digital electronic media.
"But what I cannot see is someone walking in with their e-reader or whatever, plugging it into the Smith's console and downloading the latest John Grisham. I can see a few people doing that...but I just can't see the majority of people doing that."