Wastepaper Prose : More Author Insight: Publication without the Book

Thursday, March 22, 2012

More Author Insight: Publication without the Book

Would publication feel the same to you if there was no physical book to show for it?

"It wouldn't feel the same, there's something indescribably awesome about holding your book. Oh, and seeing other people reading it! That always freaks me out. Oh, and students doing book projects about my book and turning them in to me...again, pretty awesome!" - Bethany Griffin, author of Masque of the Read Death.

"Definitely not. And I am not anti-eBook by any means. I also love audio books and happen to think Neversink would be awesome in full-cast audio. But physical books have been a presence in my life always, and I am dying to hold the first hardback of my first book." - Barry Wolverton, author of Neversink.

"No. While it's always exciting to know someone is reading my book -- no matter how it's formatted -- for me, books are a physical thing. I love books, the paper and jackets and the weight of them. I've always wanted to see my stories like that." - Jodi Meadows, author of Incarnate.

"No, I think the satisfaction of turning a manuscript into a tangible, bound book is irreplaceable. That said, I think there's a place for e-books and e-readers; the opportunity for added content and 'extras' is incredible." - Elizabeth Miles, author of Fury.

"No. I’m a very textural, hands-on person. There would definitely be something missing for me if Harbinger only came out as an e-book." - Sarah Wilson Etienne, author of Harbinger.

"Absolutely, yes! I love e-readers, but my goal was always to be able to look up at my bookshelf and be able to say, 'I wrote that.'" - Veronica Rossi, author of Under the Never Sky.

"It wouldn’t feel the same, and I would no doubt miss having a physical book for my bookshelves or to sign at events, but to me the most important thing is getting my story before readers, and, you know, hopefully getting paid for it. As long as that is still happening, I’m happy to be a writer no matter what format my books come in." - Marissa Meyer, author of Cinder.

"Probably not. Books have been such a huge part of my life (I still have the library card my grandmother took me to get when I was six), and I hate to imagine a world without physical books. I hope they never go away. I don’t think they will." - Jess Rothenberg, author of The Catastrophic History of You and Me.

"When I published my first novel Soul Enchilada, it was very important. I loved going into bookstores and signing my name on the title page. Now, though, it’s not so important, although I haven’t figured out how to sign a Nook or Kindle." - David Macinnis Gill, author of Invisible Sun.

"No, I don’t think it would. I love holding that book, checking the cover art, leafing through the pages... It’s a nice feeling." - Beth Fantaskey, author of Jessica Rules the Dark Side.

"It would be a different experience and I love holding my book, but it would be amazing even if it were an ebook run only. I buy ebooks exclusively, so I’m game for change if that’s where publishing is going. I don’t ever see print books going away though." - Mary Lindsey, author of Shattered Souls.

"I’ll take publication in any way, shape or form, don’t get me wrong! But secretly I have to admit, I’m an old-fashioned girl and I kind of love curling up with a book, feeling its weight, petting its pretty cover, fanning its pages, and making a home for it on my bookshelves." - Aimee Agresti, author of Illuminate.

"It really wouldn't, and I think that’s partially a function of age. I have an e-reader but I’ve stopped buying books that way because it’s like they’re not there. I’m glad other people enjoy e-books, though, and that both options are currently available to everyone." - Jennifer Echols, author of The One That I Want.