Such a fine post. It’s remarkable how you weave suspense and nostalgia into such a dry topic: book profits. The marketing shift from the personal meet the author to interwebby algorithms—“if they clicked on a John Lennon story, bought the Hamilton soundtrack, or follow Timothy Chalamet, the Mets or Gwyneth, deliver them ads twice a day for The Doorman”—is jarring. I hope many people read your new book. It’s so good.
Yes, excellent post, with excellent insight into what makes the book business a business. The pleasures of reading a printed-on-paper book haven’t changed over the years, but the technology, economics, and means of getting the books into the hands of readers have.
Maybe we should blame the big online book sellers for this as well, they’ve taken away a lot of colour in the retail world. Most of our local bookstores have closed, with just a few bravely holding on. I went to a dinner with the author and book signing event once, Ken Follett was the author, and it was a lot of fun. I loved Two Nights in Lisbon, looking forward to reading The Doorman.
Thank you so much Kate! I definitely think there's plenty of blame to assign exactly as you say, plus all the other online activities/distractions, plus streaming, plus the long-term (permanent?) lifestyle fallout from covid, plus the diminishing attention span, plus, I don't know, everything? Which is what makes it look bleak to me.
Such a fine post. It’s remarkable how you weave suspense and nostalgia into such a dry topic: book profits. The marketing shift from the personal meet the author to interwebby algorithms—“if they clicked on a John Lennon story, bought the Hamilton soundtrack, or follow Timothy Chalamet, the Mets or Gwyneth, deliver them ads twice a day for The Doorman”—is jarring. I hope many people read your new book. It’s so good.
Yes, excellent post, with excellent insight into what makes the book business a business. The pleasures of reading a printed-on-paper book haven’t changed over the years, but the technology, economics, and means of getting the books into the hands of readers have.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
I loved The Doorman. Looking forward to seeing you in Bridgehampton on July 18. You’ll get a big turnout!
Thank you so much! I always have a good time in Bridgehampton.
YOU GOT THE MAKEUP!
I did my best.
Great post!! Stay safe, and do keep writing thank you for enjoyable reads
Maybe we should blame the big online book sellers for this as well, they’ve taken away a lot of colour in the retail world. Most of our local bookstores have closed, with just a few bravely holding on. I went to a dinner with the author and book signing event once, Ken Follett was the author, and it was a lot of fun. I loved Two Nights in Lisbon, looking forward to reading The Doorman.
Thank you so much Kate! I definitely think there's plenty of blame to assign exactly as you say, plus all the other online activities/distractions, plus streaming, plus the long-term (permanent?) lifestyle fallout from covid, plus the diminishing attention span, plus, I don't know, everything? Which is what makes it look bleak to me.