MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - James McGrath Morris: Will eBooks Make Midlist Authors Extinct?

L.J. Sellers · 06-10-2010, 12:57 PM

I disagree. I think digital books will broaden midlist authors' readership. The idea that most people discover new authors by browsing a bookstore is outdated. Most readers discover new authors through word-of-mouth recommendations, social networking, online browsing/blogs, and book discussion groups. Yes, sometimes recommendations come from bookstore clerks, but it's only a tiny part of the overall picture.

Additionally, midlist authors often have independent publishers that can and do price e-books so that they'll sell in volume. There's never been a better time to be a midlist author

L.J.

06-10-2010, 12:57 PM	#3
L.J. Sellers Novelist Posts: 287 Karma: 387979 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eugene, Oregon Device: Kindle	I disagree. I think digital books will broaden midlist authors' readership. The idea that most people discover new authors by browsing a bookstore is outdated. Most readers discover new authors through word-of-mouth recommendations, social networking, online browsing/blogs, and book discussion groups. Yes, sometimes recommendations come from bookstore clerks, but it's only a tiny part of the overall picture. Additionally, midlist authors often have independent publishers that can and do price e-books so that they'll sell in volume. There's never been a better time to be a midlist author L.J.