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We have seen the pattern in many industries. Once an industry matures, the extreme Corporatists start buying up the small competitors. They get bigger-and-bigger until they can start to dictate terms and prices on their suppliers. Next to the end is when these Corporatists start to dictate terms and prices to their customers.
They can delay the inevitable by buying Government favor and using the power of the State to further their Corporate goals.
I think that the large, full function, general Publishing House is near the end. If we see a merger or acquisition within the Big 6 - that will confirm it.
It appears to me that the Next Wave is bypass. Bypass of the large Publishing House. My guess is that the Author's Agent will take on a much larger role. And that many of the functions currently provided by the large Publishing House will be contract services - probably contracted through the Author's Agent.
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