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Hi, CJJ.
There are so many factors influencing angles/answers to your topic that it would take a greater mind than mine to even list them all!
IMO there are a few "bottom line" issues that take precedence.
1] Everybody is in business to make money. That includes Authors, Publishers, Distributors and Retailers. If any link in the chain of production and distribution becomes unprofitable, the industry is in trouble.
2] Every general is an expert at fighting the last war. . . and not nearly so good at figuring out what to do about the next one. The main reason France folded so quickly in 1940 was not poor preparation or lack of courage. It was because they put all their preparations into refighting a 1914-style war.
IMO, publishers in general exist in today's economic climate because they are very good at making profitable business decisions . . . based on 19-20th century tech. And they have no solid idea of how to deal with 21st C. digital tech. [NOT all of them!]
Digital tech was fine so long as it was applied to make typesetting and layout less expensive and quicker! Now that it's also in distribution --as a revolutionary new medium . .. a force favouring the consumer-- methinks it has them all wishing they could turn back the clock to a simpler time.
How did the average monastery scriptorium deal with the Gutenberg revolution in the 15th century? We're talking about that big of a difference, I'd say. . .
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