[Ken Maltby]

I doubt that any of us have the actual numbers to do a definitive analysis, but that
never stopped us from our speculations or expressing the results of our perception of
the situation.

So... from my point of view; there seems to be a shortage of ebooks from authors I
have found to provide the reading experience I am looking for. Those authors that
have impressed me cannot seem to produce ebooks fast enough to make it so I don't
have to wait longer than I would like for the next book. That there are a number of
newer authors joining the ones I have always enjoyed, is a good thing from my point
of view. That there may be more that I find annoying, than there might have been
when the BPHs were able to operate as a "Gatekeeper", making it necessary to weed
through many to find the gems - is offset by the fact that the open gate allows me
to see many that I find enjoyable that the gatekeeper would have kept from me, in the
past.

I doubt that there was ever a time when getting to be a successful Author was easy
or in any way a sure thing. In fact I would guess that it has always been long odds
for even the most talented. I don't think that has changed much. What may be
changing could that we readers have to do more of the "gatekeeping" ourselves, not
a bad thing, even if it can be tedious to go through a number of free or $2 offering to
find that new author you want to follow.

Perhaps the "slow death of the author" sentiment, comes from someone who feels
that he represents those who have made it past the old gatekeepers, and finds it hard
to see so many new writers starting to find their way to so many reader's TBR lists.
Plus the fact that some of the older established writers are slowing down and essentially
leaving room for new blood.

Just an opinion based on my own search for a good read.

Luck;
Ken