It is becoming apparent to me that what books succeed is determined by luck and marketing. The quality and power the books deliver is a requirement but seemingly a secondary one. It is dispiriting, but also unsurprising. Everything is a business nowadays, even art.
I admit, I love my Kindle but it is not for all books. Some, I must read on paper. These are the contemplative reads that may require a moment and a pause to think through an idea. Often, they require a note on the margines to connect each page to a bigger theme. Kindle does not provide the same feel. But it is excellent for faster reads :-)
Your post truly resonated with me and my love of books; I have yet to even go Kindle! Used books have additional character, I think, because someone put it back into Circulation. You and I have probably haunted the same establishments! I am a self published author as well as Substacker. My books don't have big numbers and you are correct, I sell a few here and there....it's a tough cycle and I know, at the risk of sounding arrogant, that my memoirs could make an impact. There are lots of great writers in the world. The paths are never the same....
It is becoming apparent to me that what books succeed is determined by luck and marketing. The quality and power the books deliver is a requirement but seemingly a secondary one. It is dispiriting, but also unsurprising. Everything is a business nowadays, even art.
I admit, I love my Kindle but it is not for all books. Some, I must read on paper. These are the contemplative reads that may require a moment and a pause to think through an idea. Often, they require a note on the margines to connect each page to a bigger theme. Kindle does not provide the same feel. But it is excellent for faster reads :-)
Your post truly resonated with me and my love of books; I have yet to even go Kindle! Used books have additional character, I think, because someone put it back into Circulation. You and I have probably haunted the same establishments! I am a self published author as well as Substacker. My books don't have big numbers and you are correct, I sell a few here and there....it's a tough cycle and I know, at the risk of sounding arrogant, that my memoirs could make an impact. There are lots of great writers in the world. The paths are never the same....