Discussion

Here we post provocative questions and food for thought on the current state of publishing to our readers. Weigh in with your opinions and read what others have to say.

Do Books Have More Appeal During Tough Times?

dollars cash money

People are looking for a reliable alternative to the so-called authorities, be they politicians, bankers or media, who are so often wrong. Books provide that.

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With So Much Sex, Has Indian YA Fiction Lost Its Way?

Ira Trivedi, a writer Tanuj recommends, certainly knows how to market herself.

A mechanical Bollywood-style, boy-meets-girl, breaks up, meets again with sex thrown in is the typical formula for YA Indian fiction. Are readers being sold short?

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Describe Your Dream Tool for Book Discovery

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The internet revolution is only 10% complete and we’ve yet to develop a reliable, one-stop tool for book discovery. So, tell us what your ideal tool would be?

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Does E-book Sharing Create Economic Damage?

ebookfling

A fear of piracy is one thing, but a fear of sharing? If social reading and community building is the cornerstone of book marketing, then users must be trusted.

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What is Your Favorite Novel About Publishing?

james-michener-the-novel

Writers have often been tempted to write about the book business and the publishing world, with mixed results. Which is your favorite?

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How Well Does French Literature Play Abroad?

manuel-carcassonne-video-interview

Is translated French literature hemmed in by preconceived notions? Is there an untapped market for works of history, biography, romance and other genres?

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How Would You Change PEN World Voices?

microphone

PEN World Voices is meant to be the premier showcase of international lit in the US, but falls short of expectations. How would you change it to improve it?

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Is the Future of Fiction an “Annotated Online Chat”?

author writing

You can see the results of social writing in the self-publishing community. But are there still benefits from the traditional means of production?

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What Are Your Least Favorite Analogies for the Book Business?

Buggy Whip

The print book business is compared to the buggy whip business at the dawn of the automobile, but were buggy whips ever a $120bn a year global industry?

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Is a Virtual Book Signing as Satisfying as Real Life?

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Can a virtual signing replace the experience of standing in line, waiting your turn, and exchanging 30 seconds of repartee with a real live author? Perhaps not.

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