The Future of Publishing

To say that the publishing world has changed would be an understatement. We are arguably reading more, but we aren't reading in the same way. Audiobooks are more popular now than ever, and many writers who would like to write for print publication settle for internet publication. For those who want to sell their own writing as a career, it is difficult to make a living. But for those who simply want the world to see their writing, things are easier. If you are willing and privileged enough to make little or nothing for your work, it is easy to spread it around online, reaching an audience much more quickly than pre-internet authors.

Although I enjoy writing, I don't see publishing for income as a priority. If I do write things that I want others to see, I don't feel the need to publish it in the traditional sense. Regardless of this fact, I would much rather be an editor than a writer. Due to the decline in traditional publishing, independent publishing has increased dramatically. This means that being a freelance editor isn't as far out of reach as it would have been if I had lived a century ago. And honestly, that's what I prefer. I would love to be my own boss, and I would love to help writers who are just starting out and haven't been able to break in to the highly competitive publishing world. I guess that means that for me, the decline of traditional publishing is a good thing. Those who have grown up romanticizing the publishing world, though, might need to swallow a dose of reality.

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