Yes, Kern. I think commercial publishers are gatekeepers and necessary ones but there's a self-imposed censorship if we just allow the commercial publishers ( i.e., capital) to only offer us their selections. I am thrilled at the explosion of blogs and e-zines that are flourishing offering writers of all sorts an opportunity to find readers. I think the array of digital writing platforms offers readers a greater variety than what commercial publishers deem "readable."
Ahhh, yes! Totally agree. And I actually believe the accepting of alternative means and platforms (zines, digital platforms, etc.) for publishing writers is so necessary to the future state of the industry. Appreciate your commentary on this, Amit.
Books are different from other commodified "products". Books are about choice among readers. I, as a reader, don't care if PRH is making a huge profit or not. They happen to the gatekeepers by their infrastructure clout. I care about different voices being heard and a space where that is possible. So, it's not important to listen to every album or read every book but I don't want capital to determine what I can read or hear.
Thank, Amit. I totally agree with your point about books being different than commodified products. That's why I mentioned that readers view books differently. I'm wondering if you could elaborate on your point about not wanting capital to determine what you can read or hear?
Yes, Kern. I think commercial publishers are gatekeepers and necessary ones but there's a self-imposed censorship if we just allow the commercial publishers ( i.e., capital) to only offer us their selections. I am thrilled at the explosion of blogs and e-zines that are flourishing offering writers of all sorts an opportunity to find readers. I think the array of digital writing platforms offers readers a greater variety than what commercial publishers deem "readable."
Ahhh, yes! Totally agree. And I actually believe the accepting of alternative means and platforms (zines, digital platforms, etc.) for publishing writers is so necessary to the future state of the industry. Appreciate your commentary on this, Amit.
Books are different from other commodified "products". Books are about choice among readers. I, as a reader, don't care if PRH is making a huge profit or not. They happen to the gatekeepers by their infrastructure clout. I care about different voices being heard and a space where that is possible. So, it's not important to listen to every album or read every book but I don't want capital to determine what I can read or hear.
Thank, Amit. I totally agree with your point about books being different than commodified products. That's why I mentioned that readers view books differently. I'm wondering if you could elaborate on your point about not wanting capital to determine what you can read or hear?