I like to keep up with news about the writing biz, but right now many
articles and blogs are focusing on predictions for 2016. Truth be told, I don’t have
any predictions and won’t even try. I’d rather let things unfold and see what
happens. But I am curious to learn what others have to say. This week, I read
only four viewpoints before my head started to spin. This one example will explain
why.
Jane Friedman wrote a piece on issues to watch for in the coming year. They’re
not quite predictions, but she is looking ahead. Among her five issues, is the subheading
“Sorry, But Print Sales Aren’t Surging”, where she questions (as do others) a
New York Times piece about ebook sales slipping and print being far from dead.
She refers to stats to support her argument. The Times article also refers to
stats to support its premise.
Then there’s a Digital Book World blogger who’s stepped boldly forward to
offer ten predictions for the coming year. The first one on his list is
“Continued Regrowth of Print Sales”. Do you feel that tingling in your head
yet? Amazon is referred to in both blogs, although not at opposite ends of
the spectrum. Digital Book World believes that Amazon will operate more quietly
thanks to all the bad PR from highly public battles in 2015, but that they will
continue to pursue an aggressive marketing plan. Friedman thinks they’ll
continue to tinker with programs such as KDP and Kindle Unlimited. Aggressive
planning and tinkering don’t mean the same thing, and my point is who really
knows? They are after all only predictions, right? Maybe I shouldn’t take any
of it too seriously.
Of course, it’s good to know what’s going on in the industry, but I’ve
found over the years that it’s pretty tough to find across-the-board agreement
on anything. When it comes right down to it, no one really knows everything
that’s going on, what the coming trends will be, or which publishing choices
will earn a writer a decent income. Varied viewpoints are inevitable and even necessary, but for new writers they can also be a confusing slippery slope. For 2016, how about
we just set some writing goals and get down to work while the year unfolds in
its own unique way.
Happy 2016 and wishing you that you’ll accomplish all of your goals!!
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