Chapter 4 Books: Mass Communication in a Media World

Trends in Books

decline of adults reading books (last year) flat rate of e-book reading, increased education=increased reading

Importance of Blockbuster Books

balance between the "preservation of literacy value" and major profits (who is selling out and who is redefining culture HP example) books and the long tail distribution (the growth of Amazon, Jeff Bezos)

The Spread of Ideas that Helped Establish the US

Richard Hakluyt (essayist settlement ideas 16th century), Thomas Paine (philosopher common sense 18th century) Harriet Beecher Stowe (abolitionist author 19th century)

Preserve and Expand Knowledge

reference works, history books, memoirs

Improve Individual Lives

self-help books, e-readers remove social stigma (foot fungus EX)

Entertain

a unique, absorbing, life changing experience, inspire, can help forge real social relationships/conncections

Encourage Individual Thinking

a solitary activity

Help Define our Culture

cowboy culture and "dime novels", Harry Potter/YA crossover, J.K. Rowling and the "nom de plume" (name)

To Publish a Book: Start with a Marketable Idea

specific/niche subject, previously unpublished material or angle

The proposal

cover letter: grab attention, platform: show you can write the book, chapter outline: show you have planned whole book, sample chapters: show how the book will read, marketing plan: show how you will sell the book, analysis of completion, resume, fickle and uncertain market for books: topic of interest change

A Complex Industry

industry decentralized in sectors with diverse operations (editing, writing, permissions, reviews, manufacturing, distributing, sales)