How will we Read, the book makers

The publisher delivers a single file.  With that file, Ingram Content Group will deliver the content globally in a variety of ways, whether as a printed book or as a digital file which will ultimately create books for every digital platform around the world.  They have the industry’s largest active book inventory (access to 7.5 million titles) and the markets they serve include bookstores, libraries, schools, and specialty retailers. What do the book makers believe about the future of reading?  I had the pleasure of speaking with the charismatic President and CEO of Ingram Content Group, David “Skip” Prichard. How do you see the growth prospects for books in all forms over the next five to ten years? I’m bullish on the growth prospects for books.  First, the demographics are favorable.  We have an aging baby boomer population that should fuel reading.  Demand for English-language books is also a positive long-term trend.  Second, technology is increasing demand for books whether on digital devices or through the ease of buying books online.  Enhanced e-books are only in their infancy, allowing authors to add alternative endings or interviews.  Down the road, who knows what’s possible?  Maybe we will have biometric devices that can sense your pulse and body temperature and change the plot based on your feelings — and you think Stephen King is scary now.  Third, the very definition of a book is evolving.  The information in books is fast becoming linked to other content in various forms, blending into articles, research, and other media.  As books become part of the larger information landscape, they become both more relevant and more important. Are there enhanced books available this holiday season that have already changed the definition of a book? Yes, for example, a biography can to come to life in many ways.  Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy has all of the interview audios, videos, photographs, text, and transcripts available. Even classics — Penguin has updated Pride & Prejudice with clips from the movie and even instructions on dancing. For the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit, HarperCollins released an e-version with exclusives including J.R.R Tolkien’s book illustrations and recently discovered Tolkien recordings. Publishers are still learning what added value readers will or won’t pay for. I expect we’ll continue to see lots of experimentation in this arena. Does this mean authors will require different skill sets to create books? Yes, there is definitely a demand for new and emerging skill sets. Publishing is full of creative types, including talent that is savvy about the new tools becoming available.  The challenge is less about talent and more about the need to find the right business model.  For example, you don’t want to create a book that’s very cool but too expensive for the average reader.  There’s no limit to what can be done, but there is a limit to what consumers will pay for.