Attempt at an Overview

Anyone who is interested in digital innovations on the book market will occasionally benefit from looking beyond their own business domain. The music industry is an obvious example (read more here soon), and also the gaming industry – who would have thought this a few years ago? – as well as the Publishing House Calendar, of all sectors.

Unread (or unfinished) books sit accusingly on the bookshelf – “Ulysses” and “Moby Dick”, Büchner’s “Lenz” and Tellkamp’s “Turm” (“The Tower”). These titles may appeal to some buyers mainly as highbrow and educational wallpaper, but the owner is usually the only person to know whether and how much he or she has read of them. The author and publishers – following the old adage “a little less praise and a few more sales” – are generally indifferent to this.

Anyone who looks this early in the New Year at the various reviews and forecasts, studies, surveys and expert appraisals of where the book market (German, European or also international) is headed is likely to feel confused. While some see a renaissance of print books, others forecast the continued triumph of digital publication. Many people are raving about self-publishing opportunities, while others warn of writers becoming an underclass. Several commentators predict the continued demise of publishers and booksellers, while others talk up the new opportunities.