Lately we’ve seen an increase in the number of articles and essays on the demise of the printed book. I've grown weary of reading about this ‘trend’ as I persist in my belief that the book itself is a perfect mechanism for readers and researchers alike. It is the invention of the ages, whether leather bound and printed on fine paper or a cool new paperback design with a colorful cover and an affordable price. So whenever I come across these gloom and doom prognostications I cringe, but of course I read each one. Read them yes, take heed of warnings perhaps, but resign myself to the inevitability, no.
But this month another brick in the embattled façade of literary endeavors loosened and finally fell from the stack. The Washington Post Book World magazine has decided to cease publication as a stand alone Sunday book review section. This follows the Chicago Tribune’s 2008 decision to kill the Trib’s stand alone book section, which had moved from Sunday to Saturday and downsized in 2007. Further, in December 2008 Fine Books and Collections magazine, which became a staple of the rare and fine book genre and covered the world of fine presses in admirable fashion, ceased its print publication, and is now on-line only. This is all bad news.
We all know that magazines, supplements, broadsides and other periodicals come and go fairly regularly. It’s a tough market out there, and the revenue from advertising always makes the difference, and the availability of that revenue is tightening daily. Those of us who read Book World each week observed the paucity of publishers’ advertising, and we braced ourselves for the sad announcement. Newspaper sales are on the decline generally, but I have many friends who buy the Sunday Post just to read the Book World. It would seem that one result of the Post’s decision will be a further decline in overall readership. Include me in that statistic.
But isn’t it always frustrating to stop at the newsstand and view the publications of dubious quality and contribution that seem to thrive? It can be mind boggling. Are literary matters less appealing than model railroading, soap operas, wood working, Hollywood, monster trucks, yachts, fire arms, soldiers of fortune, and vintage clothing? Nothing against these interests, but come on. Sadly, I guess the answer is yes.
The larger question is whether this trend validates the doomsayers on the demise of the book and publishing industry, and what additional bricks may loosen from the foundation in the near future. We have the New York Review of Books and the New York Times Book Review here in the U.S., but of course nothing is guaranteed. As readers we will cherish these remaining beacons of literary news and analysis. As publishers we will heed the warnings and support these publications as often as we can. In short, we can all do our part to contribute to the continued print life of these now very lonely journals.
Hopefully this depressing trend will cease, the economy will improve, and Americans will renew their commitment to things literary. Otherwise we face an overcast future, and we will be on the verge of failing to uphold our end of a centuries old commitment to the printed word. I’m not ready for that, and I’ll wager you’re not either.
