The 21st century has spawned the "Me Generation" which demands among others two things: ‘’I want it now’’ and ‘’I want it available anytime, anywhere.’’ With the PC (personal computer), technology’s biggest contribution to mankind, we get virtually everything on-demand – music, clothes, food and even books – either on printed form or electronic versions.
Online publishing or ePublishing or web publishing includes the digital publication of eBooks and electronic articles, and the development of digital libraries and catalogues.
Then there are the books on demand, a flourishing business that encourages self-publishing, from a mere one copy, to thousands!
Central Books has opened its Publish on Demand service ahead of everyone and has made it possible for virtually anyone to become a certified author.
Shares Jose Paolo Sibal, vice president for finance and administration of Central Books’ Publish on Demand Service: "Anyone who wants to write a book now has the capability to publish their work."
With high inventory and start up costs of self- publishing, this is the more practical route to take. A peek at the package will reveal that it already includes registration for copyright and ISBN, guidance for cover design and layout, full proofs of the book, and even marketing material, such as book posters.
This revolutionary way of publishing is the first and only existing technology of its kind in the Philippines and can print runs of 50, 100, up to 1,000 copies. "Some may view it as vanity publishing," says Sibal, "but we call it entrepreneurial publishing."
Digibook
E-books or electronic books is the digital media equivalent of a book on printed form and they are read using a personal computer or through eBook devices. The eBook began with technical manuals and later publishing companies and interest groups caught up on the trend.
In 1971, Project Gutenberg made hundreds of classic titles available; plus some more – from English to Yiddish, from Cebuano to Afrikaans. Today, the service is available for free to anyone who wants to download eBooks on their PC or reading device.
Current books available on the Net are as countless and diverse as those found in shelves of huge bookstores or public libraries. And it has also spawned a new business snagging millions in sales. According to the International Digital Publishing Forum website, retail eBook revenues in the U.S. generated $ 10.10M in the 1st quarter of 2008 alone, an increase of $ 2.60M over the same period last year. In 2007 the ePublishing industry boasts of $ 31.80M in revenues, a 59% jump from the previous year.
In Japan, the outlook is equally bullish. In 2007 the digital publishing market recorded staggering sales of 35.50B yen (324,505,500 USD), up by 95% from the previous year. Primarily publishingrelated fairs bolstered this. On July this year seven book fairs were held simultaneously in Tokyo; including the International Book Fair, the Digital Publishing Book Fair, and the Children’s Book Fair.
Whatever format they choose, today’s generation of book lovers are luckier because of the marriage of publication and communications technology. Best of all several platforms are available, real or virtual – on line or bookshops and fairs. So whether they’re perusing Shakespeare in the library or Anime in their PCs or just their own self-published work doesn’t really matter as long as they’re reading more than just graffiti or text messages.
In the Philippines, the book industry gets a big boost via the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), set at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia on Sept. 12-15. About a hundred publishers, including publish on demand outfits, will showcase the latest trend in publishing.
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