You won't be surprised to read that I have had a passion for books since I was very small. My mother would take me on an exciting trip to my local library where I would return home clutching a copy of a Paddington book or a Secret Seven mystery. The smell or feel of books can take me back there in seconds.
In the 21st century the future seems bleak for 'real' books. The rise of the Kindle, the iPad and other e-readers has been a boon for self-published authors like myself but it is changing the traditional model of publishing at an amazing rate.
The biggest losers in the move towards internet buying generally and e-books in particular are the large bookstores. Borders has closed, Barnes & Noble in the US and Waterstones in the UK face financial difficulties.
The question is will anybody want to go and browse for books in a shop? The answer at least for the foreseeable future will be yes, people like me. But with no huge bookstores where will we go? I think there is an argument to say small bookshops will survive as a specialist service for those who love the feel and smell of a book rather than just the words between the covers. There might even be small bookshops who specialise in a particular genre, whatever the model there will still be a market for real books and someone will find a niche catering for that market.
I love that e-books are allowing me to sell books around the world and reach people with my stories but I must admit, I would hate to think of a day when I couldn't buy a real book.
What about you are you a complete convert to digital or do you still prefer to hold a book in your hands?
No matter where we buy our books, I hope it's not like this place.
How not to run a book shop.
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