While we're all talking about the future of publishing, let me ask you... is POD (print-on-demand) the wave of the future? And, how so? Self-publishing? The printing of older, copyright-free books? Backlist/otherwise out-of-print books? All of the above, plus something I haven't thought of yet?
Today I leave it to you to decide for yourself. Here are my videos of the new POD machine that lives at my local indie bookstore (and click here for the bookstore's press release):
The Espresso 2.1 "Paige M. Gutenborg"
Pages printing, view #1
Pages printing, view #2
Some finished books as printed by the POD machine
The binding & cutting stages (about 3 minutes)
Taking too long to upload... perhaps this link will work...
Pages printing, view #1
Pages printing, view #2
Some finished books as printed by the POD machine
The binding & cutting stages (about 3 minutes)
Taking too long to upload... perhaps this link will work...
Wow. I don't know whether to applaud or run away... Gosh. we don't have anything like this yet in Australia. I'm not sure I want it...
ReplyDeleteIt's cool, and yet I also see it somehow hating all life...
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the machine for backlist books. The publisher doesn't have to spend the money on a full print run of thousands, they simply release the digital version and if even a single person wants the book, the publisher and author can profit (and the consumer can get a NEW copy) instead of the reader having to scrounge for a used or library copy.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I think it's too slow-moving to be a threat when the machines try to rise up against us...
FREAKIN' GREAT! for out-of-prints, for self publishers, but AJ is right; it's superior language skills will make it easy for it to forge alliances with faster-moving machines! And I can't see us forfeiting print for digital anytime soon, this can only help the industry.
ReplyDeleteI love it! I think it'd be a great way for me to boost my self-esteem when I'm feeling down.
ReplyDeleteJust go print off my unpublished book so I can get a look and feel for what it will be like someday to have it published for real.
Plus, I could at least present my family with a good copy of my work