Over the last few weeks several messages have popped up in my RSS reader (like this, and this, and this) concerning the tightening of the publishing industry. It was bound to happen. Things are tightening up all over the place.

I’m not one who likes to harp on problems. It doesn’t do anyone any good, certainly not me. I heard a quote many years ago that went something like this: don’t give me problems, give me solutions.

I’ve always liked that advice. Obviously, we need to know the problem before we can solve it, but so many times people get stuck in a downward spiral of the problem…and they forget to offer a solution. They forget that a single step in any direction will take them away from the problem spiral…and lead them toward a solution.

So today I want to talk about solutions. There are folks out there who understand the ins and outs of the publishing industry far better than I do and hopefully they’ll chime in here to give us their thoughts.

My first solution to the publishing problem:

1. quit printing so many darn books! (Don’t print more just because it’s cheaper per copy. If you only sell half, you’ve still lost.)
2. Stop shipping books to bookstores only to have the bookstore strip the books or return them.
3. Figure out ways to become more efficient in your business, printing, distribution.

Now, ways for authors and readers to help the publishing industry (and ourselves):

1. Buy more ebooks (you save on gas and shipping!)
2. Shop Amazon, take advantage of reduced rates and free shipping.

And now, for the #1 way to save the book industry…

Go buy a book!

You might also be interested in:

1. YRW Online Workshop: Plot Doctor: Fixing Your Story Problems **Permission to forward granted and encouraged** Yosemite Romance Writers is proud to present their online workshop for August. Date: 8/10 – 9/4/09 Workshop title: Plot Doctor: Fixing Your Story Problems Do you create wonderful, three-dimensional characters who then stumble around blindly in your book, trying to find a story? Are...
2. Book Publishing Tips for the New Author by Chris Robertson As a new author, perhaps the most difficult step to realize success is getting your first book published. Book publishing companies each have a procedure you must follow for your book to get published, or even considered. But with a lot of effort and persistence, you’re sure to see the...
3. November Workshop Kathryne Kennedy will be joining us for 2 days this week to give a talk and answer questions about love scenes. As Kathryne says, let your characters write your sex scenes for you. She’ll start with some ideas about how the uniqueness of your book and characters means that your...