Read Write Web Explores the Bits of Destruction Occuring In the Book Industry

Somewhat reminiscent of the two posts I did on the future of reading and the future for indie bookstores (I still owe you the last two parts exploring the future for publishers and authors), Read Write Web contributor Bernard Lunn is on part three of a multi-post investigation into the “bits of destruction” taking place within the book industry.  It’s a fascinating, in-depth look at an industry in the midst of a vast paradigm shift.

Here is the introduction to part three, which contains links to part one and two:

In Part 1, we described the three big waves crashing down on the traditional book publishing business: Google Search, the Kindle and e-books, and print on demand. In Part 2, we indulged in some science fiction, envisioning the future of the major players in book publishing: readers, authors, printers, publishers, retailers, and e-book device vendors. In Part 3, we’ll dig into one very specific business practice: returnability (a.k.a. “the curse of unsold inventory”). Some thinking outside the box on this 70-year-old business practice could possibly help an industry in turmoil. Unless e-books simply replace all physical books (which seems highly unlikely), some radical changes will need to be made to the physical book supply chain.