Will Books Become Apps?

I don’t know.  Nobody really does.  But what we all know is that the way we get books, how we read them, and the depth we’re involved with them is changing and nobody’s going to stop it (no matter how bad some folks want to).  Currently the digital delivery and consumption of text is taking off with hardware like Amazon’s Kindle, and will only increase if Apple’s iPad proves successful (which I think it will be).  But, what if that’s just phase one?

Could phase two be the elimination of copy protection on the content?  Nobody thought it would happen with legitimate online music  stores, but Amazon led the way with selling unprotected MP3s, and iTunes quickly followed.  The world didn’t end.  In fact, I personally buy more music online than ever (my ‘click to buy’ finger has become quite loose as the great Merlin Mann might say).  Text will likely head in the same direction.  Really, it’s just natural.

But after that (or maybe before) what happens?  Could you have a study group or book club built right into your book?  What about a discussion area?  Or related videos or ‘click for more information’ links?  An electronic flashcard pack for review?  Study questions?   Presentation materials for instructors?  Of course.  Some publishers do this already but it’s clunky and can be tough to figure out.  But now what if it’s all smoothly delivered and accessed from one central location – the book?  Could be great, no?

With all the change and potential, there’s one thing that holds true and that’s the relationship the writer will have with the reader.  I think the guys that are work-for-hire, write to the spec, take your check for $4k and hit the road will fade further and further away.  But the guys and gals that have the blog that’s religiously updated for the 30, 3,000, or 30,000 (or  3mm) readers will win.  Win because of the relationship, trust and reputation they built over time.  Did you start building that yet?