iLunch 6.01: The Future of Reading
A discussion on the role of the publisher, the author and the reader in the online world – with special guest speakers:
- Judith Keenan, Founder, BookShorts
- Bill Kennedy, Author, Editor, New Media Consultant
- Michael O’Connor, Founder & Publisher, Insomniac Press
- Malle Vallik, Director of Digital Content & Interactivity, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.
Moderated by:
- Rosemarie Shannon, Director of Technology, Kids Can Press
Register in advance and save! Prices at the door are: $50.00 $75.00 respectively.
@ The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen Street West
Schedule:
11:30AM – Doors open
12:00pm – 2:00pm Discussion
2:10pm – 3:00pm One-on-one meetings with speakers
Discussion description
In a recent Walrus Magazine article, novelist Jon Evans says:
“…once a book is an e-book, once a text has been turned into pure information, then all the copy-right-protection scheme and intellectual-property lawyers in the world won’t keep it from being made available for free…..In the not-too-distant future, all books will be freely available, just as essentially all popular music is right now.”
Though not entirely novel, this idea needs to be addressed – NOW. What can publishers do to plan, create, innovate and position themselves in the online world?
The advantages of the digital book are numerous – for example, the expenses saved on printing and shipping could be a boon for publishers, authors and consumers. BUT…
By creating digital books, are publishers hastening their own demise; OR securing their continued position as the broker of content between the creators and the consumers? Will Project Gutenberg <http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page> become the next Kazaa or the next iTunes?
Register: www.interactiveontario.com
