Her books about the boy wizard, the first of which was published 14 years ago,
described newspapers with moving pictures (think tablet newspaper editions)
and a map that showed where people were in real time (think smartphone maps
that track your friends).
In fact, the “Pottermore” website, which was unveiled this week, is probably
one of Ms Rowling’s less visionary ideas. Of course it is smart: social
games and e-book downloads should help introduce a new generation to her
books; exclusive distribution means she need not share the proceeds with
digital booksellers. But her latest venture will not shake up the digital
publishing industry.
Ms Rowling can only bypass publishers and e-book retailers because she has
such a huge following already. Similarly, the band Radiohead could allow
people to download its music directly (and pay what they wanted) because its
fans were so fiercely loyal.
Gatekeepers
Most authors, newspapers and musicians need something like Apple, Google or
Amazon to prosper online. The gatekeepers of the digital age demand their
cut, but in return offer access to vast numbers of potential customers.
Indeed, these distribution networks allow some authors to make it big
without the help of a publisher, such as John Locke, a crime writer who sold
his millionth e-book through the Kindle this week.
Apple’s iTunes store has credit card details for 225m people. Amazon sells
more e-books through its Kindle store than it does physical books. If, like
Ms Rowling, you have more money and fans than the Queen of England, you can
scoff at such statistics. Mere muggles cannot.
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