From: Norma Jean Sawicki <nsawicki>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:59:52 -0400

No need to ever fret about a genre disappearing. Children's book publishing is cyclical...it always has been.... ...sometimes, a result of the demographics...sometimes, due to over-saturation in the market...too many picture books published, too much fantasy, whatever. Some publishers maintain a consistent and balanced list, others, not.

As to technology....the United States was founded/rooted in community. While one could say the internet is a community, an increasing number of studies show that as our dependency, and use of technology increases, the number of people interested in, and gravitating toward a "spiritual life," also increases...dramatically. That there is a direct correlation between the two is fascinating...what it "says," or what it "means," is all to come but combine it with the huge percentage of people who believe the country is headed in the wrong direction makes me think there is more afoot than politics. Among other issues.... "customer service"...as in, talking to machines.

My crystal ball says stories in book form ( as we know it) will be read by kids thirty plus years from now. Very often something " new" is sexy...it becomes a craze for however long but "it" then settles down...and has "a place" alongside other things. Has " a place" because people come to know "it" which includes the advantages and disadvantages of the "it." Interesting times ahead.....Norma Jean
Received on Mon 21 Apr 2008 02:59:52 PM CDT