Abstract of 'The Death of the Publishing House'

The paper I reviewed focused on the history of media, and using that as a lens through which we can predict the future. From ancient Egyptian scrolls to mythological oral traditions, we see certain forms of old media living on in the present. Scrolls became books and myths told over campfire became preachers’ sermons. 

Since the invention of the printing press, we have seen publishers making choices for us. A publisher will only spend its resources to promote writing that they deem strong enough to be profitable. Recently, publishing houses have been steadily losing their hold on literature, making way for the internet and e-books to replace them entirely. The decision of whether or not to publish a work has fallen back into the authors’ hands, and in the future publishing houses may be shuttered completely.