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Letter from the Publisher |
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The Department of Canadian Heritage did a national telephone survey of 1,963 Canadians recently asking them about their reading habits. The results indicated that the much-publicized decline of printed word has been exaggerated. The survey found that eighty seven percent of respondents read at least one book a year, with a further thirteen percent of those who read more than fifty books a year. Reading also shares first place with Television as the most likely leisure activity. This survey points to the underreported fact that reading is still a cornerstone of many people’s lives. Just yesterday, I was purchasing the most recent Mark Billingham novel and I took the time to check out the other offerings on the shelves. Copies of the H.G. Wells work “War of the Worlds” were featured prominently to coincide with the release of the movie featuring Tom Cruise. Displays with “Lord of the Rings” and “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” were located throughout the store. As I picked up my copy of “Lifeless”, I also noticed a rather large selection of “CSI” novels close by. This reminds me of how many times I have heard people tell me how a movie or television show compares to the book it was based on. While some people are aghast at the idea that people go to movies instead of reading books, I submit to them that the movies bring people to the books as well. I remember how, following the release of movie “Fellowship of the Ring” that sales of the “Lord of the Rings” books dramatically increased. Television and Movies can spur interest in reading that too many people discount. While few would argue that “CSI” novels are great works of fiction, their existence points to the fact that once people feel a connection to characters they will seek out these characters in whatever medium they can be found in. Books, Television and Movies are all complimentary mediums where interest in one can spur interest in the others. When you have a compelling story, people will always want more of the characters they love. Just ask any reader of Star Wars novels who has seen all six movies but has read more than sixty novels. Reading will never truly decline; we just need to look in the right places. |
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| K. Robert Einarson Publisher SPINETINGLER Magazine publisher@SPINETINGLERMAG.COM | |