Originally the way to define yourself as an author was to have someone else to buy, sell, promote and publish the content you had written to an audience. Nowadays that is not really the case. Through the use of blogs and online communities such as Writerscafe ‘authors’ are now able to self-publish their content without any form of relationship or links to the publishing industry. It may seem that the online platforms make it easy for writers to promote their own work, but this also becomes a role in itself – salesperson. Does this mean anyone on the internet who writes is now an author? With the population finding it difficult to grasp the difference between a blogger an author who promotes themselves online has the role of the author been forgotten?
Maybe nowadays it is just a case of either being content with writing as a hobby or fighting for it as a career. No-one said being an author was easy whether you have a publisher or you are self-published it is still hard to gain money through selling your books. Some reports claim that 54% of traditionally-published authors make less than £600 a year (TheGuardian, 2014). There is still help for authors through the use of conferences. But if you are a stereotypical writer sat in your room with your type writer producing content you are passionate about then maybe the digital age is not such an issue. Other people may feel that the future makes it easier for you to become an ‘author’ I am sure the opinions will sway with some people agreeing that it is a great way for you to get professionally published and some will think it is pure delusion. The future of the author might depend on the individual now rather than the changing industry.
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References
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