Networked Book

Towards the end of last year, Paula Berinstein, who runs The Writing Show website of podcasts about writing and writers, produced an interesting research piece for Information Today: The "Networked Book" Becomes the New "In" Destination. After hitting a mean between skimming and studying the comprehensive article, I'm still not sure this is a truly new trend, or just another name for the many collaborative efforts the Internet facilitates. Don't get me wrong -- I applaud them all! Some of the subheads give you a taste of what this is all about:

Networked Books, Authors, and Readers
Peer Review on Steroids
Networked Books and Librarians/Multimedia/the Future

Aha! I think that last one makes the point. Online writing and reading is the future rushing down the sluice towards us. Get ready to sink or swim.

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