Literary Cuisine

Two weeks ago, I was opining about ebooks vs. printed books. Well, it just so happens that this letter appeared in my Google reader, and Harper Lee, who is obviously a more talented writer than me, expresses mutual sentiments about the printed page and reading in general much better than I do. So, read and enjoy. 

Other news in my reading realm: I'm a little bit excited because I have an ebook in the Apple iBookstore. It's not really all that amazing or anything. I got an offer through Blurb to upload an ebook for free, so I did. And then they gave me the option to send it to Apple, and I figured, what the heck, and what do you know, they approved it and put it in their store. And I do want to be published someday, so I guess this is a first step. But I want to be published by a publisher. 

I know that self-publishing can turn out some decent stuff, but I also know that there is value to having editors. Don't get me wrong--I've read some stuff that has gotten through a publishing house and wondered what on earth the editors were thinking. Still, there is something to be said for having professional editors. And somehow it feels more legitimate. Besides, I can't illustrate worth a darn, so that throws a kink into self-publishing. But we live in this technology age where the masses have a lot more say in things, and sometimes, that's not a good thing, because some people really like the fast food equivalent of literature. McDonald's is popular, but not necessarily good quality. 

At the same time, think about some of the classics. Why on earth are they classic? And some of the literature put out by the big publishers--I get that escargot is a delicacy, but that doesn't mean it's not disgusting. (I can't say I know from experience, never having eaten it, but it seems like there is some fine cuisine that is an acquired taste, and if you have to acquire the taste for it, it makes you wonder what you are doing to your taste buds in the process). 

Anyway, whatever your literary tastes are, don't be afraid to try something new. And I hope that someday, I write something that is at least of the nice, sit-down and dine quality.