Editor Interviews
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Read all the editors' answers to Duotrope's interview question: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies? Learn more.
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Here is a small sampling from our recent Editor Interviews. We have interviewed over 2,125 editors.
Q: How important do you feel it is for publishers to embrace modern technologies?
A: Modern technology can foster greater connectivity and community in the literary world.
Still, we keep writing craft at the forefront of our concerns.
A: Very. We have learned a LOT of new tech and apps to start River River Books, and social media is an important way of connecting with readers and writers. We want our authors to be visible, and to find their readers.
A: Technology makes what we do possible. I love technology. Print-on-Demand allows us to get our books out and about; printing would be tough without it starting out. Electronic submissions make it easier to get quality work sent to us; we might not make the list if someone had only ten envelopes to send out. Remaining traditional is great too, however. The most important thing is to have high standards wherever you are; do not let your format hold you back, and do not forget that there is value in being both hands-on and digital.
A: I genuinely believe that it is the obligation and commitment of the publisher to publish. I don't think that the job of the publisher is to debate what publication means or to exclude or include certain formats and platforms, I think the job is to meet authors and readers where they are and bridge that gap.
I do not think that means every publisher must do all things, or that a print-only press is out of line. I just think that the idea of publishers who actively avoid a form of publication, for their own artistic reasons, not their authors, is something other or more than a publisher. They have crossed the line into a similar but discrete niche-publishing project in which the method or approach contains some critical aspect of the art in a fashion that is divorced from the text itself.
A: Modern technologies make writing, editing, and publishing more accessible for more people, so we believe in them here at Switchback Books.
A: I think all publishers need to adopt modern technologies to survive. Our magazine is an online magazine, catering to a world where traditional publishing practices are becoming passé. We accept online submissions, host virtual poetry & story reading sessions and publish digital (as well as print) anthologies/Yearbooks of poetry and stories of our contributors, once a year. In fact, we have embraced modern technology with enthusiasm.
A: Red Wolf does only digital publications, and if traditional means a printed book then look elsewhere.
A: At Dreamstreets we have used other technologies, e.g., we have embedded both audio and video links in some of our past issue, and plan to use such links in future issues
A: Honestly, whatever works for each publisher is great. There are so many amazing publications out there that do things how they want to do them, so I see no obligation for every single one to approach publication in the same way. Our staff is comfortable doing everything online, and we don't have the money to publish print issues, so we've ended up as a digital publication that primarily uses Instagram for promotion.
A: I think it’s definitely helpful for publications to embrace modern technologies. Our editing team communicates entirely online, which has enabled us to build an editing community of people from all around the world. On a similar note, our online submissions system enables people from anywhere in the world to submit. It's often difficult for writers to find in-person communities, so online communication fosters an important sense of connection. Furthermore, because we are online, we are able to provide detailed feedback to submitters at no cost.
A: We are very technologically up-to-date. We also pride being able to offer a traditional print edition of our issues.
A: Fanatical likely wouldn't exist in a pre-internet age. Access to online submission, online distribution platforms, easy to use POD services, social media etc. have made it all possible. Plus, cost effective alternatives to "industry standard" design programs and free Youtube tutorials have all made this dream come true.