Paradigm shift

We live in an exciting time.  Well, I'm not sure how exciting it is, but it is definitely changing.  I'm talking about the paradigm shift that is occurring between artists of all kinds and the traditional means of getting said art out to the public.  An author can now publish his/her own work (in either print or electronic form) with very little expense.  A musician/band can place their songs online for anyone to hear.  Even traditional radio programs are embracing the podcast (Adam Carolla, Dave Pratt).  What's amazing to me is how the traditional publishers are clinging dearly to the old way of doing business.  (I'm going to simplify and say "publishers", when really, it can mean the music labels, movie studios, and the like.)  Sure, a publisher has the publicity juggernaut behind it.  But, we won't stand paying print prices for an e-book for much longer.  Do you know how much it costs to publish an e-book on for the Kindle?  Time.  That's it.  The author formats and edits the book, sets the price, and Amazon takes its cut when someone purchases.  Easy peasy.  Knowing this, why do we pay $19.99 for a current best-seller?  Greedy, greedy bastards.  Some of my colleagues in various English departments are using copyright-free works to incorporate into the classroom.  You want to study Jane Austen?  All of her works can be downloaded for free on the Kindle.  Think of the cost reduction for students.  (Math never changes.  Why do we need a new edition of the textbooks every five years?)  Think of the possibilities, also, for the updating of information.  History textbooks could be updated as events unfold.  The downside to being able to self publish: the inundation of poorly written works.  Oh, wait, we have that now.  At least this way, trees don't have to die to print a lousy book, like Snookie's autobiography.

Speaking of paradigm shifts, I am digging what ABC is doing with Castle.  I'm not happy with its inconsistency of showing the program.  (Wait, it's Monday.  Shouldn't it be on?  The Bachelor?  What the hell?!?)  I am happy with how the creative team has embraced the meta-fiction of it all.  Richard Castle has a web site, Facebook page, and Twitter account.  (Um... he's not real... Shhhh...)  Two Nikki Heat stories have been published with a third on the way.  A graphic novel of Castle's other major character Derek Storm is set to release in September.  A TV show, other than Oprah, is getting people to read a book.  The book is credited to Richard Castle, and ABC isn't telling who the ghost writer is.  I have read both books, and, quite frankly, they are entertaining and better written than some of the "popular" literature floating around out there.