The Twitter world is growing at an incredible pace! Celebrities and business leaders are signing up in larger numbers every day. No group seems to be immune to the Twitter virus! I admit I am a twitterer too ( Millerisms56)! In these days of brevity, speed, and sound bites, could it be that the newest publishing model will emerge from the world of Twitter? Are we destined to see Twitter books? Think of it: Assorted collections of twits on various topics collected electronically for reading pleasure. There could rise a new group of Twitter editors searching carefully through hastags, seeking the latest in content for an eager group of Twit readers! Do you think this would catch on? I read a twitter post the other day by someone who said if publishers created 140-character books, he would read more! So in these days of shrinking attention spans and the loss, as some believe, of serious reading, do you think the solution might be Twitter books? Thoughts?

Are we quickly moving to the day when the TV will become like other media platforms that have been rendered obsolete and insignificant? A Nielsen survey identified the rapid growth of online video websites as leading to the demise of the TV. I grew up in the pre-internet world when television was the media platform that provided information and entertainment in a creative, new way. And that was in addition to the daily newspaper that was delivered to our home in paper form! I am even old enough to remember when the first color TVs started arriving! So will the growth of the internet eventually destroy the power of TV and drop viewership? Take a look at this interesting information on the number of hours people spend on TV viewing vs. online activity as we move forward in the 21st century.

I read a recent post from the New York Times in which the author says the age of deep book reading is coming to an end. With the rise of electronic readers, it seems, from that writer's perspective at least, that the general reading public will move away from focused reading of entire books. According to that post, the age of "chunks" and customized books is upon us. In the future readers will select their favorite sections from their favorite writers' content and make their own books--sort of like iTunes for books. But for me reading is alive and well! I read in different ways--internet reading for scanning and quick summary review; however, on my desk right now are some books that are going to get a "deep" read. What about you? Do you think book reading is dead?

Have the times truly changed? Has the economic meltdown significantly altered consumer habits and attitudes? Have the days of easy credit and financial risk been replaced by a new attitude of frugality? We may be witnessing the end of the era of abundance and easy credit. In a recent article in Time magazine, writer Kurt Anderson discusses the The End of Excess. Others have pondered the age of frugality. People who have over consumed now appear to live by a new code, the code of thrift. If consumer habits change radically, it will have an impact on the various business models that have been developed over the past thirty years or so. The publishing world will not be spared from this change in sentiment. Retailers are already feeling the effects and the change most likely will grow. So what should we expect in the new age of thriftiness? What products and services will be valued in these times? I have more questions than answers for this one. However, there are many things to consider as we move along in the days ahead. I'd like to hear what you think.

I just completed reading a research paper on generational online usage. I was surprised by the findings. First surprise: Internet usage has dramatically increased among older adults. The Internet is not just for kids anymore! The 18 - 32, Gen Y "digital natives" naturally understand and use the Internet; however, Gen X, Baby Boomers, and seniors are growing Internet demographics. Does that surprise you? Second surprise: Since 2005, Internet usage has risen most among adults ages 70 -75! Only 26% of people age 70 - 75 years were online in 2005; now 45% are connected! Third surprise: E-mail continues to be the most popular online activity, especially for older adults. These findings confirm the growing reality of a multigenerational Internet world! My mind is spinning as I consider the implications of the generational leveling of the Internet world, even though young people still dominate it. How about you? Anything from this report surprise you?

Two months ago, we launched our Blogger Review Program and had a far greater response that we expected. Most days we have at least one person join the program but average about three or four new participates. We have offered 10 different books, switching them every couple of weeks depending on how many people request each book. And within two weeks, we had people writing reviews and asking for more books. While all of this is great and we appreciate the participation, what we like best about the program is how it allows us to join in on the conversations in the blog world. Most of the reviews are very positive, but others give us great feedback on how to make our products even better. We have enjoyed reading every single review. (Yes, you heard me correctly -- every single one of them.) Outside of just learning more about our products are viewed and used, we have enjoyed engaging with potential customers. Many of the bloggers haven't ordered from NavPress prior to joining our program. This is very exciting for us because we get a chance to extend the reach of our brand with new customers. Here are reviews from a few of our most recent bloggers: Figtreevine reviewed Money, Purpose, Joy by Matt Bell Novelized reviewed Refractions by Makoto Fujimura In Rebas World reviewed Coffeehouse Theology by Ed Cyzewski DeWeese Details reviewed The Summer the Wind Whispered My Name by Don Locke Reformed Christian UK reviewed How Can a Good God Let Bad Things Happen? by Mark Tabb Going forward, we will keep updating the books available and are always interested in hearing what books you would like to review. Because they get updated frequently, check back occasionally to see if anything peeks your interest. Also, if you have any questions or want to join the program, you can always email us at bloggerreview@navpress.com!

So much to do and so little time! Do you ever feel that way about your life? The challenges of balancing our daily schedules can really create frustration and discouragement. But what about your virtual life? Have you found that your virtual identity is consuming more and more of your daily schedule and real life? There is a concern that in addition to family, job, and friends. our virtual identity is the new time consumer! In fact some might say that there is a growing addiction to all things virtual. I ran across an interesting article the other day about Facebook addicts. If you are a part of the FB world, you know it can be time consuming! If you use other virtual tools like Twitter, Linkedin, Plaxo, and many others, then you commit even more time to networking and updating your virtual identity. I am working on moderation in all things virtual. I only update my Twitter twice per day. I only update my Facebook account once a day. Still for some that may seem extreme. But I am discovering that my physcial and virtual identites are merging! Sounds scary, but I am not alone. I don't think it is addiction; I think it is life in the 21st century!

Needless to say, those who live and work in the publishing business are facing a time of unprecedented change. A virtual economic tsunami is sweeping across Wall Street and the business world, destroying everything that is not built on solid business and financial support. Publishers (whether they will admit it or not) all around the world are gathering like NavPress leadership to discuss our options. What is the future of our business? How are our publishing partners doing? Have we found the new solution to our business model? How much cash reserve do we have? Will we have to cut our operating costs? On and on we go. I sit in these meetings myself and unfortunately ask many of these questions to my leadership team. Lots of hand wringing, worries, and fears. But something is missing! We are not asking the right people for solutions to our challenges. What about all of you who read the books and other resources that publishers produce? How then should we publish? Is NavPress missing it? Do we just not get it? What do you think we should focus on in these days of change? I can tell you at least on behalf of NavPress we want to know what you think. Here are several questions to which, if you would be so kind, I would really appreciate your feedback. What kinds of materials should NavPress publish in the days and years ahead? What are some of the spiritual messages that we need to communicate to help the world understand and consider? How should we deliver and distribute these new resources in order to help people in their spiritual development? If you will, would you help us? We really want to know what you think! How then should we publish?

Google has now moved forward to claim the high ground in the battle over digital rights. Now that they have succeeded in this fight, they will significantly alter the digital rights of publishers and authors. Google continues to dominate the web-search world. If you are a publisher or author, you had better do some homework on this one, and think about the consequences. There has not been much response from the publishing world to this legal decision. I find that interesting considering the implications and consequences associated with such a ruling. A new informational monopoly is now in place! Googleopoly has arrived!

I have had an incredible number of responses to my earlier post regarding The Shack. If you have not looked at the comments, take a moment to read through them; they are very instructive. Regardless of your opinion of the book, it has been a publishing phenomena! The author wrote the book initially for his family, but the message impacted them so greatly that they began to share it with their friends and the rest is history! A self-published book with sales exceeding 5 million! From the comments that post received, it seems that many of you think one of the most significant reasons why the book connects with people has to do with the character and nature of God. One person commented how the book helped him or her connect with the personal nature of God: "It does open a person's mind to the personalness of God and how he really does care about the details of our lives, and how he orchestrates events for his purpose." I understood this comment to mean that God is approachable, understanding of our human condition, and sympathetic to our troubles. God is available and relational. Review the comments others have left, and see if you see the same recurring theme. So what do you think? Is this the real reason why The Shack connects with readers? [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYvjRiun3MA]