Horror Books and the Independent Press

The independent press is rising again! Yes, we can allmakes that difficult for many writers, it also means
celebrate, for it is long overdue. Smaller time booksthat the industry will boom. Why? With higher quality
publishers are receiving attention never once possiblework and a larger market, there will undeniably be
thanks to a particular medium that has openedmore consumers. This, in my opinion, will launch the
countless doors for countless people: the internet.books industry into a new state of success. Further,
Truly, the internet has given us access to the talentsno one can deny the success of recent horror films
(or lack there of) to any individual with a computer, alike Stephen King's "1408" and "The Mist" have
keyboard and an internet connection. Some may tryboosted sales of books. With a film based on Clive
to suggest that it's also a cause of over saturationBarker's story "The Midnight Meat Train" in the works
for horror books, but those individuals miss the veryand a "Dark Tower" movie being created, it's clear
evident upside to the internet revolution.that Hollywood is very enthusiastic about the horror
While it's true the internet does allow people with lessgenre. What does this mean? It means that more
talent and experience to receive recognition for theirand more individuals will become interested in the
books, this is not such a bad thing! Over saturation inhorror genre, and when they pass by that bizarre
actuality raises the bar, it forces writers to createlooking books section they'll become drawn to it. It's
more original, interesting and well written stories.undeniable that Hollywood, however grudgingly, will
Thus, in the realm of books, the bar has been raisedcontribute to the sales of books.
for everyone. You know, despite many of our strongSo in the end, the internet really has become a
urges to resist intertwining business with the artpositive force for the independent press. No longer
world, no one can deny: competition is good fordo smaller publishers need to struggle to get into the
everyone. It forces good writers to become greatbookstores and eventually more than likely fail.
writers, and boy, do the readers benefit. We'reEspecially with the emergence of ebooks and ebook
seeing books and stories come out in such highreaders, horror books publishers are likely to see a
caliber and in such high abundance that many avidsuccess that would not have been possible
readers like myself have a back log of works they'reotherwise. Indeed, I think we should all be thankful to
anxious to read! This, my friends, is an excellent sign.the doorways that the internet has opened for us all,
Sure, everyone has dreams of becoming the nextand what it will bring in the future.
Stephen King, and while competition being so high