So I listened in on my first webinar today, a roundtable discussion hosted by Digital Book World. Today’s topic was about editors’ roles in the digital publishing space.
I learned several things:
1.) There is an awesome “new” blog called The New Sleekness. It has a lovely look and very interesting publishing punditry.
2.) I wish I had a winning scratch-off ticket so I could go to the Digital Book World conference. My budget dictated that I choose between Tools of Change and DBW, and a colleague I greatly respect suggested TOC. But the DBW organizers have impressed me with their ability to be everywhere I go and to talk about everything I’m most interested in. Do you think they’d let me check coats or clear tables in exchange for a free afternoon of conferencing?
3.) Stories are stories are stories. One participant, when discussing the role of a multi-media editor, said that many book editors look at the digital space (video, Web sites, etc.) and think, “That’s something else. That’s not what I do.” But others are beginning to think about their authors’ stories in a more integrated way.
Every editor I’ve ever worked with analyzes all stories, whether in TV, film, books or online. Most of us also see narrative arcs when others don’t (the beauty of the right political timing, for example). Once you learn to find and manipulate narrative, it’s hard to stop. Maybe multi-media editing is just an extension of this, with different tools.
4.) There is passion out there in this new publishing world. Book lovers are called lovers (and not buffs) for a reason. We love reading. We love stories. We love words. Most of all, we love to share all of that with others. The greatest boon of combining books with digital media is the ease of connecting with other book lovers and sharing our passions.
5.) If you want to go digital, love to learn. So, count me in for the next webinar, and this upcoming February talk with Richard Nash and Colin Robinson.
Stacy Boyd's Blog 
If only we could clone ourselves to get all the usual stuff done as well as all of this! It’s a fascinating new world!
Matrice,
I know what you mean! I’m eyeballs-deep in way too many things. My house used to be clean, but I haven’t had a sink without dirty dishes since I came back from my Christmas vacation! Ssh. Don’t tell my mom.
Stacy — I’m thrilled that you’ll be at TOC. Please, please, please find me and say hello (though I suspect we’ll be hovering in the same circles). I’ll be the tall, skinny, gorgeous…okay, that’s a total lie. Total opposite, but still. We will have drinks with the girls (all the digibook girls should be around!) and gossip.
Kassia,
You just made my day! I adore your blog, and I will try very hard to hover in your circle at TOC.
Stacy, I listened too and was equally inspired I included a mention in my blog. Although your thoughts are much more focused… I am new to blogging.
Babette,
Wasn’t the webinar interesting? After reading Kate’s Doin’ It Digital post, I now feel I have permission to attend every cool event, conference, meet-up and class I see. (When my husband asked if I wanted to go to the Kindie family music festival in May courtesy of his company, I asked if I could attend the workshops. He said, “You are not a family musician!” I said, “I know, but it’s media and I might learn something!”)
I saw in your blog post that you made the 7X20X21 presentation. So jealous! I saw a few of the slides and transcripts online, and am definitely planning to make the next one.
Glad you enjoyed the webinar, Stacy! Ami and Kate’s posts on The New Sleekness inspired the topic, and it’s one I’m particularly passionate about. You should have come to our 7x20x21 event on Wednesday; that was the most passionate and optimistic group of publishing people I’ve ever been around. It was very refreshing.
Sorry you won’t be at DBW this year, but I look forward to meeting you at TOC in February. In 2011, you’ll be ours! 🙂
Guy,
I was sorry to miss the 7X20X21 event. I have already put the suggested date for the next one in my calendar.
As for DBW, I will haunt Twitter to learn all I can remotely. Maybe I’ll get lucky and learn about someone waxing poetic spontaneously in a bar nearby. Also, I will save my pennies for 2011. 🙂
In my case, my budget dictates that I can’t go to any of the conferences. I hope that you will inform us
Jorge,
I will do my best!