I've realized that books nowadays aren't made to last like the ones I inherited from my mother when I was a child. I've cherished and read those books countless times, but it seems like the same can't be said for some of the books being published today. If you're a bookworm like me, you might have stumbled upon online communities filled with fellow book lovers. And in those spaces, you've probably seen numerous TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube videos discussing the idea that publishing is becoming the "new fast fashion." As I scrolled through the content, I came across articles that challenged this comparison between the fast fashion industry and the publishing industry. People in this corner of the internet argue that likening publishing to fast fashion implies an overconsumption problem, equating reading and publishing to the fast fashion trend. They believe that this comparison arises from discussions about book quality, both in terms of physical durability and subjective content, which they argue is an unfair comparison.
I have a different perspective on this, I agree that the evolution of publishing is resembling fast fashion more and more. The quality of published works is declining due to the rush to meet consumer demand. Many publishers prioritize an author's social media following over the actual content of their writing. It's important to remember that publishing is a business, with profit being the main goal for major players like big retailers. When this is the perspective of the publishing companies, then we can only assume that the books being churned out will only cater to emerging trends and personalities as a driving force for books. This does not imply- to my end that emerging trends are horrible and should not be delved into in the form of storytelling. Quite the contrary, I believe that emerging trends are a good way to open up spaces of deep conversations that affect storytelling. However, as I have seen, publishing companies are not focused on the quality of work that could be present in such spaces, but are purely motivated to fill in and overflow markets with set tropes and themes, that to some degree publish poorly constructed books that lack depth, character and plot all in the attempt to stay “relevant” and meet profit.
Additionally, another reason why this industry is slowly morphing into fast fashion, is the impact it has on the environment. Since books are being pumped to exhaustion, records have shown that there is a negative impact on paper. More demand but less supply. The way people read books nowadays is so similar to fast fashion consumption, especially on platforms like “Bookstagram” and “BookTok”. People have huge TBR lists and shelves full of books that will take them ages to get through. I get that collecting books is enjoyable, but we need to be mindful of the impact on the environment. Books are made from paper, which comes from trees. Readers need to consider their book consumption habits, as big retailers and publishers often prioritize profit over sustainability.
Moreover, the shortage of paper means fewer books are being published, and publishers are focusing on works they believe will sell well. This can be discouraging for new authors whose manuscripts may not be considered marketable. This limits the diversity of voices in the industry, as emerging authors struggle to break through. While some indie or small publishers take chances on new writers, the industry as a whole tends to favour established authors. This raises concerns about the future of female storytelling, especially in the continent, which is at the core of the Nubia collective.
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