Just in from CNET: Blogs to books: A six-figure industry?....


Bloggers are scoring rich paydays by turning their online diaries into books, but some publishers say the craze could fizzle out with a glut of new titles destined to yield disappointing sales. Is this a good or a bad thing?
Well, good for those few bloggers whose posts are worthy of a book; bad for the rest of us who don't blog our books but recognize a difference in style is required for different mediums. In the end, I think this may also be bad for those publishers tantalized by diaries but unconcerned and uncritical of writing styles.
This is what I see:
1. More mediocrity and trash on bookstore shelves, leaving less room for books worthy of a summer's read.
2. More taxi drivers, prostitutes, administrative assistance and, yes, marketers thinking they have something to say, when they don't. While a few paragraphs may carry a post, most bloggers may get lost turning those paragraphs into 50,000 to 200,000 words.
3. Books are hard to write (and so are good posts). I have written five and can't imagine doing it blog-style. While you have seen a page or two from my upcoming book appear here, I rewrote those excerpts for quick reads, which is what blog posts are designed to achieve.
4. Finally, an economic observation. If I can read your book on your blog, why would I pay $19.95 to bring it home?
Am I wrong?