This prediction runs counter to old industry fears that authors would simply bypass publishing houses and head straight for the Internet. Stephen King recently did just that, charging readers to download whole books or installments through their credit cards. Barbara Grier scoffs at the idea that most writers would be capable of such a thing. That's not an insult. It just means that creativity does not necessarily mean sanity, so these people will not be able to control their own publications through the Internet without the help of a publisher.
Hunt agrees, but from a more pragmatic point of view.
He says that a publishing house brings a great deal to the publishing process, including publicity, editing, and advice on book structure. Most authors who decide to go it alone would see diminished quality in their finished products,he points out, which would benefit neither themselves nor the consumer. Traditionalists hope that this does not mean the end for small publishers like Hippocrene Books. Hippocrene has no current plans to get involved in the e-book boom, and electronic readers may be deprived of their fine wares. Ian Plenderleith has several years of experience as both a reporter and editor for UK-based trade publications, the BBC World Service, and the economic newswire Bridge News .