Preserving Writing at All Levels: Why Bookshop's Ebook App Matters

Inspired by Ryan Christoffel's article, "Bookshop Launches iPhone App as Local-Friendly Ebook Alternative to Apple Books and Kindle."

In an era where the written word faces an uphill battle for survival, the recent launch of Bookshop's iPhone app offers a much-needed glimmer of hope. With Amazon's Kindle and Apple Books dominating the ebook market, independent authors and smaller publishers often struggle to get noticed, let alone make a living. The monopolization of literature by tech giants makes it increasingly difficult for new voices to break through, restricting readers to the books and authors deemed most profitable by a handful of corporations.

Ryan Christoffel's piece highlights the importance of this new platform as an alternative to the ebook giants. But beyond convenience for readers, this move is about something bigger: preserving writing at all levels and ensuring that independent authors don't get lost in an industry that increasingly prioritizes profit over creativity.

The Challenges of Being an Author Today

Becoming a published author has never been easy, but the modern landscape presents unique hurdles. In the past, authors needed a publishing deal to gain legitimacy, and while self-publishing has changed the game, it hasn't necessarily made success more attainable. Instead, it has created a system where visibility is the biggest challenge.

Amazon's Kindle platform, for example, operates largely on algorithms that favor books with high sales and engagement. This means that independent authors who don't already have a large audience struggle to reach new readers. Even worse, Amazon controls pricing and takes a significant cut of profits, leaving many writers with little financial reward for their work. Apple Books is not much different, functioning within the walled garden of the Apple ecosystem and prioritizing books that already have industry backing.

For lesser-known authors, this results in an almost invisible existence. Great books go undiscovered because they aren't given the space to thrive.

Why Bookshop's App is a Game Changer

Bookshop's new ebook app provides an alternative that levels the playing field. Just as the platform has supported independent bookstores against the Amazon juggernaut, its expansion into ebooks helps authors who would otherwise be overshadowed.

By prioritizing independent voices, Bookshop fosters a literary environment that values creativity over profit margins. This is a crucial step in ensuring that writing remains diverse, that different perspectives continue to be heard, and that literature is not dictated solely by what's most marketable.

Bookshop's initiative is more than just another ebook platform — it's an act of preservation. When only a handful of corporations decide which books are given visibility, we risk losing the next generation of great authors before they even have a chance.

Supporting the Future of Literature

Readers have a direct role to play in shaping the literary world. Choosing where to purchase books, whether print or digital, is a vote for the kind of industry we want to sustain. Supporting independent bookstores, reading self-published authors, and using platforms like Bookshop's new app can make a tangible difference.

Ryan Christoffel's article sheds light on an important issue, and Bookshop's app is a much-needed step in the right direction. But it's up to us to ensure its success — because in doing so, we help safeguard the future of literature itself.

The Bookshop.org Ebooks app is available for iOS and Android.