Print vs. Online Publication: A Writer’s Dilemma
by Helen W, Blue Monday Review Blog Editor
Anyone in the process of submitting their work to literary magazines has strong feelings about the print versus online publication debate. It’s right there under the Starbucks Christmas cup fiasco.
But really: you’ve probably given a little thought to whether you’d prefer to see your story in a print publicaiton or online. It may have even determined which journals you submit to. There are plenty of benefits to either option — possibly even a few you haven’t thought of yet.
Nostalgia or Changing with the Times?
Oh, the rush of seeing your name in print. Your name stamped across something you can hold in your hand and show your grandkids. It’s not quite the same as seeing your name online. With social media, our names are attached to just about everything we have to say online which can make digital publication a little less exciting.
At the same time, Googling a person’s name has become standard practice during job searches, dating, and boredom. Publishing a story or poem online means that your accomplishment will sit front and center when someone types your name in the search bar. As our digital footprint become a larger part of our public identities, professional accomplishments that are easily accessible online will pay off more in the long run than your average print publication.
Who Will Read Your Writing?
Three things have happened in the last fifteen years or so:
- Print subscription numbers have been in decline for the last fifteen years because people expect content to be free
- People are consuming more content than ever before because the internet makes it so easily accessible
- More content is being produced in one day than in all of human history up to 2013 combined.
With that in mind, you will probably gain a wider readership by publishing your work on a literary magazine. Not only can people access it for free, but a literary website has already cultivated a loyal audience who regularly return to read new content on the site.
On the other hand, print publications have a long and respected history among the literary community. Those who do subscribe to a magazine support the writers and workers associated with it. In addition, online content will have a shorter lifespan of readers since so much content is created every day. When someone owns a physical copy of your work, they may pass it on to a friend or put it on their coffee table for the occassional perusal. Your work may have a more lasting impact in a print publication.
All Publicity is Good Publicity
You think Starbucks is upset that people hate their Christmas cups? Hell no. Their sales are going through the roof this holiday season. The same can be said of both print and online publication: no matter who is reading your work, you’re building up a name for yourself as a writer simply by getting your name out there.