Award-winning author Jeff Noon: digital publishing has given him greater freedom and a better connection to his readers. Photograph: Rex Features
Jeff Noon's first novel, Vurt, won the Arthur C Clarke award in 1994. Subsequent books include the critically acclaimed novels Pollen and Falling Out of Cars, as well as more experimental works. Noon has a strong following on Twitter, where he spins tiny, dystopian stories out of 140-character summaries.
For his latest novel, Channel Sk1n, Noon decided to publish independently, and only in digital. He says this gives him more freedom in his writing, and more connection to his fans. Those fans aren't just in the UK either: rather than only becoming available in different territories as deals are made between publishing houses, the book is available everywhere now, in a range of formats. But like other digital-only works mentioned previously in this column, you won't see mainstream press reviews of Noon's recent work.
The book world still retains a base prejudice against digital, and especially digital-only works. A print publication remains the basic requirement for newspaper reviews, journals and major prize entries, despite the vast range of work available online and in ebooks. The whiff of vanity publishing still clings to independent publishing and the digital-only text. In the Victorian era, book-first works weren't considered serious: you were a "proper writer" if your work first received serial publication in a newspaper or magazine. That was the mark of editorial quality. As books became both more widely affordable and better produced, the focus shifted to hardbacks and paperbacks – and has remained there. Even paperbacks are often turned down for review: much hardback publication is still essentially in order to receive media notice to publicise the cheaper edition.
Lines will always be drawn. Many would argue that print reviews are less important now, and digital editions are better suited to online circulation, easily linked and discussed by communities of interest which don't need the imprimatur of vaunted critics. There are practical difficulties too, around formats and hardware. But newspaper readers and followers of literary prizes will be missing out if these works continue to fall outside their remit.
For his latest novel, Channel Sk1n, Noon decided to publish independently, and only in digital. He says this gives him more freedom in his writing, and more connection to his fans. Those fans aren't just in the UK either: rather than only becoming available in different territories as deals are made between publishing houses, the book is available everywhere now, in a range of formats. But like other digital-only works mentioned previously in this column, you won't see mainstream press reviews of Noon's recent work.
The book world still retains a base prejudice against digital, and especially digital-only works. A print publication remains the basic requirement for newspaper reviews, journals and major prize entries, despite the vast range of work available online and in ebooks. The whiff of vanity publishing still clings to independent publishing and the digital-only text. In the Victorian era, book-first works weren't considered serious: you were a "proper writer" if your work first received serial publication in a newspaper or magazine. That was the mark of editorial quality. As books became both more widely affordable and better produced, the focus shifted to hardbacks and paperbacks – and has remained there. Even paperbacks are often turned down for review: much hardback publication is still essentially in order to receive media notice to publicise the cheaper edition.
Lines will always be drawn. Many would argue that print reviews are less important now, and digital editions are better suited to online circulation, easily linked and discussed by communities of interest which don't need the imprimatur of vaunted critics. There are practical difficulties too, around formats and hardware. But newspaper readers and followers of literary prizes will be missing out if these works continue to fall outside their remit.
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