Final answer:
True, e-publishing lowers costs and enables authors to bypass traditional publishers. The shift from print media to e-books and open textbooks represents this change, though it also brings challenges such as the potential decline of bookstores and the need for caution with online content quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, e-publishing indeed keeps publishing and distribution costs low for authors. It allows for bypassing traditional publishers, reducing expenses traditionally associated with printing, shipping, warehousing, and handling returns. With the rise of e-books, authors now have the option to directly reach an audience faster and at a lower cost than with physical books.
The digital age has led to a significant transformation in the publishing industry, transitioning from paper/print to electronic media. Platforms like Amazon enable authors to self-publish and sell their works, effectively bypassing established publishing houses. Additionally, the open textbooks—usually updated more frequently to reflect current research and typically more inclusive—further exemplify the shift towards e-publication in academic settings.
However, this digital revolution has its downsides, such as the potential decline of bookstores and news outlets in their traditional forms. With newspapers, such as The Wall Street Journal, finding success in digital subscriptions, it suggests a trend towards online content consumption, albeit with challenges like maintaining editorial standards in the rush to publish. Similarly, open publishing platforms give everyone the chance to publish content, but this also results in varied quality and accuracy of the information available online.