Publish and Cherish
Your thoughtful and well-written "Publish or Panic" [March 13] was "deja vu all over again." Ten years ago, Jim Sachs and I cofounded SoftBook Press, an electronic publishing company whose product and, later, acquisition were covered by your magazine [Jan. 31, 2000]. The issues facing publishers are still the same: Bestselling authors are rare; making inventory bets on what will sell is risky; the largest demographic of buyers and readers of books is getting (even) older. The technology issues facing electronic books are the same: Ink on paper is still easier to read than pixels on screen, and the battery life of paper is infinite. The bigger question, however, is: How can content evolve to take advantage of existing technological capabilities to create a reading experience that does not emulate ink on paper?
THOMAS W. POMEROY
Atherton, Calif.
I enjoyed your article on non-fiction book writers who are frauds. It is worth noting that Tom Peters cowrote the very successful management hot seller
In Search of Excellence. On the 20th anniversary of the book's release in 2001, reports stated that he faked the data.
MAL KONG
Torrance, Calif.
I take exception to the implication by Patricia Schroeder, president of the Association of American Publishers, that nonfiction is not "literature." I can understand Schroeder's comments if they were in the context of the nonfiction bestseller list but not nonfiction in general. To effectively suggest that Carl Sandberg's multivolumes on Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill's
Second World War are not literature is a disservice to the authors and to readers.
BILL HOWE
Rocklin, Calif.
Coping With Hepatitis C
Kudos for the prophetic article on hepatitis C ["Emerging Epidemic," March 13]. Being 50, diagnosed with hepatitis C three years ago, and failing to respond to the current treatment, I understand and dread what the increase in the number of those infected means to our country, our medical system, myself, and my children. In my experience, everyone, including doctors and nurses, has asked if I know how I contracted hepatitis C. I don't. I have had two blood transfusions after miscarriages, a tattoo from the 1970s, and extensive dental work. Would I be more deserving of this virus and its devastation if I were a drug user? Your article gave me validation today, and I feel a little less alone.
JACKIE SCHOONOVER
Richland, Wash.
I am a hepatitis C patient currently going through the ribavirin therapy. I unsuccessfully did interferon-ribavirin eight years ago. I worked every day on my last treatment, but the current therapy has side effects that can be overwhelming. I have missed a lot of work. I know the treatment is working this time, which gives me a glimmer of hope. Thank you for making an effort to help.
JEFF STOUT
Massillon, Ohio
In addition to good medical care, emotional support is important in the struggle to deal with hepatitis C. Research shows that people involved with family and/or community do better in handling their disease. The American Liver Foundation
(liverfoundation.org) offers the opportunity to share information with others dealing with the same disease and to raise money for research.
NAOMI HERMAN
President
Western Pennsylvania Chapter
American Liver Foundation
Pittsburgh
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