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Reading, Writing and Publishing
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Living by the Book
“What are you reading now?” used to be as commonplace a question as “how are you?” To a Soviet citizen, a book was never just a way to while away time—it was a guide to which people turned for answers to existential questions about the meaning of life. Writers were not simply authors, but moral authorities, and their books were precious objects of a highly symbolic status.
Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, literature has lost this status, and the ardent reader has lost his zeal. Like all things mass-produced for a profit, the quality of most books has plummeted to the lowest common denominator, the level fit for mass appeal. More books are being published in contemporary Russia than ever before, but complex literature is out of favor and publishers strive to cater to the public’s tastes: food for thought has been replaced with “chewing gum for the mind” - mysteries, romances, and adventure stories.
Another reason why Russians are no longer the most reading nation in the world is that there are ever fewer of them. The country’s demographic crisis has taken its toll, and so have varying book prices—in many corners of Russia, the library is the only affordable option. But inflated book prices do not make writing a lucrative profession. Increased consolidation that has narrowed the market down to two publishing giants means that there are few venues for writers to turn to, especially for beginners and young authors who require promotional investment. Honorariums are too small to feed a family. So why bother writing anything at all?
Today, those who write seem to be those who simply can’t help but write, and those who read high-quality literature are those who can’t do without it. New technology is bound to sooner or later computerize the literary milieu, but reading as an activity still needs encouragement. Whether virtual or real-life, publishing, writing, and reading are all in dire need of state support: tax breaks for publishers, stepping stones for writers, and a national policy of supporting libraries and promoting reading for the end users.
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By Roland Oliphant, Russia Profile
October 7, 2009
Statistics show that the Russian book mMarket is growing while the number of consumers is shrinking. Although Russians are still ranked as one of the most literate nations in the world, ever fewer of them actually buy books.
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Comment by Alexander Arkhangelsky, Special to Russia Profile
October 7, 2009
The majority of Russian authors do not make their living writing books. But this is bound to change within the next ten years, when the printing press will no longer be the backbone of a transformed publishing industry.
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By Albina Kovalyova, Russia Profile
October 6, 2009
Discussions at this year’s book fair centered around the future of electronic books. But if the event itself was any indication, Russia’s attempts at embracing new technology are doomed to be marred by ubiquitous organizational problems.
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By Elena Rubinova, Special to Russia Profile
October 6, 2009
Russians are no longer the most reading nation in the world. Is this change in numbers indicative of a complete loss of interest in books, or of a shift to other means of acquiring information?
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By Dmitry Babich, Special to Russia Profile
October 6, 2009
There is no room for intellectually challenging books in today’s market-oriented society. Contemporary writers are forced to chase their readers, jostling for attention and catering to the mass consumer’s tastes.
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By Albina Kovalyova, Russia Profile
October 6, 2009
For Russian writers, receiving one of the myriad of literary awards is a true honor. However, with few exceptions, these prizes hardly translate into material gain for the author.
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Interview by Alyona Dushka and Andrei Zolotov, Russia Profile
October 5, 2009
Mass-produced science fiction literature has degraded into a trivial genre. Yet this doesn’t mean that there is no interest in Russian books on behalf of a foreign audience.
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By Roland Oliphant, Russia Profile
October 5, 2009
In contemporary Russia, beginning writers have very few ways of letting their voices be heard. So what does it take to make it big in today’s book world?
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By Dmitry Babich, Russia Profile
October 5, 2009
Russian minority writers create an alternative, fictional universe. But their dark and troubled world appears to be firmly rooted in present-day reality.
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Comment by Alexei Pankin, Special to Russia Profile
October 5, 2009
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