The internet has made writing and publishing easy.  So why aren’t the leading writers writing?

Several writers have influenced my views and shaped my own writing through their unique opinions and books.  Old-school journalism provided big name writers with high-profile columns.  This old-school thinking is challenged by the constant stream of dialogue provided by the internet.    Waiting for short columns or years for books makes no sense in the Internet Age.

Two deterrents to blogging come to mind.  First it’s time consuming, and that’s very true.  But looking at the number of established writers who do blog regularly, like Paul Krugman, Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, and Clive Thompson (hasn’t been updated for a while) blogging can fit into already busy schedules.

Second is if you blog for free, people won’t buy your books.  That is not so true.

Blogs offer writers so much value in keeping their readership informed and loyal.  Blogs can be used to help research and focus group future book ideas, like Chris Anderson did and still does with the Long Tail.  His blog keeps the book relevant years after being published. 

Dr. Henry Jenkins, co-director of MIT’s Comparative Media Studies program wrote on his blog why academics should blog noting how much interest his blog generates in his work and his program at MIT.  His blog helps him inform prospective students, alumni, news media, and the public in a convenient and reliable way that builds up the status of his program and himself.  Jenkins credits the blog as being central to his recent book’s success.  He published outtakes, revisit case histories, and attract international interest.

The BuzzMachine quoted several news media editors who expect new journalist applicants to have blogs saying there’s no excuse not to have one.

Established journalists should be expected just as much as new writers to have blogs.  Having the constant outlet not only holds readers attention, but it constantly reminds readers who’s voices are worth listening to.  I try to post on Prodigeek every day to keep the site fresh and relevant.  Even the most famous of writers have to recognize the growing media landscape, and if you don’t evolve with it, you’ll be supplanted by something new or worse, become forgotten in the clutter and noise.  The New York Times shielded most of its top columnists behind its paywall, allowing dozens of political commentary blogs and websites to provide online readers with the information they craved.  When the New York Times wonders why people keep reading the Huffington Post instead of its own columnists, it’s because the Huffington Post had three years without competition to define and shape online political discourse.

With writing and publishing so easy, the noise can get very loud, even the most commanding voices could get drowned out.  By regularly updating a blog, writers can avoid that, and making me happy.  And that’s what really counts.