Kirkus Reviews and Editor and Publisher to close down

Posted on December 10, 2009

Y’know, this just bummed me out. Within the last couple of years–the last year, especially–I’ve watched so many publishers, magazines, and newspapers shut down that it seems I’ve become jaded about it. But I haven’t. Kirkus Reviews started in 1933. And now it’s gone, with Editor and Publisher.

KR has been a staple for readers, publishers, editors, and people interested in the book industry because of the reviews it’s published. E&P chronicled issues in newspapers for 108 years. I’m not sure what to make of situations like this. The usual reasons were cited: lack of money because there’s a drop in advertising dollars and a drop in circulation. So I wonder–what, then, are people reading? Are they reading? Do they care about books? Or are we so caught up in a sound bite culture that the only thing that sustains us is reality TV, snarky blogs, and a decided lack of attention to detail and deeper thought? I so hope not.

I hate to see things like this happen; I hate to see publications like this come to an end. I only hope that something rises from the ashes. And that it’s something good.

© Copyright Andi Marquette • Using Detour theme created by Brian Gardner.