As an aside … I’ve heard of lifeless prose. But deathless? You mean, neverending? As in, anyone would wish that it would end?

Truthfully, I think most people figure it’s more cost-effective to use a one-stop shop. I can’t blame them for wanting to go economical. Problem I keep trying to make them aware of is jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none syndrome can end up costing more by giving a second-rate-looking book. And since most self-published books don’t sell much more than 100 copies, it behooves them to pull out all the stops if they believe their books deserve an audience. It’s a question of whether they believe in their own books.

Can I ask you what the consensus seemed to be on authors using a one-stop shop, as opposed to seeking out separate deals for editing, designing etc? Maybe that could be a future item for your column, Stephen – I’d be interested to know what you think.

You mean the client gets what the client wants? Or that you do what you do and then explain/convince the client it’s what best serves them?

Well, as much as I agree that the idea of ebooks killing print books is irritating, I still worry it’s a possibility. Problem, as I see it, is the willingness to accept books as mere containers for the author’s words.

I, too, find that there’s a definite type of person self-publishing who, as far as I can tell, sees self-publishing as more of a do-it-yourself craft project. One size fits all and typefaces don’t much matter.

I was asking whether anyone’s found any interesting new serif typefaces lately.

By last names Tiano–”T” as in “tarantula” and then “iano” as in “Piano”. If that makes any sense.

2. It’s obvious that a huge sea-change is currently taking place in publishing. But for all that, there will still be a place for everything we’ve known so far – it’s just the emphasis that will change. More ebooks will mean less going to print but more self-publishing will also mean more POD.

I find this idea of ebooks being the death of print a bit irritating, actually. E-readers are great but don’t suit every purpose – while the swings may not go as high as they have in the past, we may find that the roundabouts will go faster. And then it will all change in yet another way.

3. I kind of agree with Dick on this, although I woudn’t say I don’t care about these people, just that some of them are now less likely to care about me. Most authors are creatures of vanity to a greater or lesser degree – it’s difficult to imagine them having no regard at all for the vehicle that contains their carefully-crafted prose. We’re not that different from car salesmen – if we have a good vehicle, it’s our job to at least try to sell it to them. And if that particular conversation has already started, it demonstrates that the interest is already there.

4. All typefaces are particularly suited to something – it’s just a matter of finding out what and where. I’m a bit of a fan of stretch’n'squeeze, though. Open source or public domain? Yes, please. If it looks good and helps keep costs down, then I’m all in favour.

5. I don’t do books on book design. I don’t find them utterly pointless but I do think that they’re more of a distraction than anything.

Design books are a bit like books on childcare – they tend to serve to undermine what you’re already doing and tell you there’s a much better way without ever really demonstrating it.

There are still many, many people out there who want and need our services – they just don’t know it yet. They may, in fact, never know it but in the meantime, all we can do is concentrate on whatever comes our way. And here in the UK right now, pickin’s, as I believe you have been known to say over there, is mighty slim….

ps Out of interest, Stephen, how do you pronounce your surname? Piano or P&O?