Such a poignant post. As a self-published author I saw demand for my books peak around 2015 or so and then drop off a little more each year. Now it's gotten to the point where I have an manuscript about 75% done and I'm wondering, "What's the use?" in regard to getting it published in book form. Attention spans have shrunken dramatically as has the ability for people to think critically. That's a dangerous combination in my book.

There's nothing like getting swept away into a good piece of fiction or connecting with a certain author. I feel sorry for people who've never gotten to experience that. I see a lot of younger YouTubers carrying the torch of storytelling (sort of, in their own way) but it isn't quite the same as literature.