Had a Vision of Barnes & Noble, Circa 2020

I'm not a publishing doomsayer, though some would say I am because I promote ebooks. I don't think paper books are going anywhere soon. But I do think we stand at the threshold of a long shift in platform and focus for the industry and its dependents.

Okay, maybe less a threshold and more a gangplank with the Captain's hook prodding our backsides to jump.

The news that Barnes & Noble may be up for sale surprised me. I don't know why the chain made the announcement, it may be more complicated than sales troubles. But it jarred me: B&N seemed the healthiest big book chain in the U.S. Sure, Borders is struggling, that's old news. And the B.Dalton I worked in during college? Probably a Jamba Juice now. But B&N? The one that got Starbuck's?

I guess the news was playing around in my head, building sand castles and such, because last night I pictured a B&N with a very different look.

Oh, don't worry, the Starbuck's was still there; having six-dollar, 800-calorie coffee shakes available is the best way to keep us browsing. (Works on me.)

No, the biggest difference was that the shelves held one 3-chapter sample of each book available. Customers could also view these samples on one of several computers (or their chosen wireless ereader, of course). When ready to purchase, the customer would order and pay for their book via cashier or the sample-viewing computer. They'd be directed to a bank of Espresso-style book-printing machines. There, their book would be printed on the machine most appropriate for their chosen book, determined by book dimensions, paper type, binding style, and ink color.

Pros, as I see them:

• You could still browse and sample paper books.
• Sample books might still have alluring cover art.
• You might have a wider selection, including previously out-of-print titles.
• You could still leave the store with a paper book if that's what you want.
• If you want to read the whole book, the author gets paid.
• No more book returns to publishers (good for authors, publishers, and trees).
• Ridiculous coffee drinks still available.

Cons:

• You couldn't read an entire book while lounging in an armchair.
• Book dimensions would be standardized for the in-store printers.
• Printed books might not have alluring cover art.
• No more hardcovers (especially bad for picture books).
• Printing machines must be maintained and stocked with paper, glue, and ink.
• Color books would be more expensive.
• No more bargain books.

Publishers spend a lot of money on printing, storing, and shipping books -- much of it wasted because so many books are later returned and pulped. The scenario above would offer a browsing experience similar to what we have now, with the resource and cost savings of print on demand.

Would you shop this bookstore?