Earlier this month I received an e-mail from writer/producer Ian Daffern of Vepo Studios in Toronto. He wanted to know if the following was awesome:
I replied that it is, indeed, awesome. After all, who can resist a book trailer that has
- self-deprecating humor;
- a soda-can pipe;
- Canadians?
I’m looking forward to reading Stripmalling. I will also be keeping an eye on Vepo Studios, a new outfit that’s specializing in Web video for the arts community and for publishing in particular.
My hope is that they find more clients who are willing to take risks. In the wake of the fallout from the “New Think for Old Publishers” panel at this year’s South by Southwest, I’ve been thinking that, when it comes to technology, it might be too late for book publishing to play catch-up.
We need the book business to start leading. I’d love to see publishing develop a Silicon Valley mentality, with start-ups like Vepo Studios taking big risks and pushing the bigger companies to innovate.
So nice job on The Way of the Smock, Vepo. Keep it up and keep pushing the form even further.
