Random House Canada, a division of the major print publisher, has launched an online magazine and an ebook platform that is blurring the lines between the expected roles of the publisher and the current popularity of digital publishing. Named after a 19th century essayist, the online magazine, Hazlitt, will feature new content and short form reading. The ebook platform, Hazlitt Originals, will give voice to content that may not have been right for Random House in the world of print-only traditional publishing, but that can now be published digitally.
“No one can predict where things are going, but hopefully this will give great writers a place to tell great stories,” says Hazlitt editor-in-chief Christopher Frey in an interview with Tony Wong for The Star. “We hope to be quite writer-centric with established and emerging writers.”
As more and more magazines and newspapers take to the digital space in order to reach readers and save on printing and delivery costs, the world of long form journalism is opening up as well. No longer held to the constraints of print, more in-depth content is available to digital readers. Additionally, sites like Random House’s online venue do more than just sell titles and promote authors, they connect the readers with information while keeping that relationship ongoing.
Mercy Pilkington is a Senior Editor for Good e-Reader. She is also the CEO and founder of a hybrid publishing and consulting company.
