Writers must be able to handle different layouts and designs beyond the Paper and PDF models.

E-readers and other devices for reading e-texts

Many e-readers have a built-in light source, can enlarge or change fonts, use text-to-speech software to read the text aloud for visually impaired, elderly or dyslexic people or just for convenience. Additionally, e-readers allow users to look up words or find more information about the topic immediately using an online dictionary and encyclopaedia. Amazon knows who you are and where you are in your e-book as well as how long you spend on it and what words you look up. Your reading choices are informative to advertisers who will target you with informed choices in their advertising.

Reading Platforms

Of course, you can read on a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, and a smartphone. How are you receiving and reading newsletter? (It is possible that you download, print out and read on paper). Publications in general are increasingly digital. The Mensa Magazine, for example, is now online only. Newsletters will appear on the New Mensa Website in e-book forms using colour, movement, interactivity, and connectivity. Video in e-books is already available along with audio. The e-publication will become less of a paper and more of an app. It will become shareable, social, and flexible. Pro Writers need to know how to write for the web.

Writing Platforms

Apart from the workhorse MS Word and the free alternative LibreOffice how many of you use Google Docs for free? Also, don’t neglect Google Slides. These embed easily in web pages, with video. Tell a story in a set of slides and video embeds. Talking Pictures and Talking Text.

Slide Presentation

Ah! You declare: PowerPoint! (I’ve sat through a few of those … yawn). However, there are alternatives to PowerPoint – one of which is mentioned immediately above: Google Slides. You may want to check out Visme and others. Here is a 2022 list:

https://visme.co/blog/best-presentation-software/

 Previously, I’ve mentioned the new kid from Neighbours Canva

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu19G4EP7Qw

This is becoming a serious piece of kit. Adobe has copied it in their new Adobe Express (which used to be called Spark).

https://www.softwareadvice.com/graphic-design/adobe-spark-profile/vs/canva/

Tell a story in a set of slides with audio, video, and animation. Do not poop with a PDF. The way to go is THE WAY OF THE WEB.