In the same way the Internet allows small business to compete with big business, it also levels the playing field for writers, providing more opportunity for unpublished authors.

Last month writers and poets participated in Read an eBook Week events across the nation and I was honoured to take part in a reading at the Fredericton Public Library with Biff Mitchell, Joe Blades, Nela Rio and Chris Owen.

On a day when most events in the city had been cancelled due to poor weather, a good crowd showed their interest in electronic publishing and the reading was well attended.

The international spokesperson for Read an eBook Week 2005, Biff Mitchell, shared a wealth of information about the industry.

Before hearing Biff speak my preconceived notion about eBooks was that they were excellent marketing tools to drive readers into bookstores to buy a traditional print copy. Giving away a chapter or two free in an eBook format could generate more interest in your work and increase sales.

I was aware that not all eBooks were distributed freely over the Internet, that some were being sold, but I honestly didn't think society had progressed enough that any sort of a living could be eked out in eBook sales —

Boy, did I have a lot to learn!

The truth of the matter is that eBooks have finally found their place in society with readers on computers, PDAs, cell phones and other reading devices. There are hundreds of ePublishers who primarily publish all their titles online or offer traditional print books in electronic format also. It's a viable industry. There's money to be made.

Getting a book published is notoriously difficult. An aspiring author needs to hit upon just the right combination of skill, talent, persistence and luck to find a publisher willing to take a chance on an unknown and produce his or her book. A lot of great books never get published; many not so great books do get published. Simply being a good writer is not enough to ensure success.