Since the introduction of the Kindle, the topic of eBooks and digital content has dominated the publishing world. As it should, because our livelihood depends on getting the big decisions right. The key question everyone is wrestling with is the when of the shift, because the if is now a foregone conclusion. It’s already happening.

I’ve been in a lot of discussions about this and, frankly, I think a good many people are looking at it sideways. They’re narrowly focused on today’s book consumer (primarily middle-aged females, statistically) and how to get them to migrate to a digital format either via the Kindle or iPad (or any of the bazillion other devices coming soon to a store near you). I think there will be a lot of migration, especially from the Millenials and Gen Xer’s, but we won’t be the tipping point.

My daughter’s kindergarten class will be.

This is the official promo video for the iPad on Apple’s website. It’s worth the 8 minutes it takes to watch it if you haven’t already. I’m planning to record a video blog with designer and friend Chris Wilcox in the next couple of days to talk about the iPad and what it means to us as artists, but I wanted to get my initial thoughts out while they’re as fresh as can be. Here we go:

Today’s the day. The music industry had theirs’ when Apple unveiled iTunes; now the publishing industry’s turn is up and there’s LOTS of debate about what the Apple tablet means for authors, publishers, and consumers. For all of the buzz and debate I can’t help but think that most of the naysayers are getting it wrong. They remind us that tablets have been tried before…and failed. They remind us how Bill Gates tried to revolutionize personal computing with a switch to tablets…and failed. But all of that misses the point in my opinion. Why?

Because the introduction of an Apple tablet isn’t about revolutionizing hardware (though I think it will certainly fuel innovation and do that just like the iPod did); it’s about revolutionizing content. I, too, love the feel and smell of paper. I like having books on a shelf in my office. We like book covers as much as we do the words they wrap around. They’re iconic and evoke a sort of nostalgia. Just last night my writer’s group talked about our favorite stories, some of which were published in the 1800’s. We like stuff we can touch.

From Geekdom to Wall Street, all eyes will focus on Cupertino, CA on Wednesday when Steve Jobs steps on stage to, presumably, unveil the long rumored Mac tablet (aka “The iUnicorn” because many have said it doesn’t exist). Whether or not you believe the digital publishing shake-up is imminent doesn’t matter. At all. It’s already underway and if you’re an author, either professional or aspiring, you need to pay attention.

The way we engage story has evolved over time and we’re on the cusp of the next cycle. And that cycle can be described with one word: convergence. CSI creator Anthony Zuiker tried it with his digi-novel, the over the top Level 26. Others have tried producing vooks, digital books with bonus video elements (most have which are…meh). Sooner rather than later we will have to figure out how to inventively tell stories by layering all of the techno-capabilities that devices like Apple’s tablet supposedly provide. Soon, writing the manuscript of a novel won’t even be the bare minimum. The new baseline will include interactivity, which you’ll have to plan for before you type the first word.

What will that look like? Who knows. But I do know we’ve got to start experimenting now. True, the publishing industry can learn from the mistakes the music industry made. In fact, I’ve heard that for awhile as well as something to the effect of “The good news is we still have time to figure it out.” My response is “maybe.” My opinion is that the speed of the shift will catch most authors and publishers off-guard. It’s the nature of things.

So, my advice…use your imagination to dream new ways to tell your story. The limits are being removed so take advantage of the time we live in.

We’re experimenting with something this month with the release of Tea with Hezbollah, the travelogue Ted Dekker wrote with Middle East expert Carl Medearis.

On January 28th, David Beasley with the Center for Global Strategies, Ted, and Carl will be hosting alive webcast called “Why Do You Fear Me?” They’ll be tackling the big questions that most people have about the Middle East, as well as the misconceptions most of us have about it as Westerners (and, specifically, Westerners of a Christian tradition). I read this book in manuscript form last year. When I opened it I had one, admittedly one-dimensional, view of the region and the controversy that swirls about Israel, the Palestine state, and the West Bank. When I closed the book I had a completely different take on it.

This really is a book that every Westerner should read to get a better grip on the Middle East.

But, back to this webcast. You can access it for free when you buy the book through Bookschristian.com. They’re offering the book for roughly the same price as Amazon, but you can also get access to the webcast ($12.97 on its own). It’s a good deal, and I think well worth it if you plan on buying the book anyway. Check out the offer HERE. Hope you can join in. The book and webcast just might change everything you think you know or believe about the Middle East and loving your enemies.

As most of you may already know, the New Year brings with it several new Dekker titles and the first one out of the gates is Burn, a book that was co-authored with Erin Healy who also penned Kiss which came out last January. Take a look at the book’s trailer, which was done by uber-talented designer, and good friend, Mike Heath. If you haven’t already picked it up, be sure to add this book to your reading list. And be sure to watch for Erin’s debut solo novel, Never Let You Go, which comes out in May. Very talented writer who has a long career in front of her.

Thomas Nelson is about to re-release the Dekker Lost Books series. And when they do, the books will sport some re-designed covers. Check them out below and leave a comment about what you think. Your opinion matters.