I can say that there are currently no publishing crises like the ones I experienced in the 1970s, for example, when a large number of writers resorted to so-called master printing. Now, electronic publishing has solved this crisis, and many people are turning to electronic publishing platforms to publish their works. These platforms are characterized by low cost, if not nonexistent, and the ability to reach anywhere in the world, unlike the restrictions imposed on paper publishing. However, electronic publishing also has some obstacles or drawbacks, such as many readers not being accustomed to reading on screens. Moreover, the author himself must be proficient in dealing with computers and the internet; otherwise, he will not be able to interact with the manifestations of electronic publishing.

One of the current problems with paper publishing is the high cost of printing, despite the abundance of available works. Anyone with some money can print their work without paying attention to its quality, especially in private publishing houses that are mostly interested in profit or making money before anything else. As for government publishing institutions, there are many works waiting for publication, and the queue is long; a work may not be published until more than two years after its submission.

After publishing comes the critical evaluation process, and I believe that criticism cannot keep up with all the releases that printers churn out daily in various literary forms, especially novels, which flood the publishing market now more than any other literary genre.

Is the crisis a reader's crisis, a creator's crisis, or something else?

I see that the crisis is a society that is not used to reading. Reading – in any branch – is no longer the first concern for individuals in society. There are other priorities, especially given the high cost of paper books. One of the most important priorities for individuals in society now is to provide sustenance amid the significant and unprecedented rise in product prices and hard currency rates.

I cannot exempt creators themselves, especially those who believe that the creative process is merely writing without reading. I believe that the creative process is a result of readings and human interactions with the local, Arab, and global community. Then comes writing to crystallize such interactions through the creator's internal or external perspectives in the form they choose to write or display their creativity.

Has the tremendous advancement in communication means negatively or positively affected publishing?

I think this tremendous advancement in communication means has positively affected publishing because it at least informs us of newly published books domestically and internationally. It also allows us to download many books and encyclopedias through some electronic libraries that provide these books and encyclopedias for free. These means also enable traditional or paper publishers to promote their books and write brief introductions, informing every interested reader of a new book on a particular subject. Additionally, these means allow for the transfer of books – globally – through some electronic formats, such as PDF, for example, when paper books cannot reach specific areas, whether this transfer is free or for a fee. It is important that this progress contributes to the popularity of new books, positively affecting the overall publishing movement, whether in print or electronic formats.

What kind of books do readers gravitate towards?

It depends on the interests and specializations of the reader. Those interested in religious books will search for and read them, while those interested in literary works will do the same. Likewise, readers interested in medical, engineering, or geographical books will seek them out and acquire them, as will those interested in political works.

So, there are specific subjects that readers gravitate towards because they may be beneficial in their areas of interest and expertise.

However, in general, I see a greater interest in reading novels, personal memoirs of public figures, and self-development books compared to poetry anthologies and critical works, for example. But this may require further monitoring using scientific and statistical methods to understand the reading trends in a particular society. This information may be more readily available to publishers or distributors, as they can track which books achieve the highest distribution numbers.

Which age groups read more, young people or older adults?

General observation indicates that older adults read more than young people. However, if we consider the visitors to book fairs such as the Cairo International Book Fair, we find that young people purchase more books than older adults. They are the ones carrying bags full of books more often than older individuals. Most trips to book fairs are predominantly made by young people.

Sometimes I wonder whether these young people who buy these books will actually read them, or if it's just for showing off among their peers that they went to the fair and bought books. Occasionally, while at the fair, I hear a young person ask a friend or colleague, "Is this book really good?" When I try to catch a glimpse of this "really good" book, I don't find it to be particularly impressive from my perspective. Thus, opinions vary.