If you’ve been following the latest publishing news, you know that Kirkus Reviews is closing its doors. This is yet another result of the economy more or less.

I’ve always known Kirkus to review all types of books from both small and big publishing houses. I also remember how some of my writer friends had a love/hate relationship with the publication. A good review was great. But a bad review? No one could do it like Kirkus. It was almost like a rite of passage.

But it’s what Kirkus is leaving behind that has most people in the industry wondering. With new media, technology, and social networking—there isn’t a dearth of resources to find book reviews, but Kirkus was considered “professional” and also the source for many librarians and other book buyers to gauge whether to put a book on their shelves.

Lee and Low talks about the affect on their blog, What Kirkus Closing Means for the Average Reader:

“Without Kirkus and other review journals you’d still have bloggers, but you’d have to send a lot more books out to reach the same number of readers. At least right now. Getting rid of print review journals won’t make much of a difference for, say, Twilight. But it will make the small books by debut authors and independent publishers harder to find––and, consequently, harder to make.”

Who knows what’s in store for the industry in the next few years. I have a feeling that the traditional paradigm for books (print vs. electronic) will change. The biggest question is what will its new form look like?

As a writer, it can be overwhelming at times. Thinking about the industry while you are trying to create your work can become a major distraction. But I do believe the industry will always be looking for interesting and captivating stories, so definitely keep your head up and keep writing.