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When I think about the role of a publisher, I have always seen it as that of a facilitator. Publishers, in my view, exist to provide content that disseminates education, develops skills, spreads knowledge, and just as importantly, encourages reading for pleasure. They are the bridge between creators and learners, between those who have something to share and those eager to learn.
But lately, I have been wondering if publishers, especially in the education space, are truly living up to that role in today’s world of rapid technological change. The publishing ecosystem is transforming week after week, and yet, many publishers seem hesitant, even anxious, about embracing the very tools that could make their job easier and their products far more effective. Let’s explore that hesitation a little more deeply.
Today, education is delivered in three distinct formats:
These are not just different modes of delivery, they represent entirely different philosophies of engagement. The digital only model represents agility, accessibility, and immediacy.
The hybrid model blends the tactile comfort of print with the flexibility of digital. The print only model, on the other hand, remains rooted in tradition, a space that still holds value, but one that increasingly struggles to keep up with the pace of modern learning.
Now, I understand that not all content is suited to digital or hybrid formats. Some readers and educators still prefer physical books. That’s fine. But what concerns me is the reluctance of publishers, even those working in hybrid or digital models, to truly embrace the technological tools available to them.
Here’s the irony: updating content has never been easier.
We live in a world where information changes overnight. A new discovery, a new statistic, or a change in curriculum can make yesterday’s content outdated. In the past, that was understandable. Revising a printed book meant reprinting entire batches, a time-consuming and costly process. But in today’s digital or hybrid publishing environment, updates can be made instantaneously. The kind of responsiveness that technology allows, and that readers have come to expect in every other aspect of their lives.
And yet, many publishers hesitate.
They sense the need for quick updates; they even talk about the importance of agility. But when it comes to actually using the tools, whether it’s cloud-based editing platforms, content management systems, or digital publishing software, they pause.
Why?
I think this hesitation stems from two things: a mindset issue and a lack of comfort with technology.
For decades, publishing has been about control. Control of content, design, and distribution. Once something went to print, it was final. There was a certain pride in that permanence. But in the digital era, content is fluid. It evolves. It can (and should) be changed, refined, and improved over time. That requires a shift in mindset, from being gatekeepers of fixed knowledge to being facilitators of living knowledge.
The second issue is familiarity. Some publishers, particularly in traditional education sectors, are simply not comfortable with the tools. Technology evolves fast, too fast, perhaps.
A new software update, a new workflow platform, or a new distribution model can feel overwhelming. But that’s precisely why publishers need to invest in learning and adopting these systems. The discomfort of learning something new is a small price to pay for the efficiency and responsiveness that technology brings.
Let’s look again at the two formats where this technological transformation can truly shine: "Digital Only" and "Hybrid".
In both these models, publishers have the ability to:
All of this can happen in real time. No waiting for the next edition, no massive printing costs, no obsolete inventory. Just live, dynamic content that evolves with the learner’s needs.
And that’s the key point: when publishers use technology effectively, they don’t just make their own work easier, they enhance the user’s experience. The reader, student, or teacher always benefits.
So, where does this leave us?
If the role of the publisher is truly that of a facilitator, then the greatest act of facilitation today is to embrace technology wholeheartedly. To not just digitize content, but to rethink how knowledge is created, delivered, and updated. To see technology not as a threat to traditional publishing, but as a powerful partner that amplifies its reach and relevance.
Yes, there is anxiety. Yes, change is uncomfortable. But the world of education is moving forward, whether we like it or not. Learners expect immediacy, accuracy, and interactivity.
If publishers don’t step up and adopt these tools, someone else will.
It is time we stopped being hesitant and started being bold. After all, the mission remains the same: to disseminate education, build skills, share knowledge, and inspire reading for pleasure. The only thing that has changed is the means, and what wonderful means we now have at our disposal!
Sesh Seshadri 6 November 2025
