A popular crime fiction writer has reiterated the importance of publishers for authors amid the increasing prevalence of digitalisation that can compromise the quality of content.

In an address at the Natural History Museum on Monday (February 20th), Ian Rankin spoke out about the necessity of publishers, who help to ensure authors deliver their best efforts, the bookseller.com reported.

Mr Rankin said: “Publishers need authors but authors really need publishers, especially as more content flood the market of varying quality.”

The speech came alongside his publisher’s 20th anniversary, Orion, who’s chief executive Peter Roche acknowledged the rise of online publishing.

He said: “The world of the written word has experienced its biggest transformation since the invention of the printing press.”

Describing the rise in online sales as “relentless”, Mr Roche confirmed that the publishing house would be following suit, suggesting 100 per cent of its backlist titles would be converted to e-books by the end of the year.

Born in Fife in 1960, Rankin has received four Crime Writers’ Association Dagger Awards, as well as America’s Edgar Award for Resurrection Men.

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