The Path of Publishing Passes Through Technology
The cultural and publishing service of Iran’s Book News Agency (IBNA) reports that the book industry has always progressed hand-in-hand with technology. From Gutenberg’s invention of printing in the 15th century to offset printing presses in the late 19th century and now digital printing, every technological step has expanded publishing.
Offset printing made large print runs possible, and digital printing made even low-circulation books economical. Now, electronic publishing has become a significant part of the industry. Research shows that this method reduces production and distribution costs by up to one-third. The result? Books become cheaper, and more readers gain access to them. In Iran’s economic conditions, this could increase the per capita reading rate.
However, new technologies go beyond electronic files. “Digital printing,” “3D printing,” “augmented reality,” artificial intelligence, and gamification have created new opportunities for books. For example, interactive digital books with images, sound, and motion make children more interested in reading. Digital printing was not only a cost-effective way to publish books in small print runs but also reduced costs and opened the way for small publishers and specialized books. Print-on-demand (POD) technology also broke traditional print runs; now, a book can be printed in a few copies and published quickly.
Digital Publishing: Easier Access
E-books and audiobooks have made reading easier for everyone, and reports indicate that a large part of the publishing chain has moved to the virtual space. Ali Mohammadpour, an expert in publishing technologies, believes that according to statistics and news in Iran, over 10 million users have joined electronic publishing platforms, and at least 3 million people use them monthly. Approximately 150,000 digital book titles and thousands of audiobooks have been offered, meaning that those who previously lacked access to books can now read easily, and the visually impaired can “see” books through listening.
He noted that while the digital market still holds a small share of overall publishing, the use of e-books, especially through unofficial channels like Telegram channels, is very widespread, and even illegal consumption has surpassed legal use.
Print-on-Demand: No Book Ever Dies
In the past, books had a short lifespan; when their sales fell below offset print runs, they became rare and then were discontinued. But now, technology keeps all books alive. Mohammadpour, regarding this printing method and its expansion in various societies, said: “In the electronic version, all books are accessible, but ‘Print-on-Demand (POD)’ also makes printed copies possible. Any book can be printed as a single copy at a reasonable price.”
He added: “This method has advanced globally; for example, over 55% of Amazon’s printed books are offered via POD. Fortunately, some knowledge-based Iranian companies have also pioneered and entered this field. The widespread expansion and development of this printing method will increase access to books.”
Access to Books in Remote Areas and Schools
Technology brings publishing to the most deprived areas. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, and the National Public Libraries Institution promote reading by sending book packages to villages. However, experience has shown that digital methods can do this faster and more extensively. Mohammadpour, referring to some examples, stated: “UNESCO provides RACHEL offline devices to remote schools, devices that run on batteries and broadcast hundreds of thousands of pages of content on a local network without the internet. I believe Iran can also adopt this model.”
According to him, in other examples in schools, e-reader apps on tablets, virtual classes with online libraries, and equipping libraries with digital and audio versions make reading possible in places without bookstores or libraries.
Gamification: Playing for More Reading
Experts in new technologies believe that “gamification,” or making learning into a game, is the best way to increase reading motivation. This opportunity makes reading engaging and interactive by adding points, badges, leaderboards, and challenges. Research also shows that this method encourages people to read more, learn better, and enjoy books.
Mohammadpour, explaining how this method is popularized, said: “Elements like scoring, interactive stories with puzzles, or rewards such as exclusive content multiply motivation. These techniques are excellent for children and teenagers; students are more engaged with gamification and retain information better.”
He added: “Publishers and cultural institutions can encourage children to read weekly through e-reader apps or virtual competitions. For example, a weekly online challenge with virtual medals and announcing winners in the media instills a reading habit in young people. At one point, children’s and young adult book clubs, for which the Ministry of Guidance was responsible, were a valuable network for these games, which can now be revived with technology at a lower cost and greater impact.”
Artificial Intelligence: The New Revolution in Publishing
“Artificial intelligence has rapidly penetrated the heart of publishing,” Mohammadpour stated, adding: “AI now plays a significant role in the publishing industry, from writing to marketing and distribution. In writing, it helps authors create drafts, edit, or suggest better words. In design, it intelligently handles cover and page layout, reducing time and cost.”
He further said: “In publication, AI predicts print runs and titles by analyzing the market. Recommender systems display books suitable for user tastes in online stores, increasing sales. In audiobooks, AI produces natural-sounding and fast audio, which is excellent for the visually impaired and busy individuals.”
According to Mohammadpour, the integration of AI with publishing increases speed, accuracy, and access, taking the industry into the smart age. Just as offset printing revolutionized the industry, artificial intelligence can also bring about a great transformation.
Access for All: From the Visually Impaired to the Elderly
The digital world has made access to books fairer. Now, the visually impaired and partially sighted read digital books with audiobooks and Braille. Mohammadpour stated that the National Library of Iran has over 9,000 audiobooks and 1,500 free Braille books, adding: “Institutions like the Malek Museum also offer collections, but these are limited. However, some Iranian knowledge-based companies have taken the lead, such as the ’embossed display’ tablet with a Braille keyboard, display, and Persian audio output that converts text to Braille and speech.”
He continued: “Now, the visually impaired can read, write, connect to phones, listen to music, or even perform banking tasks without a computer. Similar technologies, such as text magnification or automatic text-to-speech conversion, are also useful for the elderly and individuals with partial visual impairments.”
Global Experiences: A Model for Iran
A look at the experiences of different countries shows that developing countries have used technology to promote reading and pursue their detailed and macro plans in this regard. If we pay special attention to these experiences, Iran can also join the wave of new technologies and implement it in various cultural sectors, especially books.
Mohammadpour referred to some of these experiences and said: “In Uganda and the Philippines, the ‘Youth Reader’ project, using tablets and apps, increased interest in books and the English language. In Africa, Worldreader, with Amazon and UNESCO, expanded reading using smartphones and e-readers, focusing on local content and digital literacy.”
According to him, UNESCO has created the ‘Regional Digital Library’ program with RACHEL devices, allowing up to 20 tablets to access educational resources without the internet. Rural students can study even without electricity and internet, and I believe Iran can use these as a model for deprived and isolated areas.
Solutions to Strengthen Iranian Publishing with Technology
Technology has always been a springboard for publishing and is now growing faster. Given the current challenges of Iranian publishing and the potential of new technologies, it is hoped that implementing some plans can largely reduce the existing problems and challenges in this field. Mohammadpour stated that publishers and policymakers can strengthen Iranian publishing in this path, saying: “Expanding digital and audio infrastructure is one such case. For example, the government should encourage publishers to publish electronically and audibly with technical subsidies, make textbooks and scientific books available on platforms, support small publishers and young authors, digitize valuable content, and oblige state publishers to publish electronically; otherwise, authority will shift to illegal platforms.”
He added: “Training in publishing technologies through skill workshops for publishing professionals in the field of artificial intelligence and new technologies is a necessity. On the other hand, the Ministry of Guidance should also incorporate technology into supervision, support, and book development, and encourage and support companies by standardizing services and prioritizing children, the elderly, the visually impaired, and deprived areas.”
Mohammadpour stated that supporting fair access by creating a national virtual library with nationwide coverage is another solution that can be pursued, and equipping primary schools with digital books and gamification can foster a reading habit from childhood. “I believe this will create public digital lending infrastructure for underprivileged segments of society.”
He also said: “Conditions can be foreseen for national reading festivals and competitions centered on technology; social networks can be used to make reading attractive and social, a successful experience globally and in Iran, which Iran should also pursue. Furthermore, conditions can be created to apply gamification in schools and libraries.”
Mohammadpour emphasized the necessity of reviving national book clubs in the digital space and reminded: “I believe that the experience of children’s and young adults’ book clubs should be redesigned in a technological format this time, so that our students, who are now equipped with new technologies via tablets or phones, can be attracted to them.”
According to him, reviewing laws and supervision are also among the matters that cultural policymakers should pay attention to. The government should update publishing laws and intellectual property rights to support production, not hinder cultural justice.
He stated that creating a national ‘Quality Assurance’ system for children’s and young adults’ digital books is now a necessity, saying: “However, I believe this task should be entrusted to non-governmental organizations; this method has been successful globally and strengthens reading, and we should also move towards this so that our children’s and young adults’ books are made available to families with good and appropriate quality.”
Considering these discussions, it can be said that the necessity of paying attention to new technologies in the publishing industry has become more prominent. On the other hand, some publishers are also seeking to increase the security and attractiveness of their works by leveraging innovative technologies such as augmented reality, multimedia books, and blockchain-based intellectual property registration systems. It can be said that today, the movement of the publishing industry towards new technologies is not merely a choice but an unavoidable necessity for survival in today’s competitive market. They emphasize that the future of this industry depends on the ability of publishers to adapt to technological changes.
