I think we’re on the cusp of a global literary...

I think we’re on the cusp of a global literary renaissance. I think this is the best time for anyone to be a writer. The opportunities for writers to reach readers with their words have never been better. This is just a golden age, an incredible time. All of the traditional gate-keeping systems have fallen away, and power is shifting from traditional publishers to the authors themselves. We’re witnessing a confluence of multiple disruptive revolutions happening at the same time. We’ve got the rise of self-publishing, and the rise of e-books. So between these big events, now it’s possible for any writer, anywhere in the world, instantly publish a book at no cost.

Mark Coker, CEO of Smashwords, in a Q&A with Fast Company.