Inroads for the Electronic Slush Pile

It's more common for book authors and their editors to exchange electronic documents once the project is under way.

"The Fiery Cross [published in late 2001] was the first book of mine that the publisher didn't take on paper and do stuff to, but rather asked for and dealt with in electronic form," says best-selling author Diana Gabaldon. "But they did finally get around to that point, and asked for the e-form of Lord John and the Private Matter almost as though it were a matter of course."

But hopeful authors? They still need to pay postage.

- Esther Schindler

Esther Schindler is a freelance writer based in Scottsdale, Ariz.