The Writers’ Union of Canada’s chairwoman of the contracts committee suggests in The Globe & Mail that authors bypass publishers and embrace the e-book.

Truly, a revolution in publishing has dawned. It’s midmorning already for musicians, screenwriters and filmmakers. The democratizing Web brought them into direct contact with potential users worldwide. . . . Why are writers so reluctant to step boldly to the hub of the publishing wheel, dispense with middlefolk and take command of their own creative property?

Probably because most authors want “to reach the next level” and rightly perceive that at this point in time established publishers are the best vehicle for that journey.