Challenges

The book ecosystem is a complex network where multiple entities—readers, authors, and publishing-related companies—interact and operate. However, the current book ecosystem faces several significant challenges:

Centralized Monopoly on Book Data

Today, the book market operates within a structure where a few large companies and platforms monopolize book-related data. In this scenario, those who contribute to data creation receive insufficient rewards or may even face challenges in accessing the data they helped generate.

• Insufficient Data Collection Methods: The fragmented value chain in the current book market—comprising processes for content creation, production, distribution and purchasing—leaves authors and publishing companies without the essential data necessary for their creative and business endeavors.

• Unequal Access to Data: Readers, authors, and companies are unable to fully utilize data in the book market, resulting in unequal access issues. Data value is concentrated within proprietary platforms, restricting contributors from reaping the economic benefits generated.

• Constraints of Centralized Data Usage: Major platforms limit data utilization to serve their own interests, prioritizing their objectives over the growth of the entire ecosystem. This approach hinders the diversity and overall development of the book market.

Decline in Book Discoverability and Accessibility

As the number of published books surges, readers find it increasingly challenging to identify titles that align with their interests. The overwhelming array of choices often makes it difficult to sift through and locate quality books. At the same time, the absence of a dedicated community platform in the book sector, combined with the decline of offline bookstores, further diminishes book accessibility.

• Fatigue from Excessive Choices: Readers experience fatigue during the discovery process due to the rapid expansion of available titles, making it hard to find what they need. The absence of a personalized recommendation system further exacerbates this issue.

• Lack of Specialized Platforms: The shortage of global platforms specialized in books makes communication between readers, authos, and publishers, limiting the qualitative improvement of content. Readers struggle to obtain detailed information and feedback about books, while authors and publishing-related companies are trapped in a structure that makes it hard to reflect readers' perspectives.

• Risk of Algorithmic Bias and Policy Changes: Although platforms like #booktok and #bookstagram are emerging as popular avenues for book discovery, the information available to readers is often constrained by biased algorithms and the potential for policy shifts regarding exposure. These elements threaten the sustainability of effective book discovery on these platforms.

Lack of Transparency in the Reward System

In the current book ecosystem, readers who engage with books by providing reviews and ratings, as well as authors who create original content, often do not receive adequate rewards for their contributions. Publishing companies also find themselves constrained by a structure that limits their ability to transparently utilize data and expect the resulting benefits. To address these structural challenges, a fair and transparent reward system based on individual contributions is crucial.

• Inadequate Reward System for Contributors: Readers and authors frequently lack sufficient compensation for the data and content they generate. This issue arises from platform structures that monopolistically exploit the value of their contributions.

• Lack of Transparency in Reward Distribution: Centralized platforms often fail to provide clarity regading how data and content are used and how rewards are allocated accordingly. This lack of transparency undermines contributors' trust in the platform and hinders the development of the ecosystem.

• Reduced Motivation to Engage in the Ecosystem: The absence of transparency and fairness in reward system diminishes the motivation of readers and authors to participate in the ecosystem, ultimately jeopardizing the sustainability of the publishing and book ecosystem.

The Need for Customized Services Tailored to Readers, Authors, and Companies

The global book market is increasingly shaped by digitalization and globalization, necessitating more customized and personalized services to meet the diverse needs of readers. However, as the content volume grows and issues of data monopolization intensify, it has become challenging for readers, authors, and companies to produce and consume book content within a fair ecosystem. To address these concerns, TREZBOOK aims to establish a sustainable and organic virtuous cycle platform that ensures ecosystem participants are transparently and fairly rewarded for the data they generate. Utilizing blockchain and AI technologies will enhance accessibility to this data.