‘Survival of Soap Opera’ Book Goes on Sale

Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 11:30 PM ET by Scotty Gore

Photo: Univ. Press of Mississippi

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — The Survival of Soap Opera: Transformations for a New Media Era is scheduled to be officially released on Wednesday, December 1st by the University Press of Mississippi. The anthology, which is edited by Sam Ford, Abigail De Kosnik, and C. Lee Harrington, discusses the current and future state of the faltering soap opera genre, along with how the traditional daytime drama format will either reach or lose its audience in the Age of the Internet, and will feature contributions from scholars, critics, industry practitioners and viewers.

The book, which SON first told you about back in February, “investigates the causes of their dwindling popularity, describes their impact on TV and new media culture, and gleans lessons from their complex history for twenty-first-century media industries. The book contains reflections from established soap scholars such as Robert C. Allen, Louise Spence, Nancy Baym, and Horace Newcomb, along with essays and interviews by emerging scholars, fans, and website moderators, and by soap opera producers, writers, and actors from ABC’s ‘General Hospital,’ CBS’s ‘The Young and the Restless’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful,’ and other shows. This diverse group of voices seeks to intervene in the discussion about the fate of soap operas at a critical juncture and speaks to longtime soap viewers, television studies scholars, and media professionals alike,” according to publisher’s website.

Although it will technically not be released for a few more weeks, you can purchase a copy (and get a sneak preview) from Amazon now. Approximately 320 pages, the 6 x 9 inch hardcover book is selling for $50.00. So be sure to check it out and add it to your reading list today!

You can also learn more about the book, as well as each of the editors, by clicking here.