A survey of indie presses shows that 60% fear they could be out of business by the autumn, writes Galley Beggar Press cofounder Sam JordisonOver the past few years, the success of independent publishers such as Fitzcarraldo, And Other Stories, Bluemooose and Influx Press has been something to behold. They have won prizes, engaged readers and published innovative and important books. Now that wonderful literary flowering is in danger. A survey on the impact of Covid-19 on small presses, carried out by the Bookseller and writer development charity Spread the Word, reveals that 60% of the small presses polled fear they could be out of business by the autumn, 75% don’t know if they will make it beyond March next year, while 85% of the publishers have seen sales drop by more than half.Small presses have been hit especially hard because they are more dependent on physical sales in bookstores, rather than online retailers or ebook sales. I know, because my publisher, Galley Beggar Press, has also seen a big chunk of its income disappear. One of the great strengths of our kind of publishing is that we have a real connection with dedicated readers who love books as physical objects, readers who have an equally strong connection with booksellers. A great deal of what we do relies on the enthusiasm and personal recommendations of those heroes of our trade whose shops Covid-19 has closed. We have lost many of our best advocates, not to mention the most practical way of getting books... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2020-05-15 06:00:32 UTC ]
Irish author Mike McCormack’s Goldsmiths prize-winning novel Solar Bones (Tramp Press) is one of the eight titles shortlisted for the inaugural Republic of Consciousness Prize for small presses, alongside titles from indies including Freight Books, Galley Beggar Press and Cassava Republic. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2017-01-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Neil Griffiths’ Republic of Consciousness prize for ‘brave and brilliant’ works from small publishers unveils contenders for award funded by online raffleA prize designed to reward “brave, bold and brilliant” literature from small presses that raised its purse from crowdfunding has announced its... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2017-01-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a move likely meant to stay on publishers' good side, Facebook is trying out a new way to help users discover more news (real news). Starting Thursday, Facebook will let nearly a dozen publishers—including BuzzFeed, El Pais, Fox News and The Washington Post—include more than one Instant... Continue reading at AdWeek
[ AdWeek | 2017-01-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Online retailer Elefant.ro dominates Romania's online book and ebook sales. Now, the company has plans to expand to other regional markets. The post Romania’s Elefant Aims To Be a ‘Destination for Foreign Books’ appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-11-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Irish publishers Tramp Press and New Island are among the small presses that have been longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-11-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While members of the Amazon Prime club get all kinds of benefits with their subscription, bookworms don't receive a great deal of special treatment. Sure, they can borrow one ebook for free each month and access new novels early, but the all-you-can... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2016-10-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Small presses, libraries and independents are all under threat. No one wants to hear their child ask: ‘What’s a bookshop?’On Saturday it is Bookshop Day. My heart always sinks a little when I hear that a day has been set aside to celebrate something I love: it too often feels like being put on a... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2016-10-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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A decline in ebook sales plus the lack of a mega-bestseller led to sales and earnings both falling by just over 10% at Penguin Random House in the first six months of 2016. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-08-31 00:00:00 UTC ]
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J K Rowling is launching new short-form content about the Harry Potter world, called Pottermore Presents, in September, which will be available to sell through online retailers in the UK. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-08-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sales for the first six months of 2016 fell 6.6% at Hachette Book Group compared to the first six months of 2015, but earnings rose 180%. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-07-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Limitations of reading devices and "digital fatigue" are cited as causes for the decline in ebook sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Have ebook sales plateaued in Germany? The latest Ebook Quarterly Report from the German Publishers and Booksellers Association indicates lower revenue despite growth in sales volume. The post Ebook Sales in Germany Up, Revenue Down appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-06-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Support from presses of all sizes has been key to CI's success, but this year even more small presses than usual will be at the conference. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-06-03 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'Our ebook sales have been going up, not down,' says INscribe's Larry Norton. And the 'micro-publishers' who are scrappy enough to make that happen also want a fast, easier path into print. The post The Sprint to Print: INscribe Introduces INdemand for Publishers appeared first on Publishing... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-05-26 00:00:00 UTC ]
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'The reason we want to start selling ebooks direct into ASEAN,' says Monsoon's Philip Tatham, is because it's a major and rare territory still without heavy competition from major ebook retailers. The post Asia’s Potential Monsoon of Ebook Sales: Philip Tatham on ASEAN appeared first on... Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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While the five books presented at the BEA Selects: Children's panel session were from small presses, they all made a big impression on the audience. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Independent publishers, small presses and zine-makers are primed to come together at the London Radical Book Fair, an event created to support the radical book trade and provide an organisational structure for the “reviving movement”. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-05-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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First quarter financial reports from three of the country's largest trade publishers revealed a continuing decline in ebook sales. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2016-05-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Sales of self-published ebooks accounted for 22% of the digital book market in the UK last year, the Nielsen BookInsights Conference today was told, although growth in overall ebook sales is slowing. Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2016-03-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ebook sales are driven by people over 50, according to Kobo CEO Michael Tamblyn. Here he talks about designing better ebooks and e-readers to encourage sales. The post Kobo’s Michael Tamblyn on the Age of E-Reading appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2016-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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