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 ]
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By D. Eadward Tree The future of publishing ain't what it used to be. A few years ago, "everyone" knew what was coming: except for a few old-timers and Luddites, consumers would soon switch entirely to digital... Continue reading at Publishing Executive
[ Publishing Executive | 2013-09-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a victory for transparency advocates in the wake of the PRISM secret surveillance scandal, U.S. intelligence agencies will begin revealing the number of surveillance orders they request per year under various FISA ordinances, as well as national security letters. The agencies will also reveal... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2013-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Almost everybody reported increased sales to China, and no one had failed to note (and welcome) the changes within the Chinese reading and publishing community. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Total sales at Lagardere Publishing rose 1.4% in the first half of 2013, to 917 million euros, while EBIT increased 24.6% to 71 million euros. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Both readers and writers in Mexico have a reason to rejoice today, as Amazon has just launched the Kindle Store and Kindle Direct Publishing in their country. The ebookstore will feature over 70,000 Spanish-language titles, as well as ebooks in indigenous tongues like Nahuatl. To help fill up... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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In a ceremony at the 2013 Beijing International Book Fair, Guinness World Records (GWR) and China’s Foreign Language Teaching and Research Publishing (FLTRP) signed an agreement for the publication of the 2014 Chinese-language edition of the Guinness World Records annual book. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-29 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The internet and new technology is making a dream of being an author a reality for many writers. Online self-publishing - bypassing agents and publishing houses is now a fast-growing sector. Continue reading at BBC World
[ BBC World | 2013-08-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hearings begin in Quebec to consider the regulation of book prices that would favor small bookstores. One economist argues that this will ultimately hurt the book industry. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Remember when the iPad was supposed to save publishing? For all the hype of the tablet revolution and its impact on the industry, most digital magazines are still growing into the form factor. Far too often, tablet mags are simply regurgitated copies of the print edition served up as clunky,... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2013-08-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After finally winning permission in May from the Canadian government to publish Canadian books, rather than just marketing titles from the U.S. and U.K., Simon & Schuster Canada is gearing up to release its first domestic list under the direction of Kevin Hanson. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jojo Moyes' latest novel, 'The Girl You Left Behind,' is a tale of two unsinkable women generations apart and the painting that connects them.At first glance, Jojo Moyes' third novel, "The Girl You Left Behind," bears a striking resemblance to a popular book for kids: "The Daring Book for Girls"... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hot Key Books has signed a deal to become one of the UK publishers for Alloy Entertainment,... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2013-08-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Haruki Murakami book that has sold 1 million copies a week in Japan is coming to America. It has been selling spectacularly -- particularly for a work of complex literary fiction.The Haruki Murakami book that has sold 1 million copies a week in Japan is coming to America. It has been selling... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times
[ Los Angeles Times | 2013-08-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Download Publishing Perspectives' Frankfurt Book Fair preview of what’s new, what’s happening, and what are likely to be some of the hot topics of discussion this year. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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At Publishing Perspectives, Porter Anderson looks at Bowker's new market research, at grassroots survey efforts, and at questions around ebooks' potential. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The ABA's CEO sent an open letter to independent booksellers encouraging them to publicize Amazon as a company "detrimental" to the book business and buyers. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The US Department of Justice isn't buying publishers' arguments that proposed injunctions against Apple for alleged ebook price fixing are excessive and contradictory. DOJ attorney Lawrence Buterman claims in a response letter that the penalties against Apple are necessarily harsher, since it... Continue reading at Engadget
[ Engadget | 2013-08-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Among this month's starred reviews: a novel in which the discovery of a sexy 19th-century manuscript leads to erotic adventures, and a comprehensive guide for psychotherapists. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Following the ebook price-fixing trial, the Department of Justice wants to impose measures on Apple, but publishers say they'll be the ones hurt by the rules. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Children's and YA already account for 22% of the Argentine book market and innovation and increased professionalization is helping the segment to grow. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-08-09 00:00:00 UTC ]
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