Scientific publishing is a rip-off. We fund the research – it should be free | George Monbiot

Those who take on the global industry that traps research behind paywalls are heroes, not thievesNever underestimate the power of one determined person. What Carole Cadwalladr has done to Facebook and big data, and Edward Snowden has done to the state security complex, Alexandra Elbakyan has done to the multibillion-dollar industry that traps knowledge behind paywalls. Sci-Hub, her pirate web scraper service, has done more than any government to tackle one of the biggest rip-offs of the modern era: the capture of publicly funded research that should belong to us all. Everyone should be free to learn; knowledge should be disseminated as widely as possible. No one would publicly disagree with these sentiments. Yet governments and universities have allowed the big academic publishers to deny these rights. Academic publishing might sound like an obscure and fusty affair, but it uses one of the most ruthless and profitable business models of any industry.The model was pioneered by the notorious conman Robert Maxwell. He realised that, because scientists need to be informed about all significant developments in their field, every journal that publishes academic papers can establish a monopoly and charge outrageous fees for the transmission of knowledge. He called his discovery “a perpetual financing machine”. He also realised that he could capture other people’s labour and resources for nothing. Governments funded the research published by his company, Pergamon, while... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2018-09-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #alexandra elbakyan #modern era #academic publishing #significant developments #technical term

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Scientific publishing is a rip-off. We fund the research – it should be free | George Monbiot'


German publisher Axel Springer says journalists could be replaced by AI

Owner of Politico urges focus on investigative journalism and original commentary, as company prepares for job cuts at German papers Die Welt and BildJournalists are at risk of being replaced by artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, the CEO of German media group Axel Springer has... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-03-01 01:23:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #investigative journalism #original commentary #job cuts #boost revenue #die welt #digital media


Sheikh Zayed Book Award: Scientific Committee Reviews Recommendations

The scientific committee's deliberations precede the Sheikh Zayed Book Award's upcoming 17th-edition shortlist announcements. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award: Scientific Committee Reviews Recommendations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-28 16:29:46 UTC ]
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Regnery Publishing Buys ISI Books

As part of its effort to deepen its backlist, the Washington, D.C.–based conservative publisher has acquired the ISI Books imprint from the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, a conservative higher education nonprofit. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #books imprint


Rediscovered Terry Pratchett stories to be published

Twenty stories written under a pseudonym and never before attributed to Pratchett, who died in 2015, will be released this year by TransworldA collection of newly rediscovered short stories by Terry Pratchett, originally written under a pseudonym, are to be published later this year.The 20 tales... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-27 14:52:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #terry pratchett #originally written #short stories


Children’s Rights Edition: Frankfurt Offers a New Publishers Rights Center

The 75th edition of Frankfurter Buchmesse has announced the opening of a Publishers Rights Center, with registration now available. The post Children’s Rights Edition: Frankfurt Offers a New Publishers Rights Center appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-02-24 17:04:51 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #post children #rights edition #75th edition #frankfurter buchmesse


Roald Dahl collection to be published in original form later this year

Publisher Penguin Random House announced Friday it will publish "classic" versions of Roald Dahl's children's novels after it received criticism for cuts and rewrites that were intended to make the books suitable for modern readers. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-02-24 14:35:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #original form #roald dahl #books suitable #modern readers #publisher penguin


Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:04:19 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #roald dahl #rewrites intended #books suitable #modern readers #publisher penguin


Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash

Publisher Penguin Random House says it will publish “classic” unexpurgated versions of Roald Dahl’s children’s novels, after criticism of cuts and rewrites intended to make the books suitable for modern readers Continue reading at ABC News

[ ABC News | 2023-02-24 14:03:22 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #roald dahl #rewrites intended #books suitable #modern readers #publisher penguin


Roald Dahl publisher announces unaltered 16-book ‘classics collection’

Series will be released alongside controversially amended versions to leave readers ‘free to choose which version they prefer’A collection of Roald Dahl’s books with unaltered text is to be published after a row over changes made to novels including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-24 13:26:39 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publisher puffin #roald dahl #chocolate factory #telegraph reported #beloved author #original versions #puffin


Hearst Reorganizes Its Sales Structure, Centering Categories Over Publishers

In order to work more effectively with advertisers, Hearst Magazines, parent to editorial titles including Cosmopolitan and Esquire, plans to reorganize its internal sales structure around industry categories by the end of the first quarter. The move will shift the sales and marketing staff away... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2023-02-24 12:33:37 UTC ]
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Underpaid and Overworked: A Look at Salaries and Benefits in Publishing

On paper, the publishing industry seems glamorous. But this façade belies the deep problems that persist, and one of them is the low pay. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-02-23 11:36:00 UTC ]
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Bookshop.org to Sell E-books, Publish First Print Title

Andy Hunter, Bookshop.org CEO, told 'PW' that the online retailer is developing an e-book platform for indie bookstores from scratch, and will launch it in beta late this year. In addition, the company is publishing its first book, a collection by Lydia Davis, who did not want her book available... Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-23 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Rachel Howzell Hall, George Saunders, James Hannaham among L.A. Times Book Prize finalists

The Los Angeles Times Book Prizes recognize works in 12 categories, with winners to be announced at USC in person on April 21. James Ellroy will receive a lifetime achievement prize. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-02-22 15:00:07 UTC ]
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New Publisher Sibylline Press Celebrates Women Authors Over 50

Distributed to the trade by Publishers Group West, the publisher will release six new books this fall, and plans to publish twelve books a year starting in 2024. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-22 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Publisher of Roald Dahl books in French has ‘no plans’ for rewrite

Gallimard says it will not be following English example and making any changes to the textsThe French publishers of Roald Dahl have ruled out any changes to the late British author’s translated books after it emerged that English editions were being rewritten for modern audiences.Gallimard said... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-21 17:50:05 UTC ]
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British publisher removes language deemed offensive from Roald Dahl children's books

Critics are accusing the British publisher of Roald Dahl's classic children's books of censorship after it removed some language from works such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda to make them more acceptable to modern readers. ... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-02-19 19:08:29 UTC ]
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Nicola Sturgeon’s memoirs attract fevered speculation from publishers

The departing Scottish first minister has already said she plans to write about her time in office, and publishers are showing keen interestPublishers will be clamouring to buy a memoir by Nicola Sturgeon, with any deal expected to involve a six-figure advance, literary agents have... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-18 08:00:35 UTC ]
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Wonderwell Finds Niche in Hybrid Publishing

With the company's continued growth, CEO and publisher Maggie Langrick has become one of hybrid publishing’smost outspoken advocates. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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Self-Publishing Is Thriving, According to Bowker Report

According to Bowker, more than two million new ISBNs have been issued for indie books each year since 2019. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-02-17 05:00:00 UTC ]
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British independent publishers thrive despite Brexit and Covid pandemic

Small press of the year award shortlists 48 presses that are ‘reaping the rewards from inspirational publishing’, says British book awards chair of judgesSmall presses across the UK and Ireland have had a “year of exceptional sales and profit growth in the face of Brexit and escalating running... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2023-02-15 09:17:08 UTC ]
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