"This is an indispensable and highly-readable study of the publishing industry past, present and future. For students and professionals in publishing it provides an authoritative, up-to-date and reliable account of their complex and rapidly changing industry. For those interested more broadly in the role the creative industries play in the modern world this is a fine introduction. It is to be highly recommended."
- Iain Stevenson, Director, UCL Centre for Publishing
At last, a readable, authoritative and comprehensive book for students, readers and practitioners in print and digital publishing.
The book guides the reader through the history of publishing and the main issues facing the industry today. Among these are:
Legal conundrums
Cultural conflicts
Trade practices
Publishing within and across sectors
Editorial requirements
The challenge of electronic publishing
Making your ideas count in print
Rationalization and the growth of corporate publishing cultures
The result is an exciting one stop guide, written with real flair and aplomb. Packed with helpful real-world examples and illustrative interviews this practical resource leaves no stone of the publishing industry unturned.
Introduction
Chapter 1: A History of Books
The First Paradigm: From Vellum Codex to Print Book
1475-1533: The Early English Trade
1533-1694: Age of Control
1694-1774: Rise of 'The Publisher'
1774-1935: Era of the Publishing Firm
1935-1970: The Paperback Revolution
1965-Now: Conglomerate Publishing
Chapter 2: The Publishing Process
The Value Chain
The Editor's Task
The Production Process
Architecture of the Book
Printing, Paper & Bookbinding
Budgeting a Book
Author-House Relations
Agents
Writers
Readers
Chapter 3: Sectors in the Anglophone Model
Consumer or Trade Books
Academic, Scholarly or Higher Education Publishing
Professional and Journal Publishing
Education
English Language Training
Reference
Children's Books
Religion
Leading Revenues by Sector (U.S., UK, Europe & Japan) in 2009
Chapter 4: Craft to Corporation
Brands
The Business of Publishing
The Corporatisation of Books
Corporate Strategies
The Mechanics of Mergers
The Rise of the Big Five Trade Publishers
The Twenty-First Century
Chapter 5: Copyright and Publishing Law
The Statute of Anne
Timeline of Copyright and Intellectual Property Law
Copyright Today
Defamation and Libel
Seditious Libel
Malicious Falsehood
Obscenity
Libel & Libel Tourism
Copyright Infringement
Moral Right and Integrity
Digital Law
Fair Use and First Sale in the Digital Age
Chapter 6: Rights and Contracts
Book Club Rights
Paperback Rights
Translation Rights
Serial Rights
Territorial Rights
Other Anglophone Markets
Publishing Contracts
Contract Clauses
Subsidiary Rights in Contracts
Chapter 7: Marketing, Promotion and Bookselling
The Marketing Jigsaw
Sales Timeline & Techniques
The Blurb
Business to Consumer (B2C)
Prizes and Sales
Bookselling Practice
How and Why Books Sell
Discounts, Sale and Return
Chapter 8: The Era of Digital Publishing
The Internet
Open Source Culture
Social Networking
Broadcasting v. Networking
Media Regulation
Advertising
Guerilla Marketing
Piracy & Digital Music
Print on Demand (POD)
Google Books
E-Books
