The Publishing Business: A Guide to Starting Out and Getting On / Edition 2

by Kelvin Smith, Melanie Ramdarshan Bold

Overview

Are you considering a career in the world of publishing, or simply want to understand more about the industry? If so, The Publishing Business will take you through the essential publishing activities performed in editorial, rights, design, production, sales and marketing departments.

International examples from across the industry, from children's books to academic monographs, demonstrate key responsibilities at each stage of the publishing process and how the industry is adapting to digital culture. This 3rd edition has been updated with more on the role of self-publishing, independent publishers, audio books, the rise of poetry and non-fiction and how the industry is facing up to challenges of sustainability, inclusivity and diversity.

Beautifully designed and full of insight and advice from practitioner interviews, this is an essential introduction to a dynamic industry.

Interviewees include:
Anne Meadows, Commissioning Editor at Granta and Portobello Books
Zaahida Nabagereka, Head of Social Impact at Penguin Books UK
Ashleigh Gardner, Senior Vice President, Managing Director Global Publishing, Wattpad
Caroline Walsh, Literary Agent, David Higham Associates
Peter Blackstock, VP, Deputy Publisher, Grove Atlantic/Publisher, Grove Press UK
Amy Ellis, Head of Rights and Permissions, Publishers' Licensing Services
Victoria Lawrance, Rights Manager, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Shaun Hodgkinson, COO, Dorling Kindersley
Thomas Truong, Publishing Director, Little Tiger Group
Jenny Blenk, Associate Editor, Dark Horse Comics
Jeanette Morton, Digital Publisher, Oxford University Press
Maria Vassilopoulos, Publishing Sales, Uni of Wales Press and Calon Books
Ian Lamb, Head Of Children's Marketing and Publicity, Simon and Schuster

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781474249515
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/05/2018
Series:	Creative Careers
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kelvin Smith had an extensive experience of developing innovative postgraduate publishing programmes in higher education institutions in the UK, Africa and Europe. He also provided consultancy on publishing education, including course and materials development, advice on funding applications, and related monitoring and evaluation activities.

Melanie Ramdarshan Bold is a Senior Lecturer in Children's Literature and Literacies at Glasgow University. Previously she was Associate Professor of Publishing and Book Culture for six years.

Table of Contents

Introduction
People and publishing: who does what in book publishing?
Chapter-by-chapter

1. Fundamentals of publishing
A very short of history of publishing
Why finance matters
The relationship between different parts of industry
Preparing for a future in publishing
The global and local fundamentals
Case study: Bertelsmann and PenguinRandomHouse
Interview: Cathy Wells, HR Director, Hachette Book Group
Summary

2. The publishing ecosystem
Varieties of publication- markets and audiences
Print and ebooks
Journals, magazines and newspapers
Who adds value to the publishing process
Case study: Amazon and EBSCO
Interview: Maria Vassilopoulos, Business Development Manager, The Bookseller
Summary

3. Writers, readers and intermediaries
Authors, illustrators, creators and their rights
Agents and other gatekeepers
Network and opinion formers
Channels to readers and buyers
Case study: Frankfurt Book Fair
Interview: Ashleigh Gardner, Head of Partnerships, Wattpad
Interview: Caroline Walsh, Literary Agent, David Higham Associates
Summary

4. Editorial process
Policy and planning: list building and market niches
Commissioning: research, reputation and funds
Contractual matters: formats and co-editions
Editorial work: from submissions to publication
Case study: A Guide for Dummies
Interview: Anne Meadows, Commissioning Editor, Granta and Portobello Books
Summary

5. Design and production
Platforms and formats appropriate for the content
Scheduling the publication process
Controlling costs and establishing prices
Case study: Horrible Histories
Interview: Alex Bell, Production Programme Manager, Dorling Kindersley
Summary

6. Print and digital publishing
Choosing from a variety of media and formats
Legalities of publishing in a wired world
Digital workflow and software standard
Communication for print and e-publications
Case study: print and digital at the university presses
Interview: Eric Huang, Development Director, Made in Me
Summary

7. Rights
How different rights developed
Range of rights
Who is involved in selling rights
Case study: The rights potential of children's books
Interview: Jason Bartholomew, Rights Director, Hodder & Stoughton
Summary

8. Marketing, Sales and Distribution
Marketing
Communication through promotion and publicity
Managing budgets and schedules
Using feedback to monitor success
Case study: Persephone Books
Interview: Ian Lamb, Head of Children's Marketing and Publicity, Bloomsbury Publishing
Summary

Conclusion
Glossary
Bibliography and resources
The publishing year: book fairs and other major publishing events
Index
Picture credits and acknowledgements

Editorial Reviews

Beautifully produced and illustrated, The Publishing Business provides a clear and succinct overview of what it means to be a publisher in an era of rapid technological change. The use of diagrams and case studies helps to convey complex information in a clear and meaningful way. A useful reference guide for publishing professionals.” —Penelope Woolf, Editorial Director, Oxford University Press, UK

“This third edition of The Publishing Business does an excellent job of updating what was already a valuable learning resource. With its helpful layout and structure, this is a thoroughly contemporary publishing textbook and a perfect introduction for anybody wanting to learn about and engage with this dynamic creative industry.” —Dr David Barker, Senior Lecturer in Publishing, University of Derby, UK

“The most recent edition of The Publishing Business integrates valuable updates for new students, including information on social media developments, ethical issues surrounding access to book culture, and insights into newly created positions in the publishing industry. This text continues to be an important teaching resource for publishing studies courses.” —Dr Solveig C. Robinson, Director, Publishing & Printing Arts Program, Pacific Lutheran University, Washington, USA

“[Praise for the previous editions]

Provides an excellent introduction to contemporary publishing. It is recommended reading for anyone wanting up-to-date information about roles and responsibilities in this global industry.” —Sally Hughes, Oxford Brookes University, UK

“I think the book is superb! It looks so much better than any existing textbook on the subject, and practises what it preaches: it is a real visual feast for a visual medium. I shall definitely be recommending it as the main source that students need for their course. A really great production feat!” —Brenda Stones, City University, London

“The Publishing Business represents not only a thoroughly researched and comprehensive guide to contemporary publishing but also an example of what a well designed and accessible textbook should be.” —Prof Alistair McCleery, Edinburgh Napier University

“A book that addresses the editorial process in a clear, concise, summarized and instructive way is most refreshing.” —Blog of the School of Bookstore

From the Publisher