Legend Press

Publishing Conference report 4

Below is the final report by Francesca of our Publishing Laid Bare Conference, held on 24th June.

Panel Four: Digitalisation: a reason for fear or celebration? What the industry’s current direction means for the author.

The panel considered the stage at which digitalisation is at in the book industry, and how it may develop in the future. They again addressed the possibility of the digital book overtaking the printed form, as well as considering the opportunities present in the digital world for book marketing, and noting the potential security and rights issues that may arise. Additionally, digitalisation’s impact on the author was discussed. The panel championed the importance of digital content to the future of the book. Emphasis was placed on the numerous mediums through which authors can now present their work, including print, download and audio, and the easy international distribution of these. The panel reinforced panel one’s assertion that the advent of technology such as the ipad may increase the number of people who read, much as the ipod has elevated the number of people who listen to music. It was said that the e-book should be a method through which the opportunity to read can be expanded, not replaced. It was acknowledged that e-books do have limitations, such as the fear that the product will go out of date, and the inability to share the products, as well as issues surrounding Digital Rights Management (DRM), whereby the technology promoter’s desire to secure exclusivity conflicts with the author’s obvious desire to make their work accessible to as many people as possible. The panel also discussed Print On Demand, and highlighted the improvements in the quality of the method in recent years. The panel concluded that both print and digital forms would survive given the immense thirst for content.

Francesca

Publishing Conference Report 3

Below is the 3rd report from Francesca from our Publishing Laid Bare Conference held on 24th June:.

Panel Three: The First Commandment: How to sell books? What is the future of bookselling?

The panel discussed the effect of the reduction of high-street stores on the sale of books, and considered further the future of the e-book. The panel also focused on the role of the independent bookshop. It was noted that the book is still the highest-selling online model despite the declining high street outlet and the impact of digitalisation. The advantages of e-book were addressed, particularly its ability to make pure profit, given the absence of storage space fees or printing costs. The panel reinforced panel one’s emphasis on the importance of author’s blogs, and the possibility of direct sales by building a website that functions as Amazon does, thereby encouraging increased interaction with the consumer. The panel also suggested supplying magazines that cover similar subjects with extracts from books as a method of promotion, and encouraged the publisher to look for non-traditional outlets through which to sell. Additionally, the panel highlighted the Exclusively Independent scheme, which encourages the formation of alliances between independent bookshops and independent publishers to increase promotion and sales.

Francesca

Publishing Conference Report 2

Below is report 2 from our conference by the brilliant Francesca: 

Panel Two: The Changing Role of the Media, and the best way to convert coverage to sales.

The panel addressed the decreasing influence of broadsheet reviews on book sales, and the current profile level of books in the current media. The general consensus highlighted the fact that newspaper reviews are not, and never have been, a direct sales point, and that the readership of broadsheets is small. Rather, a newspaper review may offer prestige and interesting ideas, and it is here that their value lies. Indeed, it was noted that media outlets do not review books to sell units, but to create their own interesting, saleable content. Although they are keen to promote the works, it is not essential, and not their primary function. They reinforced the fact that books do not have large advertising budgets as television, cinema, and music do, and observed that digitalisation has a lesser impact on media outlets, since they continue to review the words, and not the technology.

The panel also advised that in order to secure outlets to review books, publishers should provide contextual information with the books that they send for review in order to ensure efficiency, clarity and to develop a relationship of trust between the outlet and the publisher. They should strive to understand the media outlet to which they are appealing in order to ensure time-management and the most productive results. In addition, requesting detailed but infrequent updates from the outlet is also helpful for both parties. From an independent publisher’s perspective, it was suggested that more information regarding the opportunities for review available through media outlets should be made available.

Francesca

Publishing Conference Report 1

Our fantastic intern Francesca has been busy compiling a report of last week's Publishing Laid Bare Conference. We will be posting up the other reports over the next few days. Below is a summary of Panel 1:

Panel One: Publishing: where is it going? Plotting the industry’s future. The opening panel considered the changes that have occurred in the publishing industry and book trade over the past five years, focusing on changes in the past year. Additionally, the panel discussed the direction in which the industry is headed with the advent of increased demand for free content. The discussion pointed towards the increasing importance of the Internet and immense potential for marketing online. The panel reiterated the importance of the industry’s ability to adapt, learn and change as crucial to success in the changing market. They promoted the need for significant change in the relationship between the publisher and the author, publisher and the consumer, and the author and the reader. The publisher should strive to engage with and become closer to the consumer through the use of the online blogs and constantly up-to-date websites, offering the possibility of a direct-to-the-consumer model prevailing. The author’s ability to create their own brand as a method to promote their work was emphasised as a valuable tool to be taken advantage of, through which the problem of the so-called ‘invisibility’ of the author could be targeted.

The panel also focused on the progress of digitalisation and the significance of the e-book. The debate surrounding the problem of free content and the possibility of the e-book usurping the traditional paperback were regularly addressed in line with profits. Numerous advantages and disadvantages could be found with both. An interesting comparison with the music industry is worth noting. Mark Thwaite suggested that whilst the ipod challenged business in the music industry as a result of the surge in free downloads, people were compelled to buy the machines on which to listen to this free music, and as such music is now more popular than ever. A similar situation may occur for the publishing industry, as a result of the huge demand for content on new technology. One significant aim for the future was the construction of an easy-to-use search engine for e-books. The panel concluded that the physical book would not be replaced by the e-book. The digitalisation process may provoke the re-invigoration of publisher’s backlists, and it was noted that the printed book is ‘happy in itself’, unlike digital formats, which are subject to constant updating, and are therefore a less secure investment.

Francesca

Publishing Laid Bare Conference featured in the Bookseller

Yesterday's Publishing Laid Bare Conference has been featured in the Bookseller this morning, speaking about the need for Publishers to get to know their customers better:

Will Atkinson, sales and marketing director at Faber, said publishers should engage with consumers in the "right way".

He added: "What the consumer wants is for our innards to be on the outside".

He gave the example of Faber making its archive available to view online, which he said was "really rather wonderful." Atkinson said: "It's getting to know our customers, getting to know the consumers and their habits."

The internet was highlighted as the prime resource for reaching consumers and social networking was focussed upon. Mark Thwaite, manager and founding editor of ReadySteadyBook, said: "Publishers need to start to think of their authors as brands. They need to teach them how to blog and tweet and will need to change contracts so that when they sign contracts it said that there is a need to do some digital marketing of their own."

To read the article in full click here!

Lucy

Publishing Conference featured in the Bookseller

Our annual publishing conference 'Publishing Laid Bare' has been featured in the Bookseller today. To read the article click here!

This year's Publishing Laid Bare conference will focus on finding a new business model in the publishing trade, organisers have said.

The conference, which is run by independent publisher Legend Press, is now in its second year.

Panellists will include faces from last year, such as Scott Pack, Mark Twaite and Jonathan Reuvid, as well as new names like Alexandra Heminsley, books editor for Sky1, Elle Magazine, and BBC Radio 2, and Anthony Peters of Books etc.

Tom Chalmers, managing director of Legend, said: "We’ve again had a fantastic response to the conference, which is being increasingly viewed as the perfect, and much needed, opportunity for a no-holds-barred discussion over our industry.

For more information click here! To book your place please email conference@legend-paperbooks.co.uk

Lucy

2nd Publishing Laid Bare Conference announced!!

We are delighted to announce the 2nd annual 'Publishing Laid Bare Conference' to be held on Thursday 24th June 2010 in Central London.

The central aim of the publishing conference is to offer ‘straight-talking’ advice and useful information from leading industry experts, while mapping out where the future of the book industry may lie.

Building on the success of our first conference last year the event is fast becoming one of the most talked about publishing events on the calendar. Using a panel-based format including some of the most influential people in publishing, and from the outside business world, speakers will debate the current hot topics in the industry.

The conference will be tailored to its attendees’ requirements, with delegates actively invited to submit questions prior to the event to be included as part of the discussion.

Provisional speakers for 2010 include: Andrew Franklin (MD of Profile), Tom Tivnan (The Bookseller), Alexandra Heminsley (Sky and BBC Radio 2), Sam Leith (former books editor of the Telegraph), Steve Potters (The Book Depository) and Scott Pack (Director of The Friday Project).

Sponsors for the conference include Lightning Source and Judy Fisher Associates.

Tickets for the day onference cost £125 (+VAT), with a current early bird rate of £95 (+VAT). For more information please email conference@legend-paperbooks.co.uk.

Lucy

Publishing conference for June

On Thursday 25th June, Legend Press and Paperbooks will be hosting a major new conference entitled ‘Publishing Laid Bare’ with leading industry experts debating the problems, solutions and future of the current book industry.

Using a panel-based format including some of the most influential people in publishing, and from the outside business world, speakers will debate the current hot topics in the industry. The conference will be tailored to its attendee’s requirements, with delegates actively invited to submit questions prior to the event to be included as part of the discussion. The panels will include:

- Amber Pearson, Daily Mail
- Caroline Mileham, Buying Manager, Play.com
- Mark Thwaite, Editor, Book Depository & ReadySteadyBook
- Steve Potter, Buyer, Book Depository
- Scott Pack, The Friday Project
- Tom Tivnan, The Bookseller
- Nicholas Clee, journalist
- Stuart Rock, Publisher, Real Business magazine
- Greg Eden, Waterstones.com
- James Wills, Director, Watson Little Literary Agency
- Shortlisted candidates from the UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2007
- Bookgroup.info

The conference will be held at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square from 10am – 5pm. Tickets are £100 +vat, including lunch and refreshments, with an early-bird rate of £80 +vat until 31st March 2009.

To request further information and to book your place please email conference@legend-paperbooks.co.uk

Lucy