New 'Austerity' in publishing

astrodad · 01-05-2009, 12:44 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/bo...publ.html?_r=1

Not sure if this was already covered here on MR, but it struck me as an interesting article, especially when looking at it as a new author trying to break into the industry.

I would rather the industry spend money on wooing new authors, providing more electronic books, and overall spending more on improving the quality and quantity of books available.

Because let's face it: Hollywood stinks. I've been looking at reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and judging from the quantity of abysmally terrible movies out there it's become obvious that books are still the only real source of fictional inspiration.

lilac_jive · 01-05-2009, 01:57 PM

Good to hear, it's time they do something.

On another note, they mention Cole Haan, which is my most favorite shoe designer. I just bought one of their purses

Libby Cone · 01-05-2009, 02:26 PM

[QUOTE=jplumey;320410]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/bo...publ.html?_r=1
I would rather the industry spend money on wooing new authors, providing more electronic books, and overall spending more on improving the quality and quantity of books available. [QUOTE]
Does the Times mean that when publishers go to London and Frankfurt they actually go to PARTIES and DINNERS? I'm shocked, shocked!
I don't know about you, but if a publisher buys my book (or agrees to a nice royalty percentage) and actually MARKETS it, I'd be perfectly happy to do it over email or pizza, wouldn't you?

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-06-2009, 11:55 AM

Some of the article's points have been covered here, but not all. It's another sign that Big Pub needs to move on from the old business of publishing, and learn some new tricks to get along in the 21st century.

Interesting that the article talks about cutting back on parties and shmoozing, but makes little mention of e-books in the changing of publishers' practices and business models (other than being a "trend" giving publishers "convulsions").

stxopher · 01-07-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

but makes little mention of e-books in the changing of publishers' practices and business models (other than being a "trend" giving publishers "convulsions").

Mayhaps. But reading with a careful eye and some things come up.

Things like returns being an expensive part of the current model. (Well, duh.) Oh, if only there were a way to get past that.

Or basing advances on a percentage of hardback prices. (Ummm, huh? That seems a bit...dated.)

I do like the little ending note about how long time industry insiders have seen it before and imply that it will just take some time to blow over just like in the 70's. (Glances over at 2 different readersas well as a tablet and a friends netbook). Oh yea, this is JUST like the 70's.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 01-07-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stxopher

I do like the little ending note about how long time industry insiders have seen it before and imply that it will just take some time to blow over just like in the 70's. (Glances over at 2 different readersas well as a tablet and a friends netbook). Oh yea, this is JUST like the 70's.

Yeah. I know some guys in Detroit who think like that...

01-05-2009, 12:44 PM	#1
astrodad Guru Posts: 962 Karma: 568242 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle Paperwhite 1, iPad, iPhone	New 'Austerity' in publishing http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/bo...publ.html?_r=1 Not sure if this was already covered here on MR, but it struck me as an interesting article, especially when looking at it as a new author trying to break into the industry. I would rather the industry spend money on wooing new authors, providing more electronic books, and overall spending more on improving the quality and quantity of books available. Because let's face it: Hollywood stinks. I've been looking at reviews from Rotten Tomatoes and judging from the quantity of abysmally terrible movies out there it's become obvious that books are still the only real source of fictional inspiration.

01-05-2009, 02:26 PM	#3
Libby Cone scribbler Posts: 117 Karma: 246 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Philadelphia USA Device: Kindle	Belt-tightening [QUOTE=jplumey;320410]http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/05/bo...publ.html?_r=1 I would rather the industry spend money on wooing new authors, providing more electronic books, and overall spending more on improving the quality and quantity of books available. [QUOTE] Does the Times mean that when publishers go to London and Frankfurt they actually go to PARTIES and DINNERS? I'm shocked, shocked! I don't know about you, but if a publisher buys my book (or agrees to a nice royalty percentage) and actually MARKETS it, I'd be perfectly happy to do it over email or pizza, wouldn't you?

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01-05-2009, 01:57 PM	#2
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Good to hear, it's time they do something. On another note, they mention Cole Haan, which is my most favorite shoe designer. I just bought one of their purses

01-06-2009, 11:55 AM	#4
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Some of the article's points have been covered here, but not all. It's another sign that Big Pub needs to move on from the old business of publishing, and learn some new tricks to get along in the 21st century. Interesting that the article talks about cutting back on parties and shmoozing, but makes little mention of e-books in the changing of publishers' practices and business models (other than being a "trend" giving publishers "convulsions").