Comments on: Independent book publishing, part 1 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/ concept to publication Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:50:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: First class readings and other resources « Columbia Small Press Publishing http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-76688 First class readings and other resources « Columbia Small Press Publishing Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:30:05 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-76688 [...] solid (though slightly outdated) history of independent publishing. Click through for parts two and [...] [...] solid (though slightly outdated) history of independent publishing. Click through for parts two and [...]

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » Ten Independent Bay Area Book Publishers, part 1 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-63947 blog.rightreading.com » Ten Independent Bay Area Book Publishers, part 1 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:14:20 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-63947 [...] the San Francisco Bay Area. Compared to the corporate multinational publishing companies that have swallowed up the traditional New York publishing houses, independents tend to be devoted to the content of the books they publish and not just to their [...] [...] the San Francisco Bay Area. Compared to the corporate multinational publishing companies that have swallowed up the traditional New York publishing houses, independents tend to be devoted to the content of the books they publish and not just to their [...]

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » World’s largest publishers http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-48346 blog.rightreading.com » World’s largest publishers Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:03:13 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-48346 [...] time ago I wrote about consolidation in publishing and the challenges facing independent book publishers. One result of this consolidation has been the transfer of ownership from the U.S. to other [...] [...] time ago I wrote about consolidation in publishing and the challenges facing independent book publishers. One result of this consolidation has been the transfer of ownership from the U.S. to other [...]

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » Are women human? http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-35761 blog.rightreading.com » Are women human? Fri, 29 Feb 2008 03:13:07 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-35761 [...] This is the first I’ve heard of this prize, but apparently it has been awarded since 1978. The corporate takeover of publishing has not removed all of the quirkiness from the industry. Conceivably Related PostsAn Economist [...] [...] This is the first I’ve heard of this prize, but apparently it has been awarded since 1978. The corporate takeover of publishing has not removed all of the quirkiness from the industry. Conceivably Related PostsAn Economist [...]

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » Independent book publishing, part 3 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-30712 blog.rightreading.com » Independent book publishing, part 3 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:51:41 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-30712 [...] posts in this series: part one | part [...] [...] posts in this series: part one | part [...]

]]> By: Times Emit: Apt’s links for December 13th through January 13th http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-30240 Times Emit: Apt’s links for December 13th through January 13th Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:59:01 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-30240 [...] blog.rightreading.com » The plight of independent book publishing, part 1 - US-centric overview of the consolidation of independents into the corporates… [...] [...] blog.rightreading.com » The plight of independent book publishing, part 1 – US-centric overview of the consolidation of independents into the corporates… [...]

]]> By: Jim Kingsepp http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-29680 Jim Kingsepp Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:30:15 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-29680 Years ago in a record shop I saw a poster charting rock bands from the late fifties to the early eighties arranged in a sort of evolutionary tree. Yardbirds branched to Led Zeppelin and also branched to Renaissance, for example. It seems to me a similar poster could be made charting the evolution of these publishing houses. I imagine you could make some money on this. Years ago in a record shop I saw a poster charting rock bands from the late fifties to the early eighties arranged in a sort of evolutionary tree. Yardbirds branched to Led Zeppelin and also branched to Renaissance, for example.

It seems to me a similar poster could be made charting the evolution of these publishing houses. I imagine you could make some money on this.

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » The plight of independent book publishing, part 2 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-29624 blog.rightreading.com » The plight of independent book publishing, part 2 Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:37:19 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-29624 [...] The plight of independent book publishing, part 1 [...] [...] The plight of independent book publishing, part 1 [...]

]]> By: Cliff Burns http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-29443 Cliff Burns Sat, 05 Jan 2008 16:29:30 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-29443 Tom: I get depressed when I think about the future of book publishing. Twenty+ years as a professional writer and I've seen the quality of editors decline sharply and with the proliferation of publishing technologies and creative writing classes, every asshole out there thinks he/she has the talent and brains to be a writer (and they're wrong, wrong, WRONG). Those few reasonably sentient editors that exist are swamped with junk and I'm stuck in a teetering slush pile with hobbyists, wannabes and weekend scribblers. And now I read your piece and feel like taking a long, fast drive off a short pier. Thanks, pal... Tom:

I get depressed when I think about the future of book publishing. Twenty+ years as a professional writer and I’ve seen the quality of editors decline sharply and with the proliferation of publishing technologies and creative writing classes, every asshole out there thinks he/she has the talent and brains to be a writer (and they’re wrong, wrong, WRONG). Those few reasonably sentient editors that exist are swamped with junk and I’m stuck in a teetering slush pile with hobbyists, wannabes and weekend scribblers. And now I read your piece and feel like taking a long, fast drive off a short pier. Thanks, pal…

]]> By: blog.rightreading.com » Off the grid http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-29164 blog.rightreading.com » Off the grid Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:44:05 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-29164 [...] to have had a lull in posting just when things were getting interesting. I thought I would have occasional access to the internet over the holidays, but that didn’t [...] [...] to have had a lull in posting just when things were getting interesting. I thought I would have occasional access to the internet over the holidays, but that didn’t [...]

]]> By: xensen http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-29160 xensen Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:02:12 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-29160 Thanks to everyone for these helpful and interesting comments. I have been away from the internet -- I thought I would have occasional access while on the road but that didn't turn out to be the case -- as a result, I've got a little behind but will resume this series soon. Thanks to everyone for these helpful and interesting comments. I have been away from the internet — I thought I would have occasional access while on the road but that didn’t turn out to be the case — as a result, I’ve got a little behind but will resume this series soon.

]]> By: Al Longden http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28637 Al Longden Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:49:13 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28637 Bill Jovanovich would turn over in his grave for no mention of Harcourt and their authors like Alice Walker, Virginia Wolf, Ainise Ninn (sp.) and a slew of other worthies. Additionally, Harcourt bought Holt Rhinehart Winston (CBS Publishing) in 1986 not Henry Holt. Which was spun to Holtzbrinck about that time. Harcourt was acquired by General Cinema, which changed to Harcourt General, which was then sold to Reed Elsiver and split between Reed and Thomson. With Trade Publishing going to Reed. Trade has since been spun from Reed to Houghton Mifflins parent to form Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade....... (its exhausting.....and the beat goes on and on and on and on!!!!) Bill Jovanovich would turn over in his grave for no mention of Harcourt and their authors like Alice Walker, Virginia Wolf, Ainise Ninn (sp.) and a slew of other worthies. Additionally, Harcourt bought Holt Rhinehart Winston (CBS Publishing) in 1986 not Henry Holt. Which was spun to Holtzbrinck about that time. Harcourt was acquired by General Cinema, which changed to Harcourt General, which was then sold to Reed Elsiver and split between Reed and Thomson. With Trade Publishing going to Reed. Trade has since been spun from Reed to Houghton Mifflins parent to form Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Trade……. (its exhausting…..and the beat goes on and on and on and on!!!!)

]]> By: Christina Arneson http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28636 Christina Arneson Wed, 26 Dec 2007 18:41:30 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28636 I was at Putnam in the 90's when they taken over by Matsuishta, became a founding member of Hyperion when Disney decided that they didn't own enough forms of the media, and then went on to become a Director at Simon & Schuster, um, I mean Viacom. In other words, I watched the career I dreamt of as a little kid turn into a "synergy machine" for the entertainment congloms right before my eyes. Can anyone remember the last REALLY GREAT book that was published by a major house in the past ten years? Those publishers listed above all died and like Lawrence Sanders post-humous books, they're just puppets for the industry. I agree-let's put our dollars where our hearts are--support independents! I was at Putnam in the 90’s when they taken over by Matsuishta, became a founding member of Hyperion when Disney decided that they didn’t own enough forms of the media, and then went on to become a Director at Simon & Schuster, um, I mean Viacom. In other words, I watched the career I dreamt of as a little kid turn into a “synergy machine” for the entertainment congloms right before my eyes. Can anyone remember the last REALLY GREAT book that was published by a major house in the past ten years? Those publishers listed above all died and like Lawrence Sanders post-humous books, they’re just puppets for the industry. I agree-let’s put our dollars where our hearts are–support independents!

]]> By: WriteBlack » Blog Archive » Some links for Christmas Day http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28539 WriteBlack » Blog Archive » Some links for Christmas Day Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:23:41 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28539 [...] What happened to the great indie publishers?  [...] [...] What happened to the great indie publishers?  [...]

]]> By: Gerald Howard http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28538 Gerald Howard Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:18:27 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28538 I wil read further posts with interest, as I am of two minds on the larger issue. I am an executive editor at large with Doubleday Broadway, a division of Random House, which is owned by Bertelsmann, as you know. I worked from 1988 through 1998 at W.W. Norton, the last standing "independent" and for eight years before that at Viking Penguin. In that regard, you will want to add to your list the Viking Press, founded in the twenties by Harold Guinzburg, bought by Penguin in the mid-eighties. Not too many years after that purchase. Tom Guinzburg, Harold's son, who had run Viking since the late sixties, was shown the door rather brutally by Penguin management. The repercussions from that action were still palpable when I arrive as a Penguin editor in 1980. I wil read further posts with interest, as I am of two minds on the larger issue. I am an executive editor at large with Doubleday Broadway, a division of Random House, which is owned by Bertelsmann, as you know. I worked from 1988 through 1998 at W.W. Norton, the last standing “independent” and for eight years before that at Viking Penguin. In that regard, you will want to add to your list the Viking Press, founded in the twenties by Harold Guinzburg, bought by Penguin in the mid-eighties. Not too many years after that purchase. Tom Guinzburg, Harold’s son, who had run Viking since the late sixties, was shown the door rather brutally by Penguin management. The repercussions from that action were still palpable when I arrive as a Penguin editor in 1980.

]]> By: an american perspective « Locus http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28396 an american perspective « Locus Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:47:52 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28396 [...] by locusbooks on December 23, 2007 Right Reading is talking about the plight of independent publishing in a several-part series. The focus is American but it promises to be a damn interesting read. [...] [...] by locusbooks on December 23, 2007 Right Reading is talking about the plight of independent publishing in a several-part series. The focus is American but it promises to be a damn interesting read. [...]

]]> By: Lisa http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28395 Lisa Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:46:40 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28395 I think the fact that publishing has gone the way of multinational corporations is more reason to celebrate, support and encourage independent publishing! Vote with your dollar for the kinds of business you want to support. I think the fact that publishing has gone the way of multinational corporations is more reason to celebrate, support and encourage independent publishing! Vote with your dollar for the kinds of business you want to support.

]]> By: xensen http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28265 xensen Fri, 21 Dec 2007 02:50:20 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28265 Yes, Black Sparrow, although sold to Godine, remains independent in spirit. There are quite a few excellent publishers at roughly that level, and I probably should have addressed that. Dalkey Archive, Graywolf, Mercury House, Counterpoint, Green Integer, Godine, Coffee House, Copper Canyon, and quite a few more. These folks are doing heroic work but their job isn't easy. I wanted to begin by looking at the larger houses with longer histories -- the storied presses that hark back to the first half of the century -- because it is telling that many of those were in business for seventy or eighty years or more, yet nearly all of them gave up the ghost in the past two or three decades. Yes, Black Sparrow, although sold to Godine, remains independent in spirit. There are quite a few excellent publishers at roughly that level, and I probably should have addressed that. Dalkey Archive, Graywolf, Mercury House, Counterpoint, Green Integer, Godine, Coffee House, Copper Canyon, and quite a few more. These folks are doing heroic work but their job isn’t easy. I wanted to begin by looking at the larger houses with longer histories — the storied presses that hark back to the first half of the century — because it is telling that many of those were in business for seventy or eighty years or more, yet nearly all of them gave up the ghost in the past two or three decades.

]]> By: Matt http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28256 Matt Thu, 20 Dec 2007 21:34:38 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28256 Yeah I think you can say they were more dedicted or loved what they are doing..kinda ridiculous that 5 giant corporations now control 80% of the market. People need to stop merging and start doing their own things. That's really how the best work is done in any facet of business. Yeah I think you can say they were more dedicted or loved what they are doing..kinda ridiculous that 5 giant corporations now control 80% of the market. People need to stop merging and start doing their own things. That’s really how the best work is done in any facet of business.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-28246 Daniel Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:21:17 +0000 http://www.rightreading.com/blog/2007/12/20/the-plight-of-independent-book-publishing-part-1/#comment-28246 There are some independant publishing houses you miss though that might be worth mention, such as Godine & Black Sparrow (I work for them, do I'm biased) who first published John Banville in the US, Charles Bukowski, Wanda Coleman, etc., as well as a list of first-in-English-translations – they've survived since 1970 or so. There are some independant publishing houses you miss though that might be worth mention, such as Godine & Black Sparrow (I work for them, do I’m biased) who first published John Banville in the US, Charles Bukowski, Wanda Coleman, etc., as well as a list of first-in-English-translations – they’ve survived since 1970 or so.

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