What’s the Buzz: Trade Pubs Have it Harder, Lost at the Hong Kong Book Fair

In News, What's the Buzz by Hannah Johnson

By Hannah Johnson

What's the BuzzThe best of social media and the blogosphere…

Publishing industry consultant Mike Shatzkin of the Idea Logical company blogged about how the digital transition is different for trade publishers vs. other types of publishers.  It’s a preview of a larger project he promises to reveal in the next couple weeks that will enumerate exactly why trade publishers, despite an apparent late-to-market advantage, actually have a far greater challenge to go digital than do other types. He provides a handy six point list of the essentials, not the least of which are consolidated marketing and distribution channels.

What would it be like to walk around the Hong Kong Book Fair and not speak a word of Chinese? Justin Taylor at HTMLGIANT offers a photo essay about his experience.

Green Apple Books, a bookstore in San Francisco, California, has created a 10-part video series called “The Book vs. the Kindle”, complete with fake beards, Oscar-worthy acting, homemade graphics, and perhaps a slight bias toward the printed format. So far, parts 1-4 of the series are available on Green Apple’s YouTube channel.

About the Author

Hannah Johnson

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Hannah Johnson is the publisher of international book industry magazine Publishing Perspectives, which provides daily information and news about book markets around the world. In addition to building partnerships with international cultural and trade organizations, she works with the Frankfurt Book Fair to organize and support a number of its overseas initiatives. Hannah has also worked as the managing editor for an online media company, The Hooch Life, focused on craft distillers and cocktail experts. Prior to that, she worked as a project manager for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s New York office, managing various business and marketing activities.