TOC Frankfurt Preview: Douglas Rushkoff on Upstart Publishing, Staying Human in a Digital World

In Growth Markets by Chad W. Post

• In advance of his keynote speech at today’s Tools of Change Frankfurt conference, Douglass Rushkoff discusses his new book Program or Be Programmed and the advantages of working with a small, digital publisher instead of a traditional corporate one. • “People accept the tools and interfaces that they’re presented with as if they were pre-existing conditions of the universe,” says …

TOC Frankfurt Preview: “Customer Experience” is What Matters Most

In Digital by Guest Contributor

• Sheila Bounford, a speaker at next week’s TOC Frankfurt conference, believes that publishers need to integrate customer service into their business strategy. • Focusing on customer experience, feedback, and market research could lead publishers to a better understanding of their end-users. By Michelle Jones PLYMOUTH, ENGLAND: Now in it’s second year at Frankfurt, the Tools of Change Frankfurt conference …

Unraveling the Mysteries of Nordic Publishing in Göteborg

In Feature Articles by Guest Contributor

• The Göteborg Book Fair, Scandinavia’s largest book event, starts this Friday, with Africa as the featured region, with more than 70 writers from the continent attending. • Scandinavian writers are hot all over the world and the fair’s timing just prior to Frankfurt offers a preview what’s likely to be featured from the Nordic countries at the big show. …

Old World, High Style: A Visit to Paris’ Librairie Galignani, Est. 1801, Publishers Since 1520

In Growth Markets by Rachel Aydt

• Paris’ venerable Librairie Galignani lays claim to being the oldest English language bookstore on the European continent. • Despite its age — the store was founded in 1801, but the publishers of the same name date back to 1520 — it has weathered the years well and continues be an important part of Paris’ vibrant literary community. By Rachel Aydt …

Brooklyn Embraces the World: Book Fest, Publishers Boost International Lit

In Feature Articles by Guest Contributor

• The Brooklyn Book Festival, which takes place this Sunday, is devoting a stage exclusively to international programming. Among those authors appearing will be Pakistan’s Feryal Ali Gauhar and UK graphic novelist Nick Abadzis. • The programming is a reflection of the broad community of independent publishers making their home in the borough, many of which focus on translations, including …

By Sticking with Java, E-Book Publisher Wattpad Exhibits Huge International Growth

In Europe by Edward Nawotka

• In August, Wattpad published usage analytics for downloads and readers of the company’s ebooks. The report covers desktop usage, as well as some 1,000 different phone models from 600 carriers in 160 countries (excluding China). • While English-language books and readers using smartphones remains the strongest segment, growth among Southeast Asian readers using Java-based feature phones is nearly as …