Pre-BEA: Defying Cynicism, Insiders Expect Biz as Usual

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka “Today’s reports about the demise of book publishing are no different than the same things that have been said throughout the history of the printed word,” said Geoffrey Kloske [at left], VP and publisher of Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, speaking on the eve of Book Expo America. “And yet good books still get published, …

An American Eyes New African Lit

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

By Edward Nawotka On the face of it, Rob Spillman is an unlikely candidate to be editor of Gods and Soldiers: The Penguin Anthology of Contemporary African Writing. He is, after all, a white guy from Brooklyn. “A few years ago I published an international issue of Tin House, the literary journal I edit,” says Spillman. “For six months I …

BEA, Swine Flu and You

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

“The publishing industry should take note,” said the books editor of one major American newspaper. “There are a lot of lessons to be learned about marketing from the swine flu. First, differentiate yourself from the pack early. Second, come up with a snappy brand name. Third, find a way to hook the media. Once you have the undivided attention of …

New Prize Urges Arabic Kid’s Publishers to Compete

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

SHARJAH: “The Arab-speaking world does not have a reading culture per se as in the West,” says Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, daughter of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. “Parents don’t read bedtime stories to their children and there is a tendency for parents to rely on schools to give their children their first reading experience.” As …

What’s Being Said About Publishing Perspectives

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

Marina Tristan, assistant director of Arte Publico Press — the oldest publisher of Chicano and Latino literature in the United States —  shared with us how her business would benefit by reading Publishing Perspectives, what she might like to read in the future, and which Europeans are surprising fans of Chicano literature. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eci7vdJX9og WATCH: Marina Tristan and others on our …

Eco-challenge: Produce the Greenest Book Possible

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

NEW YORK, USA & KARLSRUHE, GERMANY: Chul Kim’s brief was to produce “the greenest book possible,” one to serve as the catalog to accompany a new exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City entitled “Design for a Living World.” As director of publications for the museum, it would fall on him to find the right suppliers …

The Woman Who Fought Back

In Feature Articles, Resources by Edward Nawotka

STOCKHOLM: “This will not come to any resolution. There´s too much at stake. All I can do is to write my book about it,” says Eva Gabrielsson, the long time partner of the late bestselling author Stieg Larsson. Gabrielsson’s memoir, tentatively called The Year After Stieg, is likely to generate a great deal of publicity, so much so that Gabrielsson …

Welcome to Publishing Perspectives!

In Feature Articles by Hannah Johnson

We are proud to announce the launch of Publishing Perspectives, an online newsletter focused on bringing you the latest international publishing news and opinions. Read about our newsletter and philosophy, or scroll further down to watch videos from our team. You can subscribe to our email newsletter by entering your email address in the box to the right. Get perspective …

UAE in NYC for BEA

In Feature Articles by Edward Nawotka

ABU DHABI: “It is very difficult to get American publishers to come to the United Arab Emirates,” said Beatrice Stauffer, the program manager for Kitab and The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), “That is why we’re taking our story to New York.” Stauffer is one of dozens of publishing professionals hopping Etihad or Emirates flights to New York for …