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Publishing
Principles and Practice



September 2011 | 240 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
"This is an indispensable and highly-readable study of the publishing industry past, present and future. For students and professionals in publishing it provides an authoritative, up-to-date and reliable account of their complex and rapidly changing industry. For those interested more broadly in the role the creative industries play in the modern world this is a fine introduction. It is to be highly recommended."
- Iain Stevenson, Director, UCL Centre for Publishing

At last, a readable, authoritative and comprehensive book for students, readers and practitioners in print and digital publishing.

The book guides the reader through the history of publishing and the main issues facing the industry today. Among these are:

  • Legal conundrums
  • Cultural conflicts
  • Trade practices
  • Publishing within and across sectors
  • Editorial requirements
  • The challenge of electronic publishing
  • Making your ideas count in print
  • Rationalization and the growth of corporate publishing cultures

The result is an exciting one stop guide, written with real flair and aplomb. Packed with helpful real-world examples and illustrative interviews this practical resource leaves no stone of the publishing industry unturned.

 
Introduction
 
Chapter 1: A History of Books
The First Paradigm: From Vellum Codex to Print Book

 
1475-1533: The Early English Trade

 
1533-1694: Age of Control

 
1694-1774: Rise of 'The Publisher'

 
1774-1935: Era of the Publishing Firm

 
1935-1970: The Paperback Revolution

 
1965-Now: Conglomerate Publishing

 
 
Chapter 2: The Publishing Process
The Value Chain

 
The Editor's Task

 
The Production Process

 
Architecture of the Book

 
Printing, Paper & Bookbinding

 
Budgeting a Book

 
Author-House Relations

 
Agents

 
Writers

 
Readers

 
 
Chapter 3: Sectors in the Anglophone Model
Consumer or Trade Books

 
Academic, Scholarly or Higher Education Publishing

 
Professional and Journal Publishing

 
Education

 
English Language Training

 
Reference

 
Children's Books

 
Religion

 
Leading Revenues by Sector (U.S., UK, Europe & Japan) in 2009

 
 
Chapter 4: Craft to Corporation
Brands

 
The Business of Publishing

 
The Corporatisation of Books

 
Corporate Strategies

 
The Mechanics of Mergers

 
The Rise of the Big Five Trade Publishers

 
The Twenty-First Century

 
 
Chapter 5: Copyright and Publishing Law
The Statute of Anne

 
Timeline of Copyright and Intellectual Property Law

 
Copyright Today

 
Defamation and Libel

 
Seditious Libel

 
Malicious Falsehood

 
Obscenity

 
Libel & Libel Tourism

 
Copyright Infringement

 
Moral Right and Integrity

 
Digital Law

 
Fair Use and First Sale in the Digital Age

 
 
Chapter 6: Rights and Contracts
Book Club Rights

 
Paperback Rights

 
Translation Rights

 
Serial Rights

 
Territorial Rights

 
Other Anglophone Markets

 
Publishing Contracts

 
Contract Clauses

 
Subsidiary Rights in Contracts

 
 
Chapter 7: Marketing, Promotion and Bookselling
The Marketing Jigsaw

 
Sales Timeline & Techniques

 
The Blurb

 
Business to Consumer (B2C)

 
Prizes and Sales

 
Bookselling Practice

 
How and Why Books Sell

 
Discounts, Sale and Return

 
 
Chapter 8: The Era of Digital Publishing
The Internet

 
Open Source Culture

 
Social Networking

 
Broadcasting v. Networking

 
Media Regulation

 
Advertising

 
Guerilla Marketing

 
Piracy & Digital Music

 
Print on Demand (POD)

 
Google Books

 
E-Books

 

This is an indispensable and highly-readable study of the publishing industry past, present and future. For students and professionals in publishing it provides an authoritative, up-to-date and reliable account of their complex and rapidly changing industry. For those interested more broadly in the role the creative industries play in the modern world this is a fine introduction. It is to be highly recommended.

Iain Stevenson
Director, UCL Centre for Publishing

Written for anyone wishing to learn about the Anglophone publishing industry, this text fills a long-standing gap in the market. It covers each of the publishing functions, as well as the processes associated with creating and disseminating print and digital products... Guthrie's text is an industry overview for professionals, but is scholorly enough to make it an ideal student textbook.

Penelope Woolf
Editorial Director, Oxford University Press and Honorary Lecturer, University College London

Absolutely first rate. I wish I'd had a text like this in front of me when I started Black Sparrow in 1966! Everything is organized and laid out in the most helpful way. I shake my head when I realize I had to discover how to publish books, the hard way, through trial and error. Publishing is a remarkable achievement.

John Martin
founder of Black Sparrow Press

'This is a very concise and easy to understand summary of the publishing industry. The book covers all the different stages that go into publishing a book, from acquisitions to marketing. Guthrie even has sections on the history of the book industry from the beginning, leading to the ebook craze. Guthrie manages to be honest about the different arguments, and gives a very good look at both sides of every argument. For anyone remotely curious about the nuts and bolts of the industry, this book is probably what you are looking for.'

Goodreads.com Review

'Guthrie’s book provides a comprehensive guide to publishing issues some other sources skim over. Subjects such as possible cultural conflicts and varying trade practices are explored accessibly but authoritatively. While Guthrie writes about both publishing and self-publishing, Publishing: Principles and Practice is laid out for maximum usability, allowing readers to search out relevant passages with ease. Guthrie writes in a welcoming, almost casual style mixing in interviews and real world examples to illustrate his assertions and stop things stagnating.'

standoutbooks.com Review

Provides the reader with a detailed account of all aspects of the publishing process with excellent and vivid examples.

Online Journal of Communication and Media Technologies

Fantastic textbook. Clear and plain speaking. Excellent coverage and shifts between basic and complex material quickly.

Professor Joe Cain
Science & Technology Studies, University College London
August 21, 2017

Great book, ideal for our MA in Publishing.

Dr Leah Tether
Department of English & Media, Anglia Ruskin University
June 29, 2012

This is a very welcome book! Excellently written, with lots of the key details new students of publishing need to know!

Dr Samantha Rayner
Dept English, Film, Communication and Media, Anglia Ruskin University
October 19, 2011

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One


For instructors

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Paperback
ISBN: 9781847870155
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