Workflow

An energized Publishing Business Conference and Expo, Book Business and Publishing Executive magazines’ annual event at the Times Square Marriott Marquis, March 19-21, was grounded in optimism and realism, and primed for a promising future in the digital age for book manufacturing and print-based book production.

Addressing the overflow audience at the Marriott's Astor Ballroom, our very own Joan of Arc at the ramparts, Editorial Director Noelle Skodzinski—fully armed with the arguments of comon sense and history to support her—sounded a much-needed balancing and defiant keynote to prevailing “stiff upper lip” scenarios about the decline of the publishing industry. She reminded us, paraphrasing from both Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the Encyclopedia Britannica blog’s notice that it had discontinued its venerable print edition, that publishing is not dead, change is okay, and that the future is alive with new opportunities in our pursuit of continued success and excellence in the publishing business.

Over the years, the Internet has grown into a large repository of data and information that can be accessed from anywhere through multiple devices. Today, you no longer need to be seated at your personal computer to read your e-mail or book movie tickets. Instead you could be on the beach, at the playing field, at the airport or in another country.

Consumer expectation is to have services available all the time—from Webmail, to Google Docs, to salesforce, to Evernote—anywhere and from any device. Companies that understand this and create this access entry point are guaranteed success.

For a while there were two accepted methods of producing, conferting and delivering content across multiple devices—"XML First" and "Print First."

However, over the past year, a number of cross-platform publishing success stories have emerged that indicate a third practical approach. It is, in some ways, a cross between the first two. This third approach, which might be named "Manuscript First," involves the creation of a manuscript that conforms to specific conventions or standards as defined by the publisher. This is most often implemented in Microsoft Word by the use of standard Word style names to create a "well-formed" manuscript.

Indian service providers for typesetting, e-book, copy-editing and other production services are an established fact and part of virtually every major publisher's workflow.

To be sure, the business process outsourcing (BPO) of publishing services is a growth business, forecast to reach $1.2 billion in 2012 (according to a report by research and intelligence organization ValueNotes, "Offshoring in the Publishing Vertical: 2009"), including outsourcing for book, magazine and newspaper publishing—with 60 percent of these revenues being directed to Indian providers.

That said, it appears that we may be on the verge of a new addition to the existing Indian business model—an initiative that the Indian book manufacturing community has named Book City—Vision 2017.

With the growing popularity of e-books, questionable profitability in print book development, changes in publicity, and new review methodologies, almost every publisher is considering a variety of strategies for book publishing.

Some publishers are developing e-books first. If the e-book sells well and seems to justify the cost of a print run, then they develop the print version.

Scribe’s Well-Formed Document Workflow (WFDW) has been adopted by Random House, Inc., in an effort to refine its publishing methodology and connect print and electronic publications.

The WFDW combines methodology and technology to enable publishers to produce print and electronic publications efficiently and cost-effectively. Scribe’s workflow functions within the normal editorial and production processes and does not require an investment in expensive new software or hardware.

As the e‑book market evolves, so do publishers' internal processes for producing them. Book Business asked Baker Publishing, Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. and Hacket Publishing Co. to pull back the curtain on how they handle e‑book workflows, from editorial and design through conversion, formatting, proofreading and distribution. The answers are varied, but all demonstrate an ability to make the best use of existing internal talent while strategically investing in additional or outside resources to create e‑books expertly and efficiently.

Really Strategies is closing out a stellar performance in its 11-year history and is pleased to announce that CEO, Barry Bealer, was recently inducted into the CEO Hall of Fame Society at the 2011 Philadelphia 100® awards ceremony. In recognition of steady leadership, continued growth, and constant innovation Mr. Bealer was recognized by the Entrepreneurs´ Forum of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Business Journal, and Wharton Small Business Development Center.

My first fiasco happened years ago with a London publishing house. My draft manuscript was accepted at a time when literary production was conducted over glasses of sherry and lunches fortified with Bordeaux. I was immediately attracted to the civilised, genteel culture of the industry. I was flattered that my work was being carefully cosseted by a team of editors and art directors, honing typefaces and imagery - naturally, between more sherry sessions - leaving me believing it was a pity the rest of the world didn't operate the same way.

Planning is underway for the 2012 Publishing Business Conference & Expo, March 19-21, at the New York Marriott Marquis, Times Square.

The Publishing Business Conference staff is thrilled to announce a dynamic keynote address by Marcus Leaver, president, Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. (a Barnes & Noble company) about his perspective on shifts in the industry and moving forward into a profitable future in publishing.

Read on for highlights of sessions and topics you can expect to see addressed this year.