Publishing and the Economy
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 8:48 pm
Normally I get free books from publishers pretty frequently to read and review. Lately I have noticed that the tap has been turned down quite a bit, and in some cases I am being refused review copies as I am not a big enough forum to justify the expense. That is fine with me and I certainly understand their position: They need to make a buck to justify their existence, and I certainly support that. As a matter of fact, once I heard of the problem from a Tor Publicist, and was thereafter offered a copy of one of my favorite author's books, I refused and decided to buy it instead. Besides, its not like I don't have 700 books in the pile anyway. But the trend is concerning.
Earlier tonight I heard that one of my favorite reprint labels, Bison Books, had sent all of its SF reprint titles to OOP status. If you have ever seen a cover like this:
then you have seen a Bison book. Certainly not a giant in the publishing industry, but its an academic press, headquartered at the University of Nebraska. I personally find this a little disconcerting. We have never seen the effect of this kind of change on a publisher in this kind of environment, in a nation that has so many entertainment outlets. I can only hope that the other publishers, large and small, can keep it together.
Earlier tonight I heard that one of my favorite reprint labels, Bison Books, had sent all of its SF reprint titles to OOP status. If you have ever seen a cover like this:
then you have seen a Bison book. Certainly not a giant in the publishing industry, but its an academic press, headquartered at the University of Nebraska. I personally find this a little disconcerting. We have never seen the effect of this kind of change on a publisher in this kind of environment, in a nation that has so many entertainment outlets. I can only hope that the other publishers, large and small, can keep it together.