publishing the business of books lorraine fannin chief executive
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PUBLISHING IN EUROPE
• United by ownership– Major UK companies owned by Hachette (France)
and Bertelsmann (Germany)
• Divided by language– Dominance of English-language publishing
globally (especially in education)
• Influenced by United States
RELATIONSHIPS and THREATS
• Cultural attitudes in Europe different from the US
• More European literature exchanged within Europe
• Translation support importantBut. . .• Generation ‘i’ (interactive, computer literate,
born since 1990): less likely to read• Technology development very fast
BOOK PUBLISHING
• Commerce and culture• Education, reference, academic, ‘Knowledge Economy’• Literature, fiction, poetry
• Creativity and Skills• Writers, illustrators, designers• Exploitation of intellectual property, business skills
FACTS and FIGURES• In the UK in 2006:
• Estimated total consumer book purchase £2.31billion (€3.39 billion)
• Exports from UK publishers at net invoice value of £1 billion (€1.47 billion)
• Almost 200,000 new books /editions• Income from rights and co-editions c.
£300m (€440m)• More than 50% of total consumer market
dominated by four major multinational groups, and the academic market by two groups
SCOTLAND
• Population of 5 million, of which 20% live in its two major cities
• Around 100 book publishers• Publishing sector has over 10% of
the invoiced value of UK industry• Typical companies: SMEs, fewer
than 25 staff, turnover between £500,000 and £5m (€733,000 and €7.3m)
SCOTTISH WRITING
• Has enjoyed a world-wide renaissance in the last 10 years
• English language an advantage• Translations licensed to many
countries• Classic literature also enjoying a
revival
Alexander McCall Smith
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
J K Rowling
Kenneth Grahame
Ian Rankin
Robert Louis Stevenson
Muriel Spark
PARTNERSHIPSin the City of Literature
• Publishing
• Writing
• Retail
• Tourism
• Education
• Leisure and Entertainment
SUPPORT for Book Publishing
• Robust Copyright regime• Diverse retail environment• Education and skills development• Research and development in new
technologies• Acceptance of a high standard of literacy as
essential
SUPPORT for the independent
publisher
• Business help and advice
• New technology support
• An efficient supply chain
• Assistance in reaching export markets