PUBLISHING The business of books Lorraine Fannin Chief Executive.

PUBLISHING

The business of books

Lorraine Fannin

Chief Executive

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

EDINBURGH is the first UNESCO

City of Literature

• Designation awarded in 2005

PARTNERSHIPSin the City of Literature

• Publishing

• Writing

• Retail

• Tourism

• Education

• Leisure and Entertainment

FORMATS for a STORY

• Book

• Audio

• Podcast

• Broadcast

• Film / video

• Computer Game

• Others

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

Enjoy reading a good book on your

journey home!