Changes to B+P in 2020
Dear reader,
It has been 18 months since Books+Publishing was returned to local ownership. Last year, we published four issues of the redesigned Books+Publishing magazine, as well as our Daily and Weekly book newsletters, and monthly Reviews newsletter.
Like the rest of the industry, we are continuously interrogating how we can best operate in a changing industry—in particular, how to best manage the balance between our digital and print products. Feedback from you—our readers—and the wider industry, has made it clear that we can best serve our audience by increasing our focus on our digital publications.
A new digital focus
With this in mind, we’re excited to announce that we’re making changes to the format and content of our flagship digital publications, the Weekly Book Newsletter and monthly Reviews newsletters. The biggest change will be that these publications will include more digital-first content, to provide the most up-to-date, relevant analysis of our industry on a more regular basis. The full changes will be revealed in forthcoming editions of these newsletters, and we welcome all feedback from readers.
However, an increased focus on digital necessitates a change to our print magazine, and this year we will move from publishing four issues each year to two. Publishing four issues each year requires a planning and production schedule that we feel will be better directed toward our new digital priorities. While we have had great support for print advertising, the move reflects that, overall, advertisers are showing an increasing preference for digital promotion.
A two-issue publishing schedule also gives us the flexibility to support a busy industry program in 2020. Our first issue will be published in support of the Australian Booksellers Association’s conference, as well as the Australian Publishers Association’s first BookUp event. The second issue will be delivered to the New Zealand Booksellers Association conference, and the Small Press Network’s Independent Publishing Conference. Please look at taking the opportunity to feature in these editions, and for the chance to be part of our 100 year anniversary celebrations in 2021.
Take advantage of a special discount
If you’re not a subscriber, we’d like to take the opportunity to invite you to sign up with a 25% discount on individual annual subscriptions until the end of January (use the code WBN25 and click ‘Apply’). A subscription to Books+Publishing will allow you to take advantage of our new, improved digital publications, and continuing access to industry news, pre-publication reviews and other essential content. You will also help support Books+Publishing as we work towards our centenary next year.
In 2020, the Books+Publishing team will continue to be the Australian publishing industry’s news source, independent reviewer of local publications, and unbiased commentator on industry trends and events.
Yours,
Gary Pengelly and the Books+Publishing team
Category: Reader update
