The Challenge of E-Book Growth in International MarketsAnthony, Joya
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9292-1pmid: N/A
This extract from a thesis for Pace University’s M.S. Publishing Program examines the challenges key international markets and emerging international markets face as they try to grow their respective e-book markets. Particular challenges discussed are the availability of digital content and affordability of e-reading devices and yet despite these challenges, international publishers are optimistic that an e-book boom will occur in the next few years that will mirror the success of the US e-book market.
The Future of Peer Review: Four Possible Options to NothingnessGould, Thomas
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9297-9pmid: N/A
Peer review faces its biggest challenge over the next few years. This is saying a lot for an activity that has been excoriated as sexist, racist, biased, incompetent, and an accomplice before the fact in theft and skullduggery. We are at a crossroads. We must act, and act now. All that stands in our way to step forward and make the change necessary to save some form of the academic in academic works is our willingness to face the issue with resolve and the rectitude to create a new, better model. We have made all the arguments against change, and, protected in the past by economic barriers that no longer exist, we were certain that even if the arguments failed, the excessive cost to publish and distribute would prevent “less than acceptable” research from reaching the masses. Lacking the cost to publish that existed 20 years ago and facing zero-cost global distribution systems, we must now either create a responsible, guided path for academic publishing, or we will see the landscape change without us. We must act now.
Relevant Changes in Scientific Publishing in Mathematics and PhysicsShingareva, Inna; Lizárraga-Celaya, Carlos
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9300-5pmid: N/A
Scientific publishing in mathematics and physics (as in other exact sciences) is rapidly changing, and it is important to identify and predict relevant changes and their potential consequences. To understand such changes, the authors begin with a brief history of scientific publishing and the rise of digital publishing. The study presents a qualitative comparison of the basic features of traditional and digital forms of publications (books, journals, libraries and databases, archives, webinars, forums, digital learning materials), on the basis of which relevant changes (specific for mathematics and physics) are identified and predicted. Several tables describing the most popular and useful scientific online tools for scientists, professors, students, and engineers are listed.
Finalize the Manuscript Before PagesRech, David
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9298-8pmid: N/A
The normative practice of using pages to copyedit or correct manuscripts is an inefficient and outdated mode of working. It causes duplication of work and severely limits the ability to pursue agile publishing strategies (e.g., XML-first). It is important to finalize a manuscript prior to pages. In addition to making the process more efficient and addressing a process in which print may not exist, the act of working without the paper metaphor might give us the ability to better understand how publications function in a dynamic environment.
From Cross Media to Transmedia Reporting in Newspaper ArticlesVeglis, Andreas
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9294-zpmid: N/A
The introduction of Information and Communication Technologies in the print media industry has changed considerable the work process but it has also offered new paths for delivering its content. But trends in the worldwide media industry have clearly shown that in order to guarantee long-term success with audience in the future, it will be vital to change from a single product oriented to a multimedia content and user-oriented approach. This paper examines the use of transmedia reporting in news articles.
More than Michael Moore: Contemporary Australian Book Reading Patterns and the Wars on Iraq and AfghanistanZwar, Jan
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9296-xpmid: N/A
Set in a period of heightened public debate in the 2000s and with predictions of the demise of printed books in the background, this study examines whether Australians turned to books in relation to some of the most heated international issues of the era: those associated with the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. Analysis of the data reveals that over one and a half million books worth over AUS $50 million (AUS $50,213,000) which could be read directly in relation to debates about the wars were sold in the 6 years timeframe and far more if indirect reading is included. This research is one of the first major scholarly studies internationally to identify English-language contemporary reading patterns based on Nielsen BookScan sales data and is located in an illustrative timeframe (2003–2008): after the introduction of Nielsen BookScan in Australia and before the popularity of ebooks.
The Rights and Wrongs of Operational Practices in the Scottish Publishing IndustryRamdarshan Bold, Melanie
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9293-0pmid: N/A
Digital publishing has been considered as a panacea to bridge the gaps between different sized publishing companies: allowing small, independent companies to compete on an equal footing with cross-media conglomerates. However, this research discovered that Scottish publishers are not capitalising on new technology and new platforms for dissemination: this is detrimental to the authors they represent. The empirical research found that the majority of Scottish publishers are not fostering intellectual property rights (IPR) effectively across international markets and new media: The failure to do this means that the operational practices of the Scottish publishing industry are not in harmony with the burgeoning digital publishing environment. If Scottish publishers continue with current practices it will become increasingly difficult for them to compete in the national and international publishing environment. This study concludes that only by better training and knowledge exchange, in matters of rights exploitation and digital publishing, can Scottish publishers compete in the international arena and contribute to, and benefit financially from, the knowledge economy.
International Success: Selling Niche Titles Beyond the Prime Home MarketNoorda, Rachel
doi: 10.1007/s12109-012-9290-3pmid: N/A
As the world becomes increasingly international and new markets open up for business, questions arise for small, niche publishers: what makes a book sell well internationally? Can niche titles sell well abroad? And, more importantly: How can I find and publish a book that will be a global success? To answer these questions in this article, Scottish publishing companies will be used as examples to illustrate the ways in which even region-specific niche publishers can successfully sell and market abroad.