BTW News Briefs
Printer-friendly versionBISG Asks for Book Industry Input
The Book Industry Study Group is conducting a survey to gather responses from book industry professionals on the changing needs of the publishing ecosystem. BISG, which was founded in 1975 to improve the industry’s research abilities and solve issues through active consensus, is reaching out to a wide range of people involved in publishing and bookselling to determine how the organization can better serve its constituents.
The deadline for survey responses is next Tuesday, June 11. All responses will be kept strictly confidential, and participants will receive aggregated results when the survey is completed.
Raw BEA Numbers Announced
BookExpo America has announced raw numbers for last week’s trade show, which will be finalized and vetted by a third party in the coming weeks. The initial results show a slight decrease (.004 percent) of industry professionals attending, down to 19,615 from 19,694 in 2012, and an increase of seven percent in total attendance, up to 11,101 from 10,417 in 2012.
BEA also reported positive reviews of the show, including the author stages and events as well as signing logistics.
Small Business Week Begins June 17
National Small Business Week recognizes and celebrates the country’s entrepreneurs and small businesses, with event programming kicking off June 17 and running through June 21.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is running programs throughout the country and online that discuss social media, supply chains, international business, government contracting, financing, and more. Speakers include employees from companies like NASA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as university and political representatives.
Constant Contact is also offering free business-building events at nationwide locations during the month of June; search for local events here.
British Booksellers Seek Government’s Help in Fighting Amazon
British bookstores have asked the government for assistance in fighting Amazon. Booksellers Association (BA) CEO Tim Godfray said that at least one bookstore in the U.K. is closing per week and that Amazon.com is their main threat. The BA, which represents about 1,000 bookstores, is recommending the government look at France’s recent initiatives to help that country’s booksellers.
France has set aside €9 million to help fund booksellers in their fight against Amazon, and culture minister Aurélie Filippetti is considering restricting Amazon’s ability to offer free shipping and discounts. Due to a 1981 law, France has fixed book prices, regardless if purchased from an online retailer or brick-and-mortar shop, and the maximum discount on books is five percent.
Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced
The 25th Annual Lambda Literary Awards took place at a June 3rd gala in New York City hosted by comedienne Kate Clinton.
Augusten Burroughs received the Board of Trustees Award for Excellence in Literature; Imogen Binnie received the Transgender Nonfiction award; Cherrie Moraga won the Lambda Literary’s Pioneer Award; and John Irving took home the LLF’s Bridge Builder Award.
See the full list of literary award winners and runners-up.
Akashic Books Launches Infamous Books
Hip-hop artist Albert “Prodigy” Johnson from the group Mobb Deep will be launching Akashic Books’ new Infamous Books imprint with his novella H.N.I.C. on July 16.
Infamous Books pairs the Infamous Records brand with Akashic Books to connect readers across the world to crime fiction and street lit authors. Infamous Books will be releasing upcoming titles from authors JaQuavis Coleman, K’wan, Miasha, and others.