Publishers Weekly Introduces Online On-Sale Calendar

Publishers Weekly recently launched an On-Sale Calendar, providing a seasonal overview of the biggest adult hardcover titles and their on-sale dates, on its Web site, PublishersWeekly.com. The calendar, which is available to Publishers Weekly subscribers only, will feature reviews and publisher and author information, as well as Web site links.

In addition to on-sale dates provided by publishers, the calendar is based on author track records and publisher marketing support, as well as such intangibles as early industry reaction, and, PW noted, it provides a carefully composed snapshot of the books that are likely to attract high readership. The online calendar was created with input from publishers and publicists, and is updated on a weekly basis by the editors at Publishers Weekly.

In a release, Nora Rawlinson, PW editor-in-chief, noted that the online calendar allows the industry "to see what competition is coming in the months ahead. By seeing the future, they are able to coordinate their titles' marketing and publicity plans more effectively."

Joseph Tessitore, group publisher and vice president of PW commented, "For booksellers, this is the perfect tool for ordering books and planning displays, informing staff and educating customers. The calendar can be printed out and posted behind the cash-wrap or in the stock room for easy reference, or it can be emailed to all store staff in various store locations."