<![CDATA[Association Of American Publishers]]> http://newsroom.publishers.org/ en-us Sun, 20 Jan 2019 19:07:02 +0100 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:19:57 +0100 <![CDATA[Association Of American Publishers]]> http://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1508.png http://newsroom.publishers.org/ 144 AAP StatShot: Double Digit Growth for Trade Publishers in November 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-statshot-double-digit-growth-for-trade-publishers-in-november-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-statshot-double-digit-growth-for-trade-publishers-in-november-2018/Washington, DC; Jan. 15, 2019 – Publishers saw double-digit growth in all categories of trade books -Adult Books (+19.6%), Children’s/Young Adult (+17.3%) and Religious Presses (+14.1%) in November 2018 compared to November 2017. Revenue for trade books (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) totaled $7.29 billion for the year-to-date (Jan. – Nov. 2018), up by $330.3 million (+4.7%) compared to the same timeframe in 2017.

In November 2018, overall publisher revenue increased by $167.5 million, (+15.3%) for all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses) compared to November 2017. This brings the year-to-date total to $13.53 billion, up $42.3 million (+0.3%) from the same timeframe in 2017.

Trade Publishing

Jan. to Nov: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – Nov. 2018

Jan. – Nov. 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$4,777.6

$4,547.4

+5.1%

Children’s/YA

$1,960.0

$1,890.7

+3.7%

Religious Presses

$553.4

$522.6

+5.9%

Total

$7,291.0

$6,960.7

+4.7%

While all three categories of trade books saw increased revenue, the industry’s largest category - Adult Books - grew the most. With a revenue increase of $101.5 million (19.6%), Adult Books saw greater growth in November than in any other month in 2017. The month’s growth contributed to a $230.2 million (5.1%) increase in publisher revenue for the year-to-date for Adult Books, with most of the growth from sales of hardback books (+36.3%).

Jan. to Nov.: Total Trade Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – Nov. 2018

Jan. – Nov. 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$2,863.8

$2,688.7

+6.5%

Paperback & Mass Market

$2,496.3

$2,447.1

+2.0%

eBooks

$935.3

$962.4

-2.8%

Downloaded Audio

$424.5

$309.7

+37.1%

Physical Audio

$42.3

$54.1

-21.8%

Board Books

$139.8

$134.2

+4.2%

Other

$388.9

$364.5

+6.7%

Hardback books benefitted the most from the uptick in trade book revenue, with +28.5% growth compared to November 2017. Downloaded audio also continued its significant growth in November, up +31.6%.

While they didn’t grow as much as they had in October, eBooks also benefitted from November’s revenue increase with +1.0% growth for the month compared to 2017. The growth came from a revenue increase of Children’s/Young Adult eBooks (+13.2%) and Religious Presses (+19.0%), balancing out the format’s decline (-0.7%) in Adult Books.

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Revenues for education and scholarly publishers were mixed in November, with revenue growth of +8.0% in Higher Ed and +25.4% in Professional Books, and declines in PreK-12 (-7.4%) and University Presses (-15.9%) compared to November 2017. With the exception of Professional Books, the year-to-date (Jan. – Nov.) revenue in all these categories remained down in 2018 compared to the same timeframe in 2017.

Jan. to Nov: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – Nov. 2018

Jan. – Nov. 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$3,033.8

$3,221.5

-5.5%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$2,604.3

$2,732.5

-4.7%

Professional Books

$509.3

$498.1

+2.3%

University Presses

$45.5

$49.7

-8.3%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,375 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. The StatShot Annual, Higher Education Annual, and PreK-12 Annual reports for 2017 are available for purchase; additional information about them can be found here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsTue, 15 Jan 2019 11:19:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
AAP Congratulates Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier on his Confirmation as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-congratulates-dr-kelvin-k-droegemeier-on-his-confirmation-as-director-of-the-white-house-office-of-science-and-technology-policy/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-congratulates-dr-kelvin-k-droegemeier-on-his-confirmation-as-director-of-the-white-house-office-of-science-and-technology-policy/The Association of American Publishers (AAP) congratulates Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier on his confirmation by the Senate yesterday to serve as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. “Dr. Droegemeier is a strongly qualified and widely published scientist who has the additional advantage of bringing policy experience to the position,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAP. “The publishing industry shares Dr. Droegemeier’s longstanding commitment to public-private partnerships that transform research into first rate products that improve the lives of Americans and enhance American competitiveness. We very much look forward to working with him to advance science, technology, and the dissemination of knowledge.”

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at publishers.org or on Twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly PublishingThu, 03 Jan 2019 15:36:55 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_84706199.jpg?10000
Publishers Welcome the Second Circuit’s Ruling in Capitol Records v. ReDigi http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-welcome-the-second-circuits-ruling-in-capitol-records-v-redigi/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-welcome-the-second-circuits-ruling-in-capitol-records-v-redigi/Publishers welcome the Second Circuit’s opinion in the important infringement case, Capitol Records, LLC et. al. v. ReDigi Inc., et.al. In finding for the copyright owners, the Court rejected the application of the first sale doctrine as a defense to the unauthorized copying and distribution of digital files, and further rejected fair use.

The Following Statement may be attributed to Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers:

“Publishers welcome the Second Circuit’s sound ruling in Capitol Records v. ReDigi on the three major issues addressed in the opinion. First, in applying the plain meaning of the Copyright Act, the Court confirmed that when a defendant makes unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted works and distributes them, it is not merely reselling or retransferring used works in the manner of a used bookstore. Rather, it is engaged in copyright infringement, and therefore disqualified from asserting the limitations on the distribution right afforded by the first sale doctrine. Second, the court unequivocally rejected fair use, in which it highlighted that the defendant’s conduct creates nearly identical copies of protected works and is therefore aimed squarely at the copyright owners’ primary markets. Third, the Court rejected the invitation from law professors to overtake Congress on matters of policy, noting that on the question of whether first sale should be extended to the digital realm, it is not the Court but Congress they must seek to persuade.

This case is critical in that it reinforces the underlying equities of the copyright law, in which the rights and investments of copyright owners are a valuable part of the marketplace of innovation, not to be minimized or appropriated in the name of expediency.”

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Press Releases,Billboard,CopyrightWed, 12 Dec 2018 17:45:28 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_118195190.jpg?10000
Publisher Revenue for eBooks Increased in October http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-ebooks-increased-in-october/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-ebooks-increased-in-october/Washington, DC; December 6, 2018 – October 2018 marked the second time in two years that publishers saw modest revenue growth in eBooks (+4.4%), with increases for the format across all trade book categories. Aside from downloaded audio, eBooks had the largest percent of revenue growth for the month, compared to October 2017.

Trade eBook Sales for October 2014 - 2018 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) were $1.16 billion in October 2018, down from $1.17 billion in 2017 (-0.8%). The trade book categories either remained flat or declined in October, while educational and scholarly publishing saw some revenue increases.

For the year to date (Jan. – Oct.), revenue for trade publishers was up by $213.8 million (+3.5%). Despite the gains in trade publishing, overall publisher revenue was down by $87.2 million (-0.7%) for all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses).

Trade Publishing

Jan. to Oct: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – Oct. 2018

Jan. – Oct. 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$4,159.7

$4,000.3

+4.0%

Children’s/YA

$1,686.3

$1,656.1

+1.8%

Religious Presses

$490.6

$466.4

+5.2%

Total

$6,336.6

$6,122.8

+3.5%

October format preferences varied from 2018’s norms, with modest revenue growth for eBooks (+4.4%) and a decline in revenue for hardback books (-7.5%). eBook revenue increased in October for Adult Books (+3.0%), Childrens/YA Books (+17.3%), and Religious Presses (+12.0%).

However, for the year-to-date (Jan. – Oct.), eBook revenues were down -3.1% from the same period in 2017. Downloaded audio remains the format with the highest percent revenue growth year-to-date (+37.7%).

Jan. to Oct.: Total Trade Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – Oct. 2018

Jan. – Oct. 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$2,383.7

$2,302.4

+3.5%

Paperback & Mass Market

$2,238.6

$2,197.0

+1.9%

eBooks

$857.2

$885.1

-3.1%

Downloaded Audio

$379.6

$275.6

+37.7%

Physical Audio

$37.3

$48.0

-22.3%

Board Books

$118.7

$117.4

+1.1%

Other

$321.5

$297.3

+8.1%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Revenues for education and scholarly publishers fared better in October than in the past few months, with most categories (Higher Ed, PreK-12, and University Presses) seeing increased revenue. However, year-to-date (Jan. – Oct.) revenue in these categories remained down in 2018 compared to the same timeframe in 2017.

Jan. to Oct: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – Oct. 2018

Jan. – Oct. 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$2,879.1

$3,062.0

-6.0%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$2,532.7

$2,656.2

-4.6%

*Professional Books

$471.0

$467.2

-0.8%

University Presses

$42.8

$46.5

-7.8%

* The 2017 and 2018 figures for Professional Books here reflect adjustments made to accommodate routine publishers’ restatements. AAP StatShot Monthly reports data as submitted by participating publishers, which includes restatements of the current and prior year, to provide the most current data available.

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. The StatShot Annual, Higher Education Annual, and PreK-12 Annual reports for 2017 are available for purchase; additional information about them can be found here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsThu, 06 Dec 2018 14:27:38 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_147353933.jpg?10000
AAP, Researchers, Deeply Concerned About Plan S http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-researchers-deeply-concerned-about-plan-s/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-researchers-deeply-concerned-about-plan-s/Earlier this week, a group of nearly 750 researchers from around the world published an open letter expressing serious concerns with Europe’s controversial Plan S. Announced on September 4, 2018, and scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2020, Plan S would regulate private sector publications that report on publicly funded research, imposing a host of requirements that, among other things, would: (1) undermine intellectual property (IP) protection for these publications, (2) prohibit researchers from publishing in the vast majority of journals, and (3) impose government price caps on open access publication fees. Thirteen of the 43 major national research funding organizations in Europe have signed on to Plan S, and the plan’s proponents are actively soliciting additional support in Europe and abroad.

In their letter, the researchers conclude that “Plan S is a serious violation of academic freedom” that “strongly reduce[s] access to (and possibilities to publish in) suitable scientific journals of high quality, with a direct consequence that it also strongly restricts our choice of countries with which we can conveniently collaborate with or sustain lasting exchange programs.”

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) shares these concerns. “It is the strong view of the U.S. publishing industry that Plan S is ill-conceived and unsustainable,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAP. “Plan S is a violation of academic freedom to publish and is a disservice to all who rely upon credible research literature. Plan S devalues and disrespects the publishing industry threefold: it imposes strict regulations on an innovative private sector marketplace; it creates market access barriers for American publishers; and it places unreasonable constraints on individual researchers.”

The researchers’ letter levels four specific complaints against Plan S:

  1. By banning publication in hybrid journals, Plan S would prevent researchers from publishing in over 85% of existing journals, with the greatest effect on “exactly those journals that work with a valuable and rigorous peer-review system of high quality,” including the most important non-profit society journals.
  2. Given that many national research funders in Europe and around the world will likely not participate in Plan S, the plan risks “splitting the global scientific community into two separate systems,” leading to “a strong negative effect on collaborations between cOAlition S countries and the rest of the world, because joint publications in the highest quality selective journals, based on rigorous peer review and quality control procedures, with the highest standing in the community, won’t be possible anymore...”
  3. By narrowly requiring one publishing business model—gold open access—Plan S will likely increase the costs of disseminating scholarly research, and will create “a serious risk that it leads to a surplus of papers of low quality/originality/newsworthiness…”
  4. Plan S “ignores the existence of large differences between different research fields,” instead requiring an ill-advised “one-size-fits-all approach” that will have particularly negative effects on certain fields, for example chemistry.

In sum, the researchers rightly believe that “Plan S has far-reaching consequences, takes insufficient care of the desires and wishes of the individual scientists and creates a range of unworkable and undesirable situations.”

In addition to the above problems, which are themselves severe, AAP believes that Plan S suffers from several other significant flaws.

Policymakers have long understood the essential link between IP protection and the advancement of science. Copyright enables publishers to invest in high-quality scientific journals and related information products as well as innovative ways to disseminate content. Plan S would effectively set the incentives and protections of copyright aside by imposing “open” licensing requirements on scientific publications, which means that anyone could access and reuse a publication for free without permission from the copyright owner. Instead of harnessing IP to encourage private sector investment that builds upon research and develops high-quality products and services, Plan S would undermine IP and discourage private sector investment.

For over a decade, scientific publishers and other research stakeholders have strived to create public-private partnerships that expand free access to publications that report on publicly funded research. “These partnerships respect academic freedom, allowing researchers to publish in whichever journals best suit their needs,” said Matthew Barblan, Vice President, Public Policy at AAP. “Furthermore, these partnerships are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of business models, allowing publishers to adopt sustainable approaches to open access in their particular field or market.”

Plan S—which was developed without formal impact assessments, notice-and-comment opportunities, or other procedures characteristic of good regulatory practice—would jettison this sustainable approach. Instead of market-based public-private partnerships, Plan S favors rigid requirements that severely restrict researchers and publishers alike. Furthermore, elements of Plan S—such as picking winners and losers between business models, imposing price caps, and undermining IP—run counter to sound economic policy that has fostered growth, innovation, and commercialization for decades.

In addition to undermining academic freedom, intellectual property, and sustainable open access publishing models, Plan S would also negatively impact American investment in high-quality scientific journals and cutting-edge distribution platforms. Plan S could effectively shut out thousands of American journals from the European market by preventing European researchers from publishing in American journals that operate on subscription models. As a result, Plan S would put American investments and jobs at risk and create new market access barriers at the same time that the U.S., EU, and UK are exploring ways to reduce barriers. Even where American journals are able to work with European researchers under Plan S, government-imposed price caps and standardized pricing would undercut their ability to continue to operate while maintaining innovation, sustainability, and quality.

In conclusion, Plan S risks substantial harm to researchers, publishers, and everyone that relies on high-quality scientific publications. As the researchers correctly note, it “goes too far, is unfair for the scientists involved and is too risky for science in general.”

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AAP Views,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly PublishingThu, 08 Nov 2018 09:55:37 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_267372391.jpg?10000
PROSE Awards Co-Chair Steven Heffner Discusses What's New for PROSE Awards This Year http://newsroom.publishers.org/prose-awards-co-chair-steven-heffner-discusses-whats-new-for-prose-awards-this-year/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/prose-awards-co-chair-steven-heffner-discusses-whats-new-for-prose-awards-this-year/Since 1976, AAP’s PROSE Awards has annually recognized the very best in professional and scholarly publishing by bringing attention to distinguished books, journals, and electronic content. As the November 9 deadline approaches for the current season, AAP’s communications department sat down with this year’s awards co-chair, Steven Heffner, of member company Wolters Kluwer.

Steven, tell us what’s new for the PROSE Awards this year.

We’ve made a number of exciting improvements. To start, we are designating and recognizing award finalists in advance of the award winners. This will add to the excitement and provide more marketing muscle for the nominations. We’ll name the finalists in January, a full month and a half before we announce the winners.

Also, we’ve streamlined and expanded some of the categories to better account for the scholarly output. For example, we’ve changed U.S. History to become North American history.

Why did the judges move to a model with finalists this year?

As many people know, we present the final “best-in-category” excellence awards during AAP’s Professional and Scholarly Publishing conference, which this year is February 6-8, 2019. By publicly recognizing the finalists, we believe more publishers will appropriately benefit from the important recognition they have earned.

It also helps our judges, who have historically found it very challenging to select just one winner and one honorable mention from so many deserving submissions. I should mention that a PROSE win of any level, rewards a publisher’s team, from acquisition to editorial to design. It’s great for all these people to be recognized along the way.

How do the winners benefit from PROSE Awards?

Aside from the inherent satisfaction of the public recognition and prestige, our winners receive PROSE Awards medallions (stickers) to use on the covers of their works, and are encouraged to note the award in marketing and promotional activities. We’ve heard over the years from a number of publishing houses that winning a PROSE Award has brought new readers, assisted librarians with acquisitions, and moved the sales needle.

As co-chair, you worked with some colleagues to promote the PROSE Awards at the Frankfurt book fair. What were some of the things you were highlighting there?

We had a lot of fun talking about PROSE at Frankfurt. With both trade publishers and university presses, we made a point to highlight the various categories to ensure they understand the numerous opportunities to enter and compete. Most of us who work in scholarly publishing find that about half of the works we publish are in an electronic media format. So breaking out of that format where a book wins is putting us in the right direction.

Also, there was a good deal of surprise and support for products in alternate formats. At Frankfurt we heard a lot of positive feedback about last year’s winner, Bloomsbury, because it won for an innovative electronic product. AAP is leading the pack in understanding the balance between traditional formats - which are indispensable - and new formats, products, websites and the like that are equally critical to the scholarly space.

What was the biggest surprise from last year’s PROSE Awards – your first as co-chair?

The biggest surprise about it for me was how fun it was to be at the PROSE Awards luncheon (that takes place during AAP’s Professional and Scholarly Publishing conference.) For what is otherwise a very serious group, it was a fun time to come together; it was great to see people who usually gather in small niche groups really recognize each other in a celebratory manner. Though all gathered at the luncheon want to win, I think they are very supportive of each other’s endeavors. It’s also enjoyable to focus on such a wide array of interdisciplinary work that not all of us see in our daily lives. How often do you see three books on butterflies, with each book very different from the next? (Pictured are Co-Chairs Nigel Fletcher-Jones, Director of The American University in Cairo Press and Steven Heffner, Vice President of Product Strategy at Wolters Kluwer Health)

Speaking of formats, do you encourage entries from journals?

Yes. In fact, one of the journals that submitted – CHEM from Cell Press – was an award of excellence winner last year. We’d love to see even more journals entered for a PROSE Award. Also, we’re really encouraging smaller publishers to enter. They are selective in what they publish, and frequently focused on mission, but because of that focus they often publish stellar works. I would like to see more of them this year. 

Any tips for publishers who haven’t submitted their entry yet?

Hurry! There are less than two weeks left to submit.

And if you’re on the fence as to whether to submit, don’t sell yourself short. The price and process of entering is not onerous, and it’s an opportunity to recognize your staff, your authors, and developmental editors.

Are you the next PROSE Awards winner? If you’re an AAP or AUP member, it’s not too late to find out. Click here to learn in your scholarly work qualifies, and be sure to enter before the Nov. 9 deadline.

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AAP Views,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly Publishing,AwardsWed, 31 Oct 2018 14:47:38 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_prosesticker.jpg?10000
Trade Book Publisher Revenues Up 4.4% for First Three Quarters of 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/trade-book-publisher-revenues-up-44-for-first-three-quarters-of-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/trade-book-publisher-revenues-up-44-for-first-three-quarters-of-2018/Washington, DC; October 29, 2018 – For the first three quarters of the year, trade publishers’ revenues were up by $228.3 million (+4.4%) compared to the same period in 2017. The gains are led by increased revenue in Adult Books (also +4.4%), the book publishing industry’s largest category. Publishers revenue for Children’s and Young Adult Books (+3.5%) and Religious Presses (+7.6%) also increased.

The increased revenue in trade books was offset by decreases in the education and scholarly publishing sectors, with revenue in all categories declining for the first three quarters of 2018 compared to 2017. Overall publisher revenue was down by -1.4% for all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses).

Trade Publishing

Jan. to Sept: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – Sept. 2018

Jan. – Sept. 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$3,561.1

$3,411.9

+4.4%

Children’s/YA

$1,420.7

$1,372.0

+3.5%

Religious Presses

$430.1

$399.7

+7.6%

Total

$5,411.9

$5,183.6

+4.4%

Format trends from throughout 2018 generally remained consistent for both the month of September and the year-to-date, with strong increases in downloaded audio and general revenue increases for print, with strong gains for hardback books.

There were some notable areas of growth in the Children’s/Young Adult books category for September 2018, compared to September 2017, including double digit revenue growth in board books (+23.5) and revenue growth in eBooks (+8.8%).

Jan. to Sept.: Total Trade Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – Sept. 2018

Jan. – Sept. 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$1,928.9

$1,815.7

+6.2%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,976.0

$1,934.2

+2.2%

eBooks

$770.9

$802.1

-3.9%

Downloaded Audio

$336.6

$244.9

+37.4%

Physical Audio

$30.9

$41.6

-25.9%

Board Books

$98.7

$97.5

+1.3%

Other

$270.0

$247.6

+9.0%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Revenues for education and scholarly publishers are down for the first three quarters of 2018 compared to 2017, with September revenues adding to the decline. One bright spot is business books in the Professional Publishing category, which was up +8.8% in September 2018 compared to the September 2017 and up +3.5% for the first three quarters of 2018 compared to the same timeframe in 2017.

Jan. to Sept: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – Sept. 2018

Jan. – Sept. 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$2,800.1

$3,000.0

-6.7%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$2,418.0

$2,453.6

-4.9%

Professional Books

$661.2

$733.1

-9.8%

University Presses

$41.0

$44.7

-8.4%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. The StatShot Annual, Higher Education Annual, and PreK-12 Annual reports for 2017 are available for purchase; additional information about them can be found here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardMon, 29 Oct 2018 09:47:51 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_7170879.jpg?10000
AAP Issues Call for Entries for 2019 PROSE Awards for Outstanding Scholarly Books, Journals, and eProducts http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-issues-call-for-entries-for-2019-prose-awards-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-eproducts/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-issues-call-for-entries-for-2019-prose-awards-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-eproducts/Awards recognize academic publishers’ best 2018 works in the arts, humanities, reference and sciences

Washington, DC; October 24, 2018 – Professional and scholarly publishers are encouraged to submit their top 2018 books, journals, and eProducts to the 2019 Association of American Publishers Awards for Professional and Scholarly Excellence [PROSE Awards]. All entries must be submitted online by November 9, 2018.

Since 1976, AAP’s PROSE Awards have recognized publishers who produce books, journals, and digital products of extraordinary merit that make a significant contribution to a field of study in the arts, humanities, biological and physical sciences, reference and social sciences.

“Professional and scholarly publishers are fundamental to the dissemination of knowledge,” said Susanna Hinds, Vice President of Communications at the Association of American Publishers. “In addition to investing in the creation of scholarly works, publishers make significant investments in technology, distribution platforms, data analytics, and other groundbreaking innovations that enable doctors, researchers, educators, and ultimately the public to get the greatest possible value from the inspiring work that is the focus of the academic community.”

The 2019 PROSE Awards competition is open to AAP member publishers as well as members of the Association of University Presses (AUPresses). A panel of 18 judges will review entries in 47 subject categories and name finalists in each subject category. The shortlist for each category will be announced in January 2019.

Winners from each subject category will then go on to compete in one of five areas of excellence:

  • Biological and Life Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Physical Sciences & Mathematics
  • Reference Works
  • Social Sciences

The winners in each of the five areas of excellence will then compete for the R.R. Hawkins Award, the ultimate winner of the PROSE Award competition. AAP will reveal and recognize the winners at a luncheon on February 7, 2019 during the AAP Conference for Professional and Scholarly Publishing in Washington, DC.

ABOUT AAP

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish and @PROSEAwards.

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Press Releases,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly Publishing,eventsWed, 24 Oct 2018 10:34:37 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_prosecallforentries2.png?10000
Appeals Court Agrees with Publishers in Reversing Georgia State University Copyright Fair Use Decision http://newsroom.publishers.org/appeals-court-agrees-with-publishers-in-reversing-georgia-state-university-copyright-fair-use-decision/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/appeals-court-agrees-with-publishers-in-reversing-georgia-state-university-copyright-fair-use-decision/In an opinion released October 19, 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit unanimously reversed the district court’s fair use decision in Cambridge University Press v. J.L. Albert.  The appeals court remanded the case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with its instructions.

 Following is the statement of AAP President and CEO Maria A. Pallante:

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) is gratified by the Eleventh Circuit’s unanimous opinion in the GSU litigation involving the unauthorized use of numerous copyrighted works. In reversing the district court’s erroneous findings and vacating the award of attorney’s fees, the appellate panel for the second time rejected what it called a ‘mathematical formula of fair use in favor of a qualitative consideration of each instance of copying in the light of its particular facts.

This kind of careful scrutiny and detailed application is essential to the efficacy of copyright law, whether in the print or digital environment. As the Supreme Court noted in its landmark Campbell v. Acuff-Rose decision, the four statutory factors may not ‘be treated in isolation, one from another. All are to be explored, and the results weighed together, in light of the purposes of copyright.’”

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Press Releases,BillboardFri, 19 Oct 2018 17:14:59 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1508.png?10000
AAP Supports a Free Press http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-supports-a-free-press/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-supports-a-free-press/On October 16, 2018, PEN America, with the support of The Protect Democracy Project and Yale Law School’s Media Freedom and Information Access Clinic, filed a lawsuit in federal court against the President of the United States. According to PEN’s press release, the lawsuit “seeks to stop President Trump from using the machinery of government to retaliate or threaten reprisals against journalists and media outlets for coverage he dislikes.”

Following  is a statement from Association of American Publishers President and CEO Maria A. Pallante:

“AAP has a long tradition of defending America’s First Amendment freedoms, which are the bedrock of the publishing community and our constitutional democracy. We commend PEN’s unrelenting commitment to protecting the role of the press and the rights of the public, while also recognizing the President’s right to criticize speech with which he may not agree.”

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AAP Views,Billboard,freedomofexpressionTue, 16 Oct 2018 15:59:45 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_118195190.jpg?10000
Publisher Revenue for Trade Books Increases in August 2018 and Year-to-Date http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-trade-books-increases-in-august-2018-and-year-to-date/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-trade-books-increases-in-august-2018-and-year-to-date/Washington, DC; October 16, 2018 – Publishers’ revenue for trade (consumer) books and PreK-12 Instructional Materials increased in August 2018 compared to August 2017, continuing the trends from the July data which also saw growth in these categories. The increases added $26 million in revenue (+1.2%) for publishers in August 2018, offsetting slight declines in other categories.

For the first eight months of 2018 (Jan. – Aug.) trade publishers saw growth in all tracked categories - Adult Books, Children’s/YA and Religious Presses - compared to the same timeframe in 2017. Adult Books added $153 million (+5.2%) for the year-to-date compared to 2017. Overall book publisher revenues were down slightly (-0.6%) through August 2018. These revenues from AAP’s StatShot Monthly Report, which comparatively tracks publisher revenue each month, represent all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses).

Trade Publishing

Jan. to Aug.: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – Aug. 2018

Jan. – Aug. 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$3,078.6

$2,925.5

+5.2%

Children’s/YA

$1,183.3

$1,153.9

+2.6%

Religious Presses

$366.0

$339.8

+7.7%

Total

$4,627.9

$4,419.2

+4.7%

Print books generally saw revenue growth, with strong gains in both hardback and paperback books in August 2018 vs. August 2017. Publisher revenue also increased +45.2% for downloaded audio compared to August 2017. Revenues for eBooks and board books were flat at +0.2% and -0.2% respectively. Mass market and physical audio declined in August 2018 compared to 2017. Other than August being a better month for eBooks and board books, the data are consistent with the year-to-date figures.

Of note, revenue for eBooks is up by double-digits in the smaller Religious Presses category and was $4.0 million in August 2018, up from $3.4 million in August 2017 – a +15.8% increase. eBook sales for Religious Presses remain flat (+0.2%) for the year–to-date.

Jan. to Aug.: Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – Aug. 2018

Jan. – Aug. 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$1,576.9

$1,476.7

+6.8%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,741.4

$1,691.2

+3.0%

eBooks

$685.3

$715.2

-4.2%

Downloaded Audio

$294.7

$214.3

+37.5%

Physical Audio

$26.6

$35.3

-24.6%

Board Books

$79.9

$82.3

-2.8%

Other

$222.9

$204.3

+9.1%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

While revenues for education and scholarly publishers are down for the year-to-date in 2018 compared to 2017, August was an improvement over prior months for education publishers. Revenue for PreK-12 Instructional Materials was up $5.0 million (+0.9%) in August 2018 vs 2017 and Higher Education Course Materials was down $5.1 million (-0.6%).

Jan. to Aug.: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – Aug. 2018

Jan. – Aug. 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$2,389.9

$2,512.7

-4.9%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$2,200.4

$2,309.4

-4.7%

Professional Books

$618.6

$661.8

-6.5%

University Presses

$36.2

$38.7

-6.5%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. The StatShot Annual, Higher Education Annual, and PreK-12 Annual reports for 2017 are available for purchase; additional information about them can be found here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardTue, 16 Oct 2018 09:58:27 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
AAP Issues Call for Entries for 2019 PROSE Awards for Outstanding Scholarly Books, Journals and E-Products http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-issues-call-for-entries-for-2019-prose-awards-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-e-products/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-issues-call-for-entries-for-2019-prose-awards-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-e-products/The Association of American Publishers I AAP 2019 PROSE Awards, which recognize outstanding scholarly books, journals, and e-products, are open for entries through Nov. 9, 2018. The awards recognize the very best scholarly works published in 2018 in the arts, humanities, biological and physical sciences, reference and social sciences.

Since 1976, AAP’s PROSE Awards have recognized publishers who produce books, journals and digital products of extraordinary merit that make a significant contribution to a field of study.

For 2019, a panel of 18 judges will review entries for overall excellence in scholarly publishing in 47 subject categories. Winners from each subject category will go on to compete in one of five areas of excellence: Biological and Life Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Reference Works and Social Sciences. These winners will then compete for the industry’s coveted R.R. Hawkins Award.

The 2019 categories include:

Award Categories in Humanities

Art Exhibitions, Art History and Criticism, Biography, Autobiography and Memoir, Archeology and Ancient History, Classics, World History, Language and Linguistics, Literature, Media and Cultural Studies, Music and the Performing Arts, Outstanding Scholarly Work by a Trade Publisher, Philosophy, Textbook/Humanities, Theology and Religious Studies, and  North American/U.S. History

Award Categories in Social Sciences:

Architecture and Urban Planning, Business, Finance and Management, Anthropology and Sociology, Economics, Education Practice, Education Theory, Government, Policy and Politics, Psychology, and Textbook/Social Sciences

Award Categories in Biological and Life Sciences:

Applied Social Work, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, Textbook/Biological, and Life Sciences

Award Categories in Physical Sciences and Mathematics:

Chemistry and Physics, Computing and Information Sciences, Cosmology and Astronomy, Earth Science, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Mathematics, Popular Science and Popular Mathematics, and Textbook/Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Award Categories in Reference:

Single and Multivolume Reference/Humanities, Single and Multivolume Reference/Biological Science, Single and Multivolume Reference/Social Sciences, and Single and Multivolume Reference/Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Digital/E-Product Categories:

Best App, Best in Biological and Life Sciences, Best in Humanities, Best in Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Best in Social Sciences, and Best Multidiscipline Platform

Journals Categories:

Best New Journal in Humanities, Best New Journal in Social Sciences, Best New Journal in Biological & Life Sciences, Best New Journal in Physical Sciences & Mathematics, Innovation in Journal Publishing: Humanities & Social Sciences, Innovation in Journal Publishing: Science, Technology & Medicine, and Innovation in Journal Publishing: Interdisciplinary

Publishers who are members of AAP or Association of University Presses (AUP) are encouraged to submit their outstanding works published in 2018 for a PROSE Award. There is no maximum limit to submissions per publisher in any category. Finalist in each subject category will be announced in January 2019 and winners will be announced at the PROSE awards luncheon on Feb. 7, 2019, in Washington, DC.

For additional information about how to enter, click here.

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AAP Views,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly Publishing,eventsThu, 11 Oct 2018 10:31:04 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_prosecallforentries.png?10000
In a Victory for Print Disabled Readers, the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act Becomes Law http://newsroom.publishers.org/in-a-victory-for-print-disabled-readers-the-marrakesh-treaty-implementation-act-becomes-law/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/in-a-victory-for-print-disabled-readers-the-marrakesh-treaty-implementation-act-becomes-law/Washington, DC; October 10, 2018 – The Association of American Publishers today celebrates the enactment of legislation for U.S. implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty. After more than a decade of working closely with the U.S. government, WIPO officials and Member States, and various advocacy groups to support the drafting and adoption of the "Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled", today's enactment demonstrates our nation’s firm commitment to the right to read and the protection of individuals against discrimination based on their disabilities.

The Treaty, which is intended to ensure that persons all over the world who are blind, visually impaired or have other print disabilities can more easily obtain published literary works in accessible formats they can use, was first adopted in 2013 by the U.S. and other Member States of the United Nations-based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It entered into force in September 2016 following ratification or accession by 20 Member States, a number which has more than doubled since that time.

“Today we celebrate the enactment of legislation necessary for U.S. implementation of the Treaty, and with it enjoyment of the right to read by individuals with print disabilities across the globe," said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. "AAP worked tirelessly to find agreement within the copyright, disabilities, and library communities to finally bring the long process for ratification and implementation of the Treaty by the United States to fruition. Now we look forward to working with our members and these communities to ensure that the Treaty works to effectively provide cross-border access to accessible format copies of literary works in many different languages to people who need them all around the world. ”

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Press Releases,BillboardWed, 10 Oct 2018 17:27:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_164484626.jpg?10000
AAP Annual Meeting Leaves Attendees Energized http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-annual-meeting-leaves-attendees-energized/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-annual-meeting-leaves-attendees-energized/This year’s Association of American Publishers’ general annual meeting left the more than 200 AAP members and invited guests invigorated about both the future of the organization and the industry it represents. Focused on the meeting theme, Publishing and Public Policy, the speakers highlighted the invaluable role of publishing to culture, education, political discourse, and the economy. The meeting took place September 20, 2018 in New York and received high marks from all sectors.

AAP Chair and Penguin Random House CEO Markus Dohle kicked off the meeting by welcoming the audience to the “New AAP.” He noted how energized the Board has been in recent months as AAP has refined its strategies under the direction of AAP’s President and CEO Maria A. Pallante, noting that the entire Board came together to discuss AAP’s path and is committed to its advocacy mission. He stressed AAP’s important focus on supporting laws and regulations that “incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions.”

AAP President & CEO Maria A. Pallante was then welcomed to the stage, thanking the Board of Directors for their service as the organization underwent change, with special thanks to Dohle for serving as Chair during such an important period. Pallante light-heartedly noted that the organization’s headquarters are located in Washington D.C. and that AAP is ALL CAPS, in support of the Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup win. She updated the audience on AAP’s work during the year, not only with Congress, but with many government agencies and on complex issues in Washington and abroad. She noted that, “AAP is focused on outcomes that really incentivize publishers to invest in authors, and to produce and distribute and otherwise make available a wide diversity of creative and professional content.”

Pallante shared several highlights from the year, noting that AAP has been known to defend the First Amendment, protect copyright interests, promote the marketplace innovations of the industry, and remind policymakers of the tremendous value of publishing (and intellectual property, more generally) to culture, education, research, and the economy. She thanked AAP’s many partners in the United States and abroad.

The attentive audience contemplated the critical role publishers play in a democracy in an uplifting keynote speech about the current state of political strife by Pulitzer-prize winning author Jon Meacham. Some things he noted that have been and continue to be important to democracy are the free flow of information, economic growth, and a “disposition of heart and mind that made us think bigger than just about ourselves.” He acknowledged the role that publishers and the media play in providing dialogue, stating “what has saved us is that idea of speaking freely, thinking freely, and becoming the best we can be.”

AAP gave the Distinguished Public Service Award to Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee’s IP subcommittee and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Creative Rights Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives. Speaking for the Board of Directors, Pallante noted, “Congressman Collins perfectly embodies the spirit of this award because he truly understands the value of published works and the importance of the broader creative communities.” The Award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the public good by advancing laws or policies that respect the value, creation, and publication of original works of authorship. Collins spoke to the room about public service as well as creativity, stressing that copyright protection is important to a vibrant creative ecosystem. “It all starts with a moment of creative genius,” he said. “If we do not come back to the idea that the creative spark is inherently valuable, then nothing you have is worth anything.” For more information about the award, click here.

In a timely presentation about competition and consumer protection, Benjamin Marks of Weil Gotshal & Manges addressed key questions in the era of “big tech.” In June, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced hearings and invited public comment on whether its competition and consumer protection priorities and policies should be adjusted because of change to the country’s economy, evolving business practices, new technologies, or international developments. Some questions regulators are considering, among others, include whether the unique nature of digital platforms should afford them special treatment, as well as the impact data collection (for companies like Amazon) has on competition. The hearings are already underway, with several more to be held into 2019 on 11 topics outlined by the FTC in its initial Request for Public Comments. Marks also noted that in a time when it’s common to hear cries of “fake news,” publishers can play an important role in the delivery of credible information.

The program concluded with AAP awarding London-based publisher Azadeh Parsapour from Nogaame-publishing the International Freedom to Publish I Jeri Laber Award. Parsapour uses crowdfunding to publish eBooks for Iranian authors that would likely be censored or banned in her native country. In prepared remarks from London, she accepted the award and dedicated it to “unnamed Iranian authors, editors, and publishers who carry on working and creating literature and knowledge despite obstacles and suppression.”

Given annually, the award recognizes a book publisher outside the United States who has demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression. In bestowing this award, AAP has long been guided by the principle that “if one of publisher is denied the right to publish, that threat affects us all.” This year’s award was presented by Geoff Shandler, Chair of the AAP International Freedom to Publish Committee and Editorial Director and Vice-President at Custom House (HarperCollins), who recognized Paraspour’s entrepreneurial genius and commitment, not only to publishing silenced voices through Nogaam, but also in helping to start the Tehran Book Fair. For more information about the award, click here.

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AAP Views,BillboardThu, 27 Sep 2018 15:47:07 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_img-5928.jpg?10000
Publishers Honor Rep. Doug Collins with Distinguished Public Service Award http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-honor-rep-doug-collins-with-distinguished-public-service-award/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-honor-rep-doug-collins-with-distinguished-public-service-award/Washington, DC; September 21, 2018 – Yesterday during its annual meeting, the Association of American Publishers (AAP) honored Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) with its 2018 Award for Distinguished Public Service. AAP President and CEO Maria A. Pallante presented the award to Rep. Collins before a room of 200 publishing executives and invited guests representing companies from across the United States.

The Award honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the public good by advancing laws or policies that respect the value, creation, and publication of original works of authorship. It supports both leaders and unsung heroes, who by their actions or words remind policymakers and the public that a strong legal framework is essential to culture, education, and progress in the modern world.

“Congressman Collins perfectly embodies the spirit of this award because he truly understands the value of published works and the importance of the broader creative communities,” said Maria A. Pallante while presenting the award to Rep. Collins. “He works tirelessly in Congress to advance policies that encourage publishers to invest in authors and make available a wide diversity of creative and professional content.”

Collins is a founding Co-Chair of the Creative Rights Caucus, a bipartisan caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives dedicated to protecting the rights of content creators that now has more than 50 members. He serves on the House Judiciary Committee—which has jurisdiction over copyright legislation—and is Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. A voracious reader, Collins is a respected and effective leader in copyright debates and a strong advocate for authors and publishers. He has represented Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District since 2013.

Speaking to the room of publishers, Collins said “I believe in the power and importance of creativity and discourse. The publishing industry is so integral to reasoned debate, and to Congress and leaders in general. Leaders are readers.” Collins also stressed the importance of copyright protection to a vibrant creative ecosystem, noting that “it all starts with a moment of creative genius. . . . If we do not come back to the idea that the creative spark is inherently valuable, then nothing you have is worth anything.”

Collins was actively involved in the House Judiciary Committee’s three-year review of the Nation’s copyright law and is co-sponsor of major, bi-partisan copyright legislation. This includes a bill that would modernize the appointment of the head of the Copyright Office to reflect the complexity of the portfolio and reflect similarly situated positions across government, as well as a bill that would create a small claims process to provide a faster and more affordable alternative to federal litigation. He is also an architect of the Music Modernization Act, which will change the landscape for music publishers and songwriters, and everyone who loves music.

In bestowing the Award, AAP is inspired by the fact that publishing and the rule of law are uniquely intertwined with the history of the United States. In 1787, the Framers adopted the Copyright Clause of the Constitution in order to encourage the dissemination of knowledge, providing authority for the First Congress to enact the first Copyright Act in 1790.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,CopyrightFri, 21 Sep 2018 15:48:39 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_26408735.jpg?10000
Publisher of Censored Iranian Authors Receives 2018 AAP International Freedom to Publish | Jeri Laber Award http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-of-censored-iranian-authors-receives-2018-aap-international-freedom-to-publish---jeri-laber-award/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-of-censored-iranian-authors-receives-2018-aap-international-freedom-to-publish---jeri-laber-award/2018 AAP International Freedom to Read Publisher ChosenWashington, DC; September 20, 2018 – The Association of American Publishers today awarded Azadeh Parsapour, a London-based publisher of censored Iranian authors, the 2018 AAP International Freedom to Publish | Jeri Laber Award. Given annually, the award recognizes a book publisher outside the United States who has demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression. In bestowing this award, AAP has long been guided by the principle that if one of us is denied the right to publish, that threat affects us all.

“Azadeh Parsapour has worked tirelessly and entrepreneurially to give a voice to those who do not have one in her native Iran,” said AAP President and CEO, Maria A. Pallante. “In publishing exiled, banned, and blacklisted authors, she embodies the perspective shared by publishers around the world that speech, expression, and the exchange of ideas are never as threatening as censorship.”

Parsapour established Nogaam e-Publishing in London in 2012 using crowdfunding to publish books that would likely have been censored or banned by authorities in Iran. Nogaam supports and empowers Iranian authors, advocates freedom of speech, promotes Farsi-language digital publishing, and provides easy access to invaluable Farsi books. Published as e-books under a creative commons license free of censorship, all books are available for free download from the Nogaam website. Parsapour is the founder of the Tehran Book Fair, Uncensored, which gathers independent Farsi-publishers from Europe and the United States to discuss books, authors, and common challenges. The first meeting was in London and now in fifteen cities including Paris, Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam and cities in the United States.

The 2018 award was presented at AAP’s Annual Meeting by Geoff Shandler, Chair of the AAP Freedom to Publish Committee and Editorial Director and Vice-President of Custom House, an imprint of HarperCollins. “As publishers, we believe that great stories come with many sides and can be told in many ways,” he said, “but this year’s winner hails from yet another nation where releasing the ‘wrong’ sorts of books can be a death sentence—a tragedy in general, but one particularly potent given Iran’s astonishingly sophisticated literary tradition.”

Because many of her authors would face certain arrest and detention if she tried to publish the books on her list back home, she not only arranges for the books to be published electronically, distributed as ePub files or PDFs, but also offers workshops for authors on digital security, so they can better protect themselves.

Parsapour accepted via video message from London and thanked AAP for recognizing Nogaam’s efforts to defend freedom of speech in Iran. “With Nogaam e-publishing, we proved that the internet and new technologies can be used effectively to bypass censorship and to overcome obstacles,” she said.

About the AAP International Freedom to Publish | Jeri Laber Award:

The International Freedom to Publish Award recognizes a book publisher outside the United States who has demonstrated courage and fortitude in defending freedom of expression. The Award, which includes a cash prize, is named in honor of Jeri Laber, a co-founder of Human Rights Watch and founding member of AAP’s Freedom to Publish Committee. Each year, members of the Committee consult with colleagues from around the world to review the actions of publishers who have faced censorship, political persecution, or personal peril in their work, or have otherwise taken a stand to defend the cause of freedom of expression and the written word. In many instances, the honoree’s particular circumstances may prevent him or her from accepting the award or communicating in person.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,globalmarkets,AwardsThu, 20 Sep 2018 16:13:27 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_184883734.jpg?10000
Double-Digit Growth in Publisher Revenue for Trade Books in July 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/double-digit-growth-in-publisher-revenue-for-trade-books-in-july-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/double-digit-growth-in-publisher-revenue-for-trade-books-in-july-2018/Washington, DC; September 19, 2018 – Publishers’ revenue for trade (consumer) books increased by $56.7 million (+11.2%) for July 2018 compared to July 2017 and $174.4 Million (+4.7%) for the first seven months of 2018 (Jan. - July). Publisher revenues in all trade book categories – Adult Books, Children’s/YA and Religious Presses - saw double-digit gains over July 2017.

Outside of trade books, only K-12 Instructional Materials saw publisher revenue growth for July 2018, which was up by +7.7% compared to July 2017. Overall publisher revenue for the year-to-date was down by -1.5% compared to the first seven months of 2017. These revenues from AAP’s StatShot Monthly Report, which comparatively tracks publisher revenue each month, represent all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses).

Trade Publishing

Jan. to July: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – July 2018

Jan. – July 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$2,617.4

$2,487.6

+5.2%

Children’s/YA

$996.9

$980.2

+1.7%

Religious Presses

$282.0

$254.1

+11.0%

Total

$3,896.3

$3,721.9

+4.7%

Print books generally saw revenue growth, with a combined $2.85 billion in publisher revenue for the first seven months of 2018 – up by $124.6 million from the same timeframe 2017. Previous trends for digital books continued, with publisher revenue for audiobooks up and eBooks down.

Jan. to July: Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – July 2018

Jan. – July 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$1,328.5

$1,238.8

+7.2%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,460.2

$1,423.0

+2.6%

eBooks

$588.8

$619.6

-5.0%

Downloaded Audio

$253.1

$185.6

+36.4%

Physical Audio

$23.4

$29.2

-19.9%

Board Books

$64.9

$67.2

-3.5%

Other

$177.6

$158.5

+12.0%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Revenue for education and scholarly publishers declined for the first seven months of 2018 compared to 2017. In July, only PreK-12 had revenue growth for publishers, and was up by $43.4 million (+7.7%).

Jan. to July: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – July 2018

Jan. – July 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$1,560.3

$1,703.5

-8.4%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$1,629.4

$1,743.4

-6.5%

Professional Books

$529.4

$563.9

-6.1%

University Presses

$29.6

$31.1

-4.9%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. Both the StatShot Annual and Higher Education Annual report are available for purchase; additional information about the reports can be found here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsWed, 19 Sep 2018 16:04:23 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_7170879.jpg?10000
Europe Takes an Important Step Toward Platform Accountability With Directive on Copyright http://newsroom.publishers.org/europe-takes-an-important-step-toward-platform-accountability-with-directive-on-copyright/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/europe-takes-an-important-step-toward-platform-accountability-with-directive-on-copyright/Yesterday, the EU Parliament voted to approve an amended draft of the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. The 438-226 vote was particularly significant given recent debates over Article 13 of the Directive, which would create new responsibilities for websites that make available to the public large quantities of copyrighted content uploaded by users. By approving Article 13, the EU Parliament sent a strong message that internet platforms should no longer be allowed to exploit copyright owners’ works without permission or compensation.

Article 13 provides that “online content sharing service providers perform an act of communication to the public” and that “[t]hey shall therefore conclude fair and appropriate licensing agreements with rights holders.” The Directive further requires that these licensing agreements “cover the liability for works uploaded by the users of such online content sharing services . . .” Furthermore, in instances where copyright owners do not want their content to appear on a platform, Article 13 provides that “online content sharing service providers and

right holders shall cooperate in good faith in order to ensure that unauthorized protected works or other subject matter are not available on their services.”

“The directive would require internet platforms to work together with copyright owners like never before,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers. “It would stop websites from hosting and profiting from user uploaded copyrighted content without seeking permission or providing compensation to copyright owners. This is a powerful step forward in promoting platform accountability and respecting the value of copyrighted works.”

The draft Directive takes pains to ensure that Article 13 will not unintentionally restrict users’ ability to upload (and platforms’ ability to host) legitimate non-infringing content. It also instructs internet platforms to develop quick mechanisms for users to seek redress for content that is wrongfully taken down, and requires EU member states to provide access to independent bodies to resolve disputes that may arise.

Following Parliament’s vote, the draft Directive will now be subject to further negotiations within the Trilogue among the EU Commission, the EU Parliament, and the EU Council. While the process is far from over, yesterday’s vote was a welcome acknowledgment that internet platforms should be accountable for the copyrighted content they host on their sites.

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AAP Views,Billboard,Press Releases,CopyrightThu, 13 Sep 2018 14:39:09 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_167818643.jpg?10000
Publisher Revenue for Consumer Books Up 3.6% First Half of 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-consumer-books-up-36-first-half-of-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publisher-revenue-for-consumer-books-up-36-first-half-of-2018/Revenue for consumer (trade) books up by $115.5 million compared to the first half of 2017

Washington, DC; September 7, 2018 – Publishers’ revenue for consumer (trade) books increased by $115.5 million (+3.6%) for the first six months of 2018 (Jan. - June) compared to the same period in 2017. The biggest revenue gains in the first half of the year in terms of dollars came from Adult Books, which were up $90.6 million (+4.2%). Five consecutive months of positive revenue for trade publishers helped to mitigate June’s -6.3% decline in revenue for trade books (fiction/non-fiction/religious).

Overall publisher revenue for the first half of the year was down by $80.2 million (-1.4%) compared to the first half of 2017, with the bulk of the decline coming from the PreK-12 Instructional Materials category. These revenues from AAP’s StatShot Monthly Report, which tracks publisher revenue comparatively each month, represent all tracked categories (Trade, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses).

Trade Publishing

Jan. to June: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – June 2018

Jan. – June 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$2,229.5

$2,138.9

+4.2%

Children’s/YA

$858.9

$856.2

+0.3%

Religious Presses

$214.6

$192.4

+11.5%

Total

$3,303.0

$3,187.5

+3.6%

Revenues for hardback books, paperback books, and downloaded audio were up for the first half of 2018 compared to the first half of 2017. Hardback books had the greatest revenue gains, with an additional $63.5 million in revenue (with $50.2 million of hardback book sales coming from Adult Books). Downloaded audio is still growing by double digits, and is up +35.4% compared to the first half of 2017.

Jan. to June: Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – June 2018

Jan. – June 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$1,158.7

$1,095.2

+5.8%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,210.8

$1,197.7

+1.1%

eBooks

$504.0

$529.5

-4.8%

Downloaded Audio

$213.4

$157.6

+35.4%

Physical Audio

$19.8

$25.8

-23.5%

Board Books

$54.0

$56.6

-4.5%

Other

$142.3

$125.0

+13.8%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Revenue for education and scholarly publishers declined in all categories for the first half of 2018 compared to 2017. The greatest declines came from PreK-12 Instructional Materials, which was down by double digits in both May and June.

Some bright spots for the sector were a +3.4% increase in eBook revenue for University Presses and +6.8% increase in revenue for medical books (in the Professional Books category).

Jan. to June: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – June 2018

Jan. – June 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$943.7

$960.9

-1.8%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$1,018.4

$1,178.5

-13.6%

Professional Books

$431.7

$454.7

-5.1%

University Presses

$24.6

$24.8

-1.1%

Total

$2,418.4

$2,618.9

-7.7%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. AAP also measures the revenue of the overall publishing industry with AAP’s StatShot Annual Report, which was released July 20, 2018 and can be purchased here.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsFri, 07 Sep 2018 08:56:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_171381656.jpg?10000
Student Spending on College Textbooks Declines for Third Consecutive Year http://newsroom.publishers.org/student-spending-on-college-textbooks-declines-for-third-consecutive-year/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/student-spending-on-college-textbooks-declines-for-third-consecutive-year/Student Spending on Course Materials has Declined Significantly over Past 10 Years, from about $700 to $500 Annually

Average Amount Spent on Each Course Material Unit Declines from $66 in 2016-2017 Academic Year to $64 in the 2017-2018 Academic Year

Washington, DC; August 27, 2018 – According to two new studies, college students spent an average of $500 on textbooks and course materials during the 2017-2018 academic year. This new data, from the National Association of College Stores (NACS) and independent research firm Student Monitor®, found that student spending on materials declined for the third consecutive year. The average amount students spent on a course material unit was $64 – a 3% decline over the prior academic year according to Student Monitor.

  • The Student Watch survey from NACS reported a $95 decline in student spending on required course materials to $484 in the 2017-2018 academic year, compared to $579 in the 2016-2017 academic year.
  • Student Monitor reported a $36 decline in spending on course materials to $507 in the 2017-2018 academic year, down from $543 in the 2016-2017 academic year.

By contrast, students reported spending an additional $612 on technology and school supplies (like laptops and USB drives) in 2017-2018, $106 (or 21%) more than the previous academic year according to Student Watch. This makes course materials one of the only areas of reduced spending for students.

The findings from Student Watch and Student Monitor are consistent with recently released data from the US Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which tracked spending from two years ago in the 2015-2016 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. The survey found that undergraduate students spent $555 in the 2015-2016 academic year on required course materials, including print-only textbooks, digital textbooks, and other required materials.

Publishers have played an important role in reducing student spending. Today, more colleges participate in publishers’ innovative Inclusive Access programs and more students take advantage of options to rent rather than buy both print and digital textbooks. Publishers continue to produce a variety of content, including digital materials and platforms that incorporate Open Educational Resources (OER). Some additional reasons are:

  • Competitive retail markets reduces costs: Students shop around for the best prices. Student Monitor found in its survey of students in spring 2018 that 39% of students “purchased a print textbook significantly cheaper than list price.” Student Watch found that almost half (49%) of students purchased course materials from more than one vendor, and a quarter rented from multiple sources. They also found that students who used a price comparison tool available at their college campus bookstore spent on average $46 less than those who did not.
  • Inclusive Access saves students up to 80%: Students at more than 500 campuses now participate in an Inclusive Access program, which includes the cost of course materials in tuition. The discounts are significant, with one university citing discounts of 50 – 80% for participating students. The program is popular among students, with 91% of students interested in having less expensive course materials that were included in the cost of tuition, according to Student Watch.
  • Students have more options: Course materials are available in a variety of formats and sources. Students can purchase new or used print textbooks; rent new or used print textbooks; rent or purchase digital materials; and purchase subscriptions. Other options include integrated OER and black and white print copies of materials. Student Watch found that typically 40% – 45% of students rent one or more of their course materials and 55% of students have used some type of digital course content.

About the Reports

Data from the Student Monitor survey was collected from 1,020 full-time, four-year undergraduates enrolled at 100 representative campuses nationally using one-on-one intercepts with a margin of error of +/- 2.4%.

Data from the Student Watch survey was collected by OnCampus Research®, the research arm of the National Association of College Stores. More than 34,000 responses were collected across 63 higher education institutions in 29 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces for the two-wave study. The margin of error is <1.0 at the 95% confidence level.

Media contact: Marisa Bluestone / 202-220-4558 / mbluestone@publishers.org.

About AAP

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

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Press Releases,Billboard,EducationMon, 27 Aug 2018 14:24:19 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_113903117.jpg?10000
AAP Names Matthew Barblan as Vice President, Public Policy http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-names-matthew-barblan-as-vice-president-public-policy/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-names-matthew-barblan-as-vice-president-public-policy/Washington, DC; August 22, 2018 – The Association of American Publishers (AAP) announced today that Matthew Barblan will join AAP as Vice President, Public Policy, beginning August 27, 2018. Barblan is currently Executive Director of the Center for the Protection of Intellectual Property (CPIP) and Assistant Professor of Law at George Mason University.

“Matt is a talented lawyer with a deep understanding of the many complex issues facing the publishing industry,” said Maria Pallante, President and CEO of AAP. “His extensive experience in both policy and litigation will be a great asset to our mission and our members.”

During his five-year tenure at CPIP and George Mason, Barblan has taught courses on copyright and trademark law and overseen a wide range of academic and policy programs addressing copyright’s important role in fostering successful creative industries. “The publishing industry is a bedrock of America’s creative and intellectual culture, and I couldn’t be more excited to join AAP at this time,” said Barblan. “I look forward to serving the industry and promoting sound policies so that publishers continue to thrive and enrich our lives.”

As part of the senior team at AAP, Barblan will be active on a variety of business, law, and technology issues in the United States and abroad, involving a broad spectrum of industry experts, thought leaders and partner communities. He holds a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University where he was Phi Beta Kappa. He began his career as a litigator with the New York office of Latham & Watkins, LLP.

AAP represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions.

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Press Releases,Billboard,EducationWed, 22 Aug 2018 08:01:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_26408735.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Revenue Estimated at More Than $26 Billion in 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-estimated-at-more-than-26-billion-in-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-estimated-at-more-than-26-billion-in-2017/Washington, DC; July 20, 2018 – The Association of American Publishers (AAP) issued its 2018 StatShot Annual Report today which found, among other things, that the U.S. book publishing industry generated an estimated $26.23 billion in net revenue for 2017, representing 2.72 billion units. All figures represent publishers’ net revenue from tracked categories (trade, higher education course materials, preK-12 instructional materials, professional books, and university press), in all formats, from all distribution channels. These are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

Publisher revenue for trade books (fiction, non-fiction and religious presses) were flat (0.3%) increasing by $45 million in 2017 over 2016. Since 2013, publisher revenue for trade books increased by around $820 million.

StatShot Annual is based on a unique methodology that combines annual data submitted by publishers, along with market modeling, to estimate the total size of the U.S. publishing industry. It is a different report than AAP’s monthly statistics reports, which track publisher revenue comparatively on a month-to-month basis. Below is a top-level summary of the data, but the entire report is available for purchase.

Publisher Revenue in Billions 2013 - 2017

Year

Trade

Higher Ed

PreK-12

Professional

University Press

Other

Total

2013

$15.13

$4.81

$3.84

$2.97

$0.30

$0.02

$27.07

2014

$15.43

$4.85

$4.27

$3.09

$0.30

$0.00

$27.96

2015

$15.82

$4.53

$4.11

$3.05

$0.29

$0.00

$27.80

2016

$15.90

$3.96

$3.73

$2.37

$0.28

$0.04

$26.27

2017

$15.95

$3.98

$3.62

$2.35

$0.29

$0.04

$26.23

Some highlights from the report:

  • Non-fiction books for adults is the category with the largest growth for publishers, with a 5.4% increase in publisher revenue from 2016 to 2017. Since 2013, revenue for the category has grown 28.4% to $6.18 billion. Nearly 150 million more adult non-fiction books were sold in 2017 than in 2013.
  • Publisher revenue for adult fiction declined slightly, by -1.2% to $4.38 billion. From 2013 to 2017, this category saw only one year of revenue growth (2015).
  • Both fiction and non-fiction books for children and young adults saw more units sold in 2017 than in 2016, up 1.1% and 4.4% respectively. Over the past five years (2013 – 2017) publisher revenue for children’s and YA fiction has grown by 11.3% to $3.67 billion and non-fiction has declined by -2.3% to $652 million.
  • Downloaded audio remained the fastest growing format, with 28.8% year-over-year growth from 2016 to 2017 and 146.2% growth over the past five years (2013 – 2017).
  • More than 1 billion paperback books were sold (more than any other format in 2017) comprising 36.9% of books sold in all categories.
  • For the first time publisher sales to physical and online retail channels were approximately equal at $7.6 billion and $7.5 billion respectively in 2017. Within online retail channels, 43.2% were print formats, 27% were eBooks, 16.3% were instructional materials, 10.5% were downloaded audio, and 3.1% were physical audio or a different format.
  • Revenue from higher education was flat (0.5%), revenue from pre-K-12 and professional books declined in 2017 by -2.9 and -0.7% respectively.

About StatShot Annual:

AAP member and non-member publishers provided data in response to a 2018 statistical survey that covers revenue and units by categories, channels, and formats. Survey participants in StatShot Annual may not be the same as those who participate in AAP’s monthly surveys. Since the annual survey does not include all known industry publishers, estimates are used for publishers who do not participate directly in data collection. These estimates are based on sales data included in company financial reports, trade and news media reporting, government filings, BooksinPrint, press releases, third party research services, and private sources.

StatShot Annual Distribution:

Participants receive a complimentary copy of the full StatShot Annual Report. Otherwise, the report is available for purchase here. For more information about the report, email Syreeta Swann at sswann@publishers.org.

Media contact: Marisa Bluestone / 202-220-4558 / mbluestone@publishers.org.

About AAP

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsFri, 20 Jul 2018 15:00:00 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
Marrakesh Treaty and Implementing Legislation Pass in Senate http://newsroom.publishers.org/marrakesh-treaty-and-implementing-legislation-pass-in-senate/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/marrakesh-treaty-and-implementing-legislation-pass-in-senate/Late on June 28, 2018, the United States Senate passed the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled and also approved the treaty's implementing legislation (S. 2559). The Marrakesh Treaty helps facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled, which is particularly important in developing countries. The implementing legislation now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives. Thus far, 39 countries have ratified and implemented the treaty.

“Publishers greatly appreciate the actions by Senate leadership to advance ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “We hope the House will now act quickly so that the Treaty and legislation can be sent to the President for his signature.” 

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AAP Views,Billboard,Copyright,literacy,globalmarketsFri, 29 Jun 2018 11:08:28 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_26408735.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Revenue Up 6.2% in First Quarter of 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-62-in-first-quarter-of-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-62-in-first-quarter-of-2018/Revenue for the quarter (January - March) is up in all but one tracked category

Washington, DC; May 25, 2018 – Publishers’ revenue increased by $143.2 million (+6.2%) for the first quarter of 2018 (Jan - March) compared to the same period in 2017. These numbers include sales for all tracked categories (Trade - fiction/non-fiction/religious, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses). The increases are attributed primarily to strong growth in trade (consumer) books in January and February.

Trade books increased by $94.7 million (+6.3%) to $1.59 billion in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, with growth in Adult Books, Children & Young Adult Books and Religious Presses. Publishers also saw increased revenue for Professional Books, University Presses and Higher Ed Course Materials.

Some First Quarter trends include:

  • Publishers saw revenue gains in Adult Books, Professional Books, and University Presses continuing trends from 2017
  • Adult Books saw double-digit growth in January (+13.7%) and February (+12.4%)
  • While eBook revenue decreased for the quarter, March saw 1.5% growth for the format
  • Downloaded audiobooks continue their rapid growth, with publisher revenue up 32.1% for the first quarter

First Quarter 2018: Trade Book Revenue (in millions)

 

Jan. – March 2018

Jan. – March 2017

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$1,087.3

$1,033.1

+5.2%

Children/YA

$389.9

$368.1

+5.9%

Religious Presses

$109.8

$91.1

+20.6%

Total

$1,587.0

$1,492.3

+6.3%

Trade Book Formats

In the first quarter, print books generally continued their growth from 2017. Revenue from print books totaled $1.14 billion, up about $67.7 million (+6.3%), from the first quarter of 2017. The increase is attributed to growth in trade’s two largest formats - hardback books (+12.0%) and paperback books (+3.2%).

Downloaded audio continued its significant growth into the first quarter of 2018, up by +32.1% over the first quarter 2017. In the first quarter of 2018, the format added $24.0 million in revenue growth compared to the same period last year, making it the format with the second highest revenue growth - just behind hardback books (up $57.1 million).

While eBooks declined by -3.2% for the quarter, they had one month of growth. Publisher revenue for eBooks grew 1.5% in March 2018 compared to March 2017, with Adult eBooks being the reason for the increase.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. – March 2018

Jan. – March 2017

Percent Change

Hardback

$532.6

$475.5

+12.0%

Paperback & Mass Market

$575.0

$561.3

+2.4%

eBooks

$270.2

$279.0

-3.2%

Downloaded Audio

$98.8

$74.8

+32.1%

Physical Audio

$8.9

$9.2

-3.6%

Board Books

$28.2

$31.3

-10.1%

Other

$73.3

$61.1

+19.9%

Education, Professional and Scholarly Publishing

Trends from 2017 continued through the first quarter of 2018, with revenue growth in Professional Books (business, medical, law, scientific and technical books), University Presses, and Higher Education Course Materials. Prek-12 Instructional Materials was the only tracked category that saw a decline in the first quarter.

First Quarter 2018: Education and Scholarly Publishing (in millions)

 

Jan. – March 2018

Jan. – March 2017

Percent Change

Higher Ed Course Materials

$511.8

$460.0

+11.2%

PreK-12 Instructional Materials

$215.4

$234.5

-8.2%

Professional Books

$131.9

$119.6

+10.3%

University Presses

$13.1

$12.6

+4.1%

Total

$872.2

$826.7

5.5%

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes revenue from about 1,100 publishers, with participation subject to change over time. AAP also tracks revenue annually with AAP’s StatShot Annual Report, which includes reporting from additional publishers and data about unit sales and channels. For more information about purchasing the StatShot Monthly and StatShot Annual, email info@publishers.org.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.

Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardFri, 25 May 2018 16:14:32 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_125926502.jpg?10000
A Conversation about Book to Film Adaptations with Darin Keesler, VP of Marketing, Picador http://newsroom.publishers.org/a-conversation-about-book-to-film-adaptations-with-darin-keesler-vp-of-marketing-picador/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/a-conversation-about-book-to-film-adaptations-with-darin-keesler-vp-of-marketing-picador/Ahead of participating in AAP’s BookExpo panel on adapting books to films, we spoke with Darin Keesler, Vice President of Marketing for Picador. Kessler has been with Picador/Macmillan for more than 20 years, originally in sales selling movie tie-ins, and he’s led marketing campaigns for many book to film adaptations.

 

What kind of book to film projects have you worked on?

I’ve worked on numerous adaptations at different stages and scopes – some are wide releases that open on thousands of screens, and some have been small roll-outs that ran in only arthouse theatres. Also, recently many book to film projects have not been theatrical releases at all, and are direct to streaming or cable like Showtime’s Patrick Melrose which just debuted earlier this month. Some of the other recent and best known book-to-film tie-ins I’ve worked on are The Revenant and Call Me by Your Name.

 

What was your first book-to-film project and what did you learn from it?

The Hours, which was the first and most difficult in the sense that I was learning about the approval process for the final cover and tie-in art and the time frame for a proper production schedule. For example, it was complicated to get approvals for the book jacket cover because celebrity talent and studio executives are involved and many people need to weigh in. In The Hours, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore were on the book cover and their teams, managers, agents and the film’s producer were all weighing in. This resulted in last minute color corrections, and everything being done at the 11th hour.

In the process I discovered the crucial importance of the key art (movie poster) in promotion for the book and in social media marketing. Sometimes what works for promoting film, and ultimately the book, surprises us. The art for The Revenant was a gorgeous, yet spare, barren landscape without any character leads in it. “Where is Leonardo DiCaprio?” we thought. When we first saw it we thought it wouldn’t work in all sales channels, but it worked beautifully and we were proven wrong.

In turn, I helped to educate the studio about the way books are produced and, specifically, why there are long lead times. It typically takes publishers six to eight weeks to get a finished book into the stores. Since the studios are accustomed to digital distribution and can move quickly, working with a physical supply chain is very different.

 

What are differences between marketing a typical book, and marketing a book that’s about to become a film.

For books becoming films, you’re working closely with the studio and need to be informed what their plans are. There’s a lot of timing that needs to align so we can get the right products to our customers at the right time. Timing for trailers, early reviewer and audience screenings, press junkets, film festivals (Sundance, for example), are all important to help us to do that.

Another difference is the impact of the celebrity tie-ins – whether it be famous actors, critically acclaimed directors or the producers and studios themselves. The public interest in all things celebrity and movie-related will, in turn, encourage people to check out original source material. Social media campaigns can take off well before the film releases if the talent and celebrities are invested in it and if the book tie-in already has an audience familiar with it. (A recent example from one of our sister imprints, for example, is A Wrinkle in Time.) A recent example for me was the adaption of Call Me by Your Name, where there was a lot of Academy nomination buzz for Armie Hammer as early as its debut at Sundance, almost a year before the film reached theaters. He supported it heavily on his social feeds, and also wound up reading the audiobook, both of which got a lot of attention for the book and movie. It seemed like every time Armie talked about the movie, the conversation went wide on social and in the media. There was even a “Dance with Me" social media meme that was altered and shared widely corresponding with National Coming Out Day. It created a sense of fun and anticipation for a film that could have been regarded as an art house love story, set in Europe.

Ultimately, as is the case for marketing any book, sometimes you don’t know what you have on hand. You have to be agile and flexible. And sometimes despite your best efforts not all tie-ins appeal. It’s gratifying and can also be surprising.

 

The Oscar-nominated Call Me by Your Name came out well after the book was published. How did that impact your marketing plan? How did the sales of the book compare before and after the film?

The novel was first issued in 2008, and it sold around 30,000 copies - a critical success. It was embraced by readers and quickly became a book club favorite, especially among gay readers. It was beloved by readers in select demographics and regions and by certain independent stores who hand-sold it for years.

Then we heard about the movie, which was attached to an extraordinarily good director, well-known in the festival circuit for I Am Love, starring Tilda Swinton. And that was promising. And then it debuted at Sundance and critics were ecstatic, writing reviews from Sundance focusing solely on this film. Then it became attached to Sony Classics, which was even more promising, and a studio we had worked with previously, one that is very interested in leveraging books and their readers to support a film’s release. Even with all this going for it, no one really knew if it would a blockbuster movie or an Academy Award winner. It was a limited release, after Thanksgiving in only NYC and LA, with a national roll-out to follow. And moreover, it was a gay love story.

But then everything happened for that book that you want to see happen for a movie tie-in over a period of three or four months. The momentum built and built. The Hollywood machine kicked into gear. By the time of the film’s release there were articles in GQ about the casts’ wardrobe; an article in Town & Country about the house where it was filmed; an article about where to get their haircuts; articles in the music press about the soundtrack; assessments of the director; an essay in Vanity Fair by the author Andre Aciman about his reaction to the adaptation; endless social media love shown for Armie Hammer, and many, many pieces written about Timothee Chalemet, as a young star in the making. It appeared on many Best of the Year lists. Ultimately more than 400,000 books were sold across all formats, it reached the New York Times bestseller list, and it’s still on many bestseller lists.

This, alas, is not always the outcome. After the movie leaves the theatre, sometimes sales can linger but other times they drop off starkly, particularly with thrillers. It depends on the book and the author. Sometimes the movie will draw you back to the book. Sometimes the book will draw to the movie.

 

Does a book benefit from a movie-tie in only when the film is in theaters?

Many books benefit from a lift in awareness when the movie’s trailers debut, when they get accepted to festivals, when new influencers (studios) are attached to the project. For example, The Revenant sold decently in hardcover simply because of the director and star associated with the adaptation: Alejandro Innaratu and Leonardo DiCaprio. There were no early screenings at festivals or the like. Book tie-ins can also benefit when released to cable streaming and DVD/Blu-Ray. And sometimes the DVD distributor will collaborate on ad inserts and special discounts too.

 

How do publishers benefit from book-to-film and book to screen adaptations?

Movies can bring new audiences to any sort of novel, be it a classic, a noted bestseller and award winner, or even an obscure literary or genre novel. Sometimes we don’t know what we have with a book-movie tie-in until it’s adapted, and out there in the marketplace with a whole new audience excited to discover it. Mass market retailers are particularly interested in movie tie-ins accompanied by wide releases, seven-figure marketing plans with major studios. A small film that does well at Sundance or other film festivals can also create a lot of interest in a book. The verdict is still out on whether books will benefit as much from streaming – there are many series currently in development so we’ll see.

Studios benefit from the collaboration as well. Book publishers can provide insights into readers, including where and when books are selling. This intel could help them in their planning and marketing. Many studios are also eager to include the author on press junkets, or detailed press materials, particularly if he/she is supportive of the adaptation and has an established social media platform or audience among booksellers and readers. Publishers and studios can usually find many fun and engaging ways to collaborate regardless of the type of movie, and it usually costs the publisher very little in terms of dollars and cents. And we all stand to benefit.

 

If you're attending BookExpo 2018 and would like to hear more about marketing books that have or will become films from Darin, we welcome you to AAP and MPAA on Friday, June 1 at 12:30 p.m. More information can be found here.

 

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AAP Views,Billboard,TradeWed, 23 May 2018 14:02:59 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_moviebookposter.png?10000
AAP Programs at BookExpo 2018 http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-programs-at-bookexpo-2018/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-programs-at-bookexpo-2018/AAP Sponsors Three New Events for BookExpo 2018: Please Join Us

Wednesday, May 30, 10:15 am (1E12)

AAP presents State of the Industry: Publishing and Copyright Policy on Wednesday, May 30 at 10:15 am in room 1E12 featuring the CEOs of the Copyright Alliance and Authors Guild, as well as AAP’s President & CEO Maria A. Pallante. It will be moderated by Hillel Italie of the Associated Press. This heavyweight team will explore the equities of copyright law as they relate to authors, publishers, and other aspects of the public interest, from the promise of global digital commerce to the evolving legal landscape in the courts and on Capitol Hill. 

Thursday, May 31, 9:45 am (Downtown Stage)

AAP presents the Leadership Roundtable: Publishers on Publishing featuring CEOs Markus Dohle (Penguin Random House), Carolyn Reidy (Simon & Schuster), and John Sargent (Macmillan), and will be the opening keynote for the trade show floor on Thursday, May 31 at 9:45 am at the Downtown Stage. Together, these leaders will reflect on industry trends, market highlights, and the power and responsibilities of publishers as global, corporate citizens. This panel will be moderated by AAP’s CEO Maria A. Pallante.

Friday, June 1, 12:30 pm (1E10)

AAP and the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) present an exciting book-to-film panel, Book to Film: The Cycle of Creativity Friday, June 1, 2018 at 12:30 pm in room 1E10. The panel highlighting our members Disney, Macmillan and HarperCollins, and includes Catherine Hand, producer of A Wrinkle in Time; Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give, John Gibson from MPAA, and Darin Keesler from Picador, speaking from a variety of perspectives and experiences from the book-to-film adaption process. This panel will be moderated by AAP’s VP, Communications, Susanna Hinds.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) and Reed Exhibitions are pleased to bring this series of exciting conversations with some of the industry’s top leaders to BookExpo 2018. These events include panelists from AAP members, copyright-focused organizations that align with AAP’s mission and creative industry professionals making an impact in their fields. Organizations represented include the Authors Guild, Copyright Alliance, Disney, Harper Collins, Macmillan, the Motion Picture Association of America, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster.

Registration for BookExpo is available in advance online or at the door. Single and multi-day day passes are available for professionals working in or with the publishing industry, including authors, bloggers, bookstores, non-profit organizations, staff from publishing houses and more. If you would like additional information about these panels, please email mbluestone@publishers.org.

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AAP Views,Billboard,TradeTue, 15 May 2018 11:07:34 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_bookexpo1.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Revenue Up For Adult Books, University Presses in 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-for-adult-books-university-presses-in-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-for-adult-books-university-presses-in-2017/Audiobooks Remain Fastest Growing Format for Fifth Consecutive Year

Adult Books Account for 1.3% Growth in Trade Books 

Washington, DC; May 9, 2018 – Publishers’ revenue for trade (consumer) books increased by $96 million (+1.3%) to $7.6 billion in 2017. The growth in trade books is attributed to a +3.0% revenue uptick in the Adult Books category, which comprises more than 65% of all revenue for trade books. Revenue for Childrens/YA books and Religious Presses declined in 2017.

Overall publisher revenue for 2017 was flat at $14.7 billion, up $57.5 million (+0.4%) from 2016. These numbers include sales for all tracked categories (Trade - fiction/non-fiction/religious, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses). Several categories that had declined in 2016 rebounded in 2017, including Adult Books, University Presses, and Professional Books.

Some 2017 trends include:

  • In terms of growth percentage, downloaded audio dominates with +29.7% growth compared to 2016. This is the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth for this format, with revenue nearly triple what it was in 2012.
  • eBook sales declined overall for the third year, the -4.7% decline is lower than it has been the past few years, and eBooks for Religious Presses saw a revenue increase.
  • Higher Education publishers’ revenue was flat (+0.2%), ending the previous years’ declines.
  • Adult Books saw increased revenue from 2016, up $148.1 million.

 

2017

2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$5,054.9

$4,906.9

+3.0%

Childrens/YA

$2,055.3

$2,099.0

-2.1%

Religious Presses

$447.8

$456.0

-1.8%

Professional Books

$687.5

$634.1

+8.4%

K-12 Instructional Materials

$2,826.4

$2,930.6

-3.6%

Higher Ed Course Materials

$3,538.1

$3,529.3

+0.2%

University Press

$58.7

$55.8

+5.3%

Other

$34.8

$34.4

+1.0%

Total

$14,703.5

$14,646.0

+0.4%

Trade Book Formats

Print books generally continued on their positive growth trend from 2016. Revenue from print books totaled $5,774.9 million in 2017, up about $60 million (+1.0%), from 2016. In 2017, revenue grew for trade books’ most popular format – hardback books – which was up by $83.9 million; this countered the $4.8 million revenue decline in paperback books (-0.2%).

Downloaded audio, which grew +25.8% in 2016, continued its significant growth in 2017 with publisher revenue increasing +29.7% in 2017. This category has nearly tripled in the past five years. For the first time since AAP began measuring the category, growth passed the $300 million mark for the year, reaching $343 million, and overtaking mass market books in revenue.

The pace of eBooks declining revenue appears to be cooling, with a -4.7% decline – significantly less than the double-digit declines experienced in 2015 and 2016. While Adult Books and Childrens/YA saw declining eBook revenues, publisher revenue for religious presses was up by $3.1 million (+9.2%) in 2017.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

2017

2016

Percent Change

Hardback

$2,864.8

$2,780.9

+3.0%

Paperback & Mass Market

$2,763.2

$2,798.3

-0.2%

eBooks

$1,103.0

$1,157.7

-4.7%

Downloaded Audio

$343.4

$264.8

+29.5%

Board Books

$146.9

$136.1

+8.0%

Other (including physical audio)

$336.6

$323.1

+4.1%

Education, Professional and Scholarly Publishing

After several years of declining revenue, higher education publishers saw $8.8 million in additional revenue from Course Materials (+0.2%), flat from 2016. This is primarily due to a reduction in returns (down -20.6% from 2016.)

PreK-12 Instructional Materials declined by -3.6% in 2017 compared to 2016. Revenue for PreK-6 books declined by -12.1%, while revenue for 6-12 books increased by +10.2%, with growth coming from adoption states.

After two years of declines, both University Presses (+5.3%) and Professional Books (+8.4%) - which include business, medical, law, scientific and technical books - saw revenue growth in 2017.

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from more than 1,200 publishers. Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures. AAP also tracks revenue annually with AAP’s StatShot Annual Report, which includes reporting from additional publishers and data about unit sales and channels. For more information about purchasing the StatShot Monthly and StatShot Annual, email info@publishers.org.

About AAP:

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsWed, 09 May 2018 13:28:29 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
Publishers Welcome 2018 USTR Special 301 Report Addressing Copyright Protection and Enforcement Issues http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-welcome-2018-ustr-special-301-report-addressing-copyright-protection-and-enforcement-issues/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-welcome-2018-ustr-special-301-report-addressing-copyright-protection-and-enforcement-issues/Washington, DC; April 27, 2018 — The Association of American Publishers (AAP) welcomes today’s release of the 2018 Special 301 Report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The Report highlights key markets in which publishers have significant copyright concerns and face market-access barriers. The Report is a critical tool for policymakers to identify barriers that impede the ability of U.S. copyright owners to compete in foreign markets.

The Report notes that the U.S. “remains deeply troubled by the ambiguous education-related exception to copyright that has significantly damaged the market for educational publishers and authors.” This overbroad fair dealing exception for education has led to systematic, uncompensated copying and confusing guidance to courts. Reform is necessary to instill balance into the law and ensure that authors and publishers are appropriately compensated for the use of their works.

“The work of USTR and its interagency partners to highlight the concerns of U.S. rights holders through the Special 301 process is most appreciated. The need for reform in Canada remains a high priority, and the publishing industry is hopeful that the Canadian government will heed its partner government’s call for a robust and expeditious review process,” said Lui Simpson, Vice President for Global Policy at AAP.

The Report addresses both challenges and market opportunities for publishers with the continuing growth of digital formats and mobile marketplaces. 

The 2018 Special 301 Report from USTR is available here.

Find the press release from the IIPA here.

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Press Releases,Billboard,Copyright,Global MarketsFri, 27 Apr 2018 19:22:03 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_216099508.jpg?10000
BookExpo and AAP Announce Leadership Lineup for Panels and Roundtables http://newsroom.publishers.org/bookexpo-and-aap-announce-leadership-lineup-for-panels-and-roundtables/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/bookexpo-and-aap-announce-leadership-lineup-for-panels-and-roundtables/CEOs of Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild, and Copyright Alliance to share their insights

Norwalk, CT & Washington DC – April 19, 2018; Reed Exhibitions and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) are pleased to announce two blockbuster CEO panels during BookExpo 2018, highlighting some of the most influential voices in the industry on the subjects of publishing trends and policy issues. BookExpo 2018 takes place at the Javits Center in New York May 30 - June 1, 2018.

Leadership Roundtable: Publishers on Publishing

This roundtable will feature chief executive officers from top publishing houses, including Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House; Carolyn Reidy, President and CEO of Simon & Schuster; and John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan in a powerhouse presentation that will surely be a highlight of BookExpo. Together, these leaders will reflect on industry trends, market highlights, and the power and responsibilities of publishers as global, corporate citizens. Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of Association of American Publishers, will moderate. This event is open to all BookExpo attendees and exhibitors, and will take place Thursday, May 31, 9:45 am – 10:45 am, Downtown Stage.

State of the Industry: Publishing and Copyright Policy

This panel will be moderated by Associated Press publishing reporter Hillel Italie, and will feature some of the most influential voices in copyright policy: Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers; Mary Rasenberger, Executive Director of the Authors Guild; and Keith Kupferschmid, CEO of the Copyright Alliance. This heavyweight team will explore the equities of copyright law as they relate to authors, publishers, and other aspects of the public interest, from the promise of global digital commerce to the evolving legal landscape in the courts and on Capitol Hill. This event will also be open to all BookExpo attendees and exhibitors, and will take place Wednesday, May 30, 10 am– 10:50 am, 1E12.

“We are thrilled to work with the AAP to welcome these influential voices to BookExpo for enlightening discussions,” said Ed Several, Senior Vice President, BookExpo. “Hearing the leading experts discuss the most important topics in publishing will provide our audience with invaluable takeaways they can use to better their own businesses and further reinforce our effort to reimagine BookExpo into the place where the business of bookselling gets done in North America.”

“This panel is a celebration of the publishing industry at the year’s most important event for our community,” said Marisa Bluestone, Senior Director, Communications, Association of American Publishers. “AAP is thrilled to work closely with BookExpo to bring what’s sure to be an interesting set of conversations with some of the publishing industry’s top leaders.”

For more information or to register, please visit www.bookexpoamerica.com.

ABOUT BOOKEXPO

BookExpo is North America’s largest gathering of book trade professionals attracting an audience from around the globe. The event is designed to lead the global publishing industry to its consumer driven future and celebrate storytelling in all its forms. It’s the place where industry, authors and readers converge to define the direction of the publishing industry for years to come. BookExpo provides a focused professional environment to discover emerging authors and the next blockbuster titles, engage with the world’s most influential publishers and learn from industry leaders and peers. BookExpo is organized with the support of association partners including the Association of American Publishers (AAP), the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and the Association of Authors’ Representatives (AAR).

ABOUT AAP

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

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Press Releases,Billboard,Copyright,TradeThu, 19 Apr 2018 10:00:21 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_img-1103.jpg?10000
Executive Vice President & General Counsel Allan Adler Testifies Before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Support of Marrakesh Treaty http://newsroom.publishers.org/executive-vice-president--general-counsel-allan-adler-testifies-before-us-senate-foreign-relations-committee-in-support-of-marrakesh-treaty/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/executive-vice-president--general-counsel-allan-adler-testifies-before-us-senate-foreign-relations-committee-in-support-of-marrakesh-treaty/Today, Allan Adler, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Association of American Publishers testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to express AAP’s support for U.S. ratification and implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled.

For over a decade, Adler explained, AAP has worked closely with the U.S. Government, officials of the World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) and its Member States, and disabilities and library advocacy groups to support the drafting, adoption and implementation of the Treaty. While reiterating AAP’s opposition to other proposals pending at WIPO for multilateral copyright “limitations and exceptions only” treaties, calling them “unnecessary and inappropriate,” Adler noted the unique nature of the Marrakesh Treaty in addressing a fundamental human rights concern - discrimination against individuals based on their personal disabilities.

The key concepts and provisions in the Treaty echo the elements of the 1996 Chafee Amendment in U.S. copyright law, which allowed certain governmental agencies and non-profit organizations to serve the “blind and physically handicapped readers” who, at that time, were not considered to constitute a “viable commercial market” for publishers.

“But the validity of that premise,” Adler stated, “continues to diminish as ebooks and audiobooks, online digital platforms, and standardized publishing formats like EPUB3 have made commercially published literary works more accessible and easily available via downloads, streaming and online display.”

“AAP views the ratification and implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty as important transitional steps that are currently needed while publishers and their technology partners continue to make progress toward the shared goal of all stakeholders on this issue: a common marketplace where people with print disabilities can – at the same time, in the same manner and at the same price as other consumers – purchase copies of published literary works, and enjoy them without having to demonstrate special qualifications or depend on regulatory privileges for their availability,” Adler said in his testimony.

But, “as marketplace accessibility becomes increasingly common through the availability of ‘born accessible’ products,” he noted, “a critical issue for publishers and authors will be the need for a ‘commercially available’ exclusion in the Chafee Amendment and similar foreign copyright laws to acknowledge the transformed consumer landscape.” At the end of the day, accessibility objectives must be viewed comprehensively and as a partnership between the private and public sectors.

To see the testimony, click here.

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AAP Views,Billboard,Global MarketsWed, 18 Apr 2018 11:11:38 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_26408735.jpg?10000
Application Deadline for AAP-UNCF Paid Publishing Internships Approaching http://newsroom.publishers.org/application-deadline-for-aap-uncf-paid-publishing-internships-approaching/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/application-deadline-for-aap-uncf-paid-publishing-internships-approaching/Applications from juniors and seniors at HBCUs are due April 13, 2018

Now in its third year, the AAP-UNCF Internship Program is currently accepting applications from African-American students at Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) interested in paid summer internships at AAP member publishing companies. Interns will work in departmental areas such as editorial, marketing, art, publicity, audio and digital media, production, sales and software and digital engineering. Publishers participating this year include Elsevier (RELX), Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan Publishing, Penguin Random House, Scholastic Corporation and W.W. Norton.

Juniors or seniors from any of the nations over 100 HBCUs with an interest in pursuing a career in the publishing industry are eligible for an internship. Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0, a record of leadership and community service, and strong writing skills are encouraged to apply online.

“We are delighted to once again partner with UNCF on this highly successful program,” said Syreeta Swan, Vice President, Administration. “Our member companies have hosted 20 high performing student interns in the past two years and we look forward to welcoming a new group of emerging leaders interested in exploring the many career paths available in the vibrant publishing industry.”

“UNCF is delighted to continue our partnership with such a forward-thinking organization like the Association of American Publishers. Providing HBCU students exposure to career options where they have been historically underrepresented and giving them the training they need to achieve valuable internship experience is at the core of why UNCF have developed over 35 strategic partnerships for student interns,” said Taliah Givens, Senior Director, UNCF Student Professional Development Programs. “A unique factor of this particular internship opportunity with AAP is that it allows students to showcase their educational development and talent by welcoming applicants from a wide variety of majors and disciplines. So we have an even greater opportunity with AAP to grow our collective impact in building diversity in publishing careers through the AAP/UNCF Internship Program.”

During the program, students will be matched with mentors from the company where they are placed and supplemental housing support will be available as needed. The deadline to apply for these internships is April 13, 2018. For additional information about the program, click here: https://scholarships.uncf.org/Program/Details/5ff77312-8278-45ce-b726-3a6d876a6b44

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AAP Views,Billboard,DiversityWed, 04 Apr 2018 14:15:28 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_234413074.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Revenue up Slightly Through November 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-slightly-through-november-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenue-up-slightly-through-november-2017/Washington, D.C.; April 4, 2018 – Publishers saw decreased revenue (-5.4%) in November 2017 vs. November 2016, but year-to-date revenue remains up (+1.1%) compared to Jan. - Nov. 2016 in all tracked categories. Tracked categories include: Trade - fiction/non-fiction/religious, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses. The year-to-date growth is primarily attributed to gains in the two largest categories: Adult Books, up $129.7 million (+2.9%) and Higher Education Course Materials, up $114.3 million (+3.8%).

Publisher revenue for trade books was down for November by -4.0%, with declines in Adult, Childrens/YA and Religious Presses. Year-to-date, trade revenue is up by +1.0%, or $66.7 million.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Category for Jan. – Nov. 2017 (in millions)*

 

Jan. - Nov. 2017

Jan. - Nov. 2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$4,621.0

$4,491.3

+2.9%

Children’s/YA

$1,879.7

$1,938.1

-3.0%

Religious Presses

$416.4

$421.0

-1.1%

Total Trade

$6917.0

$6,850.4

+1.0%

Trade Book Formats

In November, downloaded audio (+44.8%) and board books (+1.5%) were the only categories to see increased revenue. However, during the Jan. – Nov. 2017 timeframe, publishers saw increased revenue for hardback books, downloaded audio and board books. Publisher revenue for eBooks continued to decline in all categories except one – religious presses, where eBooks are up +6.4% in November and +9.9% year-to-date.

Eleven Month Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)*

 

Jan. – Nov. 2017

Jan. – Nov. 2016

Percent Change

Hardback

$2,636.3

$2,551.2

+3.3%

Paperback & Mass Market

$2,502.7

$2,563.2

-1.7%

eBooks

$1,012.7

$1,072.1

-5.5%

Downloaded Audio

$309.6

$239.0

+29.5%

Board Books

$133.4

$126.9

+5.1%

Other (incl physical audio)

$304.3

$297.9

+2.1%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

The education sector saw mixed results, with +3.8% revenue growth in Higher Education Course Materials and a -3.1% decline in PreK-12 Instructional Materials from Jan. – Nov. 2017.

Revenue for Professional Books increased by +14.8% for Nov. 2017 compared to Nov. 2016 and are up +10.5% year to date. University Press revenue declined -0.8% in November, but are up +4.8% year-to-date.

About StatShot

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from about 1,200 publishers. Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.

Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,Billboard,StatisticsWed, 04 Apr 2018 10:52:12 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_125926502.jpg?10000
AAP Pleased with Bipartisan Support of Marrakesh Treaty http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-pleased-with-bipartisan-support-of-marrakesh-treaty/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-pleased-with-bipartisan-support-of-marrakesh-treaty/For over a decade, AAP has worked closely with the U.S. government, WIPO officials and Member States, and disabilities and library advocacy groups to support the drafting and adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty, which will facilitate access to published literary works in accessible format copies for persons all over the world who are blind, visually impaired or have other print disabilities.

We are deeply pleased that a solidly bipartisan group in the U.S. Senate, led by Senators Chuck Grassley, Bob Corker, Dianne Feinstein, Bob Menendez, Orrin Hatch, Patrick Leahy and Kamala Harris -- the Chairpersons and Ranking Members of the Senate Judiciary and Foreign Relations Committees -- have prioritized the carefully-negotiated implementing legislation Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. (S.2559) for action in anticipation of Treaty ratification by the Senate.

“Today’s legislation is historic and important to the publishing community. Publishers recognize the uneven availability around the world of accessible books for the blind and visually impaired community and are pleased to have participated fully to realize a legal framework that is good public policy globally. The AAP’s members will continue to innovate in making their commercial products accessible to consumers who are blind, visually-impaired or have other print disabilities so that such individuals, like other consumers who do not have such disabilities, can acquire in the marketplace all manner of published works, covering the full spectrum of human interests, and enjoy them without having to depend upon regulatory measures for their availability,” said Allan Adler General Counsel and Executive Vice President of the Association of American Publishers.

For a joint statement from advocacy groups involved, see below.

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Press Releases,Copyright,Global Markets,BillboardThu, 15 Mar 2018 13:00:17 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_174864916.jpg?10000
AAP Disappointed by Commerce Department Decision on Canadian Uncoated Groundwood Paper http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-disappointed-by-commerce-department-decision-on-canadian-uncoated-groundwood-paper/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-disappointed-by-commerce-department-decision-on-canadian-uncoated-groundwood-paper/AAP is disappointed by yesterday’s Commerce Department affirmative preliminary anti-dumping decision, which will continue the ITC proceedings.

Last September, the independent U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) and the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) initiated “anti-dumping” and “countervailing duties” investigations based on petitions from a single U.S. paper producer -- North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC) -- to determine whether any U.S. injury has been materially injured by imports of Canadian UGW paper that were allegedly sold in the U.S. at less than fair value due to subsidization of the production of such paper by the Canadian Government. In January, months after the ITC issued a preliminary finding of such material injury, the ITA announced its preliminary findings of illegal subsidization by the Canadian Government. Yet, other than NORPAC, the U.S. companies that compete with the Canadian producers and exporters of UGW paper believe that diminishing purchases of their products are due to the continuing transition of media to digital formats since 2000 rather than to any Canadian trade violations.

“We believe that, if the U.S. imposes tariffs that raise the price of Canadian UGW paper imports, U.S. producers of the like domestic paper product can be expected to raise their own prices as well. Other than a single U.S. paper producer, the U.S. newspaper and book publishers, and the U.S. printers who manufacture their paper-based products, all stand united to oppose the imposition of such U.S. tariffs on the Canadian imports,” said Allan Adler, General Counsel and Executive Vice President of the Association of American Publishers.

A final determination by the Commerce Department on the ‘dumping’ issue is expected in August. If it is also affirmative, then the ITC will issue a final determination in September on whether any U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of the Canadian UGW paper import, but only if the Department’s final determination on illegal subsidization by the Canadian Government is affirmative. AAP will continue to work with the STOPP Coalition on behalf of its members, who are customers of UGW paper producers for mass market paperbacks and other products.

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AAP Views,Global Markets,BillboardWed, 14 Mar 2018 10:23:34 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_162342977.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Revenues up 27.6% in October 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenues-up-276-in-october-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenues-up-276-in-october-2017/Washington, D.C.; March 1, 2018 – Publishers saw increased revenues in October, up $251 million (+27.6%) for October 2017 vs October 2016. The strong month brings revenues for Jan. – Oct. 2017 to $12.44 billion, up +1.7% for the year-to-date. Every category saw an increase in revenues for Oct. 2017, which include sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.)

Trade books are up +16.5% for Oct. 2017 vs Oct. 2016 and +1.6% year-to-date. The greatest growth in the trade category was adult books, which saw $123.5 million (+25.8%) revenue growth. Publishers report that the significant increase is due to several factors including the book debuts from well-known authors.

Total Trade Net Revenue by Category for Jan. – Oct. 2017 (in millions)*

 

Jan. - Oct. 2017

Jan. - Oct. 2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$4,111.3

$3,967.5

+3.6%

Children’s/YA

$1,650.2

$1,692.4

-2.5%

Religious Presses

$370.0

$374.2

-1.1%

Total Trade

$6,131.5

$6,034.2

+1.6%

Trade Book Formats

In October, print books and audiobooks saw increased revenues, while eBooks declined in all categories except religious presses. The formats with the most significant growth in October were downloaded audio, up +41.4% and hardback books, up +25.1%.

From Jan. – Oct. for the year-to-date the hardback, board book and downloaded audio formats saw increased revenues.

Nine Month Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)*

 

Jan. – Oct. 2017

Jan. – Oct. 2016

Percent Change

Hardback

$2,285.6

$2,173.3

+5.2%

Paperback & Mass Market

$2,261.2

$2,289.6

-1.2%

eBooks

$925.1

$978.9

-5.5%

Downloaded Audio

$275.6

$215.5

+27.9%

Other (physical audio, board book)

$384.1

$376.9

+1.9%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

The education sector saw mixed results, with +5.4% growth in Higher Education Course Materials and a -3.4% decline in PreK-12 Instructional Materials from Jan – Oct. 2017.

Revenues for Professional Books increased by +41.1% for Oct. 2017 vs Oct 2016 and are up 10.2% year to date. University Presses increased +21.8% in October and 5.1% year-to-date.

About StatShot

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from about 1,200 publishers. Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.

Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardWed, 28 Feb 2018 17:08:30 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_125926502.jpg?10000
AAP CEO Maria A. Pallante Addresses the Future of IP in Publishing During 2018 IPA Congress http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-ceo-maria-a-pallante-addresses-the-future-of-ip-in-publishing-during-2018-ipa-congress/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-ceo-maria-a-pallante-addresses-the-future-of-ip-in-publishing-during-2018-ipa-congress/On February 11, 2018, AAP President & CEO Maria A. Pallante joined WIPO Director General Francis Gurry in New Delhi, India to address the International Publishers Congress about the future of Intellectual Property in Publishing. In one of the highlights of the Congress, the two engaged in an expert discussion about the international framework for copyright law, national developments, and possible trends. Gurry spoke of the history of WIPO with respect to the Berne Convention, WIPO Internet Treaties, and Marrakesh treaty, as well as the possibility of member states working together in less formal ways in a number of areas. He noted there are few IP issues today that do not have an international component.

In her remarks, Pallante spoke about the role that publishers play - and have always played - in advancing progress, saying, “Publishers are the original copyright innovators, both for themselves and the rights of authors.” She noted that, as in The Tempest, everything that has come before has set the stage for what will happen next.

Pallante observed that while copyright laws provide the incentives and protections that publishers need to advance their businesses with confidence, there are many downstream benefits for society, from new research to artistic inspiration to political engagement. Pallante said, “one of the beautiful things about copyright law is that we don’t always know where the creativity will lead us.” She predicted that global copyright challenges would require greater coordination among stakeholders and governments alike.

Referring to the TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story,” by award-winning author Chimimanda Ngozi Adichie, Pallante warned about the danger of a single story when it comes to defining the public interest. Those who seek to circumvent or appropriate copyrighted works to their own benefit often do so by invoking the public interest as justification or by claiming that the rights of copyright owners are obstacles to progress, she explained. As copyright debates continue throughout the world, she encouraged the audience to reject this story and remember that copyright incentives are part of, and central to, the public interest.

She told publishers to embrace transformation “because it is your history,” noting that publishers have two opportunities to shape the future of IP – by engaging directly with policymakers, courts, and intergovernmental organizations, and by continuing to develop new voices, readers, business models, and markets.

“The law is not simply something that happens to publishers, which is the way it may feel at times, but rather a living framework that both shapes and is shaped by everyone who comes in contact with it, including publishers,” Pallante said.

To see Maria A. Pallante's prepared remarks, click here.

(Photo by evan p. cordes / CC BY 2.0)

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Billboard,Copyright,Press ReleasesFri, 16 Feb 2018 15:32:03 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_seaoftypecc.jpg?10000
Top Scholarly Publishing Award Goes to Bloomsbury for Arcadian Library Online http://newsroom.publishers.org/top-scholarly-publishing-award-goes-to-bloomsbury-for-arcadian-library-online/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/top-scholarly-publishing-award-goes-to-bloomsbury-for-arcadian-library-online/2018 PROSE Award for Excellence winners include eProducts, journals and books reflecting the diversity of professional and scholarly publishing

Washington, DC; Feb. 8, 2018 The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has announced the winners of the 2018 PROSE Awards (#PROSEAwards), the publishing industry’s highest honors for professional and scholarly works. Bloomsbury Publishing beat out 550 other entries to win the industry’s top honor - the R.R. Hawkins Award – for the Arcadian Library Online, a specially designed and expertly curated digital platform.

Bloomsbury Publishing partnered with the Arcadian Library to digitize its rich collection of rare ancient manuscripts and early books that document the shared cultural heritage of Europe and the Middle East. Having launched with the Arcadian Library’s History of Science and Medicine holdings, the Arcadian Library Online is interactive, mobile-responsive, and searchable in English and Arabic. The library perpetually preserves in digital format for future generations rare and historically important texts about agriculture, alchemy, astrology, health, disease, physiology, mathematics and physics, exploration and more.

Nigel Newton, Chief Executive, Bloomsbury Publishing, said, "I am pleased for both our Content Services division, who digitised the Arcadian Library’s collection and launched this award-winning digital archive platform, and our new Digital Resources division, who have taken Arcadian Library Online to academic and scholarly libraries and institutions worldwide and are bringing its riches to new generations at a time when the need for inter-cultural understanding has never been more acute."

“I’m particularly impressed with Bloomsbury’s thoughtful approach to the digital representation of the collection. They were able to balance the need for digital function and convenience while at the same time preserving some sense of the physical interaction with the artifacts. It is a challenge that scholarly publishers will increasingly face in the digital era—ensuring that the medium amplifies rather distorts the message,” said Steven Heffner, Vice President of Product Strategy, Wolters Kluwer Health and Co-Chair of the 2018 PROSE Awards.

“The platform is superbly designed to fulfill the deeply worthy and opportune mission of the library and, as a result, the Arcadian Library Online is a thoroughly worthy winner of the 2018 R.R. Hawkins Award,” said Nigel Fletcher-Jones, Director of The American University in Cairo Press and Co-Chair of the 2018 PROSE Awards.

The 2018 PROSE Awards honor the best scholarly works published in 2017. Publishers submitted more than 550 books, journals and eProducts for consideration in 51 subject categories within five areas of excellence: Biological and Life Sciences, Humanities, Physical Sciences & Mathematics, Reference Works, and Social Sciences. Winners in each of the 51 subject categories then compete for an award for excellence.

The 2018 PROSE Awards Winners:

Biological & Life Sciences

Excellence in Biological & Life Sciences Winner:
MIT Press: Language in Our Brain: The Origins of a Uniquely Human Capacity
By Angela D. Friederici

Category winners include:

  • Applied Social Work, Nursing & Allied Health: Elsevier/Academic Press for Innovative Approaches to Individual and Community Resilience: From Theory to Practice
  • Biological Science: Princeton University Press for Darwin’s Unfinished Symphony: How Culture Made the Human Mind
  • Biomedicine & Neuroscience: The MIT Press for Language in Our Brain: The Origins of a Uniquely Human Capacity
  • Clinical Medicine: Elsevier/Academic Press for Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine: Gender in the Genomic Era, Third Edition

Humanities

Excellence in Humanities Winner:
Oxford University Press:
Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray
By Rosalind Rosenberg

Category winners include:

  • Art Exhibitions: Getty Publications for Golden Kingdoms: Luxury Arts in the Ancient Americas
  • Art History & Criticism: Cambridge University Press for The Architecture of the Christian Holy Land: Reception from Late Antiquity through the Renaissance
  • Biography & Autobiography: Oxford University Press for Jane Crow: The Life of Pauli Murray
  • Biological Anthropology, Ancient History & Archaeology: University of Texas Press for Inka History in Knots: Reading Khipus as Primary Sources
  • Classics: University of Texas Press for Classics from Papyrus to the Internet: An Introduction to Transmission and Reception
  • European & World History: Princeton University Press for The House of Government: A Saga of the Russian Revolution
  • Language & Linguistics: Harvard University Press for Numbers and the Making of Us: Counting and the Course of Human Cultures
  • Literature: Princeton University Press for at Home in the World: Women Writers and Public Life, from Austen to the Present
  • Music & the Performing Arts: Princeton University Press for The Politics of Opera: A History from Monteverdi to Mozart
  • Media and Cultural Studies: University of Michigan Press for The Fanfiction Reader: Folk Tales for the Digital Age
  • Philosophy: The MIT Press for Understanding Ignorance: The Surprising Impact of What We Don’t Know
  • Theology & Religious Studies: Yale University Press for Paul: The Pagans’ Apostle
  • U.S. History: New York University Press for True Sex
  • Outstanding Work by a Trade Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf for The Crisis of the Middle-Class Constitution: Why Economic Inequality Threatens our Republic

Physical Sciences & Mathematics

Excellence in Physical Sciences & Mathematics Winner
Cell Press:
CHEM (journal)
Robert D. Eagling, Editor-in-Chief

Category winners include:

  • Chemistry & Physics: Cell Press for CHEM
  • Computing & Information Sciences: Cambridge University Press for The Measure of All Minds: Evaluating Natural and Artificial Intelligence
  • Cosmology & Astronomy: Cambridge University Press for Bayesian Models for Astrophysical Data Using R, JAGS, Python, and Stan
  • Earth Science: Cambridge University Press for Earth History and Paleogeography
  • Engineering & Technology: McGraw-Hill Education for Handbook of Applied Hydrology, Second Edition
  • Environmental Science: Yale University Press for A Meeting of Land and Sea: Nature and the Future of Martha’s Vineyard
  • History of Science, Technology & Medicine: The MIT Press for Programmed Inequality: How Britain Discarded Women Technologists and Lost Its Edge in Computing
  • Mathematics: American Mathematical Society for Harmonic Maass Forms and Mock Modular Forms: Theory and Applications

Reference Works, Textbooks and Journals

Excellence in Reference Works Winner
Bloomsbury Publishing:
Arcadian Library Online
By The Arcadian Library/Bloomsbury Publishing

Category winners include:

  • Popular Science & Popular Mathematics: Princeton University Press Mariposas Nocturnas for Moths of Central and South America, A Study in Beauty and Diversity
  • Multivolume Reference/Humanities & Social Sciences: Cambridge University Press for The Cambridge History of Communism
  • Single Volume Reference/Humanities & Social Sciences: Cambridge University Press for The Cambridge Intellectual History of Byzantium
  • Single Volume Reference/Science: Oxford University Press forThe Oxford Compendium of Visual Illusions
  • Multivolume Reference/Science: John Wiley & Sons for Encyclopedia of Physical Organic Chemistry
  • Textbook/Biological and Life Sciences: Taylor & Francis for Protein Actions
  • Textbook/Clinical Medicine: Thieme Publishers for Color Atlas of Brainstem Surgery
  • Textbook/Humanities: Bloomsbury Publishing for A Practical Guide to Studying History: Skills and Approaches
  • Textbook/Physical Sciences and Mathematics: Princeton University Press for Modern Classical Physics: Optics, Fluids, Plasmas, Elasticity, Relativity, and Statistical Physics
  • Textbook/Social Sciences: Elsevier/Academic Press for Forensic Science Reform: Protecting the Innocent
  • eProducts: Bloomsbury Publishing for Arcadian Library Online
  • Best New Journal in Biological and Life Sciences: SAGE Publishing for JDR Clinical & Transitional Research
  • Best New Journal in Physical Sciences and Mathematics: Cell Press for CHEM
  • Best New Journal in Social Sciences: SAGE Publishing for Communication & Sport
  • Innovation in Journal Publishing: Humanities and Social Sciences: RIT Press for HAYDN: Online Journal of the Haydn Society of North America
  • Innovation in Journal Publishing: Science, Technology and Medicine: American Society of Clinical Oncology for Journal of Global Oncology
  • Innovation in Journal Publishing: Multidisciplinary: Oxford University Press for GigaScience

Social Sciences

Excellence in Social Sciences Winner
Princeton University Press:
Adaptive Markets: Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought
By Andrew W. Lo

Category winners include:

  • Architecture & Urban Planning: Princeton University Press for Designing San Francisco: Art, Land, and Urban Renewal in the City by the Bay
  • Business, Finance & Management: Princeton University Press for Adaptive Markets: Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought
  • Cultural Anthropology & Sociology: University of Toronto Press for Lissa: A Story about Medical Promise, Friendship, and Revolution
  • Economics: The MIT Press for The Vanishing Middle Class: Prejudice and Power in a Dual Economy
  • Education Practice: The MIT Press for Lifelong Kindergarten: Cultivating Creativity through Projects, Passion, Peers and Play
  • Education Theory: Emerald Publishing for The Century of Science: The Global Triumph of the Research University
  • Government & Politics: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press for Awakening: How Gays and Lesbians Brought Marriage Equality to America
  • Law & Legal Studies: New York University Press for The Rise of Big Data Policing
  • Psychology: Princeton University Press for The Seven Deadly Sins of Psychology: A Manifesto for Reforming the Culture of Scientific Practice

Publishers with honorable mentions this year include

American Mathematical Society, The American University in Cairo Press, The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, Bloomsbury Publishing, Cambridge University Press, Columbia University Press, Elsevier, Johns Hopkins University Press, Little Brown & Company, The MIT Press, Oxford University Press, Princeton University Press, Routledge/Taylor & Francis, Springer Publishing Company, Stanford University Press, Teachers College Press, Thieme Publishers, and Wolters Kluwer.

About the R.R. Hawkins and PROSE Awards

The R.R. Hawkins Award was created in 1976 to recognize the most outstanding scholarly work in all disciplines of the arts and sciences and the ultimate winner of a given year’s PROSE Award competition. For 42 years, the PROSE Awards have recognized the best books, journals and digital content produced by professional and scholarly publishers. The awards are reviewed by a panel of 18 judges including editors, academics, publishers and research librarians for each works contribution to professional and scholarly publishing.

About the Association of American Publishers (AAP)

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.

Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly PublishingThu, 08 Feb 2018 13:11:25 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_w37alo-emailbannerlogo-preview.jpeg?61621
Book Publisher Revenues Flat for First Three Quarters of 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenues-flat-for-first-three-quarters-of-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-revenues-flat-for-first-three-quarters-of-2017/Washington, D.C.; Feb 7, 2018 – For the first three quarters of the year publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) were flat (-0.5%) compared to the same period in 2016. Trade books saw slightly declining revenues (-0.9%) for the year-to-date.

The book publishing industry’s largest category (31.1% of the market) Adult Books – was flat (+0.4%) for the year-to-date. Conversely, both Children’s and Young Adult Books (-3.5%) and Religious Presses (-3.3%) saw declines.

The categories with the most growth were those with small shares of the overall book publishing market -Professional Books (+6.2%) and University Presses (+4.6%).

Total Trade Net Revenue by Category for First Three Quarters of 2017 (in millions)*

 

Jan. - Sept. 2017

Jan. - Sept. 2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$3,507.0

$3,491.8

+0.4%

Children’s/YA

$1,362.6

$1,412.5

-3.5%

Religious Presses

$313.3

$323.9

-3.3%

Total Trade

$5,183.0

$5,228.2

-0.9%

Trade Book Formats

Downloaded audio has been growing by double digits over the past three years, and the first three quarters of 2017 reflect continued growth, with publisher revenue up +26.2%. Notably, with revenues of $244.8 million for Jan. – Sept. 2017, downloaded audio is two months ahead in revenue that in was in 2016 (revenue for Jan. – Nov. 2016 was $244.1 million.)

Publisher revenues for eBooks generally decline, with publisher revenues down -5.5% for the first three quarters of 2017 vs 2016. One exception is Religious Presses, which has seen +9.5% growth in eBooks for the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016, with revenues climbing from $25.9 million to $28.4 million.

Nine Month Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)

 

Jan. - Sept. 2017

Jan. – Sept. 2016

Percent Change

eBooks

$835.9

$884.8

-5.5%

Hardback

$1,799.7

$1,786.7

+0.7%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,983.8

$2,045.6

-3.0%

Downloaded Audio

$244.8

$194.0

+26.2%

Other (physical audio, board book)

$563.6

$511.1

+10.3%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

The education sector saw mixed results, with +2.0% growth in Higher Education Course Materials and a 3.8% decline in PreK-12 Instructional Materials year-to-date.

Revenues for Professional Books increased by +6.2% and University Presses increased +4.6% in from Jan. – Sept. 2017 compared to the same time in 2016. Two items of note - revenue growth in medical books was up +14.8% year-to-date and University eBooks had a strong September contributing to a +3.0% year-to-date revenue growth.

About StatShot

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from about 1,200 publishers. Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

AAP | The Association of American Publishers represents the leading book, journal, and education publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy, advocating for outcomes that incentivize the publication of creative expression, professional content, and learning solutions. As essential participants in local markets and the global economy, our members invest in and inspire the exchange of ideas, transforming the world we live in one word at a time.

Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardWed, 07 Feb 2018 14:39:11 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
AAP Urges American Law Institute to Reconsider Copyright Restatement Project http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-urges-american-law-institute-to-reconsider-copyright-restatement-project/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-urges-american-law-institute-to-reconsider-copyright-restatement-project/Since its inception nearly three years ago, the American Law Institute (ALI) Copyright Restatement Project has been criticized by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) as a barely-concealed effort by acknowledged copyright critics to circumvent Congress and reshape copyright law to their satisfaction. Recent articles in Above the Law, Billboard, and The Trichordist echo AAP’s concerns and urge ALI leadership to reconsider the project, which is unnecessary and misguided.

AAP submitted formal comments to ALI in response to the most recent draft of the organization’s ongoing project, but we are not the only critics. There have been intervening comments from many of the project’s Advisers and other copyright experts throughout the restatement process, including the New York City Bar, U.S. Copyright Office, and Prof. Jane C. Ginsburg of Columbia University Law School.

Notably, Acting Register of Copyrights Karyn Claggett recently sent a letter to ALI President David F. Levi, expressing her concern about the project stating that it will “create a pseudo-version of the Copyright Act that does not mirror the law precisely as Congress enacted it and one that will quickly become outdated …”

From AAP’s letter: “Although AAP and its members generally favor efforts that advance the clear and accurate understanding of copyright law, we believe this particular attempt to “restate” copyright law is unlikely to meet the rigorous standard of the American Law Institute (ALI) that ‘Restatements ... aim at clear formulations of common law and its statutory elements, and reflect the law as it presently stands or might appropriately be stated by a court.’ … Unfortunately, three years of drafting have only heightened our concern that the goal of the Reporters in this project appears to be to reshape copyright law, rather than to restate it.”

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AAP Views,Copyright,BillboardFri, 02 Feb 2018 15:57:26 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_167818643.jpg?10000
WaPo's Health, Science & Environment Editor Laura Helmuth Discusses "Fake News" with AAP http://newsroom.publishers.org/wapos-health-science--environment-editor-laura-helmuth-discusses-fake-news-with-aap/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/wapos-health-science--environment-editor-laura-helmuth-discusses-fake-news-with-aap/The problem of “fake news” - false information being passed off as genuine and factual news being labeled as false is making it increasingly difficult to separate fact and fiction for many audiences. While misinformation is not a new phenomenon, the ability to share information with a tweet, snap, share, or post has changed its ability to make an impact.

Whether it is denial of climatology and climate change, predatory OA journals muddying the waters, or the replicability of published studies, professional and scholarly publishers face a variety of challenges both externally and internally. We asked Laura Helmuth, Health, Science & Environment Editor for The Washington Post and our Keynote Speaker at the Professional and Scholarly Publishing Pre-Conference "Fake News — Fake Scholarship" several questions about the "fake news" phenomenon

 

In your role as Health, Science & Environment Editor do you ever get accused of publishing “fake news” on topics where there are vocal critics, such as climate change? How do you deal with the criticism?

There are two topics that regularly bring out charges of “fake news,” even though the newspaper articles in question are factually correct and well reported and they clearly cite and describe the relevant research. Those subjects are, as you can probably guess, climate change and vaccines. People use the comments section, social media, our corrections department, letters to the editor, our customer service lines and pretty much any method they can think of to claim that climate change is a conspiracy and we’re part of it. The anti-vaxxers are even worse. They do those things plus email and call us regularly to scream about how we’re lying about vaccines and trying to harm children. They are relentless. We regularly block people’s numbers and emails and alert security to the names of the people who seem potentially dangerous.

This problem has always been bad, and I don’t have hard numbers but my impression is that it’s gotten worse in the past year or so.

When we face legitimate criticism – when we make an error or miss an important angle to a story – we issue corrections immediately, thank people for pointing out the problem, and/or report follow-up stories to cover what we may have missed.

The one potential bright spot is that when I started in this business, 20 years ago, there was a third subject that brought out the trolls: evolution. There are still plenty of creationists who think that reporters who cover evolution are doing the devil’s work, but it’s my impression they aren’t as vehement as they were, at least with mainstream news organizations or magazines. This could just be a bubble factor – they’re only talking among themselves and ignoring the news – or it could be that fewer people are committed to creationism, as some polling shows.

What is the role news media in helping readers understand the difference between fact and opinion?

This is something we’re always trying to explain and reinforce with the public. The Washington Post labels every story “analysis” or “opinion” or “perspective” in the online headline if it falls into one of those categories, and if you hover over those words, a definition pops up to explain what “analysis” means in this context. News and analysis pieces are also segregated and labeled clearly in print.

It’s understandable that most people don’t quite get the difference. The news and opinion sections of most publications are separate, but the line is increasingly blurred. A lot of outlets run both types of stories without making a distinction, and stories appear on social media with little context to show where they’re from or whether they’re news or opinion. It’s a real problem that can erode trust in the media or just get people so mad at one bad opinion piece (and we all run a bad one now and then) that they reject the rest of the publication. We’re constantly looking for new and better ways to help people understand the difference, and I’d be happy to entertain ideas about it.

Social media has changed the speed which reporting takes place, and incorrect information can get quickly amplified. What advice would you give readers to help differentiate what information they should trust?

The risk of false information being amplified is greatest when news is breaking. Even legitimate journalists and publications repeat inaccuracies that they think are correct at the time. It’s still worth paying attention to what these established sources are saying. We have rules about not spreading information we can’t confirm, and if a reporter does pass along inaccurate information, they follow up as soon as they realize the mistake with a correction and as much of an explanation of the error as possible. If a hot rumor is spreading around Twitter and journalists aren’t sharing the information, it’s a good bet the rumor is false or not yet confirmed.

It’s an ongoing challenge to know which social media accounts to trust, but the major news organizations have the most professional social media editors and the most rigorous rules about fact-checking and corrections.

Does “press release reporting” on scientific and academic topics, where information is repackaged from a press release and not given proper journalistic diligence, contribute to the fake news phenomenon?

I think they are both problems, but different problems. Press release journalism erodes trust in journalism by people who have a fairly sophisticated understanding of scholarship and science. They recognize that work gets hyped in press releases and sometimes in news articles and headlines or social media, and that universities or other institutions have a lot of incentive to make their work look good. (It helps them lure donors, compete for the best students, or maybe even win patent fights.)

The broader “fake news” phenomenon, though, seems to be more a problem of motivated reasoning, in which people believe things that reinforce their world view and call anything else fake.

That said, some of the people who say you can’t trust the media or scientists cite reports that coffee (or chocolate or eggs) is bad for you then good for you then bad for you. The problem here is that what scientists and scholars and good reporters value – the ability to modify our understanding of something with additional information – is taken as a sign of weakness and dishonesty by people who don’t understand the process. We science journalists try to acknowledge when a new study contradicts an older one we covered, and explain why experts disagree or are changing their minds.

Register here to see Laura Helmuth, Health, Science & Environment Editor for The Washington Post and other speakers at the Professional and Scholarly Publishing PreConference "Fake News — Fake Scholarship"

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AAP Views,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly PublishingMon, 29 Jan 2018 09:53:35 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_113059574.jpg?10000
USTR Adopts AAP Recommendations for 2017 Notorious Market Report http://newsroom.publishers.org/ustr-adopts-aap-recommendations-for-2017-notorious-market-report/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/ustr-adopts-aap-recommendations-for-2017-notorious-market-report/Washington, DC; January 12, 2018 - The Association of American Publishers (AAP) commends the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for its 2017 Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Report of “Notorious Markets” released today. The report highlights online and physical piracy markets and encourages the responsible authorities in the countries associated with those markets to intensify efforts to combat illegal activity. It draws attention to all six piracy sites documented by AAP through the deliberative process: Libgen, Sci-hub, Bookfi, Rapidgator, DHGate, and Uploaded.net.

“Publishers greatly appreciate the diligent work of Ambassador Lighthizer and his team to support U.S. copyright owners by publicly identifying and pressuring bad actors through the Notorious Markets process,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of AAP. “Given the overwhelming scale and borderless nature of piracy on the Internet, cooperation between and among governments is an essential legal strategy.”

The book and journal publishing industry contributes significantly to the U.S. economy, resulting in about $26 billion in revenue every year. The sale and sharing of unauthorized and pirated books and journals can cause significant financial losses for publishers, individual right holders and other creators who rely on copyright protections.

The publication of the Notorious Markets report helps the U.S. and foreign governments alike to prioritize intellectual property rights enforcement. Among other things, the 2017 report calls on the six markets documented by AAP and other infringing platforms to improve takedown procedures, institute proactive measures, and commence cooperation with right holders.

The 2017 USTR Notorious Markets Report can be found here.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,globalmarkets,Copyright,BillboardFri, 12 Jan 2018 11:53:52 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_174864916.jpg?10000
AAP Opposes Censorship of the Book Fire and Fury: Inside the White House http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-opposes-censorship-of-the-book-fire-and-fury-inside-the-white-house/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-opposes-censorship-of-the-book-fire-and-fury-inside-the-white-house/On January 3, 2018, attorney Charles Harder, who represents both the President and the Trump campaign, asserted that a new book about these subjects gives rise to "numerous legal claims including defamation by libel and slander, and breach of his written confidentiality and non-disparagement agreement with our clients." The book, Fire and Fury: Inside the White House, is authored by Michael Wolff and slated for publication by Henry Holt (Macmillan), a member company of the Association of American Publishers (AAP).

Following is the statement of AAP President and CEO Maria A. Pallante:

“The history of book publishing in the United States is the history of free speech, public debate, and democracy itself. By promoting a vigorous exchange of ideas, books benefit both the public and elected officials.

While it is understood that some books will be unpopular, upsetting, or even threatening to some audiences, the Supreme Court has long recognized that prior restraints strike at the very heart of our democratic ideals and are presumptively unconstitutional.

In most cases, the circumstances are such that the author has a right to write, the publisher a right to publish, and the public a right to read. The relative value of a book to the public is a legitimate part of the debate, but may only reveal itself over time.”

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Press Releases,Billboard,freedomofexpressionFri, 05 Jan 2018 11:57:53 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_139216892.jpg?10000
Trade Book Publisher Sales Increased Slightly in August 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/trade-book-publisher-sales-increased-slightly-in-august-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/trade-book-publisher-sales-increased-slightly-in-august-2017/Washington, DC; Dec. 20, 2017 – In August 2017, Trade publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) increased +1.0% compared to August 2016. For the year-to-date (Jan. – Aug. 2017) revenues were flat at 0.0%. AAP’s StatShot reports Trade Books in the categories of fiction books, non-fiction books and religious presses.

The slight revenue increase in August 2017, compared to August 2016, came from growth in Childrens and Young Adult books (up +2.9%) and Religious Presses (up +7.8%).

There was a slight decline in revenue in August and a -0.6% year-to-date decline for all tracked categories, which includes: Trade Books, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses.

Seven Month Total Trade Net Revenue by Category (in millions)*

 

Jan. - Aug. 2017

Jan. - Aug. 2016

Percent Change

Adult Fiction/Non-Fiction

$3,025.4

$2,995.7

+1.0%

Children’s/YA

$1,146.5

$1176.4

-2.5%

Religious Presses

$268.3

$270.0

-0.6%

Total Trade

$4,440.2

$4,442.0

-0.0%

Trade Book Formats

Downloaded audio had another strong month with revenues up +27.6% in August 2017 compared to August 2016, and was up +30.2% year-to-date.

Revenues for print book formats were mostly up in August, with revenues flat for paperback books (-0.2%) and growth in all other print book categories. For the year-to-date revenues for print has been mixed, with mass market book declining by -11.4% to $207 million and hardback books increasing by 1.9% to $1.474 billion.

While eBooks continued to decline overall compared to August 2016 (-7.1%), and are down year-to-date (-5.3%), Religious Presses saw an increase in eBook revenue in August (+10%) and also year-to-date (11.9%.)

Seven Month Total Trade Net Revenue by Format (in millions)*

 

Jan. - Aug. 2017

Jan. – Aug. 2016

Percent Change

eBooks

$748.5

$790.1

-5.3%

Hardback

$1,474.0

$1,446.9

+1.9%

Paperback & Mass Market

$1,744.9

$1,785.6

-2.3%

Downloaded Audio

$214.2

$164.5

+30.2%

Other (physical audio, board book)

$263.6

$259.6

+1.5%

Education and Scholarly Publishing

Higher Education and PreK-12 publishers saw revenues decline during August 2017 compared to August 2016. Year-to-date Higher Education was flat, -0.1% and PreK-12 declined -3.2%.

Revenues for Professional Books increased by 3.5% and University Presses increased 4.2% in from Jan. – Aug. 2017 compared to the same time in 2016.

About StatShot

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from about 1,200 publishers. Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents more than 300 book and journal publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

Media Contact

Marisa Bluestone / mbluestone@publishers.org / {202} 220-4558

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Press Releases,Statistics,BillboardWed, 20 Dec 2017 09:25:00 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
From Pages to Pictures: Books, Movies, and Some Great Stories From 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/from-pages-to-pictures-books-movies-and-some-great-stories-from-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/from-pages-to-pictures-books-movies-and-some-great-stories-from-2017/A shapeshifting monster, a clever French detective, and heroic American veterans were just some of the characters first imagined in great books that sprang to life on the silver screen in 2017. These movie adaptations are collaborations of mind and spirit, where the author, publisher, motion picture studio, and movie magic creators each have a starring role. The end result is inspired audiences and enriched lives.

This creativity on page and screen is also linked by copyright protections. In the United States, the combined creative industries support 5.5 million American jobs and contribute 1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy thanks to a strong legal framework that incentivizes and protects creative works.

Here’s a look at ten stories in 2017 that jumped from page to picture:

1.Captain Underpants made his motion picture debut in The Adventures of Captain Underpants, from the book of the same name by Dav Pilkey. Published by Scholastic in 1997, it is the first in a 12-book series that has sold more than 70 million worldwide. DreamWorks first expressed interest in the animated feature when the book was first published by Scholastic in 1997 and finally won the rights in 2011. The film follows the pranks of two fourth-grade friends and next-door neighbors.

2.The Circle follows the story of Dave Egger’s dystopian novel by the same name. Eggers was directly involved in creating the screenplay for the film together with Director James Ponsoldt. The book was published in 2013 by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group (Penguin Random House).

3.The Dark Tower, by Stephen King, features an epic battle between characters Roland and the Man in Black. Many scenes were shot in iconic New York, a home to many of our favorite stories, publishing houses, and movie sets. In fact, last year more than 128 movies and 154 television series were filmed in New York. King’s book was published by Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

4.Stephen King’s classic It, another best-selling Scribner title, made its return to theaters this year, bringing suspense and fear to audiences everywhere. This Warner Bros.’ film also brought an economic boost to Ontario’s local economy. In just 60 days of filming, It hired 1,255 cast and crew in Ontario, and spent over $28.9 million dollars on payroll and vendor expenditures. The production supported a wide range of local businesses, hotels, catering operations, restaurants, lumber and construction suppliers, as well as spending $14.1 million on local payroll. The film’s success is likely, in part, due to King’s popular novel.

5.The Glass Castle, the bestselling memoir by Jeannette Walls, has more than 5.5 million copies in circulation in North America. Scribner, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is the publisher. The films translates the story of a young woman and her eccentric family as they deal with poverty and addiction. The film focused on the relationship between Walls and her deeply dysfunctional father, as she learned how to create for herself a successful life on her own terms.

6.Published by Broadway Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Charles Martin’s The Mountain Between Us brought audiences Kate Winslet and Idris Elba in this gripping story about survival, healing and love. The Twentieth Century Fox film was directed by Abu-Assad, and Chris Weitz and J. Mills Goodloe were the screenwriters.

7.Twentieth Century Fox’s Murder on the Orient Express director/star Kenneth Branagh brought Agatha Christie’s popular book to life in a star-studded film. Christie’s 1934 novel published by Collins Crime Club (now part of Harper Collins) follows the author’s most famous detective, Hercule Poirot, as he solves a murder on a snowbound train while en route from Istanbul to London. Various directors have tried their hands at adapting this story for the screen, including Sidney Lumet with the 1974 movie starring Albert Finney, and each has delivered an entertaining adaptation.

8.Dreamworks Pictures Thank You for Your Service moved audiences and creators alike this season. The novel, written by the American journalist David Finkel, was brought to theaters by Director Jason Hall. The story touched Amy Schumer so much that she donated all the money she earned for this movie to veteran foundations. The book was published in 2013 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, a Macmillan imprint.

9.New York Times bestseller Wonder crosses several creative industries. The novel’s title was inspired by the Natalie Merchant song of the same name, and the film was inspired by the novel that was written by Raquel Jaramillo and published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, a part of Penguin Random House. The film follows August Pullman, a fifth grader with an rare medical condition that causes facial deformities, as he goes to school for the first time.

10.DC Comics character Wonder Woman made the list twice in 2017. First with a Warner Bros.’ blockbuster film adaptation worldwide based on the Wonder Woman character, which earned more than $800 million worldwide; and next with the movie Professor Marston and the Wonder Women, a biographical film about the women who inspired him to develop the iconic character.

This holiday season, we hope you find time for the book and the film!

This post was authored by AAP and the MPAA.

About AAP: The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents more than 300 book and journal publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

About the MPAA: The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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Trade,Copyright,Billboard,AAP ViewsMon, 18 Dec 2017 10:38:08 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_ww-06907r-1170x842.jpg?10000
AAP Welcomes Senate Introduction of AIM HIGH Act to Advance Learning Materials Access for College Students with Disabilities http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-welcomes-senate-introduction-of-aim-high-act-to-advance-learning-materials-access-for-college-students-with-disabilities/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-welcomes-senate-introduction-of-aim-high-act-to-advance-learning-materials-access-for-college-students-with-disabilities/Bi-partisan legislation from Sen. Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Hatch (R-UT) will improve availability of accessible electronic instructional materials.

Washington, DC; Nov. 17, 2017 – The Association of American Publishers (AAP) welcomes the introduction of the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act (AIM HIGH) in the U.S. Senate yesterday by Sen. Warren (D-MA) and Sen. Hatch (R-UT). The legislation is supported by a coalition that includes AAP, Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA), National Federation of the Blind (NFB), American Council on Education (ACE), and EDUCAUSE.

The AIM HIGH Act creates an independent Commission to issue a set of voluntary guidelines that enables stakeholders to work better together towards their shared goal of a marketplace that provides greater access to learning materials for students with disabilities. The ultimate goal of the legislation is to help ensure that students with disabilities are afforded the same educational benefits as non-disabled students regarding access to higher education materials and related technologies.

The proposed Commission will include representatives from the communities of persons with disabilities, industry developers and manufacturers of instructional materials and related technologies, and representatives from higher education institutions. The commission will develop guidelines based on a review of national and international information technology accessibility standards, which will be sent to the Secretary of Education and open for public comments.

Nothing in the legislation will change existing federal laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s disabilities.

“AAP and our members understand how critical learning materials are to student success, which is why we have shepherded this legislation for years along with the NFB, EDUCAUSE, ACE and SIIA. The AIM HIGH Act will help increase the commercial availability of accessible instructional materials in higher education and we urge its prompt passage in both the House and the Senate,” said Allan Adler, General Counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs, AAP.

Similar bi-partisan legislation (AIM HE: H.R. 1772) was introduced by Reps. Phil Roe (R-TN) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) in the U.S. House of Representatives in March 2017.

About AAP

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents more than 300 book and journal publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

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Press Releases,Education,BillboardFri, 17 Nov 2017 12:25:31 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_186305230.jpg?10000
AAP Thanks Rep. Bob Goodlatte for Commitment to Copyright http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-thanks-rep-bob-goodlatte-for-commitment-to-copyright/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-thanks-rep-bob-goodlatte-for-commitment-to-copyright/Association of American Publishers President and CEO Maria A. Pallante released the following statement regarding House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte’s (R-VA) decision to retire in December 2018.

"The book, journal, and education publishers of the United States applaud the principled leadership of Representative Bob Goodlatte these past 25 years, including his astute oversight of, and significant contributions to, the Nation’s copyright laws. We thank Mr. Goodlatte for recognizing the complex and critical work of the U.S. Copyright Office in the modern era, and we thank his family and the Sixth district of Virginia for sharing him on so many national and international issues that are important to the publishing industry. Nobody deserves a rest more, but we look forward to working with the Chairman and his colleagues in the 115th Congress during the coming year."

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Billboard,Press Releases,CopyrightMon, 13 Nov 2017 12:47:46 -0500 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_174864916.jpg?10000
Book Publisher Sales Were $5.72 Billion in the First Half of 2017 http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-sales-were-572-billion-in-the-first-half-of-2017/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-sales-were-572-billion-in-the-first-half-of-2017/StatShot data from the Association of American Publishers reveals books for adults were the most popular category and print books remain the best-selling formats

Washington, DC; Oct. 26, 2017 – Publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) were $5.72 billion - up by $195.9 million (3.5%) for the first half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Tracked categories include: Trade - fiction/non-fiction/religious, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses.

Revenue for Trade Books grew by 3.0%, with revenue increases in both Adult Books and Childrens/YA books over 2016.

“What a testament to the importance of the publishing industry,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “Whatever the category, format or distribution platform, books remain a constant in the marketplace and in our lives.”

Trade Books

  • By Category: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016, trade sales were $3.27 billion - up by $95.8 million (3.0%)
    • Adult Books had $2.22 billion in sales, up $66.7 million (3.1%)
    • Childrens/YA Books had $852.4 million in sales, up $36.8 million (4.5%)
    • Religious Presses had $197.0 million in sales, down by $7.7 million (-3.8%)
  • By Format: In the first half of 2017 vs. 2016
    • Paperback/Mass Market books had $1.27 billion in sales, down $23.6 million (-1.8%)
    • Hardback books had $1.11 billion in sales, up $98.7 million (9.7%)
    • eBooks had $555.7 million in sales, down $26.8 million (-4.6%)
    • Downloaded audio had $157.7 million in sales, up $38.2 million (32.0%)
    • Other formats (including board books, physical audio) had $181.8 million in sales, up $9.4 million (5.4%)

Below is a chart that shows the market share of various Trade Book formats for the first half of the year from the past six years. Print books - including paperback, mass market and hardback - account for more than 70% of publisher revenue of trade books. Audiobooks more than doubled their share since 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educational Materials and Professional Books

  • Educational Materials: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016
    • PreK-12 Instructional Materials had revenues of $1.19 billion, flat at +0.1%
    • Higher Education Course Materials had revenues of $941.8 million, up by 11.2%
  • Professional Books and University Presses: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016
    • Professional Books had revenues of $273.2 million, up 0.7%. These categories include business, medical, law, scientific and technical books.
    • University presses had revenues of $24.6 million, up 2.5%

About StatShot

Publisher net revenue is tracked monthly by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and includes sales data from more than 1,200 publishers (#AAPStats). Figures represent publishers’ net revenue for the U.S. (i.e. what publishers sell to bookstores, direct to consumer, online venues, etc.), and are not retailer/consumer sales figures.

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) represents more than 300 book and journal publishers in the United States on matters of law and policy. Find us online at www.newsroom.publishers.org or on twitter at @AmericanPublish.

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Press Releases,Billboard,Statistics,mediakitThu, 26 Oct 2017 09:35:06 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_80899922.jpg?10000
PROSE Awards 2018 Now Accepting Nominations for Outstanding Scholarly Books, Journals and E-Products http://newsroom.publishers.org/prose-awards-2018-now-accepting-nominations-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-e-products/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/prose-awards-2018-now-accepting-nominations-for-outstanding-scholarly-books-journals-and-e-products/Washington, DC; October 11, 2017 – The 2018 PROSE Awards, which recognize the best professional and scholarly books, journals, and e-products, are accepting entries now through Nov. 1. The awards recognize contributions to the arts, humanities, sciences and math, and are presented by the Association of American Publishers (AAP) Professional and Scholarly Publishing Division.

The PROSE Awards have been judged by peer publishers, librarians, and medical professionals since 1976 and are widely recognized as the premier professional and scholarly awards program in the U.S.

This year’s awards will have 45 book subject categories, six electronic product categories and – new for 2018 - seven awards for new and innovative journals. Five “best of” awards for excellence will be chosen from among the winners of the books, reference works, eProducts and journals subject categories. Within the five, one will win the industry’s most coveted prize – the R.R. Hawkins Award. The 2018 categories include:

Award Categories in Humanities

Art Exhibitions, Art History and Criticism, Biography and Autobiography, Biological Anthropology, Archeology and Ancient History, Classics, European and World History, Language and Linguistics, Literature, Media and Cultural Studies, Music and the Performing Arts, Outstanding Scholarly Work by a Trade Publisher, Philosophy, Textbook/Humanities, Theology and Religious Studies, and U.S. History

Award Categories in Social Sciences:

Architecture and Urban Planning, Business, Finance and Management, Cultural Anthropology and Sociology, Economics, Education Practice, Education Theory, Government and Politics, Law and Legal Studies, Psychology, and Textbook/Social Sciences

Award Categories in Biological and Life Sciences:

Applied Social Work, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry, and Textbook/Biological, and Life Sciences

Award Categories in Physical Sciences and Mathematics:

Chemistry and Physics, Computing and Information Sciences, Cosmology and Astronomy, Earth Science, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Mathematics, Popular Science and Popular Mathematics, and Textbook/Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Award Categories in Reference:

Multivolume Reference/Humanities and Social Sciences, Multivolume Reference/Science, Single Volume Reference/Humanities and Social Sciences, and Single Volume Reference/Science.

Electronic Publication Categories

Best App, Best in Biological and Life Sciences, Best in Humanities, Best in Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Best in Social Sciences, and Best Multidiscipline Platform

Journals Categories

Best New Journal in Humanities, Best New Journal in Social Sciences, Best New Journal in Biological & Life Sciences, Best New Journal in Physical Sciences & Mathematics, Innovation in Journal Publishing: Humanities & Social Sciences, Innovation in Journal Publishing: Science, Technology & Medicine, and Innovation in Journal Publishing: Interdisciplinary

Publishers who are members of AAP or Association of American University Presses (AAUP) are encouraged to submit for a PROSE Award their outstanding works that inspire, transform and educate. There is no maximum limit to submissions per publisher in any category. Winners will be announced during the awards luncheon ceremony on Feb. 8, held during the 2018 PSP Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

For additional information about how to enter, click here.

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Press Releases,Billboard,Professional and Scholarly Publishing,AwardsWed, 11 Oct 2017 11:29:10 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_prosesticker.jpg?10000
AAP Submits Comments to U.S. Department of Education on Evaluating Existing Regulations http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-submits-comments-to-us-department-of-education-on-evaluating-existing-regulations/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/aap-submits-comments-to-us-department-of-education-on-evaluating-existing-regulations/This September, AAP responded to the U.S. Department of Education’s request for comments on its evaluation of all of its existing regulations. The request is part of the Trump Administration’s overall effort to identify and eliminate federal regulations that eliminate jobs, inhibit job creation, are unnecessary, or impose costs that exceed benefits.

AAP was one of more than 16,000 commenters, and offered opinions on two regulations: the open licensing requirement for direct grant programs and the state authorization and disclosure requirements for distance learning programs.

Open Licensing

In the closing days of the Obama Administration, the Education Department issued an open licensing requirement for direct grant programs. The regulation requires that instructional materials developed using direct grant funds be published under an open license that would allow the subsequent acquisition, use, adaptation, and re-purposing of materials without permission of the grantee-author.

This regulation is part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to advance the use of open educational resources (OER). Their “#GoOpen” campaign was designed to encourage states, school districts and educators to use openly licensed educational materials and was part of the Obama Administration’s larger “U.S. Open Government National Action Plan.”

While AAP and its member companies do not object to - and often collaborate with - open educational resources (OER) producers, we are opposed when government acts to place its thumb on the economic scales of the market to promote it. We believe that:

  • The rule interferes with the marketplace by demanding that grantees offer their creative works only under open licenses to the harm of education companies. The Department estimates that the rule will have an economic impact greater than $100 million – an impact great enough to skew competition and negatively affect the ability of education companies to contribute to the economy and maintain and create jobs
  • The rule harms American business. U.S. education companies invest hundreds of millions of dollars annually to create content and innovative delivery systems. The rule undermines the ability of these companies to recoup their investment and discourages innovation.
  • The rule is inconsistent with federal copyright law because it mandates that authors not exercise rights granted them by Congress in the Copyright Act.

AAP strongly urged that the rule be repealed. However, in the event the Department decides to modify the rule instead, AAP had several suggestions on how the rule could be improved.

Distance Learning

Originally meant to protect students against fraud, the concerning state authorization and disclosure requirements for distance learning programs unnecessarily penalizes students, inhibits innovation and costs job opportunities. We urged the Department to “rescind and replace” the regulation in our submission.

The regulations require distance education programs to receive authorization from every state where their students are enrolled as well as disclose whether their programs satisfy licensure or certification requirements. Students in the many non-compliant states are prohibited from using Title IV grant funds to enroll in distance programs.

Online distance learning is an increasingly important way of achieving an education, and students participating in these programs will benefit from recent innovations occurring around it that improve the quality of education and reduce costs. The digital learning materials developed by commercial publishers are more engaging for students (because they are interactive and personalized) and far less costly.

AAP argued that the regulation is unfair and burdensome to both students and to institutions, that it will result in faculty and administrative staff losing their jobs, and that it will cause students to have a more difficult time acquiring the education they need to be competitive in the job market.

We urged the Department to encourage a competitive and vibrant market for innovation in higher education, to rescind these regulations and replace them with measures that recognize and enable the immense value of digital innovation that facilitates distance learning.

As the Department moves forward to identify regulations that should be rescinded, AAP will continue to provide comments and advocate for our industry. To see our comments, click here.

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AAP Views,Billboard,Higher EducationThu, 05 Oct 2017 11:49:11 -0400 https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1508/500_174864916.jpg?10000
Publishers and The National Library of Medicine Work Together to Support Relief Efforts During Disasters http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-and-the-national-library-of-medicine-work-together-to-support-relief-efforts-during-disasters/ http://newsroom.publishers.org/publishers-and-the-national-library-of-medicine-work-together-to-support-relief-efforts-during-disasters/There is a cooperative program between the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and medical publishers that remains dormant most of the time, and springs back to life when needed during disasters. The Emergency Access Initiative (EAI), a collaboration between NLM and 24 participating publishers, provides free access to full-text content from over 650 biomedical journals and 4,000 reference books and online databases to healthcare professionals and libraries affected by disasters. It serves as a temporary collection replacement and/or supplement for libraries that serve emergency medical staff and affiliated users.

Since inception about a decade ago, EAI was activated seven times in the past: following the earthquake in Haiti; flooding in Pakistan; cholera epidemic in Haiti; earthquake & tsunami in Japan; typhoon in the Philippines; Ebola outbreak in West Africa; and the earthquake in Nepal. The series of back-to-back disasters in recent weeks has created a great need for assistance in areas now in crisis.

“This program is important because it provides access to critical research information in countries or regions that are in crisis. AAP members are proud to participate in this collaboration between publishers, librarians and first responders to provide medical, environmental and safety content when it’s needed the most,” said John Tagler, VP & Executive Director, Professional & Scholarly Publishing at the Association of American Publishers.

On September 14, in response to Hurricane Irma that devastated several Caribbean Islands and Florida, and the ongoing issues following Hurricane Harvey, the EAI was opened to assist with relief efforts from IPs registered in the US, Caribbean Islands, UK, France and other countries as needed. In less than a week, EAI activation was expanded due to the earthquake in Mexico and Hurricane Maria that added further devastation to many of the areas previously impacted by Irma.

AAP members who participate in the initiative include: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Chemical Society, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, BMJ, Cambridge University Press, Elsevier, Massachusetts Medical Society, McGraw-Hill, Oxford University Press, People's Medical Publishing House, Taylor & Francis, University of Chicago Press, Wiley and Wolters Kluwer.

NLM works with the CDC, US Public Health Service, libraries and other organizations to provide needed literature to health care personnel in the impacted areas. The default time period for an incident is 4 weeks, and is subject to ongoing review by the EAI Activation Team.

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UPDATE: October 11, 2017

Given the ongoing situation in Puerto Rico, the USVI and other areas impacted by the recent hurricanes, the EAI Activation Team has agreed to extend the Emergency Access Initiative for another 4-week period. EAI will now end on November 10, 2017.

(View of damage caused on by Hurricane Irma in Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands by Russell Watkins/DFID is licensed under CC BY 2.0)

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