The recent PubWest Best Practices Survey asked association members to share details on what works best for them in sales, marketing and distribution. In a discussion with CCC’s Chris Kenneally, PubWest executives Kent Watson and Zoe Katherine (Katie) Burke shared highlights that reflect the dynamic, if agitated business environment.
Much is made of television debates and social media for their influence on voters, but even in the election of 2016, books remain critical. Those willing to read more than 140 characters are rewarded with insights and analysis beyond sound bites and gotcha moments gone viral. Publishers Weekly’s annual Spring Announcements – coming in the December 21 issue – lists the titles that get the editors’ votes.
“Natural language processing,” “machine-based metadata” – these aren’t phrases that we’re thrown around in editorial meetings or at publishers’ sales conferences until very recently. Behind the IT world jargon, though, is a fairly basic drive to improve “discoverability” in a book world of millions of available titles.
Research goes on as ever in the lab and in the field. But researchers in today’s Open Access environment have a lot more than only science to think about. For help, OA authors turn to publishers for services that enable discoverability and expand public understanding. This support builds lasting relationships with valued contributors.