Times Book Review No Longer “Review-centric”

Until recently, a New York Times editor admits, the paper ‘had no sense of how to make sense to someone who comes to our book coverage on a phone.’

On Tuesday, Publishers Weekly and New York University’s School of Professional Studies hosted the second annual PubTech Connect, a one day conference billed as “a conversation about using technology, inventive tactics, and smart strategies to boost publishing businesses and brands.”

As Andrew Albanese, PW’s senior writer reports, start-up and legacy media players revealed how they plan to “stay on top of the innovation that was already happening.”

One of the more popular panels, Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally, included New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul and assistant editor Sam Dolnick in conversation with MSNBC commentator and author Anand Giridharadas.

“Paul said the paper, ‘had no sense of how to make sense to someone who comes to our book coverage on a phone.’ In the past, the paper’s book coverage was, as she put it, ‘review-centric.’ Now, she explained, the goal is to move away from ‘just, ‘here’s a new book.’”

Paul cited the success of “The Book Review Podcast,” which features the Times book critics in conversation about what goes on behind the scenes, revealing to readers the “texture of reviewing and criticism,” Albanese added.

Every Friday, CCC’s “Beyond the Book” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.

MSNBC’s Anand Giridharadas in conversation with New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul and NYT colleague Sam Dolnick at PubTechConnect. Photo courtesy of Calvin Reid.