UK: Launch of "BookBrunch" online site for the industry
Set up by Liz Thomson and Nicholas Clee, the new internet portal "BookBrunch" has been providing the latest information from the book industry on a daily basis since October. Why? How come? What's behind it? You can find out from our short interview with the two founders.
The two professionals bring more than 50 years of experience in the English media market to their new project, "BookBrunch". Liz Thomson was with the trade paper "Publishing News" as an editor for more than 20 years, before it was closed down in the summer for financial reasons. Nicholas Clee was an editor at "The Bookseller" from 1999 to 2004. Both also write for publications such as "The Times", "The Guardian", "Times Literary Supplement" and "The Independent".
Frankfurt Book Fair: What would you like to achieve with BookBrunch?
BookBrunch: We'd like BookBrunch to be a hub of news, opinion and information for the book industry. We want our readers to feel that they are part of a BookBrunch community.
Could you say something about the first reactions?
The first reactions have been very warm and encouraging. A lot of people in the trade know us, and are pleased that we are once again writing about them.
What is your opinion of the changes in the publishing industry media in the English-speaking region?
This is a big question! The trend towards conglomeration, apparent for more than 20 years, continues. At the same time, new technology has enabled smaller companies to reach more readers than ever before. There are serious challenges to copyright and other protocols that have funded traditional publishing models.
Would you say the ending of "Publishing News" and the availability to purchase "Publishers Weekly" is symptomatic? Do you think publishing industry news are only survivable in the internet?
You wouldn't start a new book trade journal in print form, unless you had very deep pockets. The advertising market necessary to support such a venture has shrunk, as publishers have spent increasing sums on co-operative promotions with retailers.
Information on BookBrunch
"BookBrunch" sees itself as an information and entertainment platform seeking to link up the youngest and oldest members of the book industry. The internet portal features topics relating to publishing, the book trade, books in general and rights trade. Sections such as "prizes, people and parties" are also included.
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