Moving Ahead With "Book Publishing Next"

At our annual meeting in April, the Book Industry Study Group released "Book Publishing Next", a 12-page overview of plans in place to "transform supply chain communications." The paper can be downloaded now from BISG's Knowledge Center.

The call-to-action details discussions held over the past two years to build a supply chain for the next generation of book publishing. It begins with an overarching question: "How do we reconceive the supply chain and prepare the book industry to meet today's and tomorrow's challenges?"

Solving problems across book publishing requires access to data from multiple parts of the business. In 2024, BISG brought together two dozen representatives from all sectors of the industry for a one-day session that articulated a vision and created a road map to begin the process of updating an aging, inadequate supply chain.

Limitations in the supply chain are already costing the industry time, staff expense, operational inefficiencies, and missed revenue opportunities. Four key considerations informed the 2024 discussion:

• Growth in the North American publishing business will increasingly come from rights
• Managing the creation and sale of products will require a commitment to efficiency across the supply chain
• Product selection and development will require better understanding of market requirements
• The internet, online retailing, mobile devices and social media have changed the supply chain's relationship with the end consumer.

To respond, BISG has proposed six initiatives to support the next generation of book publishing. These include projects to improve supply chain transparency, make better decisions using real-time data, better monetize rights opportunities, simplify access to industry metadata, reduce the work required to purchase and pay for books, and reduce the impact of returns.

Work on next steps is already underway. A picture of the proposed supply chain will be developed this summer, accompanied by a draft statement of its benefits for the industry. Cost estimates, pilot tests, and a proposed ROI will follow. Already, 25 different organizations from across the industry have engaged in the planning efforts, and the ongoing work is expect to attract an even broader coalition.

If you're interested in learning more, download "Book Publishing Next" and consult the working group's charter. Both are part of BISG's web site. Members can add themselves to the working group directly, or reach out to info@bisg.org for more information.