Copyright Clearance Center's Beyond the Book program explores issues facing the information content industry and helps creative professionals realize the full potential of their works, while encouraging respect for intellectual property and the principles of copyright.
BTB #105: BISG Trends 2009 Report
In its annual report on the book publishing business, BISG names the “leaders and laggards” for 2008, and looks ahead to 2009 and 2010 for signs of recovery and growth. Information “feeds the agile response” necessary to survival, say co-authors Michael Healy, BISG head, and Leigh Watson-Healy, Outsell chief analyst.
Best of BTB: For Small Publishers, Good Marketing Is Hard to Find
But look no further than the IBPA, which is set to launch an ambitious new membership drive.
“These times demand publishers work smarter and work more efficiently when producing and marketing their titles,” notes Frank Gromling of Ocean Publishing, who is heading up the effort.
BTB #104: Michael Healy on Authors Guild, AAP, Google Settlement
In his first public interview, the man expected to become the executive director of the Book Rights Registry (BRR) says that, “the involvement of Google in [the publishing] marketplace, and others, is going to be part of the transformational character of [the industry over] the next few years.”
Michael Healy, who is currently executive director of the non-profit Book Industry Study Group (BISG), spoke for the first time about his work in an exclusive interview at the offices of Copyright Clearance Center. He cited as benefits of participating in the settlement for US authors and publishers,”an unprecedented degree of control to authors, publishers and other rightsholders on how their copyrights are exploited and distributed in this new digital world.”
For more information, download this news article (PDF) and the GBS Benefits Outline (PDF).
BTB #103: What’s In Your Catalog?
For mid-size publishers, the impact of the proposed Google Book Settlement is far-reaching, with upsides and down to anticipate aplenty.
At a BookExpo America panel last month, David Marlin of royalty-solutions provider MetaComet notes the settlement, “provides a mechanism for creative entrepreneurs or existing businesses to use content in creative new ways.”
Marlin is joined by Adam Marlin, Laura Dawson and Brian O’Leary.
Best of BTB: Advice for ‘Accidental’ Authors
For one thing, says author/publisher/software developer Susan Daffron, “forget bookstores. People buy our books exclusively online…because that’s where people are shopping anyway.”
Daffron shared with Chris Kenneally her provocative and insightful advice on what it takes to make a publisher out of an author during a break in the 
annual PubWest conference last fall.
For more tips from Susan Daffron, download this article (PDF).
BTB #102: Meet The Editor
What makes an author’s book proposal stand out? What is it about “American history” that makes the subject so appealing in 2009 to readers? Can a blog be a source of material for a book?
Saunders Robinson of The History Press takes these and many other questions from a recent Boston bookstore appearance with Chris 
Kenneally. The story behind the success of Duck Hunting in Currituck County will surprise you!
Download the History Press Publication Proposal (PDF).
BTB #101: The Piracy Project: A BEA Update
With digital content more available and more commonly distributed, fears of piracy and lost sales have grown among publishers. In 2008, O’Reilly Media began systematic research to measure the cost – or possible benefit – of “free” and “pirated” distribution. This morning at BookExpo America’s “Big Ideas” Conference, Magellan Media Partners’ Brian O’Leary reported the surprising results.
BTB #100: Tracey Armstrong opens ‘Big Ideas’ program at BEA
Copyright Clearance Center CEO Tracey Armstrong has kicked off the all-day “Big Ideas” Conference for BookExpo America 2009 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center.
Speaking earlier this morning on “Content Licensing & The Bottom Line: Up the Down Spreadsheet” with Ned May,
Outsell Inc. Lead Analyst, Armstrong examined why managing rights and content with the highest-possible efficiency and customer value remains a challenge for leading players and independents alike.
The release of this podcast marks the 100th installment in the Beyond The Book series, underwritten by CCC, which explores all aspects of issues facing the information content 
industry. Since September 2006, podcasts have featured interviews with innovative CEOs, best-selling authors, and leading analysts in publishing and technology.
For more information about Beyond the Book’s 100th episode, download this press release (PDF).
(more…)
BTB #99: First, You Laugh
Improbable research is research that makes people laugh and then think. Improbable Research is also the name of an organization that publishes a magazine called the Annals of Improbable Research, and administers the Ig Nobel Prizes.
Founder Marc Abrahams reveals all in this keynote address to the 2009 Council of Science Editors annual meeting.
Reaching 100 and Ready to Go Beyond
To mark the program’s 100th edition, “Beyond the Book” from Copyright Clearance Center has announced the planned release of a presentation by Tracey Armstrong, CCC’s chief executive officer, at the opening of BookExpo America, Thursday, May 28, 9 a.m. In a recent Publishers’ Weekly interview, Ms. Armstrong said about CCC: “We’re investing in the future and in growth.”
Speaking on “Content Licensing & The Bottom Line: Up the Down Spreadsheet,” Ms. Armstrong will lead off the “Big Ideas” Conference for BEA at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Center. In a discussion with Ned May, Outsell Inc. Lead Analyst, she will examine why managing rights and content with the highest-possible efficiency and customer value remains a challenge for leading players and independents alike. The podcast will be available for free downloading by noon the same day.
“Listeners to our show know that there are no easy answers when it comes to content and copyright, but they can look forward to hearing Tracey shine a light on ways to manage rights with the highest-possible efficiency and customer value,” said Beyond the Book host Chris Kenneally.
Copyright Clearance Center’s “Beyond the Book” podcast series feature best-selling authors, innovative CEOs, and leading analysts in publishing and technology on all aspects of issues facing the information content industry and featured interviews with. To subscribe, click here.
For more information about this event, download this press release (PDF).
