HYBRID: The Business of Book Publishing

Each year over 3 million new books are published in print, eBooks, and audiobooks. The process of creating new books is fascinating and seldom discussed in detail. The entire book business is complex with many factors that need to be carefully considered to make sure a new title obtains a successful launch.

So how does a fiction or non-fiction title that creates such passion for us come to life? How does the latest page turner or newly cherished cookbook arrives in your hands?

Let’s talk through the entire book life process. Join me in learning everything from acquisition to sales. I will demystify how presses operate including, editorial, financial, production, publicity, marketing and sales. We will also discuss book distribution, online, independent and chain booksellers.

By the end of the session, you will see and learn how the entire book business is made up of people that care about what you are reading and what you will be reading in the near future.

Kent Watson is a book industry professional with experience in independent publishing, acquisitions, bookselling, buying, book distribution/wholesaling, branding and marketing, financial management, small-to-medium-sized press publishing, textbook and magazine publishing, and academic teaching. Kent is the Chair of the Lake Oswego Public Library Advisory Board, sits on the Friends of Lake Oswego Public Library board, and is a former Adjunct Professor at Portland State University where he created and taught "The Business of Book Publishing."

A livestream will also be available at https://www.youtube.com/@LakeOLib/streams(link is external).

For more information contact Nancy Niland at nniland@lakeoswego.city or (503) 675-2538