Dear Heidi
Since writing to you about your podcast 'Enough with the Holocaust Books', when I suggested that AJL could by-pass mainstream channels and offer reviews of independently published books in subjects of their choice, I have had an additional thought that I would like to share with you. As you know only too well, the fast development of the digital age is forcing libraries to face difficult decisions as to their future function in society and sadly some libraries are even facing extinction. Libraries rely on mainstream publishers who determine which book to publish, primarily by its commercial value, and then determine its popularity by the extent of their promotional activity. In these matters libraries exert little or no influence. I venture to suggest that an organization of libraries such as AJL, could exert its collective latent purchasing power on the publishing industry by focusing on independent authors who are currently being wooed by the print-on-demand and other publishers, who print, but often do not effectively promote, the books they publish. AJL could commission, and/or offer to review, manuscripts on subjects of AJL's choosing, giving a guarantee to purchase after publication (at a discounted price) a pre-determined number of books (a reasonable print run?), that meet pre-determined standards. Authors who will have that guarantee can then either approach mainstream or other publishers with a guarantee of your backing, or self-publish with extra confidence. At the moment AJL provides a service of reviewing books and awarding authors that have already been published. Why not add, or switch to, reviewing manuscripts and so influence the nature and quality of the books on library shelves? Income can be generated by charging authors a reasonable review fee. Libraries and authors are today, the two weakest links in the publishing world. Joined together, the links will be exponentially stronger. Just a thought! Shalom and best wishes Yoel Sheridan Israel [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> www.tenterbooks.com <http://www.tenterbooks.com/> --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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