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Social Justice
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From: Norma Jean Sawicki <nsawicki_at_nyc.rr.com>
Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:31:12 -0500
Small independent publishers often have a focused list unlike publishers with a large list whose editorial programs reflect variety . However, if one were total the number of books from a large publisher whose themes address social justice, there were undoubtedly be more. Several years ago, the late Judy Wilson ,who was publisher of the Macmillan Children's group, addressed this same subject. I have forgotten the issue she addressed but she counted the number of books published in a certain area...prejudice, or black history, maybe...and the group had published far more books in that area than all of the small independent publishers combined.
By virtue of being large, and perhaps having more financial pressure, large publishers are often perceived as carpetbaggers but if one were to examine every book published by a particular house in any given year, one would find that is not so. Having said that, some small independent publishers are more concerned with profit than some larger publishers because it is their money that is invested in the business. From the chair in which I sit, a small independent publisher with a focused list is smart publishing in terms of marketing.
And, last but not least...why should children's books not be a profitable business...the more books sold, the more money the writers and illustrators make, and the more books kids are reading. There is nothing wrong with that, nothing at all....Norma Jean
Received on Mon 07 Nov 2011 04:31:12 AM CST
Date: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 04:31:12 -0500
Small independent publishers often have a focused list unlike publishers with a large list whose editorial programs reflect variety . However, if one were total the number of books from a large publisher whose themes address social justice, there were undoubtedly be more. Several years ago, the late Judy Wilson ,who was publisher of the Macmillan Children's group, addressed this same subject. I have forgotten the issue she addressed but she counted the number of books published in a certain area...prejudice, or black history, maybe...and the group had published far more books in that area than all of the small independent publishers combined.
By virtue of being large, and perhaps having more financial pressure, large publishers are often perceived as carpetbaggers but if one were to examine every book published by a particular house in any given year, one would find that is not so. Having said that, some small independent publishers are more concerned with profit than some larger publishers because it is their money that is invested in the business. From the chair in which I sit, a small independent publisher with a focused list is smart publishing in terms of marketing.
And, last but not least...why should children's books not be a profitable business...the more books sold, the more money the writers and illustrators make, and the more books kids are reading. There is nothing wrong with that, nothing at all....Norma Jean
Received on Mon 07 Nov 2011 04:31:12 AM CST
