History of books
Early forms Papyrus
From reed in Egypt (3000 B.C.)
Parchment Dried animal skins Durable
History of books
Print Revolution Gutenberg’s press
Developed moveable type Allowed mass production
Gutenberg Bible Published about 1455 Johannes Gutenberg
History of books
Print Revolution Printing press changed world from oral to print
culture Oral culture: Information transmitted from speech Print culture: People able to read ideas directly
Learning could be handed down Reduced traditional authority of kings, religious leaders Led to Enlightenment in Europe
History of books
The book in America Spanish established press in Mexico City Early Colonial publishers in New England
Escaping repression in England Avoiding control by King
History of books
First Colonial books Bay Psalm Book: First book in America Early printers ran bookstores
Vertical integration
First public library
Bay Psalm Book (1644)
aka The Whole Booke of Psalms
History of books
Universal education builds literacy Massachusetts Law (1642)
Every child must be taught to read
U.S. law (1820s) Adopted for country
McGuffey’s Eclectic Readers Since 1836, were standard in reading
History of books
The Industrial Revolution Technological advancement
Machine-made paper from wood pulp High-speed presses Lithography = high-quality images Linotype = machines set type
Distribution, cost Book publishers not get price break of newspapers,
magazines Book rate finally adopted in 1914
History of books
Books and slavery Frederick Douglass’
autobiography Told the horrors of slavery
Uncle Tom’s Cabin National best seller
Frederick Douglass
History of books
Paperback books Dime novels (pulp novels)
Popular with Civil War soldiers
Mass market paperbacks Recycled best sellers Non-fiction Formula
Human interest stories, sexy cover, low price
History of books
Paperback books Modern formats
Action-adventure novels Male-oriented mysteries Formulaic, lots of action
Romance novels Female-oriented stories Formulaic, happy ending
History of books
Conglomerates and globalization Five major companies dominate industry Just one of five (Time Warner) is based in U.S.
History of books
New forms of books Audio books
Originally for sight-impaired Now popular with commuters
E-books Digital files, special hardware Hypertext allows interactivity
Kindle
Publishing industry
Types of books Trade books
Largest share of book sales General-interest fiction, non-fiction
Educational books Textbooks for all levels
Publishing industry
Types of books Reference books
Fact-based, like atlases
Professional books For occupational specialties
Specialty books Religious, yearbooks, anthologies
Publishing industry
The author Few full-time book authors Most write books on side
Write non-fiction, fiction in various venues
Agent Represents author’s work Knowledge of industry
Publishing industry
The author Contract
Sign agreement before writing book Advance, share of sales (royalties)
Writing “on spec” Finish book without commitment from publisher Royalties mostly, rarely fixed payment
Publishing industry
The author Celebrities as writers
Fame allows them to get contract
Writers become celebrities Fame from writing
Publishing industry
The editors Acquisition editors
Selects books to be published
Developmental editors Helps author make major changes
Copy editors Polishes manuscript
Publishing industry
Publishers Minority publishers
Target specific audience
University presses Mostly academic books
Small presses Regional publishers, small companies
Publishing industry
Book sellers Chains and megastores
Barnes & Noble, Borders = ½ of U.S. sales
Independents Many small, specialty stores Powell’s: Largest used book seller
Publishing industry
Book sellers Online sellers
Amazon.com leading bookstore Bookmatcher program
Many others
Publishing industry
Readers Bibliophiles = read a lot Casual readers = read some Required readers = only for work, studies Illiterates = can’t read Alliterates = can read, but don’t
Controversies
Book censorship First Amendment limits government censorship Still examples of censorship
James Joyce’s “Ulysses”
Controversies
Book censorship More common in public schools, libraries
Parents pressure schools to remove books from curriculum, library
Controversies
Book censorship Challenged books get publicity, higher
sales Around world, stricter than U.S.
Iran issues death threat for Rushdie Nazi books banned in Germany
Controversies
The Blockbuster Syndrome Big advances given to big authors Hurts chances of other authors?
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