Literary Publishing in the Twenty-First Century

Wayne Miller, Kevin Prufer, Travis Kurowski, Wayne Miller, Kevin Prufer, Travis Kurowski

• Publisher: Milkweed Editions
• Year: 2016
• Print ISBN:
  9781571313546
• eBook ISBN:
  9781571319227
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Literary Essays
• Index: Literature

Gutenberg's invention of movable type in the fifteenth century introduced an era of mass communication that permanently altered the structure of society. While publishing has been buffeted by persistent upheaval and transformation ever since, the current combination of technological developments, market pressures, and changing reading habits has led to an unprecedented paradigm shift in the world of books.Bringing together a wide range of perspectives — industry veterans and provocateurs, writers, editors, and digital mavericks — this invaluable collection reflects on the current situation of literary publishing, and provides a road map for the shifting geography of its future: How do editors and publishers adapt to this rapidly changing world? How are vibrant public communities in the Digital Age created and engaged? How can an industry traditionally dominated by white men become more diverse and inclusive? Mindful of the stakes of the ongoing transformation, Literary Publishing in the 21st Century goes beyond the usual discussion of 'print vs. digital' to uncover the complex, contradictory, and increasingly vibrant personalities that will define the future of the book.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Reading the Tea Leaves: Notations on the Changing Look of the Literary
• The Ends of the Book: Reading, Economies & Publics
• The Amazon Effect
• The Self-Hating Book Critic
• The View from a University Press
• Poetry in Translation: Hemispheric Perspectives
• VIDA: An Interview with Erin Belieu
• 19 Things: More Thoughts on the Future of Fiction
• Hold the Damn Door Open: Idealism Is No Currency
• Diversity Is Not Enough: Race, Power, Publishing
• Comics Publishing
• The Art of Agenting: An Interview with Chris Parris-Lamb
• The Open Refrigerator
• A Culture of Competition: Some Notes on Writing Contests & Literary Publishing
• Coming to Milkweed Editions
• The Overnight Success of Lookout Books
• The Southern Review at Eighty
• What Is the Business of Literature?
• The Future Value of a Literary Publisher
• Notes
• Acknowledgments