Industry Voices - All

By Scott Foley It can happen when any passion becomes a vocation; over the years something has changed in my appreciation of books. Publishers are more generous than ever with free offerings, so I am purchasing fewer and fewer titles for personal use. With books overflowing from my dresser onto my bedside table and in stacks in my office, I still love to read, but sometimes I wonder if I take the privilege for granted these days. Have I lost my appreciation of the intrinsic value of a book, beyond its literal cover price?

By Robin Whitten What is the right mix of cassette and CD audiobooks?

by Scott Foley It didn't happen again this year, either. Susan Stamberg didn't call me from National Public Radio to solicit my opinion about great new holiday titles. Every year about this time I'll depart on occasional reveries, imaginary conversations with NPR hosts. Occasionally, I'll even jot down a list of the books I'd mention were such a windfall to come my way.

By Laura HansenLaura Hansen is owner/manager of Bookin' It in Little Falls, Minnesota, a store that she describes as "among the smallest of the small bookstores, operating in a community of only 7,500" and devoting 1,800 square feet to retail floor space. Here she explains how even a small store in small town should "never underestimate your market. Expect the unexpected customer even when no one expects the unexpected of you."

By Robin Whitten The audiobook listener is in the driver's seat when it comes to choosing the CD or cassette format. Significant changes are underway in the availability of media formats as audio publishers pay closer attention to customer audio book purchase patterns and format preferences in an effort to increase sales.

By Robin Whitten Author readings are among the most popular bookstore events. It's hard to beat the experience of hearing an author read live, often in the intimate setting of a bookstore. But, reading from the book for 10 - 15 minutes and reading the entire book for an audiobook recording are totally different.

By Robin Whitten As a bookseller you understand how important it is to know your customers. With audiobook listeners it is no less important, but it's probably harder for many booksellers, who may not be listeners themselves, to get a handle on who the listeners are and where they listen.

By Robin F.Whitten Teens seem to regard summertime reading in two ways -- as the opportunity to read for pleasure and to choose books freely or as the burden of a required "summer reading list" (which comes complete with nagging parents). Audiobooks can offer solutions for both camps, as well as the family traveling with teenagers on long car trips.

By Robin F. Whitten Publishers did a lot of listening at the pre-BookExpo America (BEA) APAC conference sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA). Six programs with topics ranging from new formats to the Hispanic market to a three-session Audio Publishing 101 filled the day for more than 280 members of the audiobook industry.

Eric Frazier Because BTW became an exclusively online publication in January, I can safely assume that if you are reading this column, you have Internet access -- or at least, you have a friend or associate with computer access.