The Book Trade and Internet Publishing

Abstract

Employing a historical analogy, this paper examines recent experiments in product design, marketing and distribution by traditional book publishers using the Internet. Arguing that the CD-ROM is a transitional format, the paper focuses on contemporary practice in parallel publishing and Net distribution. Through an analysis of current experiments in Internet publishing by book and journal publishers, it examines how the book trade is developing the Net as a promotional and marketing tool rather than exploiting it as a distribution system. The paper argues that only a more fundamental redefinition of publishers' and booksellers' roles will enable the industry to use the potential of the Internet as a delivery medium.