Authors Access

On August 4th, Irene Watson and Tyler R. Tichelaar spoke with university press publisher Mark Long. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MA from the University of North Texas, both in English. In 2004, after teaching for ten years, he oversaw the formation of TSTC Publishing, the publishing arm of the Texas State Technical College System.  Mark Long shared his wisdom about: Manuscript/project acquisition (what we look for in proposals): market analysis, author credentials, ease of marketing/sales efforts The textbook sales cycle: summer (research), fall (pre-sell), spring (adoption season) Printing considerations: offset vs. POD Marketing/Sales: how we publicize and sell books: facebook, blogs, email newsletters, trade shows, direct mail pieces, inside sales/cold calling How authors make money: royalties vs. work-for-hire agreements (plus, as well, what publishers pay for vs. authors Future of college (textbook) publishing: ebooks, enhanced ebooks, and apps