Customer Reviews

Publishing Without Borders

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Knowledgeably written by Michael Ross (an international licensing expert and senior vice president in charge of product development and marketing for Encyclopedia Britannica), Publishing Without Borders: Strategies For Successful International Publishing is a concise, practical, easy-to-use, no-nonsense guide to proven and professional strategies for successful global publishing. From legal issues; to keep track of to handling unexpected challenges; to taking advantage of international book fairs, and much, much more, Publishing Without Borders is will prove immensely valuable for any novice (or experienced!) publisher seeking an international marketplace for their titles. If you have a book that you want to sell in Canada, Europe, South America, or anyplace else in the world -- then get yourself a copy of Michael Ross' Publishing Without Borders so that you can "hit the ground running" with your marketing plans, strategies, and policies.

A quick read and chocked full of great tidbits for those looking for information on the publishing rights business. Michael has distilled many years of experience into a concise, easy-to-read primer that should be helpful to anyone seeking a "how-to" for managing the publishing rights/licensing process.

A slim 4x5 paperback with large print and wide margins, there is little here beyond a typical magazine article.
Tom Woll's Publishing for Profit is a far better value and more comprehensive.Or check out the free online offerings from the Publisher's Marketing Association. Having been to the London and Frankfurt Book Fairs as a newbie, this book might have helped reduce my last minute butterflies, but comprehensive it is not. And charging $25 for what anyone else would consider a $6-8 paperback is audacious at best.

In Publishing Without Borders, Michael Ross has skillfully managed to distil many years' experience of international publishing into a concise and highly practical manual which will prove immensely valuable to those whose publishing activities are taking on an international dimension.

Alongside down-to-earth advice on a broad range of topics from the mechanics of deal making to the editorial considerations necessary to get books `right' for the co-edition market, he offers useful insights into the process - why is it worthwhile for publishers to acquire rights from other publishers? Why is the decision making process often so tortuous? Most importantly for me, he captures the essence of international publishing - long-term relationship building rather than short-term gain.

I wish this book had been around when I was starting out!

Roberta Bailey
Managing Director
Arcturus School and Library Division

I sat down tonight and Publishing Without Borders. What a terrific read! It has a clever Table of Contents and the pages turn with insight and humor -- a great combination. I believe that this book is essential for anyone thinking about diving into the many facets of the world of co-edition publishing and licensing. Or for people already in "over their heads", Mike Ross's book will toss you a life-line that can rescue your international publishing strategies. He mentors one down the paths that are fruitful and skillfully warns about blind alleys---some of which he himself went down, maybe more then once. Further he reminds all leaders about the essentials of developing ownership and appropriate involvement through out the business process with all the stake holders within one's own organization. The book also furnishes a thorough list of International Book Fairs and an excellent collection of websites. This book is the next best thing to sitting one on one with Michael and learning everything he knows about international publishing. It has my highest recommendation!

John Meeker
President
John Meeker & Associates

As a 15 year electronic publishing veteran, I can say that "Publishing Without Borders" contains many of the lessons I had to learn from day one, and insight into a number I'm still learning--it's dead on. If I was a top guy working for one of these publishers, I'd buy copies for all of my junior people to read--it would save me a lot of time and aggravation training them.

Tom de Boor
Founder
Kids Only and Research and Learn Channels, America Online

Michael Ross is an expert in International Licensing. In this book he gives you the benefit of decades of experience. It is clear. It is concise. It is filled with information upon which you can build new business from existing intellectual property. If you are already engaged in international licensing, find out if you can increase your share. If you have just started looking at the international market, benefit from the insights of this seasoned veteran.

Bill Evans
President

Evan-Moor Educational Publishers

It's fitting that I finished reading it and am writing these comments in flight en route to yet another Frankfurt Book Fair!

I can honestly say I wish I had had access to a book like this when I was starting out in the business 40 years ago. It's a great primer. It's useful. It's up-to-date, -- references to wireless technology, selling via the web, and the use of digital files.

The tips are good too. I particularly like the one on page 27 regarding royalty rates and the one on page 74 about everyone "buying in" which is so true. And I learned something I should've known regarding royalty advances on page 23.

Last but not least, the typeface is great!

David Walsh
Vice President
Scholastic International

Written with superb clarity, this book is a comprehensive and eminently
practical guide for the first-timer; whilst the more seasoned international
publisher will still gain valuable insights that are bound to generate that
extra bit of business....

Bob Osborne
Managing Director
Harcourt Education Worldwide

Written with the rare power of original analysis. Through insightful and skillful thought carpentry, Michael has built a scaffold upon which to establish and nurture long-term, win/win relationships.