What it Means To Be “Free”

(L to R) Anderson, Hoenig, Sargent and Murray at NYU Media Talk

When I heard Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired, was going to be moderating a discussion on “Free and Paid Content” this semester as part of the Media Talk series sponsored by NYU’s Center for Publishing, I did a little dance and signed up immediately. I have to admit that I am a big Chris Anderson fan. Not only do I read Wired, I pay to have it delivered to my door.

Sitting in the Condé Nast auditorium, I knew we were in for an interesting night. Chris Anderson was on one side, flanked by Gary Hoenig, Editorial Director and General Manager of ESPN Publishing; John Sargent, CEO of Macmillan; and Alan Murray, Deputy Managing Editor and Executive Editor, Online, The Wall Street Journal. You can watch the video at
http://www.scps.nyu.edu/areas-of-study/publishing/news-and-events/media-talks/free-and-paid-content.html

Meanwhile, here are some of the most interesting points made by the panel:

Publishing Buying Power at Work

Edward Ash-Milby and Sallye Levanthal at Barnes & Noble. Photo by Preeti Chhibber.

Last Thursday morning I found my bleary-eyed self and 37 other (and more awake-looking) NYU M.S. in Publishing students raptly listening to two of Barnes & Noble’s leading book buyers, Sallye Leventhal and Edward Ash-Milby.  Both Sallye and Edward are highly experienced publishing professionals: Sallye presides over the history, military-history, and current affairs sections and Edward manages the titles appearing in biography, psychology, self-help, and health.

Brooklyn Loves Books

AAP’s Get Caught Reading table

More than 220 authors, musicians and other artists joined 150 booksellers and presses at New York City’s biggest free celebration of authors and books at the Brooklyn Book Festival on Sunday, September 13^th. Book lovers of all ages had an opportunity to meet authors, attend panels and browse through books. Well-known publishers  such as HarperPerennial, Drawn and Quarterly, and DK publishing were in attendance, as were independent presses such as Akashic books, Giron books, and PM press. Readings and literary activities were held all day in the children’s area, sponsored by Target, and poetry and writing workshops for teenagers  took place  in the main workshop tent. The event was held outdoors at Borough Hall and with no rain in site, it was a perfect day for discovering new and talented writers.

 

Publishing on the Rebound?

Seth Harris:will we soon reach new heights in publishing?

Although we may not want to bring out the champagne just yet, all is not doom and gloom in the publishing industry these days. At a recent NYU Publishing Alumni Association meet-up, several former and current NYU Master of Science in Publishing students noted some increases in business activity and investments being made at their companies. All in all, the mood was much brighter and for once, there was no major talk about layoffs, restructurings and consolidations in publishing.

Meet the PSA (Publishing Students Association) Seven

At NYU’s Master of Science in Publishing program, networking is important— and so is getting to know your fellow students.  The Publishing Students Association, headed by seven student leaders, works hard to create social and community service events as well  as gatherings with alumni. Whether it’s a picnic in Central Park, a book drive,  or a chance to meet with industry leaders and learn more about trends and strategies in publishing, the members of the PSA are busy planning and organizing. And that’s not always easy after a hard day at work in a book or magazine company and attending classes in the evenings. At the Center for Publishing, we’re  proud of our PSA and want you to meet the leaders and hear their thoughts on careers, media and much more: