Exploring the Future of Publishing

New York, February 8, 2010 – The French-American Foundation launches its reciprocal exchange program on publishing and new technology in New York from Feb 8-13, 2010.

The powerful economic and technological forces transforming modern publishing, and the comparative perspectives in France and the U.S., are the focus of an investigative exchange between the two countries organized by the French-American Foundation in collaboration with the French Ministry of Culture.

Last October, a group of seven American publishing professionals were invited on a weeklong study tour in France during which they met with leading figures from France’s literary and editorial communities. The French-American Foundation is now launching its reciprocal exchange program in New York for a delegation of seven French publishing professionals.

The selected French participants include some of the leading French innovators among editors and publishers:

Virginie Clayssen, Directeur Adjoint du Développement Numérique, Editis
Jean-Christophe Delpierre, Directeur Général, Mediatoon
François Maillot, Directeur Général, Librairie La Procure
Marion Mazauric, Fondatrice des Editions Au Diable Vauvert
Nicolas Roche, Directeur Général, Editions du Centre Pompidou
This year’s publishing and literature exchange is part of the Courants program, formed in 1998 by the French-American Foundation, the French Ministry of Culture and the Florence Gould Foundation to foster international exchange and promote deeper trans-Atlantic understanding in a specific area of arts and the humanities.

“A particular focus area for this year’s program is the impact of new information technologies on traditional publishing models and how it is reshaping the publishing industry” said Emma Archer, Director of Cultural programs at the French-American Foundation. “We hope this exchange program will provide some insights the future of publishing in both countries.”

Among the issues identified as priority focus areas to be examined during the program:

• The effects of technology on the economics of publishing in all media
• The latest trends in foreign literature and translation
• How emerging online innovations and new marketing approaches are redefining publisher-audience relationships
• Strategies for marshaling resources to advance translation of foreign literature
• How new business models offer opportunities to increase access to foreign literature and other economically “risky” works in the face of industry concentration and profitability pressures?
• Book/ebook challenges: competing with free content
• The risks of digital book piracy
• Price wars: what is the right price for an ebook?
• From books to ebooks: getting the timing right
• Engaging readers in the new digital age
• Synergizing the Book and the Web
• Using social media tools to build communities of readers
• Digital tools: how the sales and marketing process is evolving
• Innovative business models (advance contracts, profit-sharing) and the commercial rules for publishing

The trip will introduce the participants to trends in American and French publishing and provide them with networking opportunities, industry overviews, and an introduction to the latest American and French fiction and nonfiction. During their stay, they will visit publishing houses, bookstores, participate in panel discussions during which they will gain insight into different cultures, establish new contacts and build relationships with their counterparts.

The French-American Foundation
The mission of the French-American Foundation is to strengthen the French-American relationship. Through its programs, the foundation provides leaders with a platform to share knowledge and best practices, and build on mutual strengths to face global challenges. The French-American Foundation's programs focus on leadership, social policy, and cultural policy. Each program is designed to deepen the participants' understanding of an issue of common concern-programs range from lectures and conferences, to professional exchanges and study tours. Since 1976 the French-American Foundation has played an important role in encouraging dialogue, developing relationships, and sharing information between leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. For program details, click here.

http://www.frenchamerican.org/