Ever since its merger with Quad was squelched by the Department of Justice, book-printing company LSC has shown signs of struggle due to a drop in printing demand across multiple sectors, which is exacerbated by its heavy debt load. Unless it can renegotiate its loans soon or raise funds, bankruptcy may be inevitable. Sara Grace at Publishers Lunch notes (subscription required), “Publishers could be significantly challenged in ensuring the reliable supply of printed books.” For more background, read our item from November.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
