University Press Week blog tour round-up (Tuesday)

What is the future of academic publishing? We’re celebrating University Press Week (8-14 November 2015) and Academic Book Week (9-16 November) with a series of blog posts on scholarly publishing from staff and partner presses. Here’s a quick round-up of topics discussed on the University Press Week blog tour, which kicked off on Monday.

For the last few years, the AAUP has organized a University Press blog tour to allow readers to discover the best of university press publishing. On Tuesday, their theme was “The Future of Scholarly Publishing” featuring commentary on trends in the industry, the case for financial support, and the meaning of gatekeeping in a digital era.

How do we advance without losing our heart? Indiana University Press director Gary Dunham discusses the emotional work of editing and the rewards of collaboration.

“Publishing, famously, is always in crisis.” Our own editorial director Sophie Goldsworthy examines the shifts within the market, often pulling in two different directions.

Take a survey on scholarly communication. John Warren of George Mason University invites academics to participate in research on the use of digital tools in the research workflow.

University Press of Colorado turns 50. Darrin Pratt is pulled between history and the future.

“better now than ever.” Charles Myers, Director of the University Press of Kansas, reflects on a passion to publish exciting writing and ideas for scholars and the general public.

Operating in a market-driven environment. John Sherer, Spangler Family Director of UNC Press, makes the case for financial support of university presses.

We are what we acquire. Derek Krissoff, Director of West Virginia University Press, reminds us that acquisition editors will shape the future of presses far more than publishing innovation.

Back to the Future, of the book. Greg Britton, editorial director in the books division at Johns Hopkins University Press, calls for more collaboration between publishers, librarians, technologists, scholarly societies, and scholars themselves.

Filling the gap. Jason Bennett, Direct Mail Manager of the University of Georgia Press, argues that university press publishing is not as isolated as one might think.

Be sure to look out for blog posts from Northwestern University Press, Princeton University Press, MIT Press, Georgetown University Press, Syracuse University Press, Stanford University Press, Harvard University Press, AU Press, and Yale University Press later today.

Featured image: Tromso, Norway. Photo by Marcelo Quinan. CC0 via Unsplash.