News on Bookselling March 2013

01 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013

JaneCarowillopenthisyear’sconferencewithheroverviewofthebooksellingindustry,aforecastofwhereitmightbein5-10yearstimeandgivesinsightfromanadvertiser’sperspectiveonhowwemightkeepuporevenaheadofthegameinarapidlychangingindustry.

Janeisanawardwinningadvertisingwriterof33yearsstanding(Cannes,OneShow,Mobius,LondonInternational,Kinsale,AWARD,Caxton,AsiaPacific,ATV).Sheisalsoafrequentmediacommentatoronmarketing,advertising,communication,feminism,parentingandeducation.SheisaregularweeklycommentatoronChannel7’sWeekendSunriseandChannel9’sMornings.She

appearsfrequentlyonABC702,TheDrum,Q&Aand,ofcourse,thetop-ratingGruenPlanet.Sheisasoughtafterpublicspeaker,workshopfacilitatorandconsultant.

SheiscurrentlydevelopingaradioprojectonlonglastingrelationshipstocelebrateLifeMatters21styearonRN.

Shehaspublished3nonfictionbooks.TwowithChrisBonnoroneducationThe Stupid Country; How Australia is dismantling public educationandWhatMakes a Good School?(NewSouth,2007and2012),andonewithCatherineFoxonwomenandworkThe F Word; How we learned to swear by feminism.(NewSouth,2008).ShehasalsopublishedherfirstnovelJust a Girl(UQP,2011)andisworkingonasequelJust a Queen tobepublishedin2014.Hernextbook,tobereleasedinJune2013byPanMacmillan,

Inside this issue02 CEO’sreport 03 President’sreport04 Marketingideas

06 Digitalreport08 Employmentmatters10 ACBAreport11 ILFreport12 Retailleasing15 ABAnews16 Bookshopprofile

The official journal of the australian booksellers associationVOLUME 13 • ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2013 ISSN 1445-0437 01

89th ABA Annual Conference Keynote Speaker- Jane Caro

continued on page 04

For God’s Sake! An atheist, Christian, Jew and Muslim battle it out(sheistheatheist)waswrittenwithAntonyLoewenstein,SimonSmartandRachelWoodluck.SheisalsoeditingananthologyDestroying the Joint; Why women have to change the worldforUQPtobereleasedinMay,2013.

ShehasjustfinishedathreemonthstintfillinginforAnnabelCrabbwritingaweeklycolumnonthebackpageoftheSunHeraldandtheSundayAge.Shehasamonthlycolumn“ScenefromBelow”inMtMagazine.SheisfrequentlypublishedinnewspapersandonlinepublicationsallaroundAustralia.InDecember,2012shewasvotedthethirdmostinfluentialfemalevoiceinAustraliabythereadersofWomen’sAgenda,afterPMJuliaGillardandAnneSummers.SheisontheboardsofBellShakespeareandtheNSWPublicEducationFoundation.

JanehasbeentheChairofJudgesforAWARD,BrisbaneArtDirectorsandAdelaideArtDirectors.ShealsochairstheBellShakespeareArtisticAdvisoryPanel.SheisagraduateofTheBenevolentSociety’sSydneyLeadershopprogram(2000).Sheisapart-timelecturer(AdvertisingCreative)inTheSchoolofHumanitiesandCommunicationArtsatUWS,andabeefproducer,atimbergrower,awifeandmother.

02 NewsonBooksellingNovember2012

CEO’s report

Welcome to 2013!

Conference Ican’tbemoredelightedwithhow

planningisproceedingfortheABA’s89thConferenceandTradeExhibitioninAdelaide.ThethemeoftheConference,‘AGoodVintage’notonlyreflectsAdelaide’splaceontheworldstageasacentreforfinewineandfood,butthecentralongoingrolethatbookshopshave,notonlyinpreservingthequalitiesofthepast(ageingwell),butinreflectingmoderntechniquesandadjustingtothedemandsofthemarkets.

WehavejoinedforceswithLeadingEdgetodeliverajointTradeExhibition.WewillbeholdingourConferenceonSundayandMonday,16-17June,withLeadingEdgeholdingtheirConferenceonSaturday,15June.ThejointexhibitionwithbeonSundayafternoon.

JaneCaroprovidesaveryimportantstarttotheConferenceassheappliesherspecialsetofskillstothevexedquestionofhowbookshopssurviveandthriveduringthesevolatiletimesfortheindustry.

FormeradvisertoAlGore,DanielPink(To Sell is HumanandDrive)willdeliveravideoaddresswithafocusonhowsellinghaschangedinthe21stcentury,andhowbookshopscancapitaliseonthatchange.

Forthelastthreeyears,therepresentativesofkeyEnglishspeakingbooksellingassociations(ELBA)havemettoshareinformationthatmaybeusefultoourmemberships.ThisyearAdelaideisthevenue.IwillbejoiningOrenTeicher(AmericanBooksellers

AssociationCEO),TimGodfray(BooksellersUKandIreland)andLincolnGould(BooksellersNZ)todiscusswhatishappeninginthesecountries,andfindconstructiveideasthatmightbeputtouseinAustralia.

TheglobaldirectorofNielsenBookscan,JonathanNowell,willdiscussglobaltrendsinbookselling,withShaunSymondsbringingitbacktothelocal.Thisonlybeginstoscratchthesurfaceofthepanels,discussionsandseminarsaboutwaystoimprovesalesinyourbookshops.

TheAustralianCampusBooksellersAssociationwillalsobeholdingameetingduringtheConference.

Youmayseeacommonthreadrunningthroughallthis–bookshopsarepartofawidercommunity,anditiscrucialthatbooksellersofallshapes,sizesandorientationsworkoutwhattheyhaveincommon,andhowtheycanworkwithlocalbusinesses,librariesandevenotherbooksellerstoensuresurvivalandgrowth.

Staff changes and additions in the ABA office.

AttheendofJanuary,wefarewelledMemberServicesOfficerMichelleBansenwhohasdecidedtorejointhehurlyburlylifeofthe‘rep-on-the-road’(someofyoumightrecallthatrapidlyendangeredspecies–peoplewhocomeintobookshops–sometimescarryingactualbooks).WewishMichellewell,andthankherforhereffortsonbehalfofourmembers

Withanychange,itcanpresentanopportunitytolookatourstrengthsandweaknesses,andtoensureourmembersgetthebestvalueoutofbeingpartoftheABA.Someofyou

mayrememberTamaraSeldonTrusswhowillbe(re)joiningusasMemberServicesOfficer.TamarahadtherolewhenRobynHuppertwasonmaternityleavein2006-07,andhasworkedforseveralbookshopsintheMelbourneareaovertheyears.

WearealsodelightedtowelcomeSteveJonesinthenewlycreatedpositionofMarketing/ProjectOfficerfortheABA.Steveistheex-ManagerofKinokuniyainSydney.StevewillberesponsibleforpromotinganddevelopingbookshopinitiativesincludingIndieBoundandNationalBookshopDay,aswellasexpandingtheABA’sbookvoucherservicesandassistingwithseminarandinformation-basedprogramsduringtheyear.

Advocacy Incaseanyonehasnoticed,thisisan

electionyear(eveniftheFederalcampaignwillnotbeginuntilmid-August).Overthenextfewmonthswewillbediscussingkeyissuesaffectingthebooksellingindustry,andgivingyouadviceonhowyoucanbedeliveringthemessagetoyourlocalmembers.

I hope to see you all in Adelaide.

Joel Becker


President’s report

Anewyearisuponus,oneI’msurethatwillbefullofevenmorechange.WewillseethemergerofPenguinandRandomHouseinSeptember,whichI’msurewillbethefirstofmany.Whoelsewillweseemerge?Scharper)S&SandMacmillan)?Machette?(MacmillanandHachette)?Onlytimewilltell.

Christmaswasagainachallenge,notjustforbooksellersbutallretailers.Morepeoplearespendingtheirmoneyonlineandpredominantlywithoverseasretailers.WearebeginningtogetmoretractionwithboththeGovernmentandtheOppositionontheissueofGSTonimportsbutthingsaremovingveryslowly.Bookpricescontinuetofall,butnotacrosstheboardunfortunately,whichpresentsitownchallengesinmaintainingthebottomline.AnddigitalsalescontinuetogrowinbookswitheReadersandtabletsreportedtobethebigsellersoverChristmas.

AmazonisthestillthedominanteBookretailerintheAustralianmarketwithanestimated60-70%marketshare.Appleissecondwith15-20%.Kobocomesinthirdwith10-15%.Googlehavearound5%.TherestissharedbetweenReadCloud,Booki.sh,Bookuandothers.90%ofeBooksalesaregoingtooffshoreretailers.

InAustralia,eBooksareestimatedtorepresent10%ofbookssold.IntheUSitisalmost30%andstillrisinginbothmarkets.InsomegenreseBookssalesareover50%.Themajorityofthisisattheexpenseofprintbooksales.However,AustralianbookshopsstillaccountforthemajorityofbooksalesintheAustralianmarketbutaseBooksalescontinuetogrow,andprintbooksalescontract,fewerbookswillbesoldinAustralianbookshopsandtherewillconsequentlybelessbookshopsin

Australia.IfthenumberofbookshopscontractinAustraliathenumberofprintbookssoldinAustraliawillfallevenfurther.

Amazon,AppleandKoboarewinningthebattleforeBookmarketsharethroughtheirdevices.ItisestimatedthattheKindleaccountsfor75%ofeReadersinAustralia.TheiPadandiPhonearestillthedominanttabletandsmartphonedevicedespitethegrowthofAndroiddevices.KoboeReadersaremakinginroadswithmultipleretailerpartnersandastrongmarketingpushinthismarket.

WhileanyeBookretailercansellontotabletsandsmartphones,aswellasKoboeReaders,themajorityofuserspurchasefromthedefaulteBookproviderontheirdevice(iBooks,Kobo,Amazon).TheKindleAppisalsowidelyused,asKindlehasbecomethedefaulteReaderinconsumer’sminds.Non-AmazonretailerscannotsellontotheKindledevice,althoughitistechnicallypossibletotransfernon-DRMePubstoKindledevices.

TheeBookmarketisessentiallyadevicewar:Kindlevs.iPadvs.Kobo.Investingindevicesisextremelyexpensiveanddevicesarebeingsupersededevery12monthswhichmeansanyinvestmentinadevicemustberepeatedeveryyear.

Howeverabookshopdoeshaveitsowndevice:thephysicalbook,availableinavarietyofdifferentmodels:hardback,tradePaperback,mass-marketpaperback.IbelievebookshopsshouldusethisdevicetocompeteagainsteBookretailersandthewaytodothisistobundleprintbookswitheBooks.BeingabletobundleaneBookwithaprintbookwouldensurethatprintbooksremainarelevantformatandifthebundledeBookcouldbeintheformatofthecustomer’schoosing(Kindle,iBooksor

ePub)orDRM-freeitwouldcombatformatanddevicerestrictionsbothforconsumersandretailers.

IalsoreadafascinatingbookonsellingoversummercalledTo Sell isHumanbyDanielPink.Pinkarguesthateveryjobisfundamentallyaboutsales.Healsolooksathowsalesitselfhaschanged.InaworldwhereconsumersarearmedwithsmartphonesthatnotonlygivesthemmobileInternetbutalsoinstantsocialmediatherelationshipbetweenaconsumerandavendorhasfundamentallychanged.Avendornolongerhastheupperhandandmustadapttothisnewrelationship.

Ifoundthebookinvaluable.AsbooksellersweneedtolistentowhatcustomersaretellingusandIdon’tmeanverbally,Imeanbytheiractionswhichareprettyclearatthemoment.Wealsoneedtostaypositiveaboutourbusinessesandtheproductswesellandweneedtobemoreproactive.AtthemomentwearereactingtoeBooksandthegrowthofonlineshoppingandthereisanegativeperceptionaboutthefutureofbookshopsandprintedbooks.Weneedtofindwaysofgettingaheadofthecurve,likeNationalBookshopDay,ratherthanchasingthecurve.Noneofthiswillbeeasyandtherearenoguaranteesbutifyoufightthewrongbattlesyouinvariablylosethewar.

ItisfantasticthatwehavebeenabletopartnerwiththeLeadingEdgeBooksConference.Thiswillmeanthatnotonlywilltherebeabiggerbooksellerpresencebutalsoabiggerpublisherpresence.IhopetoseeasmanyofyouaspossibleinAdelaideinJune.

Jon Page

04 NewsonBooksellingMay201004 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013

FRIDAY 14 JUNE

LEADING EDGE BOOKSWELCOME DINNER

SATURDAY 15 JUNE

LEADING EDGE BOOKS CONFERENCE(FULL DAY)

LEADING EDGE BOOKSGALA DINNER & INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER’S AWARDS

SUNDAY 16 JUNE

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:JANE CARO

NIELSEN BOOKSCAN:INDUSTRY SALES TRENDS

2013 ABA & LEB TRADE EXHIBITION(2.5 HRS INCLUDING WORKING LUNCH)

BOOKSELLING: FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL

VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY:2013 INDUSTRY FORUM

ABA AGM

CELEBRATING BOOKSELLINGGALA DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT

MONDAY 17 JUNE

TO SELL IS HUMANDANIEL PINK

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS

ABA MEMBER FORUM:BENEFITS & SERVICES

ILF 2013: UPDATE

CHILDREN’S BOOKS:SELL MORE OF WHAT SELLS

MAXIMISING GENRE SALES

SHARING BEST PRACTISE

2013 ABA & LEB CONFERENCE PROGRAM SUMMARY

The Australian Booksellers

Association and Leading Edge

Books are proud to present

their annual Conferences at

the Hilton Adelaide on 14-15th

June (LEB) and 16-17th June

(ABA). A joint Trade Exhibition

will be held on Sunday June 16.

Information on ABA Conference speakers &

session topics will be updated regularly on the

NEW conference website:

ABACONFERENCE.ORG.AU

NEW

Andrea Hanke, editor-in-chief at Books+Publishing, spoke to Jane Caro in aniticipation of her keynote address.

You’redeliveringthekeynoteaddressattheAustralianBooksellersAssociationconferencetoaroomfullofbooksellers.Canyougiveusatasteofwhatyou’llbetalkingabout?

IwillwearmymarketingandadvertisinghattomakesomecommentsaboutthechangesinretailingandwhatIthinkwillremain(peoplewillstillbuybooksinbookshops)andwhatwillchange.

Ibelievetheannouncementofthedeathofthep-bookhasbeenverypremature.

Iwillalsotalkaboutmyownloveofbooks–bothasalifelongreaderandawriter–andwhytheirphysicalexistencecontinuestomattertome.

Ifyouwerehiredtorunanadvertisingcampaignforyourlocalbookstore,whatwoulditlooklike?

Sorry,youhavetopaymeforthatkindofprofessionaladvice,butIwouldemphasisethecustomerexperience–notjustaboutbuyinganymore,aboutrelaxing,browsing,discoveringandexploring.Yourexpertiseandabilitytorecommendandbroadenthecustomer’srepertoire–recognitionisimportanttoo–trytoturnasmanycustomersintoregularsasyoucan.Peopleareseekingwhattheycan’tgetontheinternet

Fromyourexperienceasasuccessfulwomaninbusinesswhohasalsoraisedafamilythroughsomeofyourbusiestyears,whatwouldyousayisthekeytojugglingvariousprojectsandmaintainingawork-lifebalance.

Beselfish,neverfeelguiltyandexpectyourpartnertodoasmuchasyoudo.Trustthatyourchildrenwillcopeandlearntobeindependent.ifmyexperienceisanyguide,itpaysoffinspadesinthelongrun.Couldn’tbeprouderofthetwoindependent,sensibleandresponsibleyoungwomenmydaughtershavebecome.

To read this article in full make sure you get issue 2 of Books + Publishing available early April.

Conference con’t

05 NewsonBooksellingNovember2012

JOINT ABA & LEB TRADE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY 16TH JUNE


Networking

Itisimportanttomeasasmallindependentbooksellerinanisolatedareatoattendconference.Tohearindustrynews,catchupwithotherbooksellersandmeetpublishinghouserepresentativesfacetoface.

BeingeighthoursfromSydneyandfivefromBrisbane,Inevergettoseearepsothisopportunityispriceless.Ialsomanagedtogetbettertermswithseveralpublisherswhichisofgreatbenefittomybusiness.

Gina, Wise Words Bookshop, NSW

...tomixwithpeoplewholovebooksmorethananythingelseintheworld.

Clayton, Boomerang Books,, SA

Togettoknow(publisher)accountmanagersthatrarelyhavetheopportunitytovisitourshopandfromthiswehaveevenbeenabletoorganiseauthorvisits.

Catherine, Fullers Bookshop, TAS

Knowledge

BooksellersareingeneralverygenerouswiththeirknowledgeandIsoenjoydiscussingdifferentaspectsofmybusinesswithmoreexperiencedcolleagues.ThisoftenhappensatthemoreinformalgatheringsatConference.

Gina

IattendConferencefirstandforemosttolearnaboutthebookindustry.It’sagreatplacetolearnabouthowbooksellersandpublisherswork;tolistenandunderstandthechallengesthattheindustryfaces.

It’sagreatplacetolistentosomeoftheeminentpeopleintheindustry-tospeakandrubshoulderswiththemandtolistentointernationallyacclaimedspeakersfrommarketsthataretypicallyaheadofourown

Clayton

Welearnalotofbetterwaysofdoingthings,industrytipsandcontactsthatwehadmissedouton,newsystemsthatcanhelpusinthedaytodayrunningofabusiness.

Weenjoymeetingwithauthors.It’ssobeneficialforustochattocustomersabouthavingheardanauthorspeak.Itputsabookintocontext,makesitmorepersonalandI’msureitimprovessales!

Sue and Kerry, Mary Who? Bookshop, QLD

Inspiration

Ihaveattendedinexcessof15ABAConferencesandIalwayscomeawaywithafreshperspectiveonwhatitisthatwedo.

Catherine

Itdoesustheworldofgoodtorememberwearepartofavibrantandinterestingindustry.Ilikethefactthatjustabouteveryoneinthebooktrade,especiallytheonesyoumeetatConference,ispassionateaboutit.Thisinspiresandreinvigoratesandreaffirmswhywedowhatwedo.

Sue and Kerry

Rechargingthebatteries

Conferencegivesusachancetohaveabreakfromtheshop-akindofholidayreally(thenatureofbeingowner/managersinsmallbusiness!).Weenjoycatchingupwithotherbooksellersandtalkingoverissueswehaveincommon.

Sue and Kerry

...agreatexcusetostayinanicehotel,haveafewdrinksandattendsomegreatdinners(don’ttellmywife,butit’sagreatopportunitytohaveashortbreakfrommytwotoddlers!).

Clayton

Why attend Conference?

Conference means we get to sit down for a few days and someone else cooks for us!

Sue and Kerry


RegistrationOptions Inclusions ABAMember NonMember

ABA-LEBFullPackage

(Fridaynight14JunetoMondayafternoon17June)

Friday-WelcomeDinner(LEB)

Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB,

Delegatesatchel,

LEBAwardsDinner

Sunday-accesstoallABAsessions

TradeExhibitionpass,ABAGalaDinner

Monday-accesstoallABAsessions

LEBMEMBERSONLY

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(upto4April)

$1180

Standard

(from5April)

$1320

LEBMEMBERSONLY

EarlyBird

(upto4April)

$1300

Standard

(from5April)

$1440

LEBFullPackage

(Fridaynight14JunetoSaturdaynight15June)

Friday-WelcomeDinnerLEB

Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB

Delegatesatchel

LEBAwardsDinner

LEBMEMBERSONLY

EarlyBird

(upto4April)

$550

Standard

(from5April)

$590LEBDayOnly

(Saturday15June)

Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB

DelegateSatchel

LEBMEMBERSONLY

$300ABAFullPackage

(Sunday16JunetoMonday17June)


Delegatesatchel

TradeExhibitionpass

ABAGalaDinner

Monday-accesstoallABAsessions

EarlyBird

(upto5April)

$630

Standard

(from4April)

$730

EarlyBird

(upto5April)

$750

Standard

(from4April)

$850

ABA-LEBDayOnly

(Sunday16June)


TradeExhibitionpass

$300 $35o

ABADayOnly

(Monday17June)

Monday-accesstoallABAsessions $300 $350

LEBDinnerOnly

(Friday14June)

Friday-dinneronly LEBMEMBERSONLY

$120LEBAwardsDinnerOnly

(Saturday15June)

Saturday-LEBAwardsDinnner LEBMEMBERSONLY

$170ABAGalaDinner

(Sunday16June)

Sunday-CelebratingBooksellingGalaDinner $140 $180

TradeExhibitionOnlyPass

(Sunday16June)

Sunday-accesstoTradeExhibitiononly $100 $120

Registration packages

*Pleasenote-allFullregistrationandDayOnlyregistrationpackagesincludemorningtea,lunchandafternoontea.


Ebooks2.0 Thetriple-digitgrowthofebooksales

hasfallenawaysharply.IntheleadingUSmarketit’snowinlowdoubledigits,andinAustraliathestoryissimilar.As2012ended,aquarterofonlineAustralianshadboughtanebook,thesamepercentageasinJanuarylastyearaccordingtoBowker’sGlobaleBookMonitoringSurvey.

Thisdramaticslowdownhaspromptedsomerelievedcries.“Loversofinkandpaper,takeheart.Reportsofthedeathoftheprintedbookmaybeexaggerated,”saidtheWallStreetJournalinresponsetothis.

Onereason,ofcourse,isthatit’smathematicallyimpossibletokeepgrowingatthesehighrates.Butwithjustaquarterofthepopulationreached,ebooksaretaperingoffsoonerthanotherconsumertechnology,suchasmobilephonesortheinternet.Andit’shappeningassalesoftabletsandsmartphonesaresurging.

Therealityoftheebookrevolutionisthatit’sstillmostlyaboutfiction.RandomHousedigitalheadJeffWeberrecentlytalkedabouthis“70-20-10”ruleforRH’sebooksales:70percentisadultfiction,20percentadultnonfiction,and10percentchildren’s&teen.

Withmajorfictiontitlesnowsellinghalformoreindigitalformats,themarketisindeedmaturing.Non-fictionworksandtextbooks,whichmakeupmostofthebookmarket,areyettomakeadigitalsplash.

EPUB3 and the struggle to save the (e)book

Theindustry’sanswertothisisEPUB3.Thenextversionoftoday’sEPUBebookformatpromisestobringus‘enhancedebooks’–digitaleditionsoftextbooks,illustratedtitlesandothercategoriesthatmissedthefirstebookwave.

Itshouldbeashoo-inafterthestellarperformanceofthecurrentversion.Butthere’saproblem.Almosttwoyearsafteritwassignedoff,prettymuch

no-oneisusingit.NomajordevicescanyetreadEPUB3files,andevene-readingappsofferlittleornosupport.

Thisslowuptakeisawake-upcalltopublishersontwofronts.First,itshowsagainhowlittlethebookindustrycontrolsitsowndestiny:EPUB3isatinypartofamuchbiggerecosystem.Thesecondproblemispotentiallymuchbigger.It’sthewebitself.

Aswemovetosmartmobiledeviceswithalways-oninternetaccess,andmassivecloudservicestostoreallourdataandmedia,thewebstartstolooklikeabetteroptiontodomanyofthethingsthatusedtobedoneoffline.

YetthemajorbenefitofEPUB3andtoday’sebooksisthattheybasicallywrapawebsiteintoasinglefilesothatitcanbedownloadedto‘own’anduseoffline.Toachievethis,theindustryneedsanewecosystem,fromdevelopersandtools,todevicesanddistribution.

Whenebooksweresimple,andaimedatsimpledeviceslikeblackandwhiteKindles(whosesalesarealsosliding),thiswasnotaproblem.ButEPUB3ismuchmorecomplexwhichcreatesahostofproblems.

Fornon-fictionandtextbooks,therearebigusabilityissuescomparedtotheweb.Forinstance,tousemultimediacontent,readersmustdownloadmassivefilesfullofvideotheymightneveruse,insteadofjuststreamingwhattheyneed,astheyneedit.Addinginteractivefeaturesopensthedoortobugs,virusesanddeviceincompatibility.Andebooksareclosedwhentheyneedtobeopen.Usersnowexpecttofollowandsharelivelinks,notdeadfootnotes,tokeepandshareannotations,andtodiscoverwhattheywantfromaGooglesearch.Self-contained,offlineebooksmakethesethingstoughtoachieve.

Finally,thereareproductionproblems.Filesneedtobetestedandtunedfordozensofdevicesandappsinsteadofjusttwoorthreemajorwebbrowsers.Toolsarepoor,andtalentishardtoattractandretaincomparedtobetter-paidwebdevelopment.

Someinsiders,anddigital-savvyoutsiderseyingtheindustry,arenowopenlyaskingthequestion:woulditbebetterifbookpublishingfullyembracestheweb,ratherthanthewebbendingtoaccommodate‘books’asaspecialcategory?

New competition for ebooks and talent

Don’texpecttheebooktofadeawayanytimesoon.Formanyusesitwillbeperfectlyfineforawhileyet.AndAmazon,ofcourse,ispushingitsownversionofEPUB3calledKF8,thoughitsuffersfrommanyofthesamechallenges.

Movesarealsoafoottobringtheebookitselfclosertotheweb.Oneofthesedevelopments,calledReadium,isbackedbythesameindustrygroupthatdevelopedEPUB3.ItletswebbrowsersreadthenewEPUB3ebookfiles.AndaSiliconValleystart-upcalledInklinghasdevelopedasystemthatgivespublishersabobeachwayonthistug-of-warbattle,treatingbooksassoftwarethatcanliveontheweborinvariousbookformats.ItsearlyusersareaWho’sWhoofthetextbookandnon-fictiontradebookmarkets.

Butinthemovefromsimple,‘linear’novels–Ebooks1.0ifyoulike–toenhancedebooksforinformationandlearning,ebooksasweknowthemmaybeashort-livedinterlude.

Goodalternativestoebooksareemergingwhichfullyembracethewebandcansolvethesamereaderneeds.Inmanycases,theyofferauthorstheprospectofabetterlivingthantoday’spublisherdeals.Twoexamplesaree-learningandso-calledmembershipsites.Asnon-fictionebooksmigratetotheweb,manyofthemarelikelytolookmorelikethesethantraditionalebooks.

E-learningisundergoingitsowntransformation,similartotheebookexplosionfiveyearsago.Forthepastdecadeandmore,ithasbeentheprovinceofdullcorporatetrainingandnicheacademiccourses.That’schangingdramaticallyase-learninggetsaconsumermakeover.

Digital report


AnewwaveofcompanieslikeSkillshare.comandpioneerLynda.comofferinexpensiveonlinecoursesthatfillmanyofthesameneedsasnon-fictionbooksoncedid,oftenwithauthorsamongthecoursedevelopers.Thecoursespresenttext,audio,video,andinteractiveelementslikequizzes–thesamethingsEPUB3promises–oftenwithsocialconnectionstootherstudentswhichebooksdon’tdowell,or‘allyoucaneat’accesstocourses.

Inpubliceducation,MOOCs(massiveopenonlinecourses)arenowbringingtheworld’sbestteachersfreeintohomesaswellasschoolsanduniversities.SiteslikeCoursera,EdXandUdacityaredrivingthis,manyofthembackedbytop-tieruniversities.Apple’siTunesU,innovativestart-upslikeKahnAcademy,andtheswellingopencontentmovement,areopeningupamassofhigh-quality,freecoursematerialtoschoolsandconsumers.

Membershipsites.Forgetcomplaintsfromtraditionalmedialikenewspapersandmagazines:peoplearealreadypayingforalotofcontentonline.So-calledmembershipsitesareleadingtheway.Thesesitesoftenhavetheirgenesisinblogsandenthusiastsites.Theyofferpaidaccesstopremiumcontentandservices,continuousupdates,applicationslikemenu-planningandfitness-tracking,andaccesstocommunitiesoflike-mindedpeople.Forauthorsandnichepublishers,theyoffertheprospectofbuildingafollowingandcontinuingincomefromfans,notjustaone-offsale.

What publishers can do to help booksellers – and themselves

Theturbulenceofthepastfewyearsmaybejustbeginninganew,astheebookitselffaceschallenges.Thismightsoundgrim,but‘traditional’publishersneedbooksellerstothriveandthere’splentytheycandotoensureithappensandtoreducethe‘leakage’ofgreatcontentfromthebookworld.Herearetwosuggestions.

First,theycandomoretowinandretaintalentedauthorssotheyactuallywanttodobookswhentheirchoicesareexpanding.Thiscertainlymeansgivingthemabiggersliceofthepie,butithastogowellbeyondthis.

Publishershavetoactivelyseekmorewaysthanjustbookroyaltiestohelpauthorsearnalivingfromtheirwork.Insomecasesitwillmeanpublishersofferdigitaloptionsbeyondebooks.Butincreasingly,we’llseepublisherstakingjustprintiftheycan’tadequatelyexploitdigitalrights,insteadofdemandingtoday’sall-or-nothingdeals.Latelastyear,SimonandSchusterdidjustthiswithauthorHughHowey,anearlysignthatthisshiftisbeginning.

Afocusbackonprintwillhelprealigntheinterestsofpublishersandbooksellerstothebenefitofboth.Andremovingdigitaldemandsandconflictswillhelppublisherspitchbookideastothenewdigital-firstpublishersanddigital-savvyauthors.That’sawinforpublishers,booksellersandcreators.

Secondly,publishersshouldencouragearobustprint-on-demandmarketplace,onethatmovesbeyondtoday’sjust-in-timerestockingoftheirownwarehousesandgivesbooksellers moredirectcontrol.Thishasthepotentialtoopenthevibrantbooksellerchanneltobothnichebooksfrommainstreampublishers,andtothenewbreedofdigitalpublisherswithoutprintforerunnerofthistypeofservice.EspressNetacquiresPODfilesandrights,thendistributesthemthroughitsnetworkofindependentprintshops.It’sbeginningtowinsomelargepublishersandbuildamorecommercially-valuablecataloguethantheself-publishedandpublicdomainworksthatdominateditsearlyefforts.

Noneofthiswillbringprintedbooksbacktotheirmass-merchandisingheyday.Butinitiativeslikethesecanhelpnavigateturbulenttimes,feedingavibrantretailchannelwithinterestingbookschosenbyknowledgeablebooksellers.

Distribution and sales operations.

Abooksellershouldbeabletoquicklystockaprinteditionofahotdigital-firsttitle,orcompetewithBookDepositorytooffermosttraditionally-publishedtitles,withbetterservice.Digitalprintingisnowgoodenoughforallbutthefussiestcoffeetablebooksandprintedbookdesignwillitselfevolvetofitintothisdigital-drivenworld.

AchievingthisneedsawillingnessfrompublisherstolicensePODrightsformosttitles,eventhosestillinprint,onaroyaltybasisdirectlytobooksellersorspecialistintermediaries.TheEspressoBookMachine’sEspressNetmightbeaforerunnerofthistypeofservice.EspressNetacquiresPODfilesandrights,thendistributesthemthroughitsnetworkofindependentprintshops.It’sbeginningtowinsomelargepublishersandbuildamorecommercially-valuablecataloguethantheself-publishedandpublicdomainworksthatdominateditsearlyefforts.

Noneofthiswillbringprintedbooksbacktotheirmass-merchandisingheyday.Butinitiativeslikethesecanhelpnavigateturbulenttimes,feedingavibrantretailchannelwithinterestingbookschosenbyknowledgeablebooksellers.

Martin Taylorblog: activitypress.com/ereporttwitter: @nztaylor

publishers need booksellers to thrive and there’s plenty they can do to ensure it happens


ForthosewhoIhavenotmetoverthelast17yearspleaseletmeintroducemyself–MynameisSteve,andIhavejustjoinedtheABAastheMarketingOfficer.

Previously,ImanagedtheenormousKinokuniyaBookstore,inSydney’sCBDforjustoverfiveyears.Thesuccessofthestoreinvolveditsfocusonbothnichemarkets,andtargetingthelocalcommunitywithmarketinginitiatives.

AfterleavingthestoreIspenttimeasaconsultantforvariouspublishersandretailers,focusingonlocalandintuitivemarketingstrategies-withnewdigitalandtraditionalmarketingtools.Mysuccessinbusinessandmarketinghasrootsinmybeliefthatbookstoresareanaturalpartofanygoodcommunity.

IamextremelyexcitedaboutmynewpositionwithintheABAbecauseofmyfaithinbothbookstores,andtheunifyingrelationshipsbooksellershavewitheachother.Nootherindustrycommunicatessowellwitheachother–whetheritisoveraglassofwineoratanauthordinner–wehavealwaysbeenkeentosharebothnegativeandpositiveexperiencesatthecoalfaceofbookselling.

MynewroleisinitsinfancyandwillmovewiththeneedsofthemembersoftheABA,andtheCommitteeofManagement.Anyinputwillbewelcomedthroughyourusualchannels,orcontactmedirectly.

AtthisstageIwillberesponsibleforincreasingawarenessandsalesofABABookVouchers,NationalBookshopDay,andIndieBound.ThereareafewotherprojectsthatIwillbeworkingon,andI

amsureJoelortheCommitteewillbegivingmeafewmore!

ABABookVouchersbenefitallmembersbyofferingacentralisedorganisationsellingvoucherstocorporate,school,andplainprivatecustomersnationally-withoutbeinglimitedtoachain,orshoppingcentre-promotingourmembersequally.TheABAsellstensofthousandsofvouchers,worthhundredsofthousandsofdollarsperyear.IfyouarenotalreadyacceptingABAvouchersyoucanbetacompetitordoes.BookVouchersareafantasticwayofgainingnewbusinesstoyourshop.TheABA’shopestoincreasesalesandthuspromotebookstorestotraditionalandnon-traditionalcustomers.

Iwillalsobeco-ordinatingthealreadyfantasticNationalBookshopDay.Whilemostbookstoreshavebeenpromoting-throughtheirownmediaoutlets-theirownbookshop,Iwillbeorganisingthingsfromanationalperspective.IfyouneedsomehelpwithnewideasandtemplatestoenhanceyourofferIwillbetheretosupportyou.IalreadyhavesomeideasbutamnaturallykeentohaveinputfromtheABAmembers.

MygoalforIndieboundistohaveatwelvemonthmarketingcalendarthathighlightingthe‘whyshoppinglocal’isimportanttoyourcommunity.Andalsohelpbooksellersgetthemostoutthescheme–whileexpandingonthefantasticworkourpartnersoverseashavedone.

Alltheseinitiativesneedtobecommunicatedtoyourcustomersthroughnewandtraditional

marketinginitiatives.NationalBookshopDayandIndieBoundneedtohaveapresenceviasocialmediacontinuously,andassuchIwillneedinformationfrombookstoreshighlightingyoureventsandlocalactivity–althoughIwillcontinuemonitoringyourownmarketingonline.Whilethenew,andsometimesfree,newdigitalmediumscanbesuccessful,youcannotforgetaboutthetraditionalprintandface-to-facemediumofmarketing.Thecombinationofthetwocanmeanthesuccessofaneventorcampaign.Marketingisnotonedimensional,butthenagainneitherisbookselling.

Steve [email protected]

Marketing ideas


ILF report

Thankyouforyourgeneroussupportin2012–especiallyinlightoftheextremelychallengingmarketandchangesthattookplaceoverthepast12months.

Wearedelightedtoannounceouryear-endfundraisingresults:$768,000,anextraordinaryresultthatwasonlymadepossiblebyanenormousdonationfromtheVictorianIndependentBooksellersNetwork(IBN)attheendoftheyear.

IanHortonofFarrell’sBookshoprangourofficelateDecembertosaythatIBN’sdonationof$48,000(surplusfundswhenIBNdisbanded),wasmadepossiblethroughthecollectiveeffortsofmanydedicatedindependentVictorianbooksellers.HesaidthatIBNmemberswantedto“givebacktothecommunityandpromoteliteracyandreading”.

Inadditiontothisgenerousdonation,manybookshopsranindependentfundraisersthroughouttheyear,tookourDonationboxesfortheircountersandlaunchevents,anddonatedtheproceedsfromtheirparticipationinIndigenousLiteracyDay.

In2012wedeliveredjustover18,000bookstomorethan180remotecommunitiesandserviceorganisationsacrossAustralia.WewereabletoconsolidateourdeliveryofbookssothatourliteracypacksweresentthroughaveryeffectivecentralisedbuyingandsupplysystematWoodslanePublishing.

ThroughourpartnershipswepublishedanewversionofReadingWithChildren;twobookspublishedinPaakjantjiandEnglishwithsponsorshipfromCALforWilcannia/MenindeecommunitiescalledNoTharltaontheBusandLenny&theBigRedMalka;andsponsoredthepublicationof18newbooksinsixlanguagesforCentralAustraliaAboriginalcommunitiesintheHoneyAntReadersseries.ThiswasachievedwithsponsorshipoftheMaryMackillopFoundation.

“This is a fantastic initiative and allows us to have books to give away to vulnerable families, as well as reading that is culturally informative and sensitive, to develop the literacy skills of kids in care (all of whom are Aboriginal) & those we provide family support to. Thank you ILF!” Mel Kean, Early Childhood Coordinator, Tangentyere Council, NT.

2013: Looking forward Thisyeartherearemanyexciting

changesandchallengesahead.Firstly,wearepleasedtoannounceNickBowditch,HeadofMarketing&SalesatGoogle,joinsourBoard.Nickbringsawealthofknowledgeandexpertisetoassistthefuturedevelopmentofourprogramsandfundraising.

TinaRaye,ournewProgramManager,hasmovedfromDarwintoworkatheadofficeinSydney.Inashortspaceoftime,TinahasdevelopedtheIDREAMprojectwithEducationQLD,isworkingonanewearlyliteracykitforBookBuzzandhaswrittenTeacher’sresources(inlinewiththenewNationalCurriculum)forthe2013SchoolKit.TinawilltravelouttoBrokenHillandWarburtoninWAoverthenext6weeksandwillbegivingregularupdatesonwhat’shappeningincommunitiesandwithbooksupply.

Over80newbookshavebeenselectedforthe2013literacykitsthatwillbegiftedtoourremotecommunitiesandserviceorganisationsacrossAustralia.Again,thishasbeenmadepossiblebyacommitteeheadedupbyDebraDankourCulturalAmbassadorandTinaRayetogetherwithRobynHuppert(ABA)andLynndyBennett(Gleebooks)whoreviewedhundredsandhundredsofbooks.ThisyearweareenormouslyluckytohavethesupportofUBDandanewcentraliseddistributionsystem.

NationalINDIGENOUSLITERACYDAYisonWednesday4Septemberthisyear.Thisisourmajorfundraisingeventfortheyear.Weinvitealloursupporters-individuals,schoolsandbusinesses,bigandsmallalike,toregisterwithus

AmbassadorAndyGriffithssays:“Teachingachildtoenjoybooksiseducatingagenerationahead.”Withyourhelp,we’relookingaheadtofuturegenerationsandthedoorsthatbooksandreadingwillopenforthem!

Karen WilliamsExecutive Director


Retail Leasing

Thebiggestmistakethatismadewhenenteringintoaretailleaseisthatpeopledon’tknowtherightquestionstoaskorknowwhattheyaregettinginto.Thisarticleisdesignedtoassistwithgeneralquestionstohelpyouavoidexpensivemisunderstandingsthatcostyouandyourbusinessmoney.Leaseagreementsarenotacaseof“onesizefitsall”.Theyarenegotiableandbeforeyousignanythingyoushouldbeawareofallconditionsrelevanttoyouragreement.

Seekprofessionaladvicebeforeyousignanything,acceptkeysorpaybondmoneyanddon’tmakeanypromises.

Pre Lease

Beforeyouevengettotheleasestagethereareanumberofthingstoconsider

1. Doyourmarketresearch–whatistheaveragemarketrentforretailspaceintheareaIamlookingat?

2. Whattypesofrentarebeingcharged–simpleannualrentoracombinationofannualplusacomponentofyourturnover?

3. Whatiscurrentlyhappeningwithrentreviews–arelandlordsusingCPI,marketreview,afixedpercentageoracombination?

4. Whatkindrentreviewwouldbebestformybusiness–knowingtheamountordoIhavethefinancialflexibilitytobevariable?

5. Dosomelandlordsofferincentivessuchasarent-freeperiodsothatyoucanfitoutthepremises,orperhapstheyareevencontributingtothefitout?

6. Whatisthecurrentvacancyrateintheareaanddoesthislandlordhaveaparticularlyhighorlowvacancyrate?

7. Lookatyourbusinessplan–whatdoesittellyouabouttherightlocation,dothepremisesmeetyourrequirementsreparking,foottrafficandgrowth?

8. WhatcanIafford?Rentisonlyoneaspectofthecostsunderalease.Don’tforgettelephone,electricityifseparatelymetered,cleaningcostsandsoon?

9. DoIneedlicensesorpermits?

10. DoesthespacesuitmybusinessandcanIuseitformyintendedpurpose?Isitfittoworkinforyouandfutureemployees?

11. Arethereanyzoningrequirements?

12. DoIneedtoalterthelayoutofthespaceintermsofwiring,plumbing?

What is a lease?

Aleaseisalegallybindingcontractbetweenyouandthelandlordwhichholdsbothpartiestoitstermsandconditions.Itallowsyoutooccupyshop/premisesandshouldtellyouabout:

• Thespace-bydescribingit(obtainaplanshowingthespace)

• Yourrights,obligationandliabilities

• Yourlandlord’srights,obligationandliabilities

• Conditionsthatapplytoyouruseofthespace(rent,othercosts,inwhatconditionyoumustleavethespacewhenyouvacate)

Inmostinstancesaleasestartswhenboththelandlordandtenantsignthedocument.However,legislationrecognisesthataleasemaystart

beforethistimesuchaswhenyoutakepossessionofthepremisesbeforetheleaseissigned,orwhenthelandlordofferstorentyouspaceinwritingandyouacceptthetermsandstartpayingrent.Itissoimportanttodoyourhomeworkasthisisconsideredalegallybindingagreement.Cancellingortryingtogetoutofthatleasewillincurconsiderablecosts.

Inmostinstancesyourleasewillbesubjecttolegislationwhichappliesspecificallytoretailleases.Thislegislationvariesfromstatetostate,butinallinstancesprovidesthatbeforesigningthelease,thelandlordmustprovideadisclosurestatementwhichdetailsimportantaspectsofthelease.Thisdocumentensurestransparencyandproperdisclosureofallthefacts.Aprospectivetenantshouldensurethatitsmainfeaturesareacceptable.Itisimperativethatalldetails,promises,representationsareincluded.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedto:

• Thetermoftheleaseandoptionstorenew

• Rentandthebasisofrentalreviews,andhowitistobedetermined

• Thedatesofexerciseofanyoptiontorenewandassociatedrentincreases

• Outgoingsorsharedoperatingexpenses(ensureyouknowexactlywhattheseare–councilrates,water,air-conditioning,repairsandmaintenance.Findoutwhatyouareresponsibleforbeforehandandwhatthelandlordwillcover)

• Thepermitteduseofthespaceandwhetheryouhavetoseekpermissionfromthelandlordtomakechanges.


Theremediesavailableifthelandlordfailstosupplyadisclosurestatementorifanyoftherepresentationscontainedinadisclosurestatementaremisleadingwillvaryfromstatetostate.However,atenantmaybeentitledtoterminatealeaseorrecoverdamages.Itisinyourbestinterestthatasmuchasdetailaspossibleisincludedasthisiswhatyouwillreferbacktowhenitcomestodisagreementsandrenewingyourlease.

Thenatleast7daysbeforealeaseisenteredintothelandlordmustprovideaprospectivetenantwithacompletedproposedleaseinwritingandyoushouldalwaysgetasolicitortoreviewitandmakesureitisbalancedandfair,asonceitissignedbyyouandyourlandlorditisusuallybindingonbothofyou.

Aleaseisthebeginningofarelationshipsoifitisdifficulttodealwiththelandlordatthebeginning,listentoyourwarningbellsasitmaybeanindicatorofhowfuturedealingwillprogressduringthetermofthelease.Talktoothertenantsandseehowtheygetalongwiththelandlord.Ifyouareconcernedatthisstagethentalktoyoursolicitor,smallbusinessassociationorfairtradingoffice.Onlywhenyouarecomfortablewiththeleasedoyousignit.

Inordertoensurethatyourrightsasatenantareprotected,alandlordshouldalsobeaskedtoprovidewrittenconfirmationthatanymortgageeofthepremiseshasgivenitsconsenttoyourlease.

Issuescanarisewhenitcomestimetoreneworrenegotiateyourlease.Ifyouhaveanoptiontorenewyourleaseforafurtherterm,youmustfollowtheproceduresandtimeframesassetoutinyourleasecarefullyoryouwilllose

therightsgiventoyoubythelease.Ifyouhavenotcompliedwithyourleaseobligations–payingrentontimeandsuchyoumaynotbeabletorenewit.Checkthewordingofyouroptionclauseandcheckwithyoursolicitorifyouhaveanydoubts.

If you want to stay where you are and you don’t have an option to renew it is never too early to start renewal negotiations. Leaving it to the last minute may mean you find yourself with less bargaining power. If your landlord is willing to grant you a new lease, remember that it is just that – a new lease. You do not need to agree on the same terms and conditions that applied previously.

Now is your chance to fix any issues or complications that you have experienced during the original lease. What did or didn’t work for you? Has your business changed and does this require a change to the document. Remember to have done some research of current market rates, terms for other shops in the area and so on to be in a better negotiating position.

Ifthereareproblemsthatcannotberesolved,thereareservicesthatareintendedtosaveyoutheexpenseofgoingtocourtandtohelpyouresolveadisputereasonablyquickly.Thesevaryfromstatetostateandinsomeinstancestheymayalsoincludemediationasafirststep.

Mediationisstartedbylodgingaspecialform.Yourlocalretailtenancyoffice,retailbusinessassociationorfairtradingofficecantellyouabouttheprocessandifthereareanyfeesinvolved.Amediatorwillinvitethepartiestooutlinetheirproblems.Thispersonisnotajudge,theirroleistohelpyouandyourlandlordbetterunderstandthesituationandconsiderifyouwanttocometoanagreement.Ifyoubothreachanagreementyoubothhavetosignamediationagreementoraformofcontractwhichisbindingonbothparties.

Ifmediationdoesnotwork,dependingonwhereyouliveyoumightbeabletotakeittoatribunalorcourtdependingonthesizeandissuesunderdispute.Thetribunalswerecreatedasspecialistbodiesdesignedtogiveaquickerandcheaperoutcomethanthecourts.ContacttheSmallBusinessCommissionerinyourstateformoreinformationandguidelinesonhowtoproceedwithdisputeresolution.

Please see page 14 for a list of leasing and mediation resources by state and territory

Information in this article has been provided by Jennifer Huppert, a solicitor with Herbert Geer Lawyers


Australian Capital Territory

Legislation TheLeases (Commercial and Retail) Act 2001 isavailableonline

fromtheACTLegislationRegisteratwww.legislation.act.gov.au.

InformationisavailableattheOfficeofRegulatoryservicesathttp://www.ors.act.gov.auor(02)62073000

Dispute Resolution TheMagistratesCourthasjurisdictiontodecideapplications

madeundertheActathttp://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/or(02)62071709

New South Wales

Legislation Retail Leases Act 1994isavailableonlinefromtheNSW

Legislationwebsiteawww.legislation.nsw.gov.au.TheActisalsoavailablefromtheRetailTenancyUnitwebsiteatwww.retail.nsw.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeoftheNSWSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.auor1300795534.

Mediation services OfficeoftheNSWSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.

smallbusiness.nsw.gov..auor1300795534.

The Retail Tenancy Unit Dispute Resolution Kit

Thiskithasinformationaboutpreventingandresolvingdisputes.Emailwe.assist@smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au

Northern Territory

Legislation TheBusinessTenancies(FairDealings)Act2009isavailable

onlinefromtheNorthernTerritoryLegislationDatabaseatwww.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislation.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeofConsumerAffairswebsiteatwww.nt.gov.au/justice/consaffairsor1800019319

Mediation services TheOfficeofConsumerAffairswebsiteatwww.nt.gov.au/

justice/consaffairsor1800019319

Queensland

Legislation TheRetailShopLeasesAct1994isavailableonlineatwww.

legislation/qld.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheRetailShopLeasesRegistryatwww.justice.qld.gov.auor1800807051.

Mediation services QueenslandCivilandAdministrativeTribunal

www.qcat.qld.gov.auor1300753228

South Australia

Legislation CopiesoftheRetail and Commercial Leases Act 1995are

availableonlineatwww.legislation.sa.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromConsumerandBusinessAffairsatwww.ocba.sa.gov.au/tenanciesor131882ortheOfficeoftheSouthAustralianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.sasbc.sa.gov.auor(08)83032026.

Mediation Service TheSouthAustralianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.

sasbc.sa.gov.auor(08)83032026.

Tasmania

Legislation TheFair Trading (Cod of Practice for Retail Tenancies)

Regulations 1998isavailablefromtheTasmanianLegislationDatabasewebsiteatwww.thelaws.tas.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromConsumerAffairsandFairTradingatwww.consumer.tas.gov.auor1300654499.

Mediationservices

ConsumerAffairsandFairTradingatwww.consumer.tas.gov.auor1300654499.

Victoria

Legislation TheRetail Leases Act 2003isavailablefromtheVictorian

LegislationDatabasewebsiteatwww.legislation.vic.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeofVictorianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.sbc.gov.auor(03)96519316.

Mediationservices

OfficeoftheVictorianSmallBusinessCommissioner

www.sbc.vic.gov.au

Ph:(03)96519316

Retail Leasing resources

015NewsonBooksellingMarch2013

ABA news

New ABA MembersWe welcome the following new members

Bookshop Members

ArmyofNerds,EnmoreNSW

AussieBooks,EmeraldBeachNSW

BookBonding,GisborneVICP

CrickhollowBooks,DingleyVIC

PagesPlus,KeilorDownsStrangerThanFictionBooks,BrookvaleNSW

Associate Supplier Members

AskAliceStationer,KensingtonVIC

BoolarongPress,SalisburyQLD

Puncher&Wattman,Glebe

SmudgePublishing,PrahranVIC

Key dates for 2013 ABIAs: 24 May

ABA Conference & Trade Exhibition: 16 - 17 June

National Bookshop Day: 10 August

Children’s Book Week: 17- 23 August

Indigenous Literacy Day: 4 September

Member Services Officer WewelcomebackTamaraSeldonTrusstothepositionofABAMemberServicesOfficer.Tamaraheldthispositionatthe

ABAfrom2006-2007whileRobynHupperttookmaternityleave(ohmy,arethosetwinsreally6already!)andislookingforwardtogettingtoknowthemanynewmemberswhohavejoinedtheABAoverthelastfewyearsaswellasreacquaintingherselfwithmanyfamiliarnames.

ABA Membership renewals due 1 April

MembershipoftheAustralianBooksellersAssociationgivesyouaccesstomanydifferentproductsandservicesthatwillsaveyoumoney,helptokeepyouinformed,andensureyoucanrunyourbooksellingbusinessmoreeffectively.

Business discounts MoneysavingschemeswithAustraliaPost,

OampsBusinessInsurance,CBAEFTPOSandBSIInternationalFreightConsolidation.

Advocacy TheABArepresentsanindustryvoiceindealing

withGovernmentandotherinstitutionsonissueswhichaffectyou.

Education TheABAAnnualConference&TradeExhibition

seminarsandstate-basedgroupsprovideanopportunitytoexpandyourprofessionalknowledgeandmeetwithpeersfromacrossthebookindustry.

Information Weeklye-newsonbooksellingandthequarterly

NewsonBooksellingarejam-packedwithindustrynewsandpracticalbusinessadvice.

Marketing Marketingopportunitiesandsupporttohelp

drivesaleswithNationalBookshopDay,IndieBoundandtheKids’ReadingGuide

ForinformationonanyoftheABAmemberbenefitschemesorgeneralinformationregardingmembershippleaseemailTamaraatmemberservices@aba.org.au.

WhatmakesDymocks234CollinsStreettick?Whatareourstrengthsandhowweareableto‘movewiththetimes’?ThesearethequestionstheABAaskedmetoanswerandIdulydelegatedthetaskofansweringthemtoourwonderfulChildren’sSpecialist,CareerBookseller,EmmaLesliewhohasworkedforthreeDymocksstoresoverthelasttwentyyearsandcertainlyknowsathingortwoaboutbookselling.Heranswerhascertainlymademerealisethatwhatreallymakesustickisourpeopleandourgoodoldfashionedapproachtosellingrealbooks…

Dymocks234CollinsStreetisafamily-ownedfranchiseinthisbasementlocationsince2001.Avastandimpressive1200sqm,especiallywhenviewedfromthetopoftheescalator!

OverthepastcoupleofyearswiththedemiseoftheREDgroup,wehavewelcomed1000sofnewcustomerslamentingthedeclineofbookstores.Iliketothinktheyhavefoundnewsanctuaryinwhichtobrowse,exploreandTOUCHanincrediblerangeofbooksandothergorgeousproducts.

Thisisadynamicenvironmentwithover35regularstaffmembers.InadditiontothecorerangeoftitlesthatallDymocksstorescarry,wehavesevenstaffwhoworkoutontheshopfloorwhoalsoselectbooks,DVD,CDs,toys,games,stationeryandaneclecticcollectionofgiftythingstomeetourparticularneeds.

Thereisno“cookie-cutter”or“BlackBooks”approachtocustomerservicehere.Customersaresuretofindakindredspiritintheirpreferredliterary

genre.Ourstaffarepassionateaboutreadingandrecommendingtitlesandlovetotakethetimetotryandfindtheperfecttitletosuiteveryreader.Oftenthefirstapproachistomatchthecustomerwiththebooksellerbestequippedtoassistandmanyfirmfriendshipshavedeveloped.Ourshelvesarealsopunctuatedbyshelftalkerssothatshopperscankeepabreastofwhatwehavebeenreading.Hand-sellingisahugepartofourbusinessandtheregularordersofbacklisttitlesdemonstratethepoweroftheshelftalkersandthepersonalapproachwetake.

WhentheidealbookcannotbefoundupontheshelfwearehappytoordertitlesfrombothAustralianandoverseassuppliers.OurOrders&Informationcountersetsusapartfrommostofourcompetitors.From9amonthedotthephoneringshotwithrequestsfromthereadingpublic.Wesendoutmonthlynewsletterstoschoolsfeaturingnewreleasesandstaffreviewsandenjoyasteadyflowofcorporateandschoolorders.

Bookshop profile

NewsonBooksellingEditorRobynHuppertAdvertisingenquiriesRobynHuppertEmailmail@aba.org.auEntirecontentcopyright©AustralianBooksellersAssociation

DisclaimerAdvertisingandinsertsinNewsonBooksellingarepaidforbytheadvertisers.TheirinclusiondoesnotimplyendorsementoftheseproductsorservicesbytheAustralianBooksellersAssociation

AustralianBooksellersAssociationIncorporatedinVictoria,ABN56365379358,Unit9,828HighStreetKewEastVictoria3102Telephone0398597322Emailmail@aba.org.auwww.aba.org.au

FormanyyearsnowwehaverunanenormouslypopularcalendarofChildrens’events.WehaveenjoyedsharingthecrazyanticsofMaisyandSpotamongothers(Maryinthesweatysuits!).WehavehadsomefantasticturnoutstoauthoreventsfeaturingLaurenKate,RachelCaineandMaggieStievatertonameafew,andourlastfewyearshavebeenpunctuatedwithvisitsfromthedelightfulandlocalAndyGriffiths,FavelParrettandSallyRippin.OurcaféareaisidealforintimateeventsbutwehavealsohostedwonderfuloffsiteeventswithMichaelPalin,DerekLandy,MichaelConnelly,MaggieBeer….Icouldgoonandon!

OneofthemostthrillingaspectsoftheDymocks234experienceinthepasttwoyearshasbeenourinvolvementwiththeMelbourneWritersFestival.ThisisaprivilegeANDtaskofepicproportion.Ouron-sitestorespeciallyerectedintheFederationSquareishometoworksbyallthefeaturedauthors,meticulouslychosen,displayedandrearrangedtosuittheeventsoverthe10days.

TheprintedwordisNOT,byanystretchoftheimagination,dead….andbookstores,particularlyours,intheheartofMelbourne’sCBDarealiveandkicking.

Melissa Traverso and Emma LeslieDymocks 234 Colliins St, Melbourne

Dymocks234CollinsStreet

Documents

News on Bookselling March 2013