There is a new development in the way books are being printed that everyone who publishes, writes, sells, or even reads books needs to know about. Known as the Espresso Book Machine (EBM), produced by On Demands Books (http://www.ondemandbooks.com), it is currently in nine library and bookstore locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, London, and Egypt. Yes,  Print on Demand has been around for more than a decade, enabling publishers to print one book at a time as an alternative to printing short runs – printing thousands of books at a time through offset technology– print on demand (POD) used to be accomplished through a wholesaler or printer who then ships the book to the customer (an individual, publisher, or self-published) or to the retailer.  But what is unique about the EBM approach is that POD is now available through local bookstores or libraries rather than just through commercial printers or wholesalers and distributors.

 I recently spoke with someone at Northshire Bookstore (http://www.northshire.com) in Vermont where the EBM is proving a very valuable tool to local self-publishers. They are also using it to print and sell bound copies of books that are in the public domain.

                The person at Northshire Bookstore explained to me that there is a one time set up charge of $95 as well as a per-page charge of 6 to 7 cents, depending on the length of the book. But there is no minimum quantity that they have to print. (Although most self-publishers print just a few books, one local author, who is doing a lot of publicity for his book, has already printed more than 250 copies of his title. The bookstore requires a final pdf file of both the cover and the contents of the book before it can be put it into their system.) It takes just seven to fifteen minutes to print one book, depending on length.

                This system requires that self-publishers or publishers do all the design and typesetting of a book either by the self-publisher or on an outsourced-basis so they can provide the final pdf file  for printing.But itstill offers a  portable and localized printing and distribution system.

                But it is still as important as ever that authors, publishers, bookstores, or libraries make sure that each book, whether published POD locally or not, meets a standard of excellence. That means the book should be professionally proofread and that standards for consistency in design should be met. Covers should look professional and not amateurish, facts should be checked, and contents should be reviewed by peers, experts, as well as sent out for review by trade or popular publications, as deemed appropriate and necessary.

                Each author who elects to become a self-publisher should also become as versed in the ways of the publishing industry and the expectations of the media as someone who is published by the biggest book publisher in a major city. The reader needs to know that whether a book is part of a 100,000 copy print run authorized by a high profile international publisher or only the second copy of a POD (print on demand) self-published book through a local bookstore or library, it is produced according to universal standards of quality and, depending upon personal tastes or interests, it should be  worth everyreader’s time and attention.

                What have been your experiences with POD as a publisher, self-publisher, bookseller, librarian, reviewer, member of the media, or reader? I welcome hearing about your positive or negative POD encounters or, if you have never even noticed whether a book is printed through traditional or POD means, that would be useful to learn as well.

Yes, it’s a hard time in publishing these days. Everyone knows it (unless you’re lucky enough to be a bestselling author or a publisher with books that are selling really well). Just ask the booksellers, the publishers, the authors, and especially the editors who have been downsized in just the last few weeks. Book sales are down, in general, and it’s a sign of the hard economic times. But it’s also a sign of a change in how information is obtained and what the public wants as some are beginning to prefer reading their books electronically or as e-books. Just as some magazines are going to online only formats, why, when, and whether someone will buy a book is changing.

If you love books, make sure you show that love of books in your own purchasing behaviors. If you’re going to give someone a gift, whether it’s for a holiday or for a birthday or another special occasion, try to include a book with that gift or even consider giving a book as the only gift. But you can add a book to any gift and still support the book industry and the publishers, authors, and even the printers, illustrators, indexers, and wholesalers who are part of this vital industry. If you want to give a romantic partner a piece of jewelry, consider including a book of poetry as well. Cooking utensils or dishes for the newlyweds? How about adding a classic or new and innovative cookbook or two? A shirt for a teen who is graduating from high school? How about a novel or two that he might enjoy? A blouse or sweater for a new college student? She might find a collection of essays, short stories, or a novel might be a welcome gift as well.

I have books dating back to my earliest years and I save those books especially the ones inscribed it to me, particularly if it was a gift. I have a hardcover collection of Shakespeare’s sonnets that I bought for myself when I was in high school. The cover has multicolored design work that makes the physical book a pleasure to behold, not just the words. When I met my husband, his first gift to me twenty-four years ago was Stick, a novel by Elmore Leonard, one of his favorite contempoary novelists.

Just as boxed sets of DVDs of movies and TV series are “hot” gift items, books need to be included in those “wish lists” if we are to see the book industry thrive, not just survive. Have you bought a book today?

I recently received an e-mail from Pat Schroeder, CEO and President of The Association of American Publishers (AAP), letting me know that our association has just launched a new website:  www.booksaregreatgifts.com. Check it out!