Entries are now open for the first Publishing Next Industry Awards, which aim to recognize and reward talent, initiative, entrepreneurship and quality in book publishing, across all Indian languages. Established under
the aegis of the Publishing Next Conference, a platform furthering discussion and networking within the industry, the Publishing Next Industry Awards seek to celebrate innovation and leadership in the book trade.
The growth and transformation of the book publishing industry is an evolving story. Developments in technology and a growing economy have not only created greater demand for books, but have also fostered new genres and brought about changes within the book ecosystem. A combination of new ideas, technological tools, and a greater emphasis on quality, will lead the industry to its future.
Such industry-relevant topics have been at the centre of the discussions at the annual Publishing Next Conference. The Publishing Next Industry Awards reflect the agenda of the conference, which is a pioneering effort at creating a neutral platform for the publishing industry. Springer and Ingram have already held out their support for the conference and the organizers are in discussion with several others.
Recognition of best practices
“The Publishing Next Industry Awards will allow publishers and authors to be recognized by their peers and provide them with an opportunity to showcase their expertise. The categories focus on select areas of the publishing ecosystem, which through the recognition of best practices, will facilitate solutions and benefit the industry,” said Leonard Fernandes, co-founder and convenor of the Publishing Next Conference.
In its inaugural year, the categories in which the awards will be presented
are: Publisher of the Year;
Publishing Innovation of the Year; Bookstore of the Year; Printed Book of the Year; and Digital Book of the Year. The judges for the awards will consist of a panel drawn from among the leaders in the book publishing industry and its allied fields. The last
date for receiving completed entries is 15 August 2014.
The Publishing Next Industry Awards will be announced on 20 September 2014 in Panaji, Goa, on the concluding day of the Publishing Next Conference to be held from 19 to 20
September 2014.
