As we ready ourselves for this year’s capital convention, we’re once again on the look out for that-which-will-make-this-year-stand-out-from-all-the-rest. Rather than focus on the perennial party previews, this year we thought we’d take the astute route, and highlight some of the must-see panels sponsored by the AAR.
The one likely to create the most industry ire is US/UK Turf Wars: The Defining Rights Issue of our Time and we urge all internationalists to attend. The age-old Whose Territory is it Anyway continues to loom large as we move into an increasingly digital world. The dramatic rise of discounting and consequent margin-plummeting in the UK has led to a stealth campaign to expand the so-called traditional Schedule-A UK exclusive distribution area. Although publishers rather than agents are in a better position to negotiate English language distribution, for agents it is becoming a no-win situation as each side digs in its heels over what now constitutes exclusive distribution territory (especially with the UK claiming the new European Economic Area in addition to hanging on to the Empire – via India etc.). Copyright and intellectual property issues continue to arise, and piracy is becoming a way of life (See page 4-5).
“This panel grew out of the fact that American agents are watching many of our clients’ chances of being published in half the English-speaking world destroyed over an increasing intransigence by both US and UK publishers to negotiate the territories that comprise the “open market’,” moderator Brian deFiore says. Turf Wars will take place 2.30pm-5pm Friday 19th May, Room 204B, Panelists include S&S‘s Carolyn Reidy and Hachette‘s Tim Hely-Hutchinson.
Immediately following, there will be another edifying seminar for agents who wish to master the complexities of book marketing today – little of which includes running that proverbial ad. According to moderator Geri Thoma (Elaine Markson Agency), agents complain of disappearing ad budgets, and the death of the author tour, while publishers complain that agents don’t understand the time, effort, and resources they put into new ways of selling (e.g. front table space at chains and independents, book club guides). The panel will examine what has changed and what agents and authors can expect will change further. Panelists will include Morrow‘s Publisher Lisa Gallagher and David Poindexter of MacAdam-Cage.
Finally, don’t miss Beyond the Code: Building the New Fact-Filled Fiction Genre where veteran author Steve Berry (THE TEMPLAR LEGACY, THE THIRD SECRET) and newcomer Jed Rubenfeld (THE INTERPRETATION OF MURDER) will discuss – along with a bookseller, a reviewer and a marketing director – the sales and marketing implications and opportunities of Dan Brown‘s success for fact-filled fiction. The panel will be moderated by PT‘s own Constance Sayre, and will take place Saturday 1.30pm-2.30pm Room 202A.
