Publishing Scotland Launches

On April 2nd 2007, the Scottish Publishers Association, which owns BooksfromScotland.com, will change to a new organisation, Publishing Scotland.

The 34-year-old Scottish Publishers Association (SPA) will change into a brand new organisation, 'Publishing Scotland', which will become its core and driving force. BooksfromScotland.com will remain a key part of the new organisation.

Opening up the sector to recognise the formats and technologies of the digital age, as well as the demands of a new and volatile market, Publishing Scotland becomes the voice and the network for publishing in Scotland.

Publishing Scotland remains a membership organisation, currently with more than 70 publishing company members and the same staff team, but the governance will change, the focus will evolve to respond to the 21st century needs of readers and publishing professionals of all kinds, and the membership will expand.

Publishing Scotland will take responsibility for the representation and development of the publishing sector in Scotland. The remit will be to work with companies, organisations and individuals in the industry, and to co-ordinate joint initiatives and partnerships.

A new website http://www.publishingscotland.org will be launched in the summer of 2008.

There will be two membership categories. Publishing member, and network member. Publishing member will be for those who publish books or online. Network member is open to those who work in the industry e.g. agents, freelance editorial, proofreaders, or supply publishing services. We will still maintain the role of a trade association, industry standards, training, book fairs and consultation.

Publishing Scotland will be launched on Monday 2nd April at the Scottish Book Centre in Edinburgh.