Welcome!
We are delighted to include you in the distribution of the first edition of the Lightning Source Global Newsletter.
This bi-annual update - replacing Flashes of Lightning UK - will reach our ever growing international customer base. The global newsletter will relate the latest news from Lightning Source worldwide, POD and our global publishing partners.
In our new format, you will find business updates, guest publisher columns, a book spotlight from our library, an international update from our operations group, Lightning Source employee profiles, and a calendar of events so you will know where you can find us in the coming months.
In every issue you will find a guest column by Linda Bennett, editor of the former Flashes of Lightning UK Lightning Source newsletter. Linda's contributions over the years and her knowledge of the book industry are invaluable, and we hope to continue on the same path and create excellent newsworthy editions of the global newsletter.
We hope you find this update not only informative, but enjoyable.
For feedback, or suggestions on how we can make this newsletter even more beneficial for you, drop us a line at newsletter@lightningsource.com. We look forward to hearing from you. Our next newsletter will be issued later in 2009.
Guest Columnist:
The Birth of Blog Publishing
by CuChullaine O’Reilly
Let me start by saying that it is thanks to the Lightning Source (LSI) techno-know-how that our small company, The Long Riders’ Guild Press, was able to rewrite literary history. LSI’s astonishing ability to scan, and then electronically store, books freed us from having to maintain a brick-and-mortar shop front. We founded our Bedouin-style business by placing every major equestrian travel book back into print, thereby making them available via our website, while we stayed in the saddle and planned our next equestrian expedition... READ MORE
UK and Europe: Times of Change and Innovation in Publishing and Bookselling; how Ingram Helps
by Linda Bennett
The last twelve months have seen some profound changes in the publishing and book industry in the UK and Europe, with the UK usually operating a little ahead of its European counterparts. Some of these changes have been influenced by developments that have already taken place in the US; some have evolved independently to suit the particular market needs of the region. This article sets out to identify some of the most important changes, and indicates in brief how solutions developed by the Ingram companies are helping the industry to cope in this time of transition... READ MORE
Publisher Profile:
African Books Collective
African Books Collective (ABC) is a world wide marketing and distribution outlet for more than 1,000 titles from Africa, including scholarly publications, literature and children’s books in 56 subject disciplines. Founded in the 1980s, the non-profit organization was founded by a group of 17 African publishers and is based in Oxford, England.
Partnering with Lightning Source, ABC conducted a pilot program with a Nigerian Publisher from July of 2001 through March of 2002... READ MORE
Print On Demand in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)
by Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, Commercial Director, Lightning Source
Anyone in our UK office can tell you that I struggle to keep up with the copious office banter on the topic of local football (translated to soccer for American readers) leagues, relegations and demotions of teams from one to another division. I even have to admit that where European parliament elections and Euros continue to divide, there is nothing like a cup final that engages the hearts and minds of millions across Europe simultaneously... READ MORE
Social Media – Increasing Book Demand
POD safeguards availability
by Lesley Spoor, Marketing Analyst, Lightning Source
In an era of 24-hour news and social media spreading information across the world in a matter of minutes, it is nearly impossible to predict demand for every title. Whether it is one country's leader presenting a politically-charged book to the leader of another country or a backlist title being featured prominently on a popular television show, spikes in demand can happen at any time for any book--driving immediate sales, if the book is available. Are you prepared? ... READ MORE
Update from Lightning Source Operations
There have been some exciting changes this year within the Operations department. With the creation of the Ingram Content Group (ICG), Johnny Secrest, Senior Vice President of Logistics for ICG became a member of the Lightning Source executive team. Johnny’s main goals for the group include providing superior service in our manufacturing and distribution areas, with intense focus on areas of continuous process improvement and lean manufacturing to enhance our product and services offerings... READ MORE
Lightning Source Paper Certifications: A Green 2009
Lightning Source is a company that is very conscious about the environment. We take care to select paper that is high quality and environmentally sound for the books we manufacture. The close collaborative relationship Lightning Source has with suppliers has enabled us to offer environmentally friendly paper, pushing the limits and standards of the digital printing process... READ MORE
