More authors turn to Web and print-on-demand publishing
By Elham Khatami
CNN
(CNN) -- "Still Alice," written by Lisa Genova, is a novel about a 50-year-old Harvard professor's struggle with Alzheimer's disease. It's also a book, Genova was told, that nobody would want to read.
Lisa Genova, author of "Still Alice," found success after self-publishing her novel.
After spending 1½ years writing "Still Alice," Genova spent just as much time trying to find a literary agent. "I never heard a response from most of the query letters I sent," Genova said. "Four literary agents asked to see the book. One of them said she just didn't think there was a general audience that would want to read about Alzheimer's."
When she was turned down by several traditional publishing houses, Genova decided to follow a different route: self-publishing via Web-based companies. When she informed one of the literary agents of her decision, his response was daunting.
"He said, 'Don't do that, you'll kill your writing career before it starts,' " said Genova.
But she decided to press forward. Turning to the Author Solutions self-publishing brand, iUniverse, Genova published her book for $450, a cost that included an ISBN -- the International Standard Book Number that uniquely identifies books -- and the ability to sell on Amazon.com.
Months later, after receiving positive reviews on Amazon.com and a favorable review in the Boston Globe, Genova's book was picked up by Simon & Schuster and is in its 12th week on The New York Times Bestsellers List.
"If you believe in your book, I think you should give it a chance," Genova said. "Still Alice" "was a book that people already identified with and [Simon & Schuster] saw the book's potential in a very real way."
Genova is not alone. As the economy takes its toll on traditional publishing houses -- HarperCollins dropped its Collins division in February, losing major executives and editors, and Random House continues with cutbacks -- more authors are looking to online self-publishing companies.
Companies like Author Solutions or Lulu.com allow any budding author to submit a digital file of their manuscript on any subject matter. Unlike traditional publishing companies, these publishers only produce hard copies of the books when a customer buys one, a process known as print on demand.
"Anyone can publish, that's the beauty of it," said Gail Jordan, Director of Public Relations at Lulu. "Nobody's going to say, 'We don't like your cover. Chapter 10 should be Chapter 6.' "
This means that the author retains the copyright to his or her book and is responsible for almost everything, from the costs for printing to, if they choose, marketing the book.
Manufacturing prices with Lulu range from $4 to $19 per copy, depending on whether the book is a hardback or paperback and on the number of pages. Authors pay only when they buy a book. Lulu also offers publishing packages that include formatting, cover design, editing, marketing and more, beginning at $299.
Since its inception in 2002, Lulu has digitally published more than 820,000 titles, Jordan said. About 5,000 new titles are added each week.
"With this economy, there are people who really need to make money and people with more time on their hands," Jordan said. "We've been seeing a surge since November in people publishing."
Since 1997, Author Solutions has helped more than 70,000 authors publish more than 100,000 titles, according to Keith Ogorek, the company's vice president of marketing.
Depending on the brand chosen, publishing with Author Solutions can cost an author anywhere from $399 to $12,999. Wordclay, another Author Solutions brand, offers basic do-it-yourself publishing free, although other Wordclay services, such as a custom cover or illustrations, are sold individually.
Ogorek cited several pluses of print-on-demand publishing: the speed with which a book gets into the marketplace; the fact that readers, not critics, "decide whether your book is any good or not," and the environmental benefit of fewer printed copies.
"With print on demand, there aren't that many dead trees," said Jordan. "We hear that on our forums that people do like that."
Print on demand also allows for the "opportunity for a greater return on your investment ... it just makes sense from an economic standpoint," said Ogorek, who believes many writers who've worked with Author Solutions have had success they would not have found at traditional publishers.
Similarly, Melinda Roberts, author of "Mommy Confidential: Adventures from the Wonderbelly of Motherhood," saw success after she published with Lulu. Roberts was turned down by three publishing companies that, she said, all told her the same thing.
"People were saying, 'This is fantastic, hilarious. I'm going to throw up if I read another memoir,' " Roberts said.
Publishing companies told Roberts that her book would not appeal to mainstream audiences. But Roberts believed her stories held value for many mothers. Though she says she has sold fewer than 300 books, mostly by word-of-mouth, the book has brought her new visibility.
Roberts has appeared on various panels across the country to share her insight on being a mother and is scheduled to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to talk about a new ABC television show called "In the Motherhood."
"I'm happy about my success because I didn't really set out for it. It just kind of happened," said Roberts.
As authors use print-on-demand publishing in growing numbers, they seem to be abandoning self-publishing through traditional "vanity presses" -- a method in which authors pay to get their books printed in bulk and then sell them on their own.
"Particularly in this economy," said Jordan, "who wants to buy a certain amount of copies of their book? That really doesn't do anybody good."
"On-demand publishing is certainly more flexible," said Kevin Gray, public relations manager at Author Solutions. "So I think more people are turning to on-demand because it's a less of a commitment on the author's part."
Ogorek believes traditional publishers can benefit from the services provided by self-publishing companies.
"Traditional publishers are looking at us to find new and upcoming authors," he said. "We provide that for them."
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
DJ and Pray! Bite the Dust
NavPress reorganizes, discontinues two magazines
NavPress, the publishing arm of the Colorado Springs based U.S. Navigators, announced today that in light of varied challenges in the publishing industry it will discontinue publication of its two magazines, Discipleship Journal and Pray! NavPress will enhance the DJ and Pray! web presence, making use of the resources available in both magazines’ archives.
“It is no secret that we are all in the midst of some very challenging times in our economy and the publishing industry,” says Michael D. Miller, President of NavPress and Senior Vice President of The Navigators. “Magazine publishing has been hit hard. The Internet has been dealing a blow to print media for years. Then the economic downturn—it was like a one-two punch.”
In addition, NavPress is further streamlining its book publishing operations by creating a two-pronged structure, dividing the team into trade publishing and direct publishing groups. Sue Kline, Editorial Director and a 16-year veteran of NavPress, will lead the trade group; Mike Linder, who has served seven years in key roles at NavPress, will lead the direct team.
“This new structure positions us for a long and fruitful ministry through publishing,” says Miller. “But it means saying goodbye to some outstanding people. That's always the hardest part.” Navigator staff members were informed of these developments Friday, April 3, and NavPress is now communicating details with its authors.
NavPress is a division of The Navigators, an international Christian organization with a calling “to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost.” More than 4,600 Navigator staff of 71 nationalities work to fulfill the Navigator calling among college students, military personnel, business and professional people, communities, and churches in 105 countries.
NavPress, the publishing arm of the Colorado Springs based U.S. Navigators, announced today that in light of varied challenges in the publishing industry it will discontinue publication of its two magazines, Discipleship Journal and Pray! NavPress will enhance the DJ and Pray! web presence, making use of the resources available in both magazines’ archives.
“It is no secret that we are all in the midst of some very challenging times in our economy and the publishing industry,” says Michael D. Miller, President of NavPress and Senior Vice President of The Navigators. “Magazine publishing has been hit hard. The Internet has been dealing a blow to print media for years. Then the economic downturn—it was like a one-two punch.”
In addition, NavPress is further streamlining its book publishing operations by creating a two-pronged structure, dividing the team into trade publishing and direct publishing groups. Sue Kline, Editorial Director and a 16-year veteran of NavPress, will lead the trade group; Mike Linder, who has served seven years in key roles at NavPress, will lead the direct team.
“This new structure positions us for a long and fruitful ministry through publishing,” says Miller. “But it means saying goodbye to some outstanding people. That's always the hardest part.” Navigator staff members were informed of these developments Friday, April 3, and NavPress is now communicating details with its authors.
NavPress is a division of The Navigators, an international Christian organization with a calling “to advance the Gospel of Jesus and His Kingdom into the nations through spiritual generations of laborers living and discipling among the lost.” More than 4,600 Navigator staff of 71 nationalities work to fulfill the Navigator calling among college students, military personnel, business and professional people, communities, and churches in 105 countries.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Sen. Cardin's Plan to Save Newspapers
From Washington Post:
A Plan to Save Our Free Press
By Benjamin L. Cardin
Friday, April 3, 2009
The newspaper industry is turning upside down. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Rocky Mountain News, the Baltimore Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle are among the papers that have ceased daily publication or announced in recent months that they may have to stop publishing. Not long ago, Tribune Co., owner of the Baltimore Sun, filed for bankruptcy.
None of this bodes well for our democracy. Our country depends on an open and free press to monitor what happens in our communities so that Americans can make sound judgments about their lives and leaders. Thomas Jefferson, a man who was frequently vilified by newspapers, summed it up best when he said: "If I had to choose between government without newspapers, and newspapers without government, I wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter."
Like Jefferson, I believe that a well-informed public is the core of our democracy. How can we forget the role newspapers played in uncovering the Watergate and Enron scandals or the AIG bonus debacle? News stories, reported by journalists, often bring to public attention decisions and actions that affect all of us. While the world has increasingly fast access to news, one fact remains unchanged: When it comes to original, in-depth reporting that records and exposes actions, issues and opportunities in our communities, nothing has replaced newspapers. Most, if not all, sources of journalistic information, from Google to broadcast news or punditry, gain their original material from the laborious and expensive work of experienced newspaper reporters diligently working their beats over the course of years. Not hours, years.
The Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism reports that a typical metropolitan paper runs 70 stories a day, counting the national, local and business sections. In contrast, a half-hour of television news includes only 10 to 12 stories. Research shows that broadcast news follows the agenda set by newspapers, often repeating the same items with less detail. And newspaper reporters forge relationships with people; they build a network, which creates avenues to information.
But America is losing its newspaper industry. While the economy has caused an immediate problem, the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken. That decline is a harbinger of tragedy for communities nationwide and for our democracy.
This is why I introduced the Newspaper Revitalization Act to help our disappearing community and metropolitan papers by allowing them to become nonprofit organizations. My goal is to save local coverage by reporters who know their communities, work their beats and dig up the stories that are important to our daily lives. Today, newspapers do that job; all other outlets -- TV, radio, blogs -- feed off that base. My bill would allow newspapers -- if they choose -- to operate under 501(c)(3) status for educational purposes, similar to public broadcasters.
Under this arrangement, newspapers would not be allowed to make political endorsements but would be permitted to freely report on all issues, including political campaigns. They would be able to editorialize and take positions on issues affecting their communities. Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax-exempt, and contributions to support coverage or operations could be tax-deductible.
The measure is targeted at local newspapers serving communities, not large newspaper conglomerates. There is little chance these conglomerates would find such an arrangement appealing because they depend on a revenue stream to remain operational. I want to make clear that this proposal would involve no infusion of federal taxpayer money. In fact, because newspaper profits have fallen in recent years, no substantial loss of federal revenue is expected.
Under current IRS regulations, a nonprofit entity must operate in a manner in which distribution is accomplished in a way distinguishable from ordinary commercial publishing practices. My legislation would create a category under the Internal Revenue Code for a "qualified newspaper corporation."
Converting to nonprofit status may not be the optimal choice for some newspapers -- particularly those that rely on a significant revenue stream -- but this legislation would provide an alternative business model that could help many newspapers keep operating. I am confident that citizens or foundations in communities across the nation would be willing to step in and preserve their local papers. Newspapers provide a vital service. It is in the interest of our nation and good governance that we ensure their survival.
The writer is a Democratic senator from Maryland.
A Plan to Save Our Free Press
By Benjamin L. Cardin
Friday, April 3, 2009
The newspaper industry is turning upside down. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Rocky Mountain News, the Baltimore Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle are among the papers that have ceased daily publication or announced in recent months that they may have to stop publishing. Not long ago, Tribune Co., owner of the Baltimore Sun, filed for bankruptcy.
None of this bodes well for our democracy. Our country depends on an open and free press to monitor what happens in our communities so that Americans can make sound judgments about their lives and leaders. Thomas Jefferson, a man who was frequently vilified by newspapers, summed it up best when he said: "If I had to choose between government without newspapers, and newspapers without government, I wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter."
Like Jefferson, I believe that a well-informed public is the core of our democracy. How can we forget the role newspapers played in uncovering the Watergate and Enron scandals or the AIG bonus debacle? News stories, reported by journalists, often bring to public attention decisions and actions that affect all of us. While the world has increasingly fast access to news, one fact remains unchanged: When it comes to original, in-depth reporting that records and exposes actions, issues and opportunities in our communities, nothing has replaced newspapers. Most, if not all, sources of journalistic information, from Google to broadcast news or punditry, gain their original material from the laborious and expensive work of experienced newspaper reporters diligently working their beats over the course of years. Not hours, years.
The Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism reports that a typical metropolitan paper runs 70 stories a day, counting the national, local and business sections. In contrast, a half-hour of television news includes only 10 to 12 stories. Research shows that broadcast news follows the agenda set by newspapers, often repeating the same items with less detail. And newspaper reporters forge relationships with people; they build a network, which creates avenues to information.
But America is losing its newspaper industry. While the economy has caused an immediate problem, the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken. That decline is a harbinger of tragedy for communities nationwide and for our democracy.
This is why I introduced the Newspaper Revitalization Act to help our disappearing community and metropolitan papers by allowing them to become nonprofit organizations. My goal is to save local coverage by reporters who know their communities, work their beats and dig up the stories that are important to our daily lives. Today, newspapers do that job; all other outlets -- TV, radio, blogs -- feed off that base. My bill would allow newspapers -- if they choose -- to operate under 501(c)(3) status for educational purposes, similar to public broadcasters.
Under this arrangement, newspapers would not be allowed to make political endorsements but would be permitted to freely report on all issues, including political campaigns. They would be able to editorialize and take positions on issues affecting their communities. Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax-exempt, and contributions to support coverage or operations could be tax-deductible.
The measure is targeted at local newspapers serving communities, not large newspaper conglomerates. There is little chance these conglomerates would find such an arrangement appealing because they depend on a revenue stream to remain operational. I want to make clear that this proposal would involve no infusion of federal taxpayer money. In fact, because newspaper profits have fallen in recent years, no substantial loss of federal revenue is expected.
Under current IRS regulations, a nonprofit entity must operate in a manner in which distribution is accomplished in a way distinguishable from ordinary commercial publishing practices. My legislation would create a category under the Internal Revenue Code for a "qualified newspaper corporation."
Converting to nonprofit status may not be the optimal choice for some newspapers -- particularly those that rely on a significant revenue stream -- but this legislation would provide an alternative business model that could help many newspapers keep operating. I am confident that citizens or foundations in communities across the nation would be willing to step in and preserve their local papers. Newspapers provide a vital service. It is in the interest of our nation and good governance that we ensure their survival.
The writer is a Democratic senator from Maryland.
New Magazine for College Students to Launch
From DM News:
New magazine aimed at college students to launch in CA
Lauren Bell
University Link Magazine (ULM), a new monthly catering to college students, is slated to launch in Southern California April 10.
The 12,000-circulation magazine will be first distributed only to subscribers at schools in Southern California, although its publisher, University Link Inc., has plans to expand to another major market within two years, with the goal of eventually reaching 10 US markets. Students in colleges native to each market will be in charge of writing and guest-editing each edition.
“During these changing times, young Americans have increasingly shown their presence, and as they begin to discover themselves, we find it important to allow their ideas to be displayed,” wrote Ali Salomi, co-publisher of ULM, in an e-mail to DMNews. “Furthermore, we also noticed that college students are a strong demographic group in which they remain a huge target audience of many companies.
"By launching this magazine, which is strictly for college students, we found a way to bring these two factors together. A magazine that is strictly devoted to college students, while providing companies and mom-and-pop shops a platform to advertise strictly to college students.”
Subscriptions, which can be ordered online or through a phone hotline, were free during a trial period, but are now going for $20 for an annual 10 issues. ULM's subscription push, which started in January, included online marketing, in-person campus visits and viral marketing. The magazine also is leveraging organic search techniques and is depending on a PR boost from school newspapers. The goal is to reach 50,000 subscribers by the fourth quarter of 2010, Salomi said.
Blogs and video blogs are planned for the site. When ULM's college guest editor program launches in September, student guest editors will be tasked with creating blogs and video blogs of their experiences.
New magazine aimed at college students to launch in CA
Lauren Bell
University Link Magazine (ULM), a new monthly catering to college students, is slated to launch in Southern California April 10.
The 12,000-circulation magazine will be first distributed only to subscribers at schools in Southern California, although its publisher, University Link Inc., has plans to expand to another major market within two years, with the goal of eventually reaching 10 US markets. Students in colleges native to each market will be in charge of writing and guest-editing each edition.
“During these changing times, young Americans have increasingly shown their presence, and as they begin to discover themselves, we find it important to allow their ideas to be displayed,” wrote Ali Salomi, co-publisher of ULM, in an e-mail to DMNews. “Furthermore, we also noticed that college students are a strong demographic group in which they remain a huge target audience of many companies.
"By launching this magazine, which is strictly for college students, we found a way to bring these two factors together. A magazine that is strictly devoted to college students, while providing companies and mom-and-pop shops a platform to advertise strictly to college students.”
Subscriptions, which can be ordered online or through a phone hotline, were free during a trial period, but are now going for $20 for an annual 10 issues. ULM's subscription push, which started in January, included online marketing, in-person campus visits and viral marketing. The magazine also is leveraging organic search techniques and is depending on a PR boost from school newspapers. The goal is to reach 50,000 subscribers by the fourth quarter of 2010, Salomi said.
Blogs and video blogs are planned for the site. When ULM's college guest editor program launches in September, student guest editors will be tasked with creating blogs and video blogs of their experiences.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Class Discussion Guide for April 13
Here is a discussion guide Deb Sprong has created for our class on Monday, April 13. Please print this off and, having read the story (on the portal), come prepared to discuss these questions.
Literary Journalism
Thoughts for discussion
In Rosa Lee’s Story
1. As you read the story, imagine you are Leon Dash. What traditional techniques do you think he used to gather information for the story?
2. How does Dash make the characters in his series come alive?
3. What literary techniques does Dash use in telling Rosa Lee’s story? Give examples.
4. Does Dash cross the line between journalist and storyteller? If so, when? What impact does this have on his work as a journalist?
In general
1. How do you see the relationship between literature and journalism?
2. What dangers might a journalist run into with a more creative approach?
3. How much freedom should a journalist have in crafting his work?
4. How might literary journalism appeal to readers when traditional reporting does not?
Literary Journalism
Thoughts for discussion
In Rosa Lee’s Story
1. As you read the story, imagine you are Leon Dash. What traditional techniques do you think he used to gather information for the story?
2. How does Dash make the characters in his series come alive?
3. What literary techniques does Dash use in telling Rosa Lee’s story? Give examples.
4. Does Dash cross the line between journalist and storyteller? If so, when? What impact does this have on his work as a journalist?
In general
1. How do you see the relationship between literature and journalism?
2. What dangers might a journalist run into with a more creative approach?
3. How much freedom should a journalist have in crafting his work?
4. How might literary journalism appeal to readers when traditional reporting does not?
Denominational Papers Must Adjust, Also
Baptist newspapers adapt to changing industry
By Bob Allen
Wednesday, 01 April 2009
DALLAS (ABP) -- Hard times have fallen on the newspaper industry, and the Baptist journalism world isn't being spared.
Recently the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention sent out a letter announcing it is ceasing publication of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Witness, a tabloid-sized paper with about 1,300 subscribers. It was published 10 times a year.
In the letter, quoted by the Deseret News, convention Executive Director Rob Lee said after several attempts to increase circulation and make the newspaper financially viable, Utah-Idaho Baptist leaders are seeking "alternative ways" to communicate with churches.
That puts the tiny paper in company of historic and respected newspapers such as the Christian Science Monitor, whose printing presses fell silent March 27. The Boston-based Monitor, winner of seven Pulitzer Prizes, announced plans in October to eliminate its print edition, ending a 100-year run as a daily newspaper and making it the first national newspaper in the United States to move exclusively to a web-based operation.
The Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism says newspapers' advertising revenues have fallen 23 percent in the last two years. Nearly one in every five journalists working for newspapers in 2001 are now unemployed or working in different industries and media -- and 2009 may be the worst year yet for newspapers and the people they employ.
At the same time, audience migration to the Internet is accelerating. One survey found the number of Americans who go online for news increased 19 percent in the last two years, and traffic to the top 50 news sites rose 27 percent in 2008 alone.
The Pew report doesn't subscribe to the theory that death of the industry is imminent -- overall it remained profitable in 2008 -- but says the old model of relying on advertising revenue to finance journalism is no longer adequate. Experts believe the recent economic downturn has made even shorter the time left for newspapers to solve the industry's problems.
The recession is already starting to kill off some financially vulnerable papers.
The Denver-based Rocky Mountain News stopped its presses Feb. 27, just short of what would have been the 150th anniversary of one of the oldest newspapers in the American West. Losing $14 million a year, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer followed suit March 17, going online-only after 146 years in print. Denver and Seattle joined the ever-growing ranks of American cities with only one daily newspaper.
For 42 Baptist newspapers historically connected with state conventions affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, these market forces come on top of a number of challenges that have faced them in recent years. The obstacles include audience polarization brought on by decades of denominational controversy, rising costs for printing, ever-increasing postage rates and changing congregational priorities.
For years Southern Baptist churches have, on average, been giving decreasing percentages of their budgets to state and national denominational bodies. That's a double whammy for newspapers that rely on subscriptions in addition to convention subsidies.
Historically, local Baptist congregations typically bought bulk subscriptions to Baptist state newspapers for their members, including them as line items in church budgets. That often means that, when a Baptist newspaper loses a subscriber, the paper has actually lost dozens or hundreds of paid subscriptions.
In their heyday, editors of the Baptist state newspapers envisioned a goal of having a Baptist paper in every Baptist household. From a zenith of 1.8 million subscribing households in 1977, their combined circulation has declined ever since -- dropping, in 2007, below 1 million for the first time since 1953.
The trend has prompted recent innovations.
BaptistLIFE, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware newspaper that has been around under various names for more than 150 years, began 2009 as a hybrid online-and-print publication. While the paper will continue to publish 11 issues a year, only five will be printed and mailed.
Issues scheduled in March, May, July, September and November will be Web-only. Subscribers receive an e-mail notice when the issue goes online, with excerpts and links to full articles. E-mail will also be used for breaking news and extra features.
The Baptist Standard, the news journal of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, has been publishing since 1892. They recently launched E3, a digital-replica edition published along with the print newspaper. The name stands for "Enhanced Electronic Edition."
Technology allows readers to leaf through facsimiles of the print pages online in a fashion similar to how newspapers and magazines have been read for centuries. But the new edition also allows for readers to experience enhanced content, such as interactive Web and e-mail links, video, audio and photo slide shows.
(The Baptist Standard is part of New Voice Media, a publishing and content-sharing partnership that includes Associated Baptist Press and three historic state Baptist papers.)
Digital publishing, Standard leaders point out, offers advantages such as the speed of electronic delivery and environmental friendliness, conserving paper that otherwise usually ends up in landfills.
It also saves the costs of printing and mailing the paper versions of the newspapers replaced by the electronic issues. As an introductory offer, the Standard is charging $8 a year for its E3 edition -- a third the cost of an individual print subscription and just over half the church bulk-subscription rate of $15 per household.
Brad Russell, the Standard's marketing director, said the newspaper will continue delivering print editions as long as readers support them, but that E3 "provides an economic model that is sustainable in the face of a perfect storm of skyrocketing print production and mailing costs, a 'free' Internet news culture, and the migration from print to digital media by younger readers."
Editor Marv Knox said the newspaper staff has received "positive response" in the three months since launching E3. "Readers tell us they like the idea of an electronic publication that actually looks like a newspaper," Knox said. And the enhancements "add depth and quality far beyond what anyone can offer in a printed publication."
-30-
Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
By Bob Allen
Wednesday, 01 April 2009
DALLAS (ABP) -- Hard times have fallen on the newspaper industry, and the Baptist journalism world isn't being spared.
Recently the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention sent out a letter announcing it is ceasing publication of the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Witness, a tabloid-sized paper with about 1,300 subscribers. It was published 10 times a year.
In the letter, quoted by the Deseret News, convention Executive Director Rob Lee said after several attempts to increase circulation and make the newspaper financially viable, Utah-Idaho Baptist leaders are seeking "alternative ways" to communicate with churches.
That puts the tiny paper in company of historic and respected newspapers such as the Christian Science Monitor, whose printing presses fell silent March 27. The Boston-based Monitor, winner of seven Pulitzer Prizes, announced plans in October to eliminate its print edition, ending a 100-year run as a daily newspaper and making it the first national newspaper in the United States to move exclusively to a web-based operation.
The Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism says newspapers' advertising revenues have fallen 23 percent in the last two years. Nearly one in every five journalists working for newspapers in 2001 are now unemployed or working in different industries and media -- and 2009 may be the worst year yet for newspapers and the people they employ.
At the same time, audience migration to the Internet is accelerating. One survey found the number of Americans who go online for news increased 19 percent in the last two years, and traffic to the top 50 news sites rose 27 percent in 2008 alone.
The Pew report doesn't subscribe to the theory that death of the industry is imminent -- overall it remained profitable in 2008 -- but says the old model of relying on advertising revenue to finance journalism is no longer adequate. Experts believe the recent economic downturn has made even shorter the time left for newspapers to solve the industry's problems.
The recession is already starting to kill off some financially vulnerable papers.
The Denver-based Rocky Mountain News stopped its presses Feb. 27, just short of what would have been the 150th anniversary of one of the oldest newspapers in the American West. Losing $14 million a year, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer followed suit March 17, going online-only after 146 years in print. Denver and Seattle joined the ever-growing ranks of American cities with only one daily newspaper.
For 42 Baptist newspapers historically connected with state conventions affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, these market forces come on top of a number of challenges that have faced them in recent years. The obstacles include audience polarization brought on by decades of denominational controversy, rising costs for printing, ever-increasing postage rates and changing congregational priorities.
For years Southern Baptist churches have, on average, been giving decreasing percentages of their budgets to state and national denominational bodies. That's a double whammy for newspapers that rely on subscriptions in addition to convention subsidies.
Historically, local Baptist congregations typically bought bulk subscriptions to Baptist state newspapers for their members, including them as line items in church budgets. That often means that, when a Baptist newspaper loses a subscriber, the paper has actually lost dozens or hundreds of paid subscriptions.
In their heyday, editors of the Baptist state newspapers envisioned a goal of having a Baptist paper in every Baptist household. From a zenith of 1.8 million subscribing households in 1977, their combined circulation has declined ever since -- dropping, in 2007, below 1 million for the first time since 1953.
The trend has prompted recent innovations.
BaptistLIFE, the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware newspaper that has been around under various names for more than 150 years, began 2009 as a hybrid online-and-print publication. While the paper will continue to publish 11 issues a year, only five will be printed and mailed.
Issues scheduled in March, May, July, September and November will be Web-only. Subscribers receive an e-mail notice when the issue goes online, with excerpts and links to full articles. E-mail will also be used for breaking news and extra features.
The Baptist Standard, the news journal of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, has been publishing since 1892. They recently launched E3, a digital-replica edition published along with the print newspaper. The name stands for "Enhanced Electronic Edition."
Technology allows readers to leaf through facsimiles of the print pages online in a fashion similar to how newspapers and magazines have been read for centuries. But the new edition also allows for readers to experience enhanced content, such as interactive Web and e-mail links, video, audio and photo slide shows.
(The Baptist Standard is part of New Voice Media, a publishing and content-sharing partnership that includes Associated Baptist Press and three historic state Baptist papers.)
Digital publishing, Standard leaders point out, offers advantages such as the speed of electronic delivery and environmental friendliness, conserving paper that otherwise usually ends up in landfills.
It also saves the costs of printing and mailing the paper versions of the newspapers replaced by the electronic issues. As an introductory offer, the Standard is charging $8 a year for its E3 edition -- a third the cost of an individual print subscription and just over half the church bulk-subscription rate of $15 per household.
Brad Russell, the Standard's marketing director, said the newspaper will continue delivering print editions as long as readers support them, but that E3 "provides an economic model that is sustainable in the face of a perfect storm of skyrocketing print production and mailing costs, a 'free' Internet news culture, and the migration from print to digital media by younger readers."
Editor Marv Knox said the newspaper staff has received "positive response" in the three months since launching E3. "Readers tell us they like the idea of an electronic publication that actually looks like a newspaper," Knox said. And the enhancements "add depth and quality far beyond what anyone can offer in a printed publication."
-30-
Bob Allen is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.
RNS Correspondent to Teach U of CO Journos
RELIGION NEWS SERVICE REPORTER INVITED TO BE PROFESSIONAL IN RESIDENCE
Banks to Visit University of Colorado at Boulder
Washington, April 1, 2009 -- Religion News Service senior correspondent Adelle M. Banks (pictured) will be a professional in residence this month at the University of Colorado at Boulder's School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Banks, a veteran religion reporter who has been a writer for RNS since 1995, was invited to the school by its dean, Paul S. Voakes. She will spend two days in early April as a Hearst Professional in Residence, speaking to journalism classes and meeting with students and faculty.
"Adelle is the kind of reporter you don't want to leave the office for very long, and we'll struggle to get by when she's in Colorado," said RNS editor Kevin Eckstrom. "But the students in Boulder will be lucky to have her, and there's a lot to learn from her."
The journalism school has 600 undergraduate students studying advertising and broadcast, print and online news gathering. It offers master's and Ph.D. programs and is the site of the Center for Media, Religion and Culture. Its Hearst program is funded through an endowment from the Hearst Foundation.
Prior to working for RNS, Banks was a reporter for newspapers in the upstate New York communities of Binghamton and Syracuse; The Providence Journal and the Orlando Sentinel. She has been a third-place winner in the Religion Newswriters Association's Templeton Religion Reporter of the Year contest and a multiple winner of honors from Associated Church Press. She is a former board member of the Religion Newswriters Association.
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