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Troubador News
| 22 July 2010 |
| Troubador listed in top 500 UK publishers |
Troubador Publishing is one of only 500 UK publishing companies listed by industry analysts Plimsoll in a new report. Plimsoll supply industry sector analysis to businesses, and Troubador have been included in their 2010-11 report, and rated as one of just 227 companies as "Strong" in the market.
This is the second year in a row that Troubador have been included in the annual industry report, which looks at the commercial strength of companies in a particular business sector. The report also examines each company's performance over the previous 12 months. |
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| 03 July 2010 |
| Matador author meets David Cameron! |
John's book Who Will Sing the Old Songs had a full length feature in the Yorkshire Post. As a result of this article, John and his wife were among 100 guests invited to an exclusive audience with Prime Minister, David Cameron which took place at Leeds University.
‘The Prime Minister took questions,' says John, 'but I was not fortunate to be picked to ask mine!' Though, as John says, 'for me, the best bit was right at the end when Bev, my wife, managed to get the Prime minister on his own and he accepted a copy of my book. So four weeks in and I've had a major feature in the Yorkshire Post and the Prime Minister has a copy!’
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| 27 May 2010 |
| Troubador withdraws Michael Jackson book |
Troubador has ceased distribution of a self-published book written about Michael Jackson. Following new information that came to light on 18th May, the book's distribution was immediately halted. The company has taken legal advice on its position, and may take further action.
There had been an ongoing, concerted campaign by some MIchael Jackson "fans" against the book's release, but the company stresses that this 'campaign' is not the reason why distribution was halted. |
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| 23 April 2010 |
| London Book Fair, April 2010 |
It was another successful and productive year for Matador at the fair. We had a large stand within the general publishing zone, on which we displayed a wide selection of recently published titles.
The Book Fair is important trade-to-trade event, and we had good meetings with key trade personnel at Amazon, Waterstone’s and Gardners. We were also able to chat and exchange news with existing trade partners thereby cementing our strong relationships. We look forward to announcing some interesting developments and link ups, made while at the fair, in the near future!
Matador staff, when possible, also enjoyed attending seminars and workshops run in conjunction with the exhibition, honing their skills in digital and ebook publishing and promotions.
The stand was staffed over the 3 day event by Jeremy Thompson (Managing Director), Julia Fuller (Marketing) Jane Rowland (Marketing), Caroline Bromley (Administration) and Terry Compton (Production) who, during the event, were pleased to welcome many future and existing authors to our stand.
The photo (below) shows Jeremy Thompson being interviewed about self-publishing (on the Matador stand) for the Book Channel on Sky TV.
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| 24 March 2010 |
| Self-publisher Experience Days |
Matador and printers MPG Biddles have teamed up to offer authors "self-publishing experience days" at Biddles Kings Lynn factory. Through the two companies' forthcoming AuthorsChoice partnership, the experience days will offer self-publishers and first-time authors the chance to learn about the ins and outs of publishing a book.
Matador Publisher Jeremy Thompson said: "These unique experience days will enable authors new to self-publishing to talk to people who publish and print books for a living. Matador and Biddles staff will be on hand to discuss all aspects of publishing a book, from design through print and marketing.. and there'll be no hard sell either. We hope that, after having seen what Matador and Biddles can do, authors will want to work with one or other of us, but if not that's fine."
Biddles are the UK's foremost short run digital printing company, part of the MPG Biddles group. They specialise in printing between 100 and 500 copies, and so are an attractive option for many self-publishers.
Those who attend the experience days will learn how the design of a book has a direct impact on its printing, have a tour of a book manufacturing factory, learn about marketing and distribution to the retail trade, and meet like-minded independent self-publishers.
The first experience day will be on 20th May 2010, and attendance is free for the first 10 delegates. Details are yet to be finalised, but you can register your interest in attending by emailing matador@troubador.co.uk. |
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| 09 December 2009 |
| Google Preview |
Books that are registered in the Google "Search in a Book" programme are now accessible from Troubador's own webshop via Google Preview.
Each book that is in the Google "Search in a Book" programme is searchable through general Google search queries, so that more traffic is driven to the content of a book, and thus the likelihood that it will be found (and thus bought) by the enquirer is far greater. The text that can be viewed by anyone through Google is limited, so no-one can view a complete book.
Authors can opt in or out of the scheme as they wish, but most choose to give their book as much exposure as possible so they remain in the scheme. Now searchable books will be accessible direct from the Troubador webshop using the 'Google Preview' button, enabling prospective purchasers to view some of the book before deciding whether to buy (much as you would when browsing in a bookshop).
When a 'Google Preview' button is clicked, a pop-up window displays the cover and selected pages from the title in question. There is also a list of online retailers who sell the book, with Troubador's webshop at the head of the list. |
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| 04 September 2009 |
| Sales representation for Matador |
Over 200 Matador self-published titles will benefit from full sales representation by Star Book Sales. Troubador has appointed Star, based in Exeter, to represent the Matador list in its sales activities to retailers. It is believed to be the first time that a self-published list will have been represented by a commercial sales company.
Star Books see the Matador list as a straightforward commercial books list that can be sold to retailers - both chains and independents - like any other list. The arrangement has been structured so that self-publishing authors with Matador will not have to hand over any additional percentage of their sales receipts, nor pay any fees for the privilege of being repped - thus maximising their returns from sales while benefitting from far greater market penetration.
The only restriction for an author is that they must print 500+ copies of their book, so that stock is available to place on retailers' shelves. Repping is thus not an option for those publishing using print on Demand, or printing small numbers of books. Full details can be found elsewhere on this website, under the Matador imprint. |
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