The Future Of Print Books????????
I came across a lot of Posts & Talk about future of print Books,Many Publishers have given me a mixed response about Growth of e Books & other format Books.Its Very critical to discuss about the future of print Books.
In India we don't see a big threat to future of Print Books for at least next five years
I would be happy to have your comments

Indian Book Business

Indian Book Market

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagaFake.com

அனைவரும் ஆவலோடு எதிர்பார்த்த "ஈரோடு புத்தக திருவிழா-௨008." இதோ 1ஆகஸ்ட் ௨008 தொடங்க இருக்கிறது .மக்கள் சிந்தனை பேரவை ஏற்பாடு செய்யும் இந்த நிகழ்வு புத்தக ஆர்வலர்களுக்கு வரமாகும். மக்கள் சிந்தனை பேரவை இன் இந்த சீரிய முயற்சிக்கு எமது வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

ISBN Numbers & ISSN Numbers

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique, numerical commercial book identifier, based upon the 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN) code created in the UK by the booksellers and stationers W.H. Smith and others in 1966.The 10-digit International Standard Book Number (ISBN) format was developed by the International Organization for Standardization and published as an international standard, ISO 2108, in 1970; (however, the 9-digit SBN code was used in the UK until 1974). Currently, the ISO TC 46/SC 9 is responsible for the standard.

Since 1 January 2007, International Standard Book Numbers are of 13 digits, compatible with Bookland EAN-13s. Like the numeric identifier, the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) identifies periodical publications such as magazines.
ISBN FAQ

http://books.google.co.in/books?id=I-RaByhWLisC&pg=PA82&lpg=PA82&dq=ISBN+NUMBERS&source=web&ots=9eGUdU8643&sig=NvyzEFmygGuZjdTPCaAtmiHpDm4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result#PPA84,M1

http://www.isbn.nielsenbookdata.co.uk/controller.php?page=158

you can search using ISBN in following websites

http://isbndb.com/

http://www.biblio.com/isbn/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources

Know How ISBN numbers are assigned

http://www.bowker.com/index.php/component/content/article/2

1000 general Knowledge -My first Book published

My first Book on general knowledge is published By Aruna Publications- Chennai Today 2nd July 2008 Its available in all leading Book stores in Tamil Nadu,

Four Books on General Knowledge is about to be Published soon

viruba.com -World Tamil book database


world wide Tamil Book Lovers Here is an "Aakshaya Paathiram" for you.

You have an online World wide database of Tamil Books, Tamil Authors, Tamil writers, Tamil Publishers,Tamil Book related events such as Tamil Book releases, book fairs ,even Tamil Book reviews published in various magazines & dailies updated daily

viruba.com Just log in & see what it can do for you

viruba.com has a collection of Books-2431,Authors-1042,Publishers-502, categories-104,reviews-189, Literary magazines-58, Other releases-254.

It also highlights the authors based on their education, Such as Phd's, M.Phils, researchers, universities etc.

I am sure you would appreciate, I haven't seen such an initiative in web in any language.I Have seen it has a average clicks of 28,000 daily .

I appreciate Mr.Kumeresan the man behind this portal.

I feel Writers, Publishers & Book Lovers to support Viruba.com for its Initiative

log on to www.viruba.com

Neyveli Book fair,Erode Book fair, Coimbatore Book Fair,Madurai Book Fair are the Upcoming Book fairs .

Neyveli Book fair is done with elaborate arrangements, It kick starts on this Saturday on 5 July 08.

Thanks To Sixth sense Publications Mr.Pugalenthi for taking Pain of traveling to coimbatore in organizing Coimbatore book fair, he knows the knack of getting things done.sample he has included & delegated Jobs to Mr.Valaudham of Vijaya pathipagam & Namadhu nambikai Editor Marabin maindhan Muthaih

As a publisher, the greatest advantage of attending a Book fair is that you have book lovers pouring in You can test your books & Understand where u stand. you can also see where does your competitors stand.

As a Book Lover attending a Book fair is only option for you to browse books of various interest, More than that you have a variety to browse in each subject before you make your buying.

You take a decent discount still you are profitable. with online Book store you get better discounts & offers But you don't have a chance to browse the books, you can only its title page & brief description.

Book lovers if you have a chance Please do Visit this Book fairs

Why we dont have small medium format Book store chains


Small Format Book Store is not coming up Because returns from Books is very very low,when compared to life style items .

In Total large format store Sales (Land Mark) average Contribution from Books is only 25-30% where you make a Margin of 25-35% , 20%-25% comes from Music where you get a Margin of 15-25 % & 30-40% comes from Gifts where you make 300% as majority of these Items are non Branded.

When you have this proposition you can make profit & grow,other than landmark,other large format stores like Oddyssey, crossword, oxford, corner Book store,reliance time out are trying hard to Hit this.as their books inventor y is very High when compared with its sale.Even discount sale are not helping them to cut down their inventory.

Landmark being backed by East West & West land one of the strong south based Book distributor is only an advantage.
"Higginbothams" of Simpson Group (old & Big name in Book trade),"Fountain Head" of India Book Distributors are not able to make it as they majorly rely on Books & stationery's.


Small & medium Format Stores have space constraint. you need a Minimum 200-300 Sq ft for stocking various ranges of Books to keep your customer happy.Small & medium Format Stores will need additional space allocation for various products to make it Profitable .


Many Intelligent entrepreneurs don't Jump in small & Medium format Book Store as they Know this constraint & ROI in book store is also very low & slow, compared to other retail Business.

Untapped segments.

Books are being sold only through the conventional Book store Model,Corporate & customised Business is Still left untapped in India, Except a Few Medical Publishers Like elsevier & Jay pee medical publishers separate division for customisation.

Customisation can also help as promotional tool for targeted audience & can promote the Book in the Target segment.customisation helps us to generate revenues with less overheads.

Customised Management Books & computer Books can be promoted for Gifting in large organisations for their Internal & external customers.

I have personally worked in selling customised books can help you in selling your books to a targeted audience, Many people doesn't involve in marketing Books for customisation as it involves lengthy selection & APPROVAL process.

Selling Books through schools is also left Untapped its a Huge market, I can name a few companies Like Scholastic, Sura Books, NCBH who have created a strong market presence by doing this.conducting regular exhibitions creates Point of sale & Brand awarness,

As a Book Seller & publisher we Know " NO PAIN..... NO GAIN"

The Chennai Book Fair – an event most sought annual event of the publishing industry & Book lovers of Tamil Nadu was inaugurated on Jan. 4 The Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India, which conducts this book fair annually , 31st Chennai Book Fair has 528 Stalls displaying books and multimedia educational Products. This year BAPASI has introduced new concept of providing racks to 30 Small Publishers, which is mostly from Tamil. The Book Fair ground is spread in 1,50,000 Sq ft can accommodate 500 Cars and innumerable two wheelers.


Kalaignar Mu Karunanithi Porkizhi Virudhu , from the corpus fund of Rupees One Crore donated Donated by Dr.Kalaingar.Mu.karunanidhi from his peronal funds to honour writers was presented to Ma. Su. Sambanthan, Kavingar Puviarasu, Mu. Ramasamy and Smt. Tamilselvi for Tamil and Smt. Sarah Joseph for Malayalam. ( four from Tamil, One from other Indian Language, and One from English Annually.)

The 528 Stalls & 30 Stands cover a wide range of books in English and Tamil. Categories range from Educational, Exam Prep to Sporting,Multimedia CDs, Art and Religion.The book fair starts on January 4th till January 17 at St. George’s School between 2 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on working days and 11 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on holidays.


This Mega Event is a reality made by BAPASI President Mr.Gandhi Kannadhasan , Secretary R.S.Shanmugam & team of Office Bearers & Dedicated Volunteers 4 months long Consistent & committed Efforts.
Hats Off BAPASI Team.

When we Spoke with Exhibitors,we could notice a sense of Dissatisfaction about less Visitors during the take off week,They Pointed out reduced Advertisements & less media advertisements resulted in attracting less crowd than the normal.One of the Major reasons they pointed out was Aanantha Vikatan which prepared the mind of book readers through its articles, advertisement, Prizes & sponsorship (most Popular Singapore Ticket )last year, Distanced Itself from BAPASI this year.Experiment of 6 entrance also ended in confussion, Burning the Finger of exhibitors.

Many Visitors Pointed out repetition of Books with Many exhibitors (Booksellers & publishers).Also few felt the absence of Major Bookstores Like Landmark,Oxford & Oddessy which can be one stop for their Purchases.Increase in stalls numbers with out Uniqueness makes them feel frustrated by seeing repetitions inspite of walking long in aie Ground.Many also felt need of Property counters wher they can leave thier belonging & collect it back after thier shopping & resting chairs which would help them to take rest after heavy walk with purchase bags,as it more than 2 Km walk in the fair visiting stalls
Its High Time now to categorise the exhibitors to make it convenient for the Buyers.Many visitors Pointed out they were not aware start & end date in advance.

It's an appeal to BAPASI to work On concrete plans to retain The Visitors to Keep the Book readers alive Through early Promotions in print & media,and categorise the stalls
Looking all this makes me Feel, 'Makkal sindhani pervai' stalin Gunsekaran who organises Book Fair in erode, ends up every year ensuring Incraese in Number of Visitors & Volume of sales .Keeping the 150 stalls a constant & through consistant efforts to attarct crowd.He not only bring Smile in face of Readers also ensure happiness of all his exhibitors in every erode Book fair.Not person from Business or management bacground Stalin Firmly Belives & Understand that its delight of sellers & visitors is an important key sucess of Erode fair,Not Just statistical Increase of stalls without any marketing efforts.

Toilet Facilities (specially for women )& water Logging Near the food court (Its Stincking smell) needs Immediate attention.

Added attraction at the fair grounds is 4800 Sq ft Over crowded Food Court, which provides variety of South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, and Fast Food beside the Fresh Juice counter.Food Court made its Bottom Line up in this event.

With few crowd & More stalls can the Book Sellers & Publishers make thier Bottom line?