What is a Book Producer or Packager?
American
Book Producers
Association
Simply put, book producers, also known as packagers or developers, are some of the most valuable players on the creative side of the publishing industry today.
Book packagers have earned this distinction for their mastery of one type of book in particular – namely, the complicated book. A complicated book is just about any book that involves more than a straightforward, single-author text. Complicated books include all manner of highly illustrated or elaborately designed or multi-authored titles, such as how-to books, coffee-table books, reference books, textbooks, cookbooks, historic subject books, or fine art or design books of all disciplines. Quietly, these books make up the backbone of the publishing business.
Creating complicated books is a labor-intensive craft that often involves whole teams of writers, editors, designers, illustrators, photographers, researchers and other specialized talent whose separate contributions must be integrated into a seamless whole.
When what you
need is savvy.
Old Stone Press has a rich heritage in presentation packaging production. We have an incredible stable of experienced book packaging designers networked with a talented production capability that can bring the most sophisticated or complicated book project to fruition.
But the book packager’s mastery of complicated books goes well beyond mere execution. Book packagers are visionary as well, conceiving and collaborating with clients who are seeking the unusual or high-impact solution in developing the books they create.
Old Stone Press combines a distinct individual aesthetic with a keen sense of the demands of the marketplace and a savviness about what is technically feasible to generate a steady stream of smart, original ideas. We are then able to pull together the necessary ingredients to see these creative solutions through. We are collaborators. We are the catalyst in managing highly talented, creative people who are focused on excellence. It is largely for this reason that as a book packager, Old Stone Press is known as a savvy book developer.
Complicated, or packaged, books defy easy categorization. They cover an infinite variety of essential subjects: art, medicine, cooking, history, parenting, gardening, sports, popular culture, self-help, and more. They run the spectrum of publishing markets, including trade, mass market, education, juvenile, professional, and reference.
Every year, some of the most impressive and lucrative titles on the market are in the category of highly illustrated packaged books or coffee-table books.
Book producers exist to simplify complicated projects.
Complicated can mean many things, depending on the project. Often it means the project involves working closely with an outside organization, like a magazine or a medical school, to shape a book on which the organization can agree to put its name.
Sometimes complicated means coordinating the work of multiple authors, researchers, and experts; supervising the creation of original art and photography; or incorporating various reproduction techniques like silkscreen printing, digital printing, special die-cutting for “pop-up” visuals or foil stamping along with the traditional offset lithographic process. Sometimes it means executing a highly elaborate design or even incorporating non-print materials such as CDs, tapes, video, iPod recordings, branded products, juggling balls, flower seeds, unusual tactile objects, 3-dimensional objects, exotic materials, and substrates other than paper; e.g., plastics, fabrics, woods or other materials – and it may include multiple binding techniques for presentation or in-store display.
Almost always, however, complicated means that the project calls for concentrated, labor-intensive activity. Unlike any other players in the publishing industry, book packagers are specifically equipped to devote the time, energy, and focused attention necessary to bring these projects to fruition.
Drawing on the most sophisticated design and production technologies, book packagers handle every stage of the publishing process and can be counted upon to deliver a product on schedule with the highest level of professionalism.
It’s time to talk to
Old Stone Press.
The best way for you to learn which packager might serve your interests is to get to know the field. Then talk to Old Stone Press. We think you will find our approach to excellence is by far the best way to develop your idea and make your dreams a reality.
After all, you’ve got a story to tell.
