12 Specific Issues Facing Small Publishers

In light of growing concentration in the book distribution sector and an ever growing number of titles published, small publishers are finding it increasingly difficult to find diffusion and distribution partners. The rapidly expanding distributors are more hesitant about agreeing to distribute small publishers or titles that do not offer a guaranteed sales threshold and pose too great a risk. They will find the task in terms of diffusion efforts and warehouse space too demanding and the financial benefits insufficient. It is logically more profitable to sell 50 copies of one title than one copy each of 50 titles.

Even a small publisher that manages to conclude a diffusion/distribution agreement will have no guarantee that it will be treated fairly or that its titles will receive all the attention they deserve. Since there is limited time to present new titles to booksellers, many representatives do not present all their new titles, obviously giving priority to better-known authors and better-selling titles.

These conditions, which are unavoidable in an increasingly concentrated distribution sector, can seriously jeopardize the diversity of supply. The choice of titles to be made available to the public, even under the best of conditions, will depend on a title's sales potential, rather than on its innovative character or contribution to literature.

Some groups of small publishers have attempted to find solutions better suited to their status and means, and more likely to increase their visibility. As previously mentioned, publishers that are members of the Regroupement des éditeurs canadiens-français (French-language minority publishers) felt that they were unfairly treated by their distributor, and some did not have the production needed to attract a distributor. In 1991, in partnership with the distributor Prologue, they decided to take over diffusion of their own titles by hiring their own commercial representative and turning their distribution over to Prologue. This agreement allowed publishers to ensure that all their new titles would be properly presented to bookstores; they took a more active role in determining marketing strategies for their titles. This formula also allowed the distributor to reduce its risk since it was no longer paid based on sales, but instead on book turnover. This solution was warmly welcomed by booksellers and proved very positive for RÉCF publishers.

The Coopérative de diffusion et de distribution du livre [book diffusion and distribution co‑operative] (CDDL) is another example of a solution suited to small publishers. In 2006, the heads of a dozen small publishing houses (self-described micropublishers) decided to establish a diffusion and distribution co‑operative when faced with the impossible task of finding a distributor willing to represent them. Today, the co‑operative brings together more than thirty diffused publishers, which demonstrates a certain degree of interest in the formula and suggests that the results are such that not only do they justify continuing the service, but also allow for expansion. By combining their efforts and organizing unique promotion activities, they have managed to introduce their titles to the public and — although not without difficulty — place a certain number onto the market, mainly through independent bookstores and a bookstore chain.

Another group of small Quebec publishers, finding it impossible to reach an agreement with a diffuser/ distributor or dissatisfied with the lack of visibility provided by their diffuser/distributor, decided to separate the diffusion and distribution activities for their titles and delegate each to a different business. What distinguishes them from other Quebec publishers is that have they opted to delegate diffusion of their titles to the major French diffusers (Flammarion, Gallimard and Hachette) that found it to be to their advantage to add Canadian titles to their catalogues, as it enhanced their reputation among retailers. The publishers concerned are automatically distributed by Socadis. Thus, these small publishers (Lux Éditeur, La Pastèque, Art Global, Les Allusifs, Alto, Le Lézard Amoureux, Héliotrope, Nota Bene, and more recently Marchand de Feuilles) are some of the few domestic publishers distributed by these foreign diffusers. The strategy seems to have been very successful judging by the bestsellers that several of these young publishers have had. Surprisingly, this solution seems to apply only in Canada, since none of the publishers is distributed in France by its Canadian diffuser.

Lastly, several small publishers in France have decided to join Calibre.¹ This organization is set up to distribute small publishers, which are generally self-distributed. Its organization is based on bringing together the various physical, administrative and financial flows, which provides economies of scale and saves time for both publishers and booksellers.

Inventory remains with the publisher. Calibre receives orders from bookstores for all the publishers represented, groups them by publisher and forwards only one order to each, aggregating all the bookstores' requirements. This way, the publisher sends only one set of titles, which will be combined with shipments from all the other publishers represented and then distributed to each bookstore. The publisher sends only one invoice to Calibre, which also forwards the bookstore only one invoice containing all the titles.

Calibre is responsible for collections and assumes the risk on outstanding accounts. It is associated with the Centre d'exportation du livre français [French book export centre] (CELF), which handles Calibre's logistics.

Calibre is a non-profit service; revenue is redistributed through reduced commissions and improved service.

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