The Bookseller - Comment - The sums don't work

In an age when the price of a book often bears little relation to the effort invested in its creation, independent publishers in particular face a critical question: Should they charge more for their books?

The intrinsic value of independent publishing

As the managing director of Fly on the Wall Press (2024 Small Press of The Year, North, The British Book Awards), I know that independent publishers offer unique value propositions: they amplify diverse voices and stories that might be overlooked by larger publishers and they invest time in nurturing new talent. Despite these strengths, small publishers struggle to match the recommended retail prices (RRPs) of the "Big Five" publishers due to rising print costs and lower sales volumes.