Weekly magazine for the book trade Publishing News is to close with the loss of eight jobs – mostly journalists.
The subscription-based title aimed at book sellers has been hit by the shift of advertising to online.
Chairman Fred Newman, who founded the title in 1979, said: “This has been a sad and difficult decision to make, but the nature of the book trade which today offers a multiplicity of ways for publishers to sell books both to booksellers and to consumers has changed dramatically.
“For the biggest book publishers, the trade press is now only one of many options for the promotion and sale of their titles.”
Editor Liz Thomson said: “Since joining PN in 1984, I have been in the privileged position of witnessing some fascinating book trade history. In the editor’s chair for the past five years, I have worked with a fantastic, hardworking and loyal team, including deputy editor Roger Tagholm and a roll call of contributors and columnists who have helped make Publishing News a lively, multi-faceted and outward-looking publication.
“Working with Fred has been a rollercoaster ride – but one that has afforded great opportunities to develop wonderful relationships across publishing. I look forward to continuing these in my second act.”
PN Ltd continues as a business and will carry on running the Galaxy British Book Awards and the Christmas Books Catalogue.
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