Insiders know that the publishing industry is quite a tricky affair- it isn't for the faint-hearted; no walk in the park. However, publishing has a massive consumer market globally- thus, it's considerably influential. Many big-name publishers constitute a bigger media enterprise. The only exception is a few prominent indie presses.
The US is -by far- among the leading publishing companies globally. Unsurprisingly, America accounts for an impressive 29% of the global book sale revenues today. America also hosts the "Big 5," publishers who've raked a reputation for their exploits in the world publishing sector. Most book stores the world over regularly stock novels and other books that the Big 5 publish. So, do you have a story to tell? Obviously, the Big 5 would furnish you with an incredibly thirsty consumer audience.
Here are some of America's leading publishing names today:
Penguin Random House: This is one of America's biggest publishing houses and industry leaders. Penguin Random House was originally the product of a merger involving Random House and Penguin in 2013. The publisher's ownership may be traced to some leading multinational companies, including Bertelsmann and Pearson PLC. Penguin Random House can boast of having some 300 "editorially and creatively" independent imprints; all these work under a specific brand banner.
To its credit, PRH generally publishes more than 15,000 print books every year. It also sells more than 70,000 digital books annually. In practice, PRH prints multiple editions of successful books, and this increases the number even more. PPRH can boast a loyal fan base, gradually accumulated through regular author events, book tours, workshops, and seminars. The publishers also allow their readers to have access to comprehensive interview sessions with writers; they easily access essays from such authors on the publishers' websites. This is an incredibly vibrant space for amateur and established authors alike.
HarperCollins: This publisher is a News Corp subsidiary; it was first established in 1989, the product of a multi-million merger involving erstwhile publishing giants William Collins and Harper & Row. HarperCollins has more than 120 individual imprints; these include William Morrow, HarpersAudio, Amistad, Custom Books, and Anthony Bourdain Books. HarperCollins has published many books for several decades- the books traverse every imaginable genre- from romance to business. The publisher currently has 19 divisions in 17 different countries; these include Finland, Germany, Japan, India, Brazil, and the Czech Republic. According to information from the publisher's website, the exercise is widely beneficial. Here's what they have to say: "At HarperCollins, we magnanimously use our connection into 15 translation markets to give authors a superb publishing experience. By means of our Global Publishing Program, the authors can enjoy a unique approach; after all, we have various international publishing teams collaborating with us on several key strategies."
Generally, the statement continues, "through our unique approach, we have assembled a team of international publishing members- at the same time, we collaborate on many key strategies." Undoubtedly, HarperCollins is a genuinely excellent vessel that authors can utilize to pitch their story and have it out there in the world.
Simon & Schuster: This is another prominent American publishing company. Indeed, Simon & Schuster is recognized as the original publisher of what's known as the "the Lost Generation" authors, comprising Eliot, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and several others. CBS Corporation today owns Simon & Schuster as a subsidiary; it was founded in 1924 and has several publishing units offering books in different formats. As a rule, these imprints (including marketing and production) work independently.
Simon & Schuster is undoubtedly among the leading children's novels publishers globally. Many of these books are published using various imprints, including Salaam Reads, Aladdin Paperbacks, and Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Simon & Schuster also produces many audiobooks; this includes several original audiobook productions. The publisher has divisions in the UK, India, Canada, and Australia. Famous hits like Stephen King's "The Institute" and Howard Stern's "Come Again" rank among some of Simon & Schuster's best-published works of 2019.
Macmillan Publishers: MacMillan is among the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group subsidiaries. Through a merger, Macmillan Publishers Company was formed in 2015. MacMillan is among the big five publishers; it has a sterling history dating back t 1843. MacMillan has published the works of several eminent authors, including Rudyard Kipling, W.B Yeats, and Lewis Carroll. McMillan is home for several other imprints in the children and adult's literature world. The publisher operates in 70 countries including the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, India and South Africa.