Welcome to the first instalment of Visions of the book industry, a blog series where individuals working in different areas of the book supply chain, from book production to distribution, from wholesaling to bookselling, and more, share their thoughts about how they think 2035 could be different than today.

Anyone working in the book industry, from interns to C-level executives, is encouraged to participate in this ongoing series by submitting their prediction for the future in this short form. We thank you in advance for sharing your visions with us.

Sustainability

Publishing continues to grapple with its environmental impact as it moves towards more sustainable practices. Getting us started in this series and addressing this key subject is Jen Knoch, Senior Editor and Sustainability Officer at ECW, who said, “[i]n 2035, I hope no trees die to become books. Let 100% recycled stock be the only option, no matter the format, and that stock be created not just from paper products, but other abundant local sources, like agricultural residues. In 2035, we'll need whatever trees we have left more than ever.”

On this same topic, Noah Genner, President & CEO at BookNet Canada, said one of his visions for 2035 is “[a] more sustainable supply chain. More conscious use of the resources used to produce, distribute, and sell books. We must consider everything from efficient digital storage, paper use, other materials, transportation, and the end-of-life of our products — be they books or digital devices.”

Expanding on this, Jael Richardson, Executive Director at The FOLD Foundation, wrote, “I would love to see a world where we can easily buy a book in multiple formats by bundling purchases. If we want to be green in 2035 and perhaps print fewer physical books — which would allow publishers to save money while still supporting authors — we have to provide ways for folks to experience new formats. I'd love to buy a book with the added bonus of receiving a digital copy or an audiobook.”

Laura McKay-Keizer, Managing Editor at Portage & Main Press, predicted that by 2035, “[a]s global warming intensifies, environmental impact and greenhouse gas emissions will be a critical concern alongside the shipping disruptions extreme weather will create. I would love for the publishing industry to be a leader in examining our contributions to this problem and finding innovative solutions to reduce and even reverse our impact.”

Standards

Standardization is another recurring discussion topic in the global book industry. Related to this, BookNet Canada’s President & CEO, Noah Genner’s vision for the book industry supply chain in 2035 is for “[s]tandardized data everywhere! Need metadata about a book? Grab it via Schema.org (or from your favourite AI aggregator!). Need to know book usage or sales information? Connect to an API and get it.”

Accessibility

Related to accessibility, an anonymous Production Coordinator working for a Canadian publisher, shares their thoughts: “I'd like to see accessibility for print, digital, and audiobooks be integrated into the publishing process in a way that doesn't just check a box but works with the people who would be using them so they are as easy and enjoyable to use as possible.”

Your turn

We invite you to imagine a better book industry supply chain. What is one example of an aspect of the supply chain and your professional workflow that you think could be different in 2035 than it is today? Share your thoughts through this short form. Feel free to think expansively — and specifically.