OAPEN-UK

"Alternative Futures for Publishing" stemmed from an idea that was discussed at a board meeting of the BPAA, and an application to the Alberta Ministry of Culture resulted in funding that enabled us to complete this project. The book is authored by several individuals, each of whom contributed a chapter. The authors gathered for a two-day retreat at the enjoy centre in St. Albert to give feedback to each other on content and presentation, and to further discuss the future of publishing and the format of the book. Jerome Martin, project coordinator for the book, is thrilled with the outcome. "One of the great pleasures of this project was working with a group of very talented people," says Martin. "The process was innovative, and the opportunities for collaboration and stimulating discussions were endless." "Alternative Futures for Publishing" is full of interesting perspectives on the future of publishing, and is available online through the BPAA website: www.bookpublishers.ab.ca. There is no charge to download the book. "The future of publishing is open to possibilities - with the evolution of eBooks, readers now have many choices with respect to what they read and how they read it," says Martin. "This book is a great example of the ways in which a 'book' is more than a book, and is an experience in 'participating in' the book, rather than just reading it."