May 2, 2025

Dan Heffernan

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Highlights from the 2025 BISG Annual Meeting

Moving Fast, Fixing Things, and Shaping the Future of Book Publishing

Last week, I had the exciting opportunity to attend the annual Book Industry Study Group (BISG) meeting at The Times Center in New York City. Hosted on April 25th in the iconic New York Times building, this event brought together industry leaders, publishers, sponsors, and colleagues from across the book world for an insightful day of discussion and collaboration.

The opening session set the tone for the day with an engaging conversation between Joshua Tallent, BISG Board Chair and Firebrand founder, and James Miller, Vice-Chair of BISG and Senior Director of Business Development at Barnes & Noble. The duo explored the mantra “Move Fast and Fix Things,” a phrase that was put into sharp focus as they discussed the importance of infrastructure in publishing. Tallent quoted Fran Toolan, Firebrand’s retired founder, who often said, “Infrastructure is always last – like plumbing.” It may not be glamorous, but it's essential to the smooth operation of the industry. This conversation also delved into Barnes & Noble’s remarkable resurgence, with Miller sharing how the company has not only survived but thrived—opening dozens of new stores and empowering local managers to connect directly with their communities to curate titles that resonate with regional interests.

Metadata: From Manual to AI-Powered

The next session took a deep dive into the evolution of metadata, an often-overlooked backbone of the publishing world. Phil Madans (formerly of Hachette Book Group) and Laura Dawson (Numerical Gurus) were interviewed by Brian O’Leary, BISG Executive Director. They discussed significant milestones in metadata history, including the transition to ISBN-13. This shift, driven by a strict deadline, was challenging but crucial—and it worked. The panel also explored how artificial intelligence is now reshaping the way metadata is managed, opening doors to automation and greater accuracy in an increasingly digital world.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout the day, BISG took time to recognize some of the trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the book industry. Spotify received an award for their groundbreaking support of audiobooks, while Lee Wind was honored with the Industry Champion Award for his tireless efforts to fight book censorship. The prestigious Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Achievement was presented to Dominique Raccah, founder and CEO of Sourcebooks, for her decades of leadership and innovation in publishing.

BISAC and the Future of Bookstore Merchandising

Connie Harbison, Chair of BISAC’s Subject Codes Committee and Senior Manager at Baker & Taylor, led an in-depth discussion on BISAC merchandising themes. These thematic codes help booksellers create curated displays around holidays, events, and special topics. The goal is to make it easier for publishers to suggest themes and for bookstores to quickly find titles that fit. While uptake has been slower than expected, there was a strong push from the panel for publishers to embrace this model to streamline the process and enhance the customer experience.

Progress and Innovation in Publishing

The day continued with a series of quick-fire updates on BISG initiatives, highlighting important industry changes and challenges. Topics ranged from sustainability efforts to royalty statement standards, barcode price extensions, and the critical issue of accessibility. Attendees were reminded of looming deadlines for compliance with ADA Type II and the EAA, which are designed to improve accessibility in digital publications.

Thought Leadership: Text, Technology, and the Future

After lunch, the afternoon featured a fascinating conversation between Jeff Jarvis, author of The Gutenberg Parenthesis, and Matthew G. Kirschenbaum, author of Track Changes. The pair discussed the evolving relationship between text and technology, exploring how digital tools are reshaping not just how we read but how we create and interact with written content. Their conversation was a thought-provoking look at the intersection of literature and tech in the modern age.

Closing the Day with Networking and Collaboration

The day concluded with a lively networking reception, where attendees had the chance to connect, reflect on the day’s discussions, and build new relationships across the publishing ecosystem.

Overall, the BISG Annual Meeting was a powerful reminder of the dynamic nature of the book industry and the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in shaping its future. As the publishing world continues to evolve, it’s clear that staying ahead of the curve—whether through embracing new technologies, refining metadata processes, or advocating for accessibility—will be key to success in the years to come.

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Business Manager

American Association for the Advancement of Science

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Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Bayard

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American Medical Association

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Operations Director

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Chief Enterprise Architect

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President

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