What is the Digital Publishing Forum?

The Digital Publishing Forum aims to accelerate the development of a digital publishing industry in New Zealand. It has been formed by Copyright Licensing Limited in conjunction with its shareholders, the Book Publishers Association of New Zealand and the New Zealand Society of Authors.

The initial focus of the Forum is to provide training and networking opportunities for local publishers, and to develop relationships with groups and organisations that can support the industry’s development. We have a full programme planned for the year ahead, with international experts and local innovators bringing best practices and ideas to New Zealand.

By taking a pro-active approach to developing skills and coordinating joint programmes and promotions, and doing this early in the market's development, we aim to build a strong industry that can compete at the top level, both domestically and internationally.

Read the news release for more information on the Forum and its aims.

What is Digital Publishing?

The term “digital publishing” originally referred to the production of books and other printed material using computer-based production systems such as Quark Express or PageMaker. Today, it describes the much bigger expansion of the digital realm into the world of book publishing.

Publishers are increasingly producing books in digital formats that take advantage of a multitude of new and emerging digital channels. These range from subscription-based services to electronic whiteboards, from print-on-demand to ebooks that emulate the experience of ink on paper, from computers to smart mobile devices like Apple's iPhone.

These changes are opening up new channels for books, and new paid content business models for publishers — and providing new types of ‘born digital’ publications that could change the nature of the book itself.

For more information on digital publishing and the ebook, read this ebook primer.

Who is the Digital Publishing Forum for?

Digital publishing opens up the multi-billion dollar global book industry to both existing and new players. It needs new skills, technologies and ways of doing business. If you think you've got something that we should be aware of, or can share to help others, contact Forum director Martin Taylor. We want to hear from:

• Content providers looking for technology
• Technology providers looking for content
• Speakers
• Sponsors
• Suppliers
• Service providers
• Investors
• Anyone who can help build an internationally competitive digital publishing industry in New Zealand

Who Can Join the Forum?

The Forum has been set up as a special interest group with a brief to encourage involvement from a wide range of individuals, organisations and groups that can contribute to the rapid development of this new industry. There is no formal nomination process or joining fee. The best way to ‘join’ is just to sign up for the free email service which will keep you posted on Forum activities, and come along to some of the events we'll be organising and get involved.