The document discusses the transition in the trade publishing industry from a linear production workflow to a centralized, collaborative model for digital content creation. Key points include: 1) Publishers are moving to a model where a single instance of content can be transformed and distributed across multiple formats and platforms. 2) This requires shifting from print-centric workflows to a content-centric approach and expanding skill sets to include capabilities like digital editing, templated design, and multimedia. 3) The new workflow is a centralized, collaborative "pull" model rather than a linear "push" model, with all participants able to access and contribute to the same content pool.

1. The Effects of Digital Content Creation
on Production and Editorial Workflow in
the Trade Publishing Industry
Everybody in the Pool!
Making Information Pay
May 6, 2010

2. Why Digital Content Creation
 May 2009: Digital content creation becomes number
one priority in HBG’s digital roadmap
 Our goal is the ability make our content available on
what ever platform and in what ever format we choose
 Recognized that the publisher is no longer the sole owner of
the product platform
 The supply chain is getting more and more complex
 Centralized Digital Content Creation
 Control
 Content, metadata, collateral marketing materials
 Collaboration
 Transparency
 Efficiency
 Pull vs. Push Workflow
 Quality
 Enable the same high level of quality across all product lines
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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3. Multipurpose
One, and only one, instance of the content will
be stored in a digital format, which can be
transformed into any number of products,
physical or digital, at any time..or at the same
time.
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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2010

4. Content Centric/Format Agnostic
Print/Product Centric
Content Centric
Hardcover
eBook
Paperback
Large Print
DELIVER
US Mobile
FROM
EVIL Web
Content Enhanced eBook
Hardcover
(First Format) ?
Think Outside the Page
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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5. Centralized Content Creation
Content
Authoring Editing Describing
Multi-Product Delivery
Product
Formats QA Distribution
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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6. Production/Editorial Workflow Shifts
• From a linear push model:
– a workflow stream that branches off into
tributaries and parallel streams, hoping to join at
pre-defined points along the line
• To a centralized, collaborative pull model:
– A community pool where the participants jump
in when needed
– Centralized Content Review
– Centralized Product Review
– Centralized Product Output
• Full control of content and product
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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14. Traditional Push Workflow
• Editorial owns the content
– Identifying Structure
– Copyediting
– Proofreading
• Production owns the package
– Procurement
• Materials
– Scheduling
• logistics
– Delivery
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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15. A Collaborative Workspace Requires Expanded Skill Sets
• Production Editorial/Copy Editing/Proofreading
– More Product Visibility
– Work Digitally
• Content and Structure
• Proofreading
– Content
– Pages
• Production/Design
– More Content Visibility
– Less reliance on page layout programs:
• Quark, InDesign
– Templated Design
– XML, XHTML, CSS, ePub
– Multimedia
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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16. Collaborative Dive In
Before You Process
• It is a collaboration
• Process does not end with the process diagram
• Get all of the right people into the room
• Company buy-in is essential…
• …but may not be easy to achieve
• Use your experts to design and lead the
transition
• Bring new skills in-house as you need them
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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17. Thank You
Phil Madans
Director of Publishing Standards & Practices
Hachette Book Group
phil.madans@hbgusa.com
Phil Madans--Making Information Pay
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2010