Entrepreneurial Identity in US Book Publishing in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract

Entrepreneurship underpins many roles within the publishing industry, from freelancing to bookselling. Entrepreneurs are shaped by the contexts in which their entrepreneurship is situated (social, political, economic, and national). Additionally, entrepreneurship is integral to occupational identity for book publishing entrepreneurs. This Element examines entrepreneurship through the lens of identity and narrative based on interview data with book publishing entrepreneurs in the US Book publishing entrepreneurship narratives of independence, culture over commerce, accidental profession, place, risk, (in)stability, busyness, and freedom are examined in this Element.

Are Books Still 'Different'?

“…147 In some ways, the new affordances of the digital era have made publishing a less insecure business venture, or at least entrepreneurship in publishing a more feasible prospect, since the start-up costs have decreased. 148 Developments like easier e-book production, digital printing, print-on-demand, or crowdfunding platforms like Publishizer.com 149 have opened up possibilities to reach and serve niche readers.…”