Press Coverage 3

WritersServices was mentioned in the trade press in the Bookseller dated 21 February 2003, in an article about the websites of 2003 book fairs which was part of the series Bookworm on the Net written by Anne Weale.

'There are comments on the Frankfurt Book FairWorld's largest trade fair for books; held annually mid-October at Frankfurt Trade Fair, Germany; First three days exclusively for trade visitors; general public can attend last two. by former publisher Chris HolifieldManaging director of WritersServices; spent working life in publishing,employed by everything from global corporations to start-ups; track record includes: editorial director of Sphere Books, publishing director of The Bodley Head, publishing director for start-up of upmarket book club, The Softback Preview, editorial director of Britain’s biggest book club group, BCA, and, most recently, deputy MD and publisher of Cassell & Co. She is also currently the Director of the Poetry Book Society; During all of this time aware of problems faced by writers, as publishing changed from idiosyncratic cottage industry, 'occupation for gentlemen', into corporate business of today. Writers encountered increasing difficulty in getting books edited or published. Authors create the books which are the raw material for the whole business. She believes it is time to bring them back to centre stage. at her 1,000-page WritersServices site, which, she tells me, is receiving more than 11,000 visitors a week.

"If you're an author." Ms Holifield warns, "the advice is not to go to Frankfurt or to any other book fair...  You may think that book fairs are about authors and writing, but they're really more focused on wheeling and dealing.  Believe me, you won't be welcome.

"For young editors, it's a treat to go to Frankfurt.  For the veterans, it's a good opportunity to moan...  This year (2002) the number of exhibitors should be back up again, after the abrupt fall post-9/11.  But the strains in the world economy and in particular poor book sales in Germany will cast a shadow."