Re: Response to Janellyn Kleiner

[Janellyn P Kleiner <jkleiner@lsu.edu>]

Response to all --- I have been out of the office since Monday 
p.m., July 10, with health problems. That is why I haven't 
responded to anyone's comments. I'm only in the office briefly 
this a.m. to take care of some budget matters. i.e. this may be 
the only response that I send, at least for the next few days.

Yes, I'm talking about STM publishing and primarily STM journals 
though the twist some of the high end STM publishers are putting 
to monographs sales is quite interesting. When STM publishers pay 
their top executives annual salaries in the millions, I'd say 
there are substantial profits being made. I'm not criticizing 
this because that is good business for the publisher(s) -- very 
good business. That may be limited to one publisher. I haven't 
investigated the others and probably would be unable to do so.

As for energy, even tho Enron struck a blow to it, I think energy 
is still good for awhile -- at least as long as the Republicans 
control things. Real estate -- and I had a license for many years 
to avoid paying fees on some of my own investments -- that's very 
questionable. It's due for a bust so don't your money their.

If I had money free to invest now, I would definitely want to put 
it in at least one STM company that I know of. Publishing is like 
any other business. It needs top business minds and a little luck 
to keep those profits coming.

Jane Kleiner
Associate Dean of Libraries for Collection Services
The LSU Libraries
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225-578-2217
Fax: 225-578-6825
E-Mail: jkleiner@lsu.edu


"Joseph J. Esposito" <espositoj@gmail.com>@lists.yale.edu on 07/11/2006
08:04:33 PM
To:    <liblicense-l@lists.yale.edu>

Subject:    Response to Janellyn Kleiner

>I'd just like some answers that may blow holes in my current 
>opinion that scholarly publishing is the most profitable venture 
>going in the world of publishing.

JE:  Well, it all depends on what you mean by publishing. 
Scholarly monograph publishing mostly operates at a deficit. 
Many, probably, most research journals lose money.  College 
textbook publishing is still highly profitable, but its future is 
behind it.  School publishing is profitable for the big guys 
(only 4 left).  Trade publishing is unspeakable from a business 
point of view.  But you probably mean STM journals.  This is a 
highly profitable niche, but its success is relative to the 
otherwise truly dismal performance of other publishing segments. 
If you are looking for money, go into energy or real estate. Only 
a fool would invest in publishing nowadays.

Joe Esposito