Publishing Scotland is a new organisation, a not-for-profit company, formed to take responsibility for the representation and development of the publishing sector in Scotland. It will act as the voice and network for publishing, to develop and promote the work of companies, organisations and individuals in the industry, and to co-ordinate joint initiatives and partnerships.

Publishing Scotland has grown from the work of the Scottish Publishers Association (SPA), a trade association in existence for over 30 years. Representing 75 book and journal publishers, the SPA expanded its remit in recent years by establishing a web information point, a book distribution company, an online bookshop, a role as ‘open-to-all’ training provider for publishing skills, and other development projects. The new body takes into account the wider role of the SPA whilst retaining its traditional elements of trade association work.

Publishing Scotland will now offer two kinds of membership: to publishing companies and organisations, as before, and to associated organisations and individuals who work with the publishing sector.

Publishing Scotland has a triple task. Its central network and development role will provide skills training, statistics and research, seminars, international outreach and a programme of networking events. Its publishing company work (as the association of Publishers in Scotland) brings to the sector services and advice and a strong lobbying voice. Its commercial role will develop the companies (presently BookSource and Books fromScotland.com) which provide resources to publishing, to writers and to creative contributors.

Publishing Scotland’s development role will have a major focus on research on new technology, to find new ways of promoting and using content, to help the advance into new markets and territories, and to help build the skills needed for this work.

Publishing Scotland is partly funded by the Scottish Arts Council, partly by annual subscriptions, and by revenue from its trading arms. Governed by a board with responsibility for overall policy setting and financial matters, there are councils and committees for different areas of work.

Publishing Scotland will build a network for companies, institutions and professionals who are active in the sector. The programme will lead with ideas and information and follow demand and needs. The benefits from this network will assist and support those who are ambitious to develop their work and their skills in the 21st century environment.

Publishing Scotland manages the following web portal: