Small Publishers and the Future of Culture
Sad news emerged recently: one of Canada’s historic independent book publishers, New Star Books, has announced it will cease publishing new titles. Founded in the 1960s as a spinoff of the underground newspaper Georgia Straight, New Star Books became a platform for significant works by authors like Jean Barman, Daphne Marlatt, Sharon Thesen, Terry Glavin, Sage Birchwater, and many others. Publisher Rolf Maurer cited reasons familiar to many in the dwindling cohort of independent Canadian publishers: lack of market access, reduced government support, and the challenges of aging leadership (New Star Books, n.d.).
It is indeed a shame when small publishers, who have long played an admirable role in amplifying important voices, succumb to economic pressures. They often stood out as relatively ethical players in an industry that has frequently been exploitative. Yet it is also essential to examine the system they supported—one that is now collapsing under its own weight.
The Problem with Copyright
For centuries, the publishing industry has relied on a copyright regime that claims to protect creators but has largely served the interests of intermediaries. In practice, this regime takes the entirety of human cultural history—spanning ten thousand years or more—and holds it hostage. Critics argue that such restrictive copyright laws hinder cultural and scientific progress by prioritizing profit over public access (New Media Rights, n.d.).
There is growing recognition among critics that excessively long copyright terms hinder creativity and access. Historically, the U.S. Copyright Act of 1790 granted copyright protection for 14 years, renewable once (Parc & Messerlin, 2020). Over time, terms have lengthened dramatically, leading to calls for reform. For example, the Copyright Clause Restoration Act of 2022 proposed limiting copyright protection to 56 years to balance creators’ rights with the public domain (PetaPixel, 2022). More radical proposals, such as reverting to a term of 10 years, would emphasize universal access to cultural works.
At the same time, legislative efforts like Canada’s Bill C-18—intended to protect news producers—favor large incumbents while locking out small publishers entirely. Critics argue this entrenches disparities in access and control, leaving smaller players unable to compete (Parliament of Canada, 2023).
Why Publishers are Failing
Small publishers are not just losing to market forces or government indifference—they are losing to the democratization of authorship and the increasing ease of distribution. The internet has made it possible for anyone to write, publish, and share their work globally, often at no cost. Meanwhile, giant corporations dominate traditional publishing, squeezing out smaller players who cannot compete on scale or resources.
Data reflects this trend. Industry sales fell by 0.8% in 2023, highlighting a slight but steady decline (Publishers Weekly, 2023). Additionally, newspaper circulation in the U.S. dropped from 55.8 million in 2000 to 24.2 million by 2020, showcasing the broader shift to digital media (Census.gov, 2022).
The rise of digital technology has also exposed flaws in the copyright model. Artificial intelligence tools that "read" publicly available content for training datasets have sparked debates over access and intellectual property, as major publishers lobby for tighter controls (The Register, 2024). This further disrupts an already strained industry.
A Call for Reflection
As small publishers disappear, perhaps their greatest contribution could be a final act of candor: a recognition that the copyright regime they once upheld is fundamentally flawed. Instead of clinging to a collapsing system, they could raise their voices in support of tearing down barriers to access.
Imagine a world where cultural works are freely available to everyone, regardless of financial means or geographic location. A ten-year copyright horizon—a reasonable compromise—could allow creators to benefit financially from their work while ensuring that humanity’s cultural heritage remains accessible to all.
Small publishers, facing their twilight, have an opportunity to help shape this future. By speaking out against the injustices of the current system, they could reclaim their legacy as champions of culture and creativity—not gatekeepers of access.
Books as Artifacts
In this new landscape, there is still room for publishers as bespoke creators of books as artifacts. Beautifully crafted physical books—designed for those who value them as objects of art and history—can continue to exist as novelties or collector’s items. This role does not require the perpetuation of the old, exploitative system.
The Bigger Picture
The demise of small publishers is part of a larger shift in how humanity engages with culture. As we move forward, the question is not whether traditional publishing can survive—it cannot. The question is whether we will use this moment to create something better: a world where culture is democratized, where access is determined by interest and not privilege, and where the barriers of copyright are finally dismantled.
This is the opportunity before us. It is a shame to see small publishers fade away, but it would be a far greater shame if their passing left the underlying system intact.
References
- New Star Books. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://www.newstarbooks.com/about.php
- New Media Rights. (n.d.). What are the major criticisms of the copyright laws in the US?. Retrieved from https://www.newmediarights.org/business_models/artist/what_are_major_criticisms_copyright_laws_us
- Parc, J., & Messerlin, P. (2020). Copyright Durations: How Long is Too Long? Retrieved from https://ecipe.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Parc-and-Messerlin-2020-Copyright-durations-1.pdf
- PetaPixel. (2022, May 13). New Bill to Limit Copyright to 56 Years Would Be Retroactive. Retrieved from https://petapixel.com/2022/05/13/new-bill-to-limit-copyright-to-56-years-would-be-retroactive
- Parliament of Canada. (2023). Bill C-18: An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada. Retrieved from https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en/bill/44-1/c-18
- Publishers Weekly. (2023). Publishing Industry Sales Fell Slightly in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/95788-publishing-industry-sales-fell-slightly-in-2023.html
- U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Internet Crushes Traditional Media. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2022/06/internet-crushes-traditional-media.html
- The Register. (2024, October 22). Major publishers sue Perplexity AI for scraping content. Retrieved from https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/22/publishers_sue_perplexity_ai/
Further References
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