HarperCollins to Launch Online Sales Catalog

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 5/12/2008 2:01:00 PM

HarperCollins is developing an interactive, electronic sales catalog. The catalog will offer booksellers an online tool to order books and reduce Harper’ paper output. Harper will preview the catalog at BEA later this month and will launch a beta version in six to 12 months. Harper spokesperson Erin Crum said the catalog will start with the summer 2009 list. The house will distribute a limited number of print copies as well.

The catalog will feature book covers, prices, on-sale dates, reviews and quotes, and media alerts will be updated in real time. The pages will also include links to author interviews, promotional videos and audio samples for some titles. Booksellers will be able to create lists and place orders online. Authors’ backlists will also be available.

Jane Friedman, Harper president and CEO, said, “It has been clear to me for some time that catalogs are out of date as soon as they are printed. So much of what we do today is in real time. Why not our catalogs? In addition, an electronic version reduces a tremendous amount of waste in all areas, paper, production and shipping. ”