The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated and highlighted the problems and opportunities within the book publishing industry’s distribution practices. This is a summary of the Publishing Distribution Practices report, researched and produced in collaboration with Portland State University, Independent Book Publishers Association, and PubWest. This article addresses research and recommendations for becoming carbon neutral, delivering books cost effectively, utilizing print-on-demand, minimizing returns, and examining supply chain issues raised by the pandemic. Findings include starting with paper and emissions assessment for more eco-friendly publishing; emphasizing pre-orders, local and discounted delivery, trade organization membership, and POS systems for cost-effective delivery; limiting outsourcing to restrict supply chain disruptions; reducing print runs and promoting books more effectively to minimize returns; and utilizing print-on-demand for proof copies and gap runs.

COVID-19 大流行加剧并凸显了图书​​出版业发行实践中的问题和机遇。这是与波特兰州立大学、独立图书出版商协会和 PubWest 合作研究和制作的出版发行实践报告的摘要。本文讨论了有关实现碳中和、经济高效地交付书籍、利用按需印刷、最大限度地减少退货以及检查大流行引发的供应链问题的研究和建议。调查结果包括从纸张和排放评估开始，以实现更环保的出版；强调预订、本地和折扣交付、贸易组织会员资格和 POS 系统，以实现具有成本效益的交付；限制外包以限制供应链中断；减少印刷量并更有效地推广书籍以最大限度地减少回报；并利用按需打印进行校样和间隙运行。