The Era of the Proteur

Changing Roles of Editors

A.T. Bulathsinghala

A.T. Bulathsinghala

Chief Editor- S&T Group BSc (Hons), MSc Has written 04 astronomy books Has translated 03 SF novels by Sir Arthur C. Clarke The chief editor in “Tharulowa”- Astronomy magazine in Sri

Lanka (2000-2002) Freelance writer in “Vidusara”- Science magazine in Sri Lanka

(1997-2000)

Sri Lanka

Population: 21.6m Territory : 65,610 Sq km 09 provinces, 25 districts The constitution of SL provides for

education as a fundamental right Literacy rate is 98.1%

higher than that expected for a developing nation

the highest literacy rate in South Asia one of the highest literacy rates in Asia

10,390 government schools. The curriculum offered is approved by the Ministry of Education

15 universities Languages- Sinhala, Tamil, English

Total number of new books and new booklets published in

Sri Lanka each year

Year 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Number 8237 8839 8584 9967 9941

2010 2011 2012 2013 20140

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

Average- 9114E books in Sri Lanka- Book Hub by M.D. Gunasena

Publishing statistics from National Library Services and Documentation Board

Science & Technology

Vision of Ministry of Science and Technology- Sri Lanka becomes a scientifically and technologically advanced country by the year 2020

Upon an acceptance that the Ministry has a significant role to play in making Sri Lanka a knowledge hub

We ,

As a private company

S & T Group

Aim- Popularize Science and Astronomy in Sri Lanka Established in – 2002 Publishing items- Books- Astronomy and science books

Science fiction novels, DVDs, star maps A member of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association since 2006 Actively participates in Colombo International Book Fair since 2005 Actively participates in regional Book Fairs-Kandy Book fair,

Mathara Book Fair -organize annually by Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association

Publish SFs from 2009 including SFs from local writers and Sinhala translations of international SFs

Hold Sinhala copy rights for most of Sir Arthur C. Clarkes Science Fictions including Clarke’s final book- The Last Theorem

Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association

Established in 1985 27 founder members Currently union of 178 publishers Main organizer of Colombo International Book Fair- 1 million people visit Organize regional book fairs- Kandy and Mathara Organise Swarnapusthaka- Book Award Ceremony – LKR 500000/= to the author

Astronomy Books, Science Fictions, books with DVDs

Being a science publisher, we believe thatpeople need new ideas

No one wants to travel past

but to FUTURE…………

Sir Arthur Charles Clarke, CBE, FRAS was a British - Sri Lankan science fiction writer, science writer and futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host. Born in Minehead, UK ,December 16, 1917 and died in 19, March 2008 Colombo- 17 novels, 11 short stories and 13 nonfictions.

Want to be a writer?

Dash off your piecePublish it on your blogLink it to your twitter accountPost it on your face book page & tag as many

as you knowCount the hits

Written a book?Blog, Flikr, Pinterest, FB

Are traditional publishers then redundant?

No longer agonize about What to chooseWhat fonts to useWhat paperWhat sort of cover Will it translate in to popular film, tele-drama

or merchandise tie-ins…..?

And Editors?

‘Some philosopher of history had once said that man kind never completely abandons any of its

ancient tools.’

Titan civilian -Karl’s sketchbook remains with a pencil attached in the year 2276.

-Imperial Earth by Arthur C. Clarke

An editor

An editor polishes and refines directs the focus of the story along a particular course checks out what is non essential cuts out what doesn’t fit enhances the major points to draw attention conveys the message properly

ResponsibilityConservation of trends in this era

for Future

Conserving trends from stone plaque to nanoscreens

also………………….

Editor should be aware of the global market the behavioral patterns of readers sophisticated electronic devices - whether

the content is compatible basic concepts of new technologies

Challenges facing science editors in Sri Lanka

Limited market segment –few love science Modern Science is far from public- An agricultural country

Cultural and Religious impact Problems in Education System

Language barriers, hard to find good science translators Lacking editors with international working experience In acquiring copyrights from overseas publishers- price & lack of

professionals Should be involved in production, marketing and advertising

process Book reading behavior decline dramatically-blog sphere, e-books,

face book, twitter

Overcoming Challenges

How to Popularize science? Public

‘A SF per 2 months’ – Publish a Sinhala translation of a world famous science fiction bimonthly

Sky News SMS alert service

Schools & Universities Night Sky Observation Camps in schools Science Quiz programs- books to be donated to

winners

Night Sky Observation Camps

Astro news to idea apps- SMS

The Book App

Customer need a bookText – the title or authorSend SMSSystem select the nearest bookstore from

GPSReply –

the nearest bookshop The distance between the customer and the shop in

km Price ISBN number The publisher

Thank you